I don't think that Masha is superficial. I think that her father is a monster and that she has been psychologically abused by him. And continues to be abused him through this scene. It is painful to read.So then the question is: is she spiritually advanced, or is she so beaten down that she is entirely passive?
Here she is, thinking/speaking from her heart: "Desire nothing for yourself; do not seek, do not worry, do not envy. The future of people and your own fate must be unknown to you; but live so as to be ready for anything. If God should see fit to test you in the duties of marriage, be ready to fulfill His will."
Her decision not to marry: was she unable to leave her abuser [her father], or was she wise and avoided the never-do-well Anatole? -- Lola
Lola Baltzell
from page 201-202 of original text
made 5/7/10
collage, acrylic paint
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ReplyDeleteI was messing around and accidentally deleted my commment!!
ReplyDeleteThere's no question M. knows in her heart it would be a bad decision to marry Anatole (the gigolo snake); I also think you can read her thoughts as very Buddhist - desire nothing, seek nothing for yourself, etc. Maybe I'm more forgiving because I know her fate, but she's also driven by a genuine deep and abiding faith in God, and I don't see her as weak... ~ Lulu