Jealousy and Uncertainty

Simple Passion

Tracks the narrator’s attempts to infer A’s feelings from sparse signs, imagined rivals, and the physical evidence of desire.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Signs of Reciprocity Signs of Reciprocity from "Simple Passion". Signs of Reciprocity A’s Apparent Openness His radiant expression, silences, and stories of childhood seem to prove attachment.

Signs of Reciprocity from "Simple Passion". Signs of Reciprocity A’s Apparent Openness His radiant expression, silences, and stories of childhood seem to prove attachment.

Signs of Reciprocity A’s Apparent Openness His radiant expression, silences, and stories of childhood seem to prove attachment. The narrator reads these gestures as evidence that he shares her passion. Confidence at Risk Because their relationship is clandestine and unequal, the signs are hard to verify. Her certainty depends on interpretations rather than explicit commitments.

The Evidence of Desire The Evidence of Desire from "Simple Passion". The Evidence of Desire Fewer Tokens A stops giving presents and seems less inclined to confide in her.

The Evidence of Desire from "Simple Passion". The Evidence of Desire Fewer Tokens A stops giving presents and seems less inclined to confide in her.

The Evidence of Desire Fewer Tokens A stops giving presents and seems less inclined to confide in her. The narrator notices the change and searches for replacement proof. Narrow Measure She concludes that his desire, visible in his body, is the one undeniable truth. This measure offers certainty only for the duration of their physical encounters.

The Imagined Dancer The Imagined Dancer from "Simple Passion". The Imagined Dancer A Magazine Photograph An article about Cuban dancers prompts the narrator to fix on one woman’s image.

The Imagined Dancer from "Simple Passion". The Imagined Dancer A Magazine Photograph An article about Cuban dancers prompts the narrator to fix on one woman’s image.

The Imagined Dancer A Magazine Photograph An article about Cuban dancers prompts the narrator to fix on one woman’s image. She becomes convinced that A met the dancer during a visit to Cuba. Jealousy as Certainty No evidence confirms the imagined encounter, yet its possibility feels undeniable. Fantasy intensifies rather than resolves the narrator’s uncertainty.

Locating A Locating A from "Simple Passion". Locating A Imagined Itineraries The narrator pictures A running in a forest, driving to the coast, or sitting with his wife.

Locating A from "Simple Passion". Locating A Imagined Itineraries The narrator pictures A running in a forest, driving to the coast, or sitting with his wife.

Locating A Imagined Itineraries The narrator pictures A running in a forest, driving to the coast, or sitting with his wife. Knowing where he might be gives her a sense of control. Protection Through Knowledge She believes location could shield her from infidelity or accident. The belief reveals how little actual power she has over his choices.

Anonymity and Release Anonymity and Release from "Simple Passion". Anonymity and Release A Among Other Men Large cars and their drivers make A seem like one of many career-minded men.

Anonymity and Release from "Simple Passion". Anonymity and Release A Among Other Men Large cars and their drivers make A seem like one of many career-minded men.

Anonymity and Release A Among Other Men Large cars and their drivers make A seem like one of many career-minded men. The recognition briefly strips him of his exceptional status. The Pull Returns She decides she could stop seeing him, but shop windows revive anticipation. The attempted detachment cannot outlast the habits of desire.

early in their relationship

as A becomes more distant

during the early summer

during the summer of the affair

during a walk in Paris