Trapped in a Country Love StoryMay and Daniel, in "A Country Love Story," by Jean Stafford, embody the essential differences between men and women. Once seemingly a happily married couple, May and Daniel show their differences generated after Daniel becomes ill. As Daniel becomes more reclusive, May longs to re-establish the intimacy they once had. However, Daniel's self-consumed and overbearing attitudes will not allow for such a relationship. The growing tension between them reflects the traditional sexual politics in their culture. As a result, May struggles to free herself not only from her husband, but also from the patriarchal code that traps her. This patriarchal code that May is trapped in is represented throughout the story. First, May is portrayed in a stereotypical and generalized female role. While Daniel begins his work while recovering from the illness, May does "nothing but cook three meals and walk a little [. . .] and pet the cats and wait for Daniel to come down [. . .] to talk to he. she” (415-16). She is not engaged in her daily activities, namely cooking, cleaning and shopping, May sleeps for hours like a cat. Furthermore, her occasional conversations with other women over tea are of stereotypical female chatter: gossip regarding other women. May also fills the stereotypical role of a dutiful, submissive and even weak woman. Her generated name seems like evidence of this, acting as a constant reminder to her that she is an inferior being child who has to ask "may I?" to get permission, May also tries to get permission from her husband to live a happy life. Even as a child, May tends to give in to the wishes of her "superiors". . in the center of the sheet... it says "the presence of her lover who protects her" (422). In an attempt to distance herself from Daniel, May takes advantage of another man's "security". Ultimately, however, May finally realizes that she has failed in her pursuit of happiness and self-sufficiency. In particular, she feels like a trapped bird, like the ones she and Daniel talked about earlier in the story. Although May wants to be freed, she is tragically aware of her culture's patriarchal privilege, a privilege that will not let her go. Thus, as the story closes, May sits on an abandoned sleigh (an image that suggests the uselessness she feels) and wonders how she will "live the rest of her life" (425). Works Cited Stafford, Jean. "A country love story." 1953. Masterpieces of short stories. Ed. Robert Penn Warren and Albert Erskine. New York: Dell, 1958. 411-25.