Collage 95

Lola Baltzell
from page 197-198 of original text
collage, acrylic paint, embroidery thread
made 5/7/10

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On the left edge I used embroidery thread. It also includes some sewing pattern. I love the effect of the transparent sewing pattern. It gives color, texture and line. My favorite things.

Here is a very brief passage from Volume One, Part Three, Chapter III that struck me. The scene is the little princess (Liza, Lizaveta, Lise) and Mlle Bourienne helping princess Masha prepare for meeting her suitor Prince Anatole. It is a painful scene in so many ways. Princess Masha is described as having beautiful eyes but otherwise quite unattractive. The narrator describes how the two women "undertook to dress her up in all sincerity, with that naive and firm conviction of women that clothes can make a face beautiful." Much of the time I find myself shaking my fist at Tolstoy; I can't stay his depiction of women!

Had it not been for this project I would have ditched this book long ago. But I keep plodding along. I can barely keep up the pace, to read where we are working. Even so, I feel compelled to finish reading this book! -- Lola

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Yes, Lola, I second Otto's comments!

I find that Tolstoy observes and comments on the superficial thoughts and actions of both men and women for a purpose - and that if you read certain characters carefully, they are on a journey. And really, haven't we each, as human beings, been (and continue be) susceptible to some degree of superficiality at some point? And yet part of our journey is to grow in our self-awareness and become more genuine and true. I don't think Masha is superficial - she's trying to survive in a superficial world, and recognizes that she doesn't fit in! Tolstoy will take good care of her! ~ Lulu