What do you make of the fact that we learn a great deal about Gretta’s youth at the end of the story? How does this change your view of Gretta and her relationship with Gabriel?

Gretta is introduced as Gabriel’s wife and does not seem to have much substance to her character at first. As the story progresses, however, we get the sense of Gretta’s influence on Gabriel. Gabriel has believed that he has had power over Gretta. But as we find out, Gabriel’s power is not as strong as it seemed at first. Gretta’s youth love reveals her true perception of what love is and what it should be. It also reveals to Gabriel that he has not experienced true love and that his relationship with Gretta has been built off of lust rather than love.