Unseeing

In 'Unseeing', Anna and Joseph were trapped in an unhappy marriage - Anna had sacrificed her religious pursuit and even though she tried to improve the situation by being a dutiful wife, she remained childless; Joseph had always wanted a loving wife whom he can have children with but had married an unwillingly and barren woman instead.

At the end of the story, we learned that Joseph's apology to Anna during his illness was not for something that she had thought it was for; rather, it was because he had another family. It was until the last day of his funeral that his eyes finally closed after his 'mistress' had visited him with their children.

We know that he had been waiting for her to appear.Why do you think that Joseph could finally close his eyes and rest in peace (or maybe not! we wouldn't know for sure)?

Just a few possible speculations:- peace: he finally saw his beloved 'family'- a relief: he knew that Anna now knows that truth and would not hold it against him because he is dead- a revenge: he had always felt angry and unloved by Anna so he wanted to spite her by showing her that he had found someone better than her- forgiveness: telling Anna indirectly that he has never blamed her for not loving him wholeheartedly and being barren- a favour: to show Anna that she is released from the marriage chains and that she can continue her religous pursuits.

There are many more possibilities if you think hard enough. Surprise me!