One Flesh Commentary

1021 Words5 Pages
In Elizabeth Jennings’, One Flesh, the speaker observes the lust of a couple that appears to have vanished through the power of time. She realizes that her parents no longer share an intimate relationship nor do they maintain a vigorous physical interaction. She explains that they were both engaged with themselves rather than with each other, thrusting out the idea that they are on the verge of permanent physical separation. However, she reveals their inner connection that exists through silence and brief yet eloquent caresses. Through that observation the speaker draws the inference that their passion has vanished. This is as she fails to acknowledge the possibility of a shared agreement towards the poor state of their physical relationship that has been fulfilled with a far stronger enriched bond that exists spiritually through stillness. Despite being separate and physically numb, the couple has a far deeper mental bond showing a mutual acceptance for each other. Jennings expresses to the reader that her parents are physically apart as they display a deadened affection. Jennings emphasizes her parents’ frozen manifestation, by explaining that they are lying “apart”, each in a “separate” bed. This contrast exposes the distance that exists between the couple, further highlighting their state of physical paralysis. Furthermore, when they are both occupied, “he with a book”, and “she like a girl dreaming of childhood”, puts across the awkward foreseeable crossfire that is avoided through the appliance of certain distractions, which sets forth their unwillingness to face the unwavering truth which is that they are potentially approaching chastity. Their condition appears to be miserable and tasteless as he is rather unfocused with his book, which lies “unread”, instead he dwells upon his fruitless marriage; she reminisces nostalgically about her innocence, a
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