Analyzing Walek's Violent Treatment Towards Walkowa

When reading this piece of work, one can say that it is a misogynistic from Walek’s violent treatment towards Walkowa. One of the very first few interactions between Walek and Walkowa is a scene in which Walek “beat his wife, and dragged her out to work with him”. It is clear that from these experience and her fearful hesitation to Walek’s potential reaction when she asks about the wellbeing of her child, that Walek has been abusive towards her or is in general a violent person. Taking this into consideration, Walkowa may potentially suffer from battered person syndrome from her interactions with Walek. This is an important factor to consider when examining her actions. The story does not characterize Walkowa except for the fact that she’s a worried and caring mother. It can be even argued that she does not have much of a self-identity since she shares the female form of Walek’s name. Walkowa’s motherly side shines through when she becomes worried about her child when they are working during a mist. She becomes increasingly worried about her child but also about the potential violence outburst that Walek might have,

Walek is the main provider for the family, thus leaving Walkowa in a tough situation since she has a child and needs food and housing to allow the survival of her and her child. She doesn’t in fact defy Walek and run to check on her child but she does start to work at a similar pace as Walek. She does so because she realizes that they will be able to return home faster. Walek does say “Push yours too, you lazy brute” however her intention of working faster is not Walek’s comment but her fear for her child. It is worth mentioning that Walek is built with a strong frame, and Walek is able to mimic his work pace due to her fear for her