Colette's "State of Nature"

I really enjoyed the imagery that was in "The Secret Woman."  It reminded me of "The God of Small Things" in that way because Colette was able to say so much with so little.  The one symbol that really struck me was the fact that the wife was dressed in a black, Satanic costume.  The husband repeatedly stresses her shrouded darkness of a figure (obviously because she's anonymous), but it also made it seem like that, at some points of the story, the husband mildly resented his wife for enjoying herself in the presence of other men.  Did other people see that?

My main question is: Why do these two feel that they can only enjoy themselves in this way when they're not with each other?  I personally would get really bored (and upset) if my future husband lied to me about going out of town, but then really went to a grand party instead.  On top of it, I would feel like I was being unfaithful to my husband if I pulled the stunts that the wife did in this story.  I suppose Polly brought up a good point of being able to enjoy oneself when you're an unknown, but isn't that kind of like anarchy (hence my Hobbes-ish title)?

Comments

[Sam W.]

I too enjoyed "The Secret Woman". As you noted, it is interesting that they need to leave each other's company in search of a good time. However, the "good time" they set out to find is pretty pathetic. The husband suffers from a constricting costume, a nervous headache, and poor dancing partners. Regardless, he patiently enjoys passing his time as such. His wife has a similarily strange evening: she gets tackled by a "brute", attacked by a "naked man", and kisses an unknown on a bench. Ironically, this freedom of activity is something she enjoys. Personally, it doesn't sound worth it.

The most satisfying part of the story (for me, at least) is the conclusion. As you pointed out, the events of the evening were unfaithful. But the husband shrugs it off so easily right when we think he's discovered her affair. How is he able to do this? He does take part in the same activity she does, and seems to understand her motivation exactly: what it is like to be unknown. True, this is quite Hobbes-ian, in the sense that there aren't any consequences for your actions. You can enter a "state of nature" and become completely free.

I can't say I relate.

[Robin G.]

Just because the husband walked away at the end doesn't mean that he was okay with what he saw. I think he was so disturbed by his discovery that he was too overwhelmed to take action. He might understand Irene's longing to be alone, but that doesn't mean that he finds it acceptable for her to be alone. Discovering the "natural state" of women probably came as quite a shock to him.

[Kitty O'C.]

Eliezah:
For me, the in class discussion really helped smooth out the rough edges of The Secret Woman. I read the story very differently than that of Mr. Heidkamp. (sigh). It's okay now though-- because I think I understand his arguments. (except the cheating part of getting mad at the other man, not the woman who's in the relationship). But all in all, I'm sick of Hobbes-Locke-Russeau's state of natue business.. but I can see the relevance.

[Patrick B.]

I really didn't get the full meaning of this story. I thought that the conversation inclass just kind of stated the obvious. I feel that there is an underlying theme that is key, but I need to find the right door to stick it into. Na'm sayin? I thought we never really ended that convesation, (nor for the Swimmer either, for that matter). Anyways.