January 2024 – Jennifer's RMST 202 Blog

The Shrouded Woman: The Unfortunate Life of Women (Jan 28)

A. Initial Thoughts

I appreciate having the opportunity to read “The Shrouded Woman” by Maria Luisa Bombal, a novel written by a female author. Although most books I’ve read are by women, Bombal’s perspective still felt very insightful to me. The storyline, however, felt a bit disorganized, leading to some confusion about characters and whose perspective I was reading. For instance, I initially mistook Fernando for Ana Maria’s brother, I was really disturbed until I realized he was actually her lover. Despite these issues, Bombal’s depiction of a woman’s love and passion across different stages of her life was incredibly rich, a stark contrast to the more one-dimensional portrayals of women in “Combray” or “Mad Toy”.

B. Important Themes: Gender and Societal Expectations

In “The Shrouded Woman,” I was deeply drawn into Ana Maria’s reflective journey through her life and relationships. She recounts interactions with pivotal characters: Zoila, her older maid who outlives Ana Maria and treats her like a daughter; Fernando, her affair partner; and Antonio, her husband. Ana Maria’s children, especially Alberto with his unsettling behavior towards his wife Maria Griselda, add intrigue and drama to the story. However, it is Ana Maria’s personal experiences that truly captivate me, painting a somber picture of a life with limited choices, a reflection of the struggles commonly faced by women of her era.

Maria Luisa Bombal situates “The Shrouded Woman” within a stark social hierarchy that clearly delineates the roles of men and women. Bombal describes the women of the house as having “little necessary work to perform” since “domestic work is left to servants,” a stark contrast to men who are actively engaged in managing their haciendas (estates) (Bombal 8). This societal framework, which confines women to their homes and excludes them from external affairs, is vividly mirrored in Ana Maria’s life. Despite her lively and spirited nature, she encounters considerable restrictions on her freedom. This is particularly apparent in her dependence on Zoila for emotional support and assistance with simple tasks like hairdressing, a dependence that renders her “helpless” when Zoila is not around (Bombal 221). This juxtaposition of her reliance on others against her fundamentally strong personality underscores the societal limitations that curtail Ana Maria’s autonomy and decision-making power.

Ana Maria’s romantic journey portrays the stages of love a woman under societal constraints experiences: (1) true love and (2) a love you settle for. Her first love with Ricardo, showcases the impact of societal constraints on being with one’s true love. Ana Maria’s love with Ricardo was real and passionate, but it is abruptly ended by what Ana Maria perceives as Ricardo’s “cowardly desertion”, leaving her questioning whether it was due to his family’s influence— as they view her as “not well brought up” (Bombal 166)—or his own nature (Bombal 165). Ana Maria’s marriage to Antonio marks a significant turning point in her life. The distressing account of her wedding night, where she lies “motionless” in a futile attempt to discourage him from his assault (Bombal 218), is a stark indicator of her lack of control over her own life. Even though Antonio initially loves her, her response, “I love you Antonio, but I feel sad” (Bombal 222), captures her sense of being trapped in an unchosen life. Further, Antonio’s eventual emotional detachment and infidelity push Ana Maria into the stereotypical role of a “crazy” wife, mirroring the societal outlook of women of that time (and even now). Lastly, her affair with Fernando, rather than offering solace, “humiliated her” and made her “feel poorer” (Bombal 205). Ana Maria’s involvement with Fernando is not because she likes him—it is a response to her emotional emptiness, stemming from Antonio’s indifference. It highlights the complexity of her situation, where societal norms restrict her pursuit of love and happiness from her husband, who holds the power over affection, forcing her to adapt to this constraint (thus starting an affair).

C. Concluding Thoughts

In “The Shrouded Woman,” Ana Maria’s narrative serves as a reflection on the diminished agency historically imposed upon women, particularly in matters of love and personal decisions. Even though Ana Maria finds contentment with her life at the end of the book, this also demonstrates how societal systems can mold and influence a woman’s perspective, perhaps even leading her to accept her unfortunate circumstances (but this is only my opinion).

D. Questions for Discussion

Q: How did you perceive Ana Maria’s relationship with Fernando? Do you think the love was reciprocal?

Q: Why do you think Antonio transformed so much after Ana Maria left to go home?

Mad Toy: What Do We Live Our Lives For? (Jan 22)

A. Initial Thoughts

Though “Mad Toy” is much shorter than Marcel Proust’s “Combray”, I found it tougher to get through. As I read, I often wanted to stop because it seemed like the story was just going in circles, with Silvio repeatedly failing to break out of poverty. But after finishing the book and taking some time to reflect on it, I began to grasp its underlying theme. In my opinion, the book demonstrates the lives of people struggling with poverty against the backdrop of rapid societal changes in 20th century Buenos Aires (Arlt 2).

