ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -The visitor is a “friendly innkeeper of the town” who is known by Margaret (Hawthorne970). Further validation comes from Goodman Parker’s account of having received the news of Margaret’s husband.

Detailed explanation-2: -In addition to exploring the borders between appearance and reality, the story delves into themes such as the relationship between thinking and feeling, responses to loss, and familial guilt.

Detailed explanation-3: -Conflict(s): Man vs. Self. The conflict is with the widow’s own wants and wishes that distort their realities for a brief moment of peace.

Detailed explanation-4: -How does Margaret react to the conversation with Goodman Parker? She is overjoyed and wakes Mary to tell her the good news.

Detailed explanation-5: -She goes to the window and see a sailor, Stephen. Mary is upset by the sight of him as she thought he was trying to rekindle their once romance.