Georcia A. Eugenio
“The baggage she carries”
People face dilemmas everyday. However, it is up to people how they would manage to make their choices. As we read “The Leaving” by Budge Wilson, the author introduced a mother whose name is Elizabeth, who is a victim of abuse and responsibilities of motherhood. In this short story, the penury, the monotonous life, the lack of respect and appreciation as a parent and a woman have affected Elizabeth’s decision to stand up for herself. Poverty has caused Elizabeth to make a change for herself because of the pain of ‘being a woman’ based on the standards of society. For instance, when she has to always stay in their house and do the household chores because she was unable to provide for herself as
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For example, her use of the grey color to portray a boring life and repetitive routines. This was used several times when Elizabeth was in and going to the farmhouse. Because Elizabeth was always left at home to do the chores while her children were out for school. This had led Elizabeth to leave and look for a change in her life with Sylvie who she thinks as her only ally, as they were both females. Grey also portrayed the sadness of Elizabeth as she often wore grey clothes. And as Sylvie mentioned that her mother rarely smiled and that Elizabeth was isolated by her husband and sons as they were the only ones who went on trips and vacations while Elizabeth and Sylvie have to clean up their messes. This fact had led Elizabeth to bring Sylvie over her three other sons. She wanted Sylvie to experience what she was missing out and to show her that there was more than life in the farm and that she could be whatever she wants to be if she was smart. Besides, she could be happy just like everyone they saw in Halifax, which was shown using the bright colors such as yellow. For instance, when they arrived in a hotel in Halifax the woods were yellow which meant that Halifax is a more wealthy, lively and happy place than the farm. There were so many buildings that were built and people were busy with their jobs and being happy. Also, at the end of the story Elizabeth was mentioned to have made a yellow blouse