In the short story, "The Secret Woman" by Colette, anonymity plays a large role in asserting dominance and respect. By leaving the characters nameless and only calling them "the man" and "the woman", Colette adds to the theme of anonymity. Colette seems to be implying that the only way women can gain power and respect in life and relationships is by remaining anonymous.
In the story, the husband and wife both go to a masked opera, which is actually an orgy in disguise, without each other's knowledge. However, the man recognizes his wife by her distinct laugh. After following her for some time, he realizes she didn't cheat on him because she didn't love him, instead she just wanted the excitement and liked the anonymity of it. She didn't have to worry about conforming to society's rules or acting how other's want her to act. By being anonymous she almost seems to become herself and access her true identity.
I think you're right in saying that anonymity allows her to access her true identity, and I think that is a powerful idea. Not only do we see this in our every day lives on social media, but some people see it in the way they view the world. I'm talking about people with face-blindness (a real disease where people are unable to recognize others' faces) so to them everyone else is constantly anonymous unless he or she identifies his or herself. I would not be surprised if that made people more willing to confide in them.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the anonymity truly frees her. While in disguise she is no longer bound by the stigma that she would face in society from being so open sexually as a woman. In this freedom she can actually be herself and assume her true identity, so by donning a real mask she is taking off the metaphorical one she wears the rest off the time to hide her true self.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the mask paradoxically seems to free her from the disguise of a socially acceptable housewife. The story really suggests that a woman must choose between good social standing or her sexual freedom. Anonymity grants a woman the chance to express herself without concern for her reputation, as the wife does in the story.
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