Exploration of marital infidelity in Roald Dahl’s “Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat”

Infidelity is universally regarded as morally wrong, and those who engage in it often face shame and criticism. Yet, despite societal norms, a surprising number of people have been unfaithful. Studies reveal that in the 1950s approximately 33% of men and 26% of women in America committed adultery (Alfred C. Kinsey, 1953). If such an undeniably large part of the population was involved in this impurity, it's vital to question whether blame should solely lie on individuals or whether there are any unresolved underlying issues. Roald Dahl’s tragic yet ironic story explores how societal expectations and emotional disconnection from their spouses lead individuals to cheat on their partners. Roald Dahl’s “Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat” unmasks society's persistent biases and reveals how emotional and communicative detachment often pushes married individuals toward infidelity.…