Week 14 Analysis: Lispector

I found "The Daydreams of a Drunk Woman" to be a very depressing story.  The part of the story that touched me the most was her interaction with her husband.  It was pretty clear to me that her alcoholic habits impacted the relationship that she had with him.  For example, when the husband came home from work, he knew that she was under the influence and let her be.  "What the devil's the matter with you?" (810).  The husband however, received backlash from this confused drunk for no reason.  The lady yelled at her husband saying, "Go to hell!...prowling round me like some old tomcat" (810).  Clearly this lady's alcohol abuse has affected the way she acts towards her husband, and ultimately impacts the kind of relationship they have.  The husband however seems to be understanding and knows this lady is not herself.  He knows the alcohol is affecting the way she thinks.  He replies to her backlash saying, "You're ill, my girl" (810).  The husband still cares and loves his wife, which can be seen with his use of language.   He showed affection when he said, "my girl".  Her husband also seems to be an alcoholic, which is maybe why he is understanding of her situation.  "and if her husband was not drunk it was only because he did not want to show disrespect for the businessman, and full of solicitude and humility, he left the swaggering to the other fellow" (811).  This implies to me that the husband himself struggles with alcohol abuse.  He might not go to work drunk but when he gets home, he must also drink himself to sleep.  Clearly the alcohol abuse has impacted the way this couple interacts with each other and influences the kind of relationship they have.  If they did not abuse alcohol, they would be happier people.

-Patrick