Mitty's wife greets him at the hotel with scorn, immediately berating him as if he were a child. Her tone and behavior are highly critical and condescending.
This particular greeting is highly indicative of the established power dynamics within their marriage. It reveals that it is a common occurrence for Mitty's wife to assume a dominant, authoritative position, directing him with commands and expectations, while Mitty typically complies.
Implications for Their Relationship
The way Mitty's wife greets him at the hotel sheds light on several aspects of their marital dynamic:
- Dominant and Submissive Roles: Her immediate berating establishes her as the one who leads and gives orders, while Mitty is expected to follow.
- Controlling Nature: The greeting underscores her tendency to control situations and Mitty's actions, treating him with a lack of adult respect.
- Lack of Equal Partnership: By addressing him "as if he were a child," she diminishes his agency and suggests a relationship where she acts more as a supervisor than a partner.
This interaction sets the tone for their relationship, portraying Mitty's wife as critical and commanding, and Mitty as passive and often subjected to her disapproval.
