long after the time

[Maybo]

She could not have been pregnant, you see, because her husband had been gone for years. No one said anything. We did not discuss it. In early summer she was ready to have the child, long after the time when it could have been possible.

What does long after the time when it could have been possible mean?



No Name Woman – by Maxine Hong Kingston
https://www.google.com.hk/url?sa=t&...ingston.docx&usg=AOvVaw31zF0dwNWFUumdwOKE-Zq2

 

[Tarheel]

Apparently, she was not really pregnant.

 

[Amigos4]

Apparently, she was pregnant. She just didn't tell anyone.

After quickly scanning "No Name Woman" by Maxine Hong Kingston, I think the woman was raped by a neighboring villager and became pregnant. It was impossible for her husband to be the father because he had been away from her for years. Because he had been away from his wife for more than 9 months, her pregnancy occurred "long after the time when it could have been possible" for him to be the father of her child.

What a depressing story to read!

 

[Tarheel]

"She could not have been pregnant" is quite misleading. (I didn't click on the link, and Amigos did.)

Kudos to Amigos!

 

[Amigos4]

Thanks, Tarheel! I must admit that I did not enjoy reading the excerpts from "No Name Woman". I am amazed and, quite frankly shocked, by the many ways our fellow human beings can be so cruel and hateful to each other! I'm sure there are still many 'nameless' women today who suffer the types of indignities highlighted in the book. Let's pray for a better future for all of us! ;-)
Cheers,
A4