The “drawbridge assignment” can be discussed from several perspectives because it represents a legal, moral, and even logical problem. Therefore, the interpretation and the argument mostly depend upon the framework that, a person chooses. It seems that this text should be regarded as an ethical question, particularly; it may be discussed from a feminist point of view because it seems the most appropriate in this case. The major weakness of such interpretation is that it is mostly based on hypothesis and presumption, yet, there is textual evidence, suggesting that these presumptions are not groundless. The major strength of such an approach to the drawbridge assignment is that it provides room for discussion. If we try to analyze this problem in terms of law or logic, the answer will be too obvious.
First, it should be pointed out that it is impossible to give a definite answer to the so-called drawbridge assignment, because to a certain degree, every participant is guilty of the Baroness death, including the victim, herself. Furthermore, one may interpret this story from different perspectives, and take sides with one of the characters. Certainly, the easiest way would be to shift the blame on the baroness, who makes many rather imprudent steps, yet it is not a matter of prudence, more likely, drawbridge assignment represents a moral dilemma. For instance, we may discuss the role of the baron and his contribution to the death of his wife.
Naturally, the argument cannot be based only on textual evidence; it involves certain guesswork, though it still may be valid because even legal evidence often relies on a hypothesis. Thus, we may focus on the baroness husband and the way he influenced her behavior.
First, it would not be an exaggeration to say that he is not a very sensitive husband because otherwise, his wife would have never turned to a lover, and probably she would have never encountered the madman, who killed her. It stands to reason that this statement is only hypothetical and the text does not explicitly indicate it, however his wifes behavior proves that this man does not pay due attention to his spouse. He believes that he may leave her for nearly a day in the castle (or house, if we try to adapt this story to modern conditions), and she is not allowed to leave it. Again, it suggests that he regards his wife only as his property but not as a human being. In this respect, it is worth mentioning that he totally subdued baroness to his own will, and she is afraid to disobey him or protest in any possible way. The baronesss intention to get into the castle at any cost or hazard, suggests that she does not dare to show any sign of disobedience
In addition to that, we may speak about his jealousy. First, it is stated in the story, the baron strictly prohibits the lady to leave the castle while he is gone. Moreover, he gives no reasonable explanation why she should not do so. Such attitude is a typical feature of men, who always suspect their wives of infidelity. Presumably, it is his unceasing fits of jealousy, which forced his wife to commit adultery, any form of jealousy implies fear, and there is no person, who can leave in constant fear. As regards his jealousy, we may also say that the baron is prone to violence, at the very beginning of this story he threatens his wife, he says, “I will punish you severely when you return”. Judging from the baronesss willingness to cross the bridge, we can conclude that the baron has often fulfilled such threats. Probably, it is a far-fetched argument, but we can say almost with certainty that the baroness is between Scylla and Harridan (or between the lunatic and her husband). It appears that the protagonist does not see much difference between them; actually, she chooses to cross the bridge, believing that such a highly rash act may give her a better chance of survival than inaction, which seems to be the most expedient way in the situation like this, though as it turns out the baroness believes otherwise.
We may also discuss the most improbable scenario: let us suppose that the baron does not want his wife to leave the house because he is concerned with her well-being fearing that her life may be imperiled. Nevertheless, even in this case, he cannot be acquitted of her death. It is also quite possible for us to deduce that he does not view the baroness as an equal. Naturally, it is just a conjecture, a hypothesis; however, some aspects of his behavior show that it is not far from the truth.
For instance, he does not even intend to tell her why she must stay at home, his words seem to be an imperative, something that should be accepted on faith without questioning. Such an attitude is a powerful stimulus for any woman to find another man. Even if the husband had been concerned with the well-being of his wife, he could have explained it to her. Secondly, we may say that for him, the best way to substantiate his argument is brutal force; every person may eventually rebel against such policy. The atmosphere of constant fear may drive any woman insane. In fact, her conduct may be considered as an act of suicide, certainly, the baroness has been abandoned by nearly everyone, whom she trusted, yet primarily, she was abandoned by her husband.
It should be kept in mind that other participants may also be found guilty of her death, for they could easily prevent this catastrophe, for example, the boatman, her lover, her alleged friend. One may easily remember the madman who committed this murder. Finally, it is possible to indict the baroness, herself, because she made many irrational steps, particularly when she attempted to cross the bridge. Nonetheless, her irrational behavior is mostly determined by the fear of her husband.