To begin, I actually had a hard time reading this week’s literature. I felt lost and thought that Proust was somewhat more of an easier read. I am unsure if this is because it was written in a different perspective, something I am not used to or because I struggle to keep track of each character. Another reason may be that it is also quite unfamiliar since there is no big narrative plot, which is what my normal reads have. Despite being confused for one third of the work, I quite enjoyed the way in which Bombal unfolds Ana Maria’s life after death. I was fascinated at the author’s idea to continue the protagonist’s story even after her passing.
Something that stood out to me was Bombal’s use of language and how descriptive each sentence is. As an example, the rain is described to be “falling and sliding like tears down the windowpanes; falling and expanding the lagoons to the far end of the horizon, falling” (159). The use of language in The Shrouded Woman was beautiful. As a reader, I could truly imagine and visualize the story unfolding. While I initially thought it was hard to understand, going back multiple times helped me find pleasure in reading. Another part I was stuck on was where the woman shares “you found me cold because you never succeeded in making me share your passion; because I had no desire beyond the taste of dark wild flower in your kisses” (165).
I would also like to discuss where “I never knew. I only know that the period following your departure was the most disordered and tragic in my entire life” (167). This reminded me of when a couple begins dating. For some reason, it made me think about how some people hope that their partner continues to live their life even when they start a relationship together rather than giving up on their individual hobbies.
To end off, here is my question for this week: Are there things we can’t find out until we’re dead? This is inspired by a quote that got me thinking, “must we die in order to know certain things?” (176). In my perspective, there are times when we do not realize how much we love someone or want something until we no longer see them. I would love to hear what others thought about the book and any other perspectives there might be.
3 replies on “The Shrouded Woman – Life After Death”
Hi Jennifer! To answer your question, I don’t think we literally need to die to know certain things, but loss seems to create a clarity that’s hard to reach otherwise (at least in this book). When someone or something is gone, emotions we ignored suddenly feel obvious. In that sense, death or separation acts like a mirror, showing us what truly mattered all along. At the same time, I don’t think the book is saying this kind of knowledge is impossible while we’re alive. It feels more like a critique of how we avoid facing the truth.
Hi Jennifer, interesting reflections!
Clearly the use of the language stood out, with the descriptions and reflections.
Is relevant how you did an active reading going back and forth to enjoy the novel.
If you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to make two comments on your classmates’ blogs.
See you tomorrow!
Julián.
Hi Jennifer!
I also found the reading and the changes between perspectives to be a little difficult to follow, but I wouldn’t say Proust was easier. For me, I found the descriptions in this short novel easier to read than the long, never-ending descriptions of Proust.
To answer you question (btw very nice quote selection), I do believe that there are things that we can’t find out until we’re dead, because death gives us that perspective shift and allows us to look at something differently. Death allows us to ruminate on topics—because it’s not like there is anything else to do, you’re dead—for as long as you need to understand others perspectives and learn what you could have don’t to avoid what happened.
In Ana Maria’s case, I do believe that if she (and all the other characters) had just taken a moment to think, a lot of this would have been avoided, and death would not have been needed for her to know those certain things.