This short story by Joyce Carol Oates depicts the story of a woman living– unhappily– as the mistress of a married man. He supports her financially, to an extent. She still works at an office, as a secretary, and resents his half-support, the money given to her like an afterthought and the expensive shoes she hardly had occasion to wear. Opening, we are told she’s hidden something in the blue chair, but tries to assure herself she will not need it, giving a sense of suspense and mystery to the reader. Later it’s revealed to be sewing shears; what she calls “A weapon of revenge. Not a male weapon but a female weapon: sewing shears.”
This relationship is an example of the skewed power dynamics between man and woman. We see her waiting for him obediently, nude– not naked, as she explained– while he arrives late, clearly not having much respect for her, not seeing her as a priority. She recalls the men who have taken advantage of her before, Mr. Broderick, Mr. Castle, and her current boss, Mr. Tvek; however, he remained unnamed. Despite being the object of her frustrations and someone she deeply wants to punish, it’s almost as if she is protecting his identity. She wants to punish him, and take control somehow; but without her benefactor, she could not afford her apartment, not on a secretary’s salary.
As we change to the man’s perspective, we get an insight to his own inner grievances. He spends a while thinking about alcohol, how early in the day it’s appropriate to drink. He shows his true feelings for his mistress, calling her a “deceitful little bitch” for drinking alcohol– that he purchased and brought to her. He compares her and his wife, looking down at both, not realizing that he could be the problem that causes their insecurities and complaints. As it turns out, he daydreams of killing her as well. Unlike the woman though, he’s acted on violent thoughts before. With some ambiguity, he mentions a “tussle” with a French girl in wartime. Whether he killed her or simply harmed her is debatable.
The story ends with the man and woman about to meet one another, both ready to end this affair, out of the reader’s sight. A commentary on abusive dynamics in relationships, we can only speculate on how their last meeting plays out, and who survives.
I think the skewed power dynamics between man and woman is so apparent in this. You point out some of the disparities within this that encapsulate the dynamic perfectly. It almost makes you angry how well it can capture these ugly gender roles.