Agnes and Natan's Relationship

Question 1

Quote 1:
“But Illugastadir was different. I had no friends. I didn’t understand the landscape. Only the outlying tongues of rock scarred the perfect kiss of sea and sky— there was no one and nothing else. There was nowhere else to go.”

Answer 1

Argument:
The desire for comfort in a singular person can blind individuals to their own self-isolation, resulting in disempowerment and estrangement from society.
Analysis:
- Metaphor of “tongues of rock” scarring the “kiss of sea and sky”, mirrors Agnes’ social position, illustrating how her reliance on Natan has estranged her from others, creating an insurmountable barrier between her and society. This highlights the inherent danger of relying solely on a singular person for emotional support as it can precipitate loneliness and diminish meaningful connections with others.
- Friends are typically a source of emotional support, companionship, and understanding. Agnes is completely devoid of this essential connection, heightening her sense of seclusion and helplessness.
- The repetition of “no one” and “nothing” amplifies the absolute emptiness in Agnes’ life. Consequently, her emotional survival is solely dependent on Natan, rendering her powerless with no alternative forms of comfort or solace.
This dynamic creates an imbalance of power, where Agnes’ self-worth and survival hinge entirely on Natan’s presence, further entrenching her sense of disempowerment and vulnerability.
- Readers are positioned to see the consequential risks that arise in such imbalanced relationships, underscoring how they can strip an individual of autonomy and healthy connections, ultimately leaving them vulnerable and isolated.

Question 2

Quote 2:
“The look on Natan’s face was not of derision, but of scornful amusement…’You’re a cheap sort of woman. I was wrong about you.’…He dragged me down the corridor and pushed me over the doorstep. I tripped on the ledge and went sprawling into the snow, naked. By the time I got to my knees, he had slammed the door in my face.”

Answer 2

Argument:
When someone is under the spell of limerence, it can obscure the emotional manipualtion they endure, especially when they are seen as an object of desire rather than a valued person.
Analysis:
- Characterisation of Natan as manipulative and cruel
- ‘scornful’ – suggesting ‘uncaring’- Natan’s sense of superiority and lack of genuine emotional investment in Agnes, perceiving her as an object of amusement or disdain.
- ‘cheap’ – worthless and disposable- reduces Agnes to a mere object, emphasizing how Agnes’s value is perceived as dependent upon her conformity to his masculine desires, underscoring the absolute power Natan holds. Agnes is not seen as an equal partner, but rather as someone who exists to fulfill Natan’s needs. When she no longer serves that purpose, he casts her aside, treating her as something to be discarded rather than a humane person deserving of respect.
- ‘dragged’ and ‘pushed’ – aggression and violence – Natan uses his physical power to assert dominance and power over Agnes. This physical aggression is a manifestation of the deep power imbalance in their relationship, where Agnes’s emotional dependence on Natan makes her susceptible to such abuse.
- illustrating the vulnerability that comes with unreciprocated or exploitative emotional attachments.

Question 3

Quote 3:
“The weight of his fingers on mine, like a bird landing on a branch. It was the drop of the match. I did not see that we were surrounded by tinder until I felt it burst into flames.”

Answer 3

Argument:
The desperature hope for love can harbor a dangerous tendency to blind individuals to its inherent risks and destructive potential, often resulting the emergence of unforeseen, damaging outcomes.
Analysis:
- Simile comparing his fingers to a bird landing on a branch- conveys a delicate and naive action. However, this fragile image is contrasted with the metaphor of the branch bursting into flames, implying that their relationship, despite initially appearing innocent and tender, is volatile and destructive, igniting a much larger, unforeseen disaster.
- The imagery of being “surrounded” by timber, suggesting inevitable and trapped, accentuates that their relationship was always destined to result in destruction.
- Yet, Agnes’ inability to see the tinder reflects her initial blindness to the emotional risks and power dynamics inherent in her relationship with Natan, only recognising the destructive potential after harm had already been caused. Her inability to recognize the signs of impending disaster speaks to the way obsessive love can cloud judgment, preventing individuals from seeing the true dangers of the situation until it is too late.
- Readers are thus positioned to see the dangers of allowing love to become all-encompassing and unchecked, as Agnes’ emotional vulnerability leaves her susceptible to manipulation and harm.