Question

What series of contrasts does the speaker draw between herself and her husband

Answer 1

Explanation:

The farmer's wife contrasts how the farmer only had to face pain and humiliation before he died, whereas she has faced it all her life. Second contrast between then is that she is optimistic who choose life, whereas her husband chose death

Answer 2

Answer:

The speaker says that her husband was virtuous, but she is a sinner, and he is dead while she is alive. There is irony in this series of contrasts because the farmer, unable to bear the shame, committed suicide without wondering what would be the plight of his wife, left behind to face the creditors.

Explanation:

• The speaker mentions that he is virtuous even when he has committed suicide while she is a sinner without having committed anything evil. At his death, he cannot bend his head and outstretch his hand whereas she is used to bending her head as a woman and stretching her hand out for assistance. He found release with poison, but he poisoned their already bitter existence. She survived the extreme situations while he committed suicide. Though he chose to end his life, the speaker vows to live her life with all the challenges.
• The poetess contrasted the farmer as virtuous and herself as a sinner. He had gone without having to bend his head in shame and she has to bend her head. He found a release with poison, by poisoning her remaining life. The difference was that he was happy about his death and .she was sad about being alive. All his sadness and debts fell on her to take care of. Her husband was a coward to end his life instead of facing them bravely. She was a brave soul ready to face all hardships.