Content Warning: This section of the guide contains descriptions and references to abuse and coercive control, accident, and death.

“The Way Up to Heaven” is a journey in resilience, self-assertion, and revenge on Mrs. Foster’s part, as it traces her gradual realization that her husband tortures and gaslights her, and her reaction to the fateful opportunity to be rid of him.

The beginning of the story establishes the theme of The Negative Effects of Societal Expectations through exploring the power of Mr. Foster to control and torment Mrs. Foster. Mrs. Foster’s fear of being late, and aligning twitch, is ambiguously framed by the narrator as a “silly” character flaw. This shortcoming is excused because she is a loyal, obedient, dutiful wife. As the story develops, the reader realizes that Mrs. Foster’s self-control is in fact remarkable and that her anxieties are purposefully fueled by her oppressive husband, Mr. Foster, who leverages gender role expectations to maintain control of her life. Mrs. Foster is not allowed to speak up to address her feelings or issues around the need for better communication and compromise, as she has been “trained too well” (48) for that. Societal expectations at the time placed value on women for focusing on their husbands and children.