B. Important Themes: Going Beyond Our Station & Figuring out Life’s Meaning

Set in early 20th-century Buenos Aires, 14-year old Silvio Astier turns to petty crimes as a means to break free from his impoverished background. He witnesses the toll of poverty on his single mother. Additionally, Silvio yearns for a life where he can enjoy simple pleasures with his sister, like going to the movies or visiting Palermo, as opposed to seeing her “grow pale as she bent over her books studying” (Arlt 100). These aspects of his family life contribute to his sense of urgency in seeking a way out of poverty. However, I think that this ambition, rooted in his challenging upbringing, sometimes leads him to make decisions that result in setbacks, such as being expelled from the military academy as the school “[doesn’t] need smart people here, just dumb brutes who can work” (Arlt 99). It seems that Silvio’s aspiration for a better life is unattainable, a sentiment shown in the phrase “marked by God” (Arlt 21), which demonstrates how an individual’s social class predetermines their struggles and limits their opportunities for success.

Silvio’s (now 15) time at Don Gaetano’s bookstore represents a significant shift in his life. Here, he encounters a path that could lead him out of poverty and offer a more conventional lifestyle. However, I believe Silvio feels a sense of alienation in this new world as he faces many humiliations from Don Gaetano and Dona Maria; one of them being moving furniture in a wheelbarrow on Lavalle Street, where he sees the rich civilians move out of his way “if only to avoid being smeared by the filth [he] was carrying” (Arlt 75). This internal conflict culminates in an act of rebellion: where Silvio tries to start a fire in the bookstore by “grabbing a coal and tossing it at the papers piled up against some shelves loaded with books” (Arlt 81). This moment is a powerful statement against the powerlessness of poverty, where Silvio finally feels liberated and yearns to start “ador[ing] all the beautiful things of Earth” (Arlt 83), instead of being constrained by the money his employers pay him. After this incident, Silvio decides that it would be “the last day [he] worked [at the bookstore]” (Arlt 83), signifying the end of his attempt to conform to a conventional lifestyle. I perceive this as a moment where Silvio chooses to steer away from a past dominated by the pursuit of money, seeking a different path for his future.

This theme becomes particularly evident in Silvio’s interactions with Rengo. When Rengo suggests a scam against his girlfriend’s employer, Senor Vitri, it mirrors the kind of life Silvio is striving to leave behind, reminiscent of his times at the Midnight Horseman Club and with the Gaetanos. Silvio’s decision to betray Rengo is pivotal. More than a mere personal conflict, it represents Silvio’s conscious effort to break away from the detrimental aspects of his past (which was determined by earning money) and carve a new path for himself:

“I know that life will always be extraordinarily beautiful for me. I don’t know whether other people will experience the force of life as I do, but inside of me there is joy, a full, unconscious kind of joy.’’ (Arlt 150)

In this moment, Silvio has a realization – the pursuit of money can no longer dictate the course of his life. He recognizes the need to embark on a new journey, one that promises a different kind of fulfillment and joy.

C. Concluding Thoughts

Through the character of Silvio, Arlt shows us the societal challenges faced in 20th century Buenos Aires. I see the narrative as capturing the essence of a society undergoing significant transition, portraying the struggles of individuals like Silvio who find themselves in the midst of rapid urbanization and sweeping societal changes (Arlt 1-2).

D. Questions for Discussion

Q: Why did Senor Souza (the occult doctor) not give Silvio a job? Why did he call him “mad” (surmenage)?

Q: Why did Silvio hate Lucio so much when they were younger? Is it just youthful annoyance, or do you think it’s something deeper?

Q: What was the purpose of the scene with Silvio’s interaction with the man at the hotel? Was it to show the different lives of outcasts in Buenos Aries?

Q: What was the purpose of Enrique’s character? He was shown in part 1 but never makes an appearance again, other than in the conversation between Lucio and Silvio.

Combray: Madelines and Memories (Jan 14)

A. Initial Thoughts

My first read of Marcel Proust’s “Combray” was SO difficult. Initially, it seemed like a never-ending text of sleep and a madeleine soaked in tea. Proust starts by painting this scene where the protagonist experiences “the taste of the crumb of madeleine soaked in [his great aunt’s] decoction of lime-flowers…” (6), which conjures up the his memories of childhood in Combray. However, as I delved deeper, the text transformed into a sentimental story about family dynamics and childhood.

