Though it is not stated in the story it is possible that on his wife’s death, Murlock lost all interest in working the land. If anything he remains defeated throughout the story possibly due to the fact that his wife has died before he had a chance to harness anything from the land. Murlock does not maintain his land, apart from the few acres around his cabin and he never makes any notable progress with the land or in life in general. There is also a sense of failure throughout the story. It might also be a case that Bierce is suggesting that there are many pioneer women who have not had their input into frontier life properly recorded. Time and progress does not record their names. As is often the case with pioneers they are long forgotten after they have led the way for others.

Their efforts, along with their aspirations of a better life no longer remembered by those who came after. It is possible that by omitting this information Bierce is suggesting that so many people who traveled to the frontier to better their lives have long been forgotten. It may also be important that the narrator never names nor never knew Murlock’s wife’s name.

It is as if part of Murlock died with his wife. Any hopes or aspirations he had disappeared when his wife died. This is in direct contrast to the situation Murlock found himself in after his wife died. It is also interesting that the narrator tells the reader that Murlock and his wife when they first moved to the frontier had hope in their lives. The loneliness triggered again by the death of his wife. It is also possible that Murlock is lonely with so little involvement with others. Something that is noticeable by the fact that the window remains boarded since his wife’s passing. This may be important as it leads the reader to suspect that not only is Murlock isolated (from others) but that he probably hasn’t moved forward in his life since his wife died. Though he is seen outside his cabin on occasions there is no interaction with others. Murlock on the other hand since the death of his wife has very much isolated himself from those around him.

Those neighbours who did live nearby have since moved further west in the hope of prospering in their lives. Murlock is a pioneer who lives on the frontier with very few if any neighbours.

Taken from his The Complete Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the setting of the story the reader realises that Bierce may be exploring the theme of isolation. In The Boarded Window by Ambrose Bierce we have the theme of isolation, loneliness, hope, grief, failure and guilt.