Time Inside the Pregnancy

Happening

This thematic thread tracks time’s transformation from ordinary academic routine into suspense, ordeal, and retrospective narrative.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Ordinary Calendars Ordinary Calendars from "Happening". Ordinary Calendars A Familiar Rhythm University classes, exams, and holidays give Annie Duchesne’s life a predictable sequence.

Ordinary Calendars from "Happening". Ordinary Calendars A Familiar Rhythm University classes, exams, and holidays give Annie Duchesne’s life a predictable sequence.

Ordinary Calendars A Familiar Rhythm University classes, exams, and holidays give Annie Duchesne’s life a predictable sequence. Time seems to move toward a future she can plan. The Break A missed period turns that sequence into a bodily countdown. The calendar’s ordinary order begins to serve the pregnancy rather than her studies.

Days Without Movement Days Without Movement from "Happening". Days Without Movement Waiting Annie Duchesne waits for bleeding that does not come and marks “nothing” in her diary.

Days Without Movement from "Happening". Days Without Movement Waiting Annie Duchesne waits for bleeding that does not come and marks “nothing” in her diary.

Days Without Movement Waiting Annie Duchesne waits for bleeding that does not come and marks “nothing” in her diary. Each day repeats the uncertainty rather than resolving it. Time as Pressure The months that once led toward exams and vacation become a shapeless entity inside her. Time is experienced as something growing and needing destruction.

The Delayed Route The Delayed Route from "Happening". The Delayed Route Procrastination and Need Annie Duchesne waits for help, travels to the mountains, and postpones the visit to Madame P-R.

The Delayed Route from "Happening". The Delayed Route Procrastination and Need Annie Duchesne waits for help, travels to the mountains, and postpones the visit to Madame P-R.

The Delayed Route Procrastination and Need Annie Duchesne waits for help, travels to the mountains, and postpones the visit to Madame P-R. Delay offers temporary relief while narrowing the remaining time. D-Day Approaches She recognizes that her mind may be numbing itself against the approaching event. The delay becomes a distinct part of the ordeal, not merely empty space.

The Probe’s Waiting The Probe’s Waiting from "Happening". The Probe’s Waiting Suspended Expectation After the probe is inserted, Annie Duchesne waits for pain and expulsion.

The Probe’s Waiting from "Happening". The Probe’s Waiting Suspended Expectation After the probe is inserted, Annie Duchesne waits for pain and expulsion.

The Probe’s Waiting Suspended Expectation After the probe is inserted, Annie Duchesne waits for pain and expulsion. At first, the device becomes familiar, even an ally, but it does not act quickly enough. Duration as Ordeal Days are measured by twinges, blood, and uncertainty. The body’s slow response makes waiting an active and exhausting condition.

A Date That Separates A Date That Separates from "Happening". A Date That Separates Life and Death The night of January 20–21 divides Annie Duchesne’s life into a before and after.

A Date That Separates from "Happening". A Date That Separates Life and Death The night of January 20–21 divides Annie Duchesne’s life into a before and after.

A Date That Separates Life and Death The night of January 20–21 divides Annie Duchesne’s life into a before and after. She later treats its date as an essential marker of reality. Retrospective Measure The remembered night becomes both anniversary and narrative center. Specific time gives form to an experience that initially seemed endless.

Before October 1963

October to November 1963

December 1963

January 15–20, 1964

January 20–21, 1964