Departure, Grief, and Survival

Simple Passion

Follows the acute aftermath of A’s departure through despair, makeshift coping, and a gradual return to life beyond him.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The First Night The First Night from "Simple Passion". The First Night Awakening at Two The narrator wakes in the night and feels indifferent to whether she lives or dies. Her body seems to ache everywhere.

The First Night from "Simple Passion". The First Night Awakening at Two The narrator wakes in the night and feels indifferent to whether she lives or dies. Her body seems to ache everywhere.

The First Night Awakening at Two The narrator wakes in the night and feels indifferent to whether she lives or dies. Her body seems to ache everywhere. Desperate Escape She imagines a burglar killing her as a way out of pain. The thought conveys grief at its most physically extreme.

Forced Activity Forced Activity from "Simple Passion". Forced Activity Filling Empty Hours The narrator tries to find tasks so she will not remain idle. She fears a vague collapse involving drinking or a breakdown.

Forced Activity from "Simple Passion". Forced Activity Filling Empty Hours The narrator tries to find tasks so she will not remain idle. She fears a vague collapse involving drinking or a breakdown.

Forced Activity Filling Empty Hours The narrator tries to find tasks so she will not remain idle. She fears a vague collapse involving drinking or a breakdown. Appearance as Effort Dressing, applying makeup, and wearing contact lenses require courage. Ordinary self-maintenance becomes a fragile form of survival.

Avoided Triggers Avoided Triggers from "Simple Passion". Avoided Triggers Commercial Images Advertisements seem to show a woman waiting for a man.

Avoided Triggers from "Simple Passion". Avoided Triggers Commercial Images Advertisements seem to show a woman waiting for a man.

Avoided Triggers Commercial Images Advertisements seem to show a woman waiting for a man. The narrator cannot watch television or browse magazines without encountering reminders. Lingerie Shop Windows She averts her gaze from shops selling lingerie. A former source of anticipation becomes unbearable after the relationship ends.

Makeshift Hope Makeshift Hope from "Simple Passion". Makeshift Hope Small Repetitions The narrator plays patience and gives money to a beggar while wishing A will return.

Makeshift Hope from "Simple Passion". Makeshift Hope Small Repetitions The narrator plays patience and gives money to a beggar while wishing A will return.

Makeshift Hope Small Repetitions The narrator plays patience and gives money to a beggar while wishing A will return. These actions preserve hope without rational grounds. Survival Without Resolution Writing may itself be another practice that offers hope. None of these habits removes sorrow, but they help her continue through it.

A Noncontinuous Passion A Noncontinuous Passion from "Simple Passion". A Noncontinuous Passion A Quiet Morning The narrator occasionally wakes without immediately thinking of A.

A Noncontinuous Passion from "Simple Passion". A Noncontinuous Passion A Quiet Morning The narrator occasionally wakes without immediately thinking of A.

A Noncontinuous Passion A Quiet Morning The narrator occasionally wakes without immediately thinking of A. The discovery is small enough that she may not notice it at first. A Changed Condition She remains within the age of passion, but it is no longer continuous. Survival appears as a gradual alteration rather than a clean ending.

the first weeks after A leaves

the daytime weeks after the separation

the early months after A leaves

during the first months of grief

April after the separation