O’s Unexpected Solidarity

Happening

This relationship flow follows O’s transformation from a casual acquaintance into the person who stays with Annie Duchesne during the crisis.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

An Uneasy Acquaintance An Uneasy Acquaintance from "Happening". An Uneasy Acquaintance Limited Closeness Annie Duchesne knows O from the dormitory but does not consider her a close friend.

An Uneasy Acquaintance from "Happening". An Uneasy Acquaintance Limited Closeness Annie Duchesne knows O from the dormitory but does not consider her a close friend.

An Uneasy Acquaintance Limited Closeness Annie Duchesne knows O from the dormitory but does not consider her a close friend. Other students see O as tiresome and eager for secrets. A Contradictory Choice Despite O’s conservative Catholic background, Annie chooses to confide in her. Need for witness outweighs her expectation of ideological agreement.

The Confidante The Confidante from "Happening". The Confidante Telling the Truth Annie Duchesne tells O that she is pregnant and wants an abortion. Speaking makes the concealed crisis real to another person.

The Confidante from "Happening". The Confidante Telling the Truth Annie Duchesne tells O that she is pregnant and wants an abortion. Speaking makes the concealed crisis real to another person.

The Confidante Telling the Truth Annie Duchesne tells O that she is pregnant and wants an abortion. Speaking makes the concealed crisis real to another person. Beliefs Set Aside O’s beliefs do not immediately determine how she acts. The relationship begins to exceed the assumptions Annie had made about her.

The Film Night The Film Night from "Happening". The Film Night Pain in the Cinema Annie Duchesne goes with O to a film screening, but contractions increasingly overwhelm her.

The Film Night from "Happening". The Film Night Pain in the Cinema Annie Duchesne goes with O to a film screening, but contractions increasingly overwhelm her.

The Film Night Pain in the Cinema Annie Duchesne goes with O to a film screening, but contractions increasingly overwhelm her. O returns to the dorm when Annie rushes away. An Uncertain Watch O checks on her and suggests breathing through the pain. Neither student knows what the night will bring, but O remains nearby.

The Improvised Midwife The Improvised Midwife from "Happening". The Improvised Midwife The Birth Scene O helps Annie Duchesne cut the umbilical cord after the fetus is expelled.

The Improvised Midwife from "Happening". The Improvised Midwife The Birth Scene O helps Annie Duchesne cut the umbilical cord after the fetus is expelled.

The Improvised Midwife The Birth Scene O helps Annie Duchesne cut the umbilical cord after the fetus is expelled. They look at the small body and cry together in silence. An Unchosen Role The moment places O in a role her upbringing did not prepare her for. Her presence becomes the most consequential support Annie receives that night.

Solidarity Remembered Solidarity Remembered from "Happening". Solidarity Remembered The Act That Lasts Annie Duchesne recalls that O alone stayed beside her and acted as an improvised midwife.

Solidarity Remembered from "Happening". Solidarity Remembered The Act That Lasts Annie Duchesne recalls that O alone stayed beside her and acted as an improvised midwife.

Solidarity Remembered The Act That Lasts Annie Duchesne recalls that O alone stayed beside her and acted as an improvised midwife. The memory outlasts assumptions about O’s politics or character. A Human Bond The relationship is defined by what O did under pressure rather than by prior closeness. Her support becomes part of Annie’s account of women’s ties.

Before December 1963

December 1963

January 20, 1964

Late night, January 20–21, 1964

During the later writing