B. Important Themes: Family Dynamics & Childhood

I believe that Proust’s narrative mirrors his own life as a sickly child who was deeply connected to his mother (6), evident in the protagonist Marcel’s (Marcel Proust) experiences. One moment that stood out in regards to Marcel’s family was young Marcel’s distress over his great aunt teasing his grandmother about his grandfather sneaking liquor, leading Marcel to run “up to the top of the house to cry [himself] in a little room beside the schoolroom and beneath the roof” (20). Marcel later views this memory with humor as “in later years, one can grow so well accustomed [to these memories] as to smile at them…” (20), reflecting the evolving nature of childhood memories and a young child’s innocence.

Further, Marcel’s relationship with his strict father and his deep attachment to his mother are laid out in intimate detail. When Monsieur Swann visits, Marcel becomes annoyed because it means his mother won’t kiss him goodnight. He sends a letter to her through the maid, Francoise, to beckon his mother. His emotions are raw when he describes how his “intoxicated heart [was] gushing [the] sweetness of [his] mamma’s attention…” (41). And how he feels anxious, yet excited waiting to see her (43). When Marcel’s mother comes to see him, despite knowing she’d be angry at his dependence, he throws himself at her, showing the vulnerability a child has with their parents. Further, Marcel’s dad, who seems cold, shows this softer side, telling the mother to sleep with him tonight as “you can see quite well that the child is unhappy” (48). His father’s reaction opens a window into the nuanced and contradictory nature of parental love. Marcel’s father’s different kind of affection (50) highlights the diverse ways love manifests in a family. Further, the portrayal of Marcel’s mother is also emotional. Her struggle to balance tenderness with the need to foster independence in her child is a recurring theme, shown when she tears up seeing her son cry, offering to read him a book (51). The moments of vulnerability shared between them are delicately crafted, offering a nuanced exploration of their relationship.

C. Concluding Thoughts

At the end of Part 1, Proust offers a reflection on memory that reshaped my reading of the text. He draws a contrast between involuntary memories, which emerge spontaneously, and memories we summon through effort. His observation, “since the facts which I should then have recalled would have been prompted only by an exercise of the will… To me it was in reality all dead” (57), implies that deliberate memories lack the vividness of those that surface unexpectedly (the madeleine memory). This revelation helped me appreciate his detailed writing style, which initially posed a challenge. The detailed descriptions, particularly about family dynamics, brought the story’s world to life, making it more meaningful.

D. My Question For Discussion

Q: Why do you think Proust (or Marcel) thought about Combray specifically when he took a bite into the madeline?

Q: How do the first few pages detailing sleeping introduce the concept of conscious versus unconscious memories? In what ways does it parallel the madeleine invoking memories of Combray?

Introduction (Jan 11)

A. Who I am, and why I am taking this course

Hi everyone! My name is Jennifer Li, I am a second year psychology student intending to minor in data science; and I also commute from Richmond! I’m taking RMST 202 as I needed to fulfill my literature requirement, however, I chose to take this course to also become more familiar with texts from the “romance languages” (as I’ve primarily only read books produced in North America or the UK).

B. My expectations

I am hoping to do well in this course (A+), but I also understand that obtaining this mark will be challenging. However, one aspect of the course that I believe would make the reading process easier is that it’s assessed through blog posts and we can choose the texts we want to read. I really like the fact that instead of writing an essay or assignments, we get to comment on the books with our own thoughts and opinions in a somewhat informal way. Despite being in the Arts faculty, one thing I dislike about literature classes (which was mentioned in class) is the idea that we NEED to pull something deeper from the texts, when sometimes, there is no deeper meaning. Through blog posts, I hope that I will actually get to enjoy the books we read and interpret it in my own way! Further, as a commuter student I am very grateful for the fact that we need to only attend one day per week given the book we choose (since transit times are long).

C. Response to lectures

When watching “inventing romance studies” I found it really interesting when Dr. Beasley-Murray mentioned that none of the “romance studies” books were written originally in the language. Instead, they were written in Latin (the Romance/Roman empire) and translated to the languages of pre-modern and modern Europe such as Spanish, French, etc. Further, Dr. Beasley-Murray says that the “Romance” world also extends to parts of the world where a romance language was once spoken, ths encompassing many nations such as Uruguay and Somalia. I personally had no idea that the term Romance derives from the Roman Empire, and am interested in how the texts we read in romance studies are connected – even though they include books from many different parts of the world – as they were all derived from Latin.
However, when watching “on romance studies” I found it interesting when Dr. Tim Beasley-Murray described Romance studies and literature as a way to bring different cultures and nations (that were all part of the former roman empire) that have become disconnected through time back together again.