Clamence's Manipulative Relationships with Women

Examines the pattern of Clamence's emotional entanglements with women, from seduction to domination.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Game of Seduction

The charming lawyer A repertoire of speeches Clamence had perfected a little speech: he was nothing, it was not worth getting involved with him, his life was elsewhere. He was always the incomprehensible attraction. He played the game. The mask of mystery He knew that women liked mystery. He would go to bed with a mystery. He was never sincere, but he was effective. He used the same play with different actors.

The Need to Possess

The jailer and the prisoner A bond of enslavement Clamence would make women swear not to give themselves to any other man. He needed to know they were his. He was like a jailer, bound to his prisoner. The cruelty of the game He would mortify them, give them up and take them back, force them to give themselves in inappropriate places. He enjoyed the power. The emotional bond was one of domination.

The Fear of Abandonment

The desperate need When a mistress threatened to leave When a woman tired of him and spoke of leaving, Clamence would become eloquent, yield, step forward. He needed to be loved. He couldn't bear to lose someone's affection. The forgetfulness But once she was won back, he would forget her. He was not in love; he was in love with being loved. The emotional bond was a need for validation, not genuine affection.

The Final Attempt at Love

The parrot woman A deceptive passion Clamence developed a deceptive passion for a woman who had read too many true love stories. He tried to tally of love, but it was fake. He was acting. The failure When she became his mistress, he realized they couldn't make love. He looked elsewhere. He couldn't lose his habit of self-love. The emotional bond was a sham. He was a trifler in passion.

Throughout his Parisian life

In his relationships, especially with the passive woman

During his period of vulnerability

During his period of seeking love after the laugh