There is something striking about Peter's statement on page 46. It's the question that ends this soul-wrenching interview between him and Clarissa after years of separation. But what does it mean? What can it mean? Peter, the passionate suitor whom Clarissa rejected years ago but still harbors a distinctive affection for, asking her, the married woman, holding her hand, crying earnestly before her - what does it tell us? He goes on to ask "Does Richard-" but here we get interrupted, purposefully, from ever knowing the completion of his thoughts. Now enters Elizabeth, "my Elizabeth" Clarissa calls her much to Peter's annoyance, the living, breathing proof of Clarissa's marriage to Richard. An anchor perhaps, even a reminder for her of what her life has become.
But of Peter? He's so impossibly memorable. His letters boring, his mind radical, and his life a mockery. Why does Richard feel so unthreatened by him, clearly the more dynamic rival of the two? In the history between Clarissa and Peter, we see her happy, joyous, even different! There was a time when she too was a radical, reading Plato, Morris and Shelley "by the hour;" it makes us wonder why she would settle for a bland, conservative Richard? For me, Clarissa is insecure. She loves adventure, and like Septimus, she wants to do something meaningful with her life; yet she is frightened. It might be the misogynistic society that has torn away her independence or it might be her inner fear, but whatever it is, it's holding her back.
Richard provides the comfortable house in Westminister while Peter offers the exciting journey into the horizon. We know the path Clarissa chose, but was it the right one?
1 comment:
In my most recent blog post, I addressed the question you pose with my own perspective, but I have to question what I said after you mention that she is frightened. I said that she recognized her decision to remain with Richard with only minimal regrets, yet you mention that it may be fear keeping her away from Peter.
I may adjust my position on this topic, but what sparks me is that you say that perhaps it is her independence (or lack thereof) that is keeping her from adventure. One has to wonder what she would move on to do once she has pulled away from relationships altogether. I cannot envision a brilliant future for a young Clarissa that plans on being independent for the rest of time, can you? I think this perspective of Clarissa's choices is exceptionally intriguing and your suggestions are indubitably valid and insightful.
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