The narrator reflects on a moment of confusion regarding his wife's surprising behavior after he returned home from overseas. He grapples with the idea that he might somehow be to blame for her transformation from a devoted partner to someone who seems to be attacking both his life and property without any signs of guilt. This unexpected shift leaves him bewildered and questioning the dynamics of their relationship.
In this instance, the author illustrates the complexities of love and disappointment, suggesting that the realities of life can alter personal connections in unforeseen ways. The narrator's internal struggle highlights his feelings of helplessness and the dissonance between his memories of affection and the current hostility he faces, emphasizing the theme of change in human relationships.