To Dust We Return: Bombal's "The Shrouded Woman"

Bombal’s novel dives into the realm of death by weaving memories into an intricate story of life. This story ultimately is a testament to who Ana was, her phases of life, and how they all fit into a greater force than ourselves. 

The Shrouded Woman is a rebuttal to Breton’s novel, "Nadja" which we read last week. It directly opposes the notion of women as a thing to be glorified and men as the driving purpose in a woman's life. She opposes the view of love in Latin America during that time and the expectations that came with it. On page 226 she says; “Why, oh, why, must a woman’s nature be such that a man has always to be the pivot of her life?” She states that it is not the sole means of fulfillment for women but it denies them of their personhood, their ability to shape their own independent lives. Ana also mentions how when Ricardo left her, she went to go kill herself, her life wasn’t worth living without the presence of a man. The relationship between Ana and Zoila and how deeply Zoila cares for Ana highlights that the fulfillment we gain from relationships does not need to solely come from men, we can be just as fulfilled in our non-romantic relationships. A woman's love has more places to be directed than for the sole purpose of a mans gain. Our best friends, our caretakers, these are all unbreakable bonds that can grant us contentment. 

            Another aspect highlighted by Bombal is the idea of knowing in death and this kinship to the earth that is only gained through it. Our minds lack the understanding of how complex our relationships are here on this earth and the almost ceremonious process of death. In the end of the novel, Ana is buried, completing her cycle and returning to the earth as energy for the universe to continue running on. She describes this reconnection as “...an infinity of roots sink and spread into the earth like an expanding cobweb through which was rising, trembling up to her, the constant throbbing of the universe.” (259). This reminds me of the biblical notion that we are formed from dust and dirt and to dirt we will return; “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Which comes from the book of Genesis. I find the idea that we return to the force (earth) that has sustained us all our lives to be comforting. We have taken so much from the earth in order to survive, often not giving anything back to it, yet when we die we can give ourselves back to the earth. To me this feels like a final thank you.

My question for you is: Do you think that true life reflection can only come in death? Is that the only point where we are not clouded by our judgments?