R.I.P, A Shrouded Women

 The newest addition to this blog is María Luisa Bombal’s "Shrouded Women," and it has quickly become my favourite read so far (I’ve noticed that is a popular feeling). The narrative on death was original and creative, making Maria's perspective a delightful exploration. The way she revisits her life and relationships with different characters is well done, keeping the story consistently engaging.  The book wasn’t very long and it took me the least amount of time to read from the books we’ve gone through so far (about 4 hours).

The book opens with Maria's visit to her first love, Ricardo, unfolding the complexities of their relationship and its bittersweet end as he departs for Europe. As the narrative progresses, we explore Maria's interactions with different characters—her children,  friend, Fernando, and her husband—each relationship leaving a unique imprint on her life.  At some parts of the book, the switching narration was a bit confusing but it was definitely more clear because of the addition of chapters (unlike the other books we have read so far).A standout for me was the book's conclusion, where Maria surrenders herself to the earth, feeling the roots and grass around her. It was a fun moment to read, as Maria releases the frustrations and loneliness that haunted her life, and in turn accepts her death. I feel like it was a moment that allowed Maria to liberate herself from the disappointments she held from her life and offered a satisfying resolution to her character's struggles. 

As I read through the book, there were numerous moments that left me feeling frustrated and saddened on Maria's behalf, especially considering the hurdles she faced in her relationships. The end of her first love story with Ricardo, who left for Europe, frustrated me. Unlike Ricardo, societal expectations weighed heavily on Maria as a woman of that era – she was supposed to settle down with a husband and raise a family; the freedom to pursue her passions, like Ricardo, wasnt readily available to her. What irked me the most was the recurring theme of Maria being relegated to the sidelines in the lives of the men she loved, treated as a mere afterthought without any agency, rather than being acknowledged as someone with her own emotions and desires. I saw this again in her relationship with her husband, Antonio, where Maria described herself as just one of his many passions. Maria was limited in what passions she could have, unlike her husband, Mairas independence is limited by societal standards and casts her into a supporting role in relation to the men in her life.

Now my questions for this week: How do you think Maria would have lived her life if she had been raised in the 21st century?