After a long (but much-needed) break, I, Giaan Deol, am back to talk about the crazily depressing, but nonetheless beautifully written, The Time of the Doves by Mercè Rodoreda. And, surprise surprise, I am again in complete awe of the talent, range, story-building skills, structure, tone, and so much more exuded by another brilliant female author. I just had to give her praise.
Although I’ve never been a fan of neutral/apolitical people, Ms. Natalia was going through enough as it was and was actively trying to keep, not only herself, but her children alive during war and revolution, so I guess I have to give her a pass because she is tougher than I am. Having said that, I also feel like living through an active revolution would have made her more prone to dabbling in politics and focusing on it without necessarily wanting to, as for Natalia, it was affecting her life so deeply that it would be hard to even try to avoid. But, in my opinion, I see that quality in Natalia as purposeful on Rodoreda’s end, as it displays Natalia as perfectly human and capable of contradicting herself, making mistakes, and most importantly doing what she can to survive and keep her mental state afloat. As we all read, the preventative measures she took to help support her and her family only helped so much and landed her in a tough spot where a heart-breaking decision was made. No matter how fictional a book is, reading something like that is never easy. I could not possibly imagine how much turmoil and trauma would lead someone to making that decision, let alone how much that decision would cause them if carried out, so, no matter how opinionated I am, I genuinely cannot judge her decision as good or bad, or right or wrong. It is so much more complicated than that and is anything but black and white and therefore cannot be judged as such.
Onto a lighter, but more of a frustrating topic, Quimet. I could genuinely talk about how much I STRONGLY dislike him and why for hours, but I’ll try my best to keep it brief. Everyone has touched on it in some form or another, (which the inner hater in me loved to see by the way) but he is genuinely insufferable. As much as I understand that it was a very much reciprocated relationship to start, I can’t shake the feeling that he knew exactly what to say to sell her this dream and make her fall in love with him + leave her whole fiancé. So much of his behaviour is icky and gross and lovebomb-y, not to mention he is crazy possessive and controlling when it comes to Natalia. I. hate. it.
Anyways! My question for this week is: What did the doves symbolize/represent to you, if anything at all? If not so much symbolic, what general significance did they have?
“No matter how fictional a book is, reading something like that is never easy.” Well, in a way that’s the power of fiction. The Spanish Civil War is today one of the most complex historical issues because there is still resentment between both sides. Of course, the novel talks above all about those who, without holding a rifle in the armed struggle, participated in the events. We will see that in Javier Cercas. What new ways of seeing this conflict do we find after reading the novel? Has this social conflict acquired other dimensions for you?
Giaan,
I totally agree with you with disliking Quimet. At first I thought their meeting was kind of cute then during their relationship, I was so annoyed with him. Everything he did and said was so questionable but once in a blue moon he would do something sweet. Though, that did not stop me from not liking him. I think the dove symbolized life. When Quimet died, the last one of the doves died at the same time. Also, when Natalia was having a hard time with life, she turned to the doves to take out her frustration.
Hi Giaan,
I agree with your thoughts on this novel. In response to your question, the significance of the doves in Quimet and Natalia’s relationship is quite ironic, doves typically symbolize peace and love and Quimet’s nickname for Natalia is ‘Colometa’ or dove. However, their relationship does not offer Natalia peace or love and the doves are depicted as dirty, stinky and bothersome birds. I think this depiction is reflected in how he treats Natalia as his wife, and how the supposed peace and love is the opposite and non-existent throughout their relationship.
Thanks,
Nadia
Hi Giaan,
Thank you so much for your analysis! I love your title btw, it drew me to ur post amongst the sea of analyses. To answer your question about the doves, it’s a bit ironic how the archetype for doves is usually that of peace and freedom, yet for Natalia it is literally quite the opposite. The physical doves are beings that literally confine Natalia in her own mental duress, repressing how crazy she is going because of these birds yet trying to act all nice and dandy on the surface. The pet names that Quimet also uses like “Colometa” also trap Natalia as a possession of Quimet. Really interesting to say the least.
Quimet deserves all the hate haha. For me, the doves represent Natalia’s lack of autonomy and control in her own life, as she can never quite get away from. They remind her of all that she might have achieved in her life if it weren’t for Quimet, the war, or even her children.