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?
Hi Jennifer! To answer your question, I think Ana Maria’s relationship with Fernando was not reciprocal at all. I think that Fernando actually had feelings for Ana Maria whereas she was embarrassed by him. I think she only entertaining him because she likes the attention, even though some part of her is humiliated by him. It really hard to describe their relationship as it was so complex.
‘a stark contrast to the more one-dimensional portrayals of women in “Combray” or “Mad Toy”.’
Fair enough–and we could also add Nadja, for those who have read it. As we go along, you will have the chance to read several other women authors (Rodoreda but also Laforet, Duras, Lispector, Luiselli, Ferrante…). It may become interesting to compare among different women’s perspectives.
Hi Dr. Beasley-Murray! I am excited to see the different perspectives female authors offer in their books. :)) Also, it was definitely fun to read a novel this week where women are written as characters in their own right, rather than being depicted as mere backdrops for male narratives.
Hi Jennifer, I think Ana Maria does find contentment in her life, but it is only through the limits of societal norms and values. I think she felt accomplished by being able to have a family, but there were certain events in her past that never allowed her to fully move on.