The old women described the place as if it was swimming in blood. There were about 50 civil wars going on at the time. Everyone fighting with everyone. She arrived to see these people fighting like "lions". To see these animals take her mother torn apart, slashed, and massacred. Even having to see, she held her head up high. Even after becoming a slave, and being trade to more than 5 different places, she held her head up high. Even after having a plague, she held her head up high. Even after being affected by the Turks who attacked the Russians, she held her head up high.
After everything that had happened to her, she admits that she has thought about killing herself. She was so in love with life, that she just couldn't. Having to go throw everything she did and still loving life is the perfect example of strength. This "old women" taught me the meaning of strength. She showed me that some stupid thing like your boyfriend breaking up with you, is nothing compared to her life story. She showed me what it is like to rise above things, to move on, and to make the best of what I have now. The past is the past. Everything she went threw was absurd. I honestly see absolutely see no optimism in this book. Everyone, especially this old lady, has trauma as a part of their life. If life was so good and perfect then none of these tragedies would have happened. It amazes me how that no matter what may have happend, she is in love with life. She still see's the good in the world.
I loved how you perceived a woman's perspective, most of the texts I've read about Voltaire's books is about himself or about Candide. I like to read how much pain this women had to go through in those times. How much sacrifices and pain the had to endure, the lack of opportunities or rights converts Condegonde into a legendary hero. Work on the commas, you don't use them jeje :)
ReplyDelete