Chapter 13: Isis and a New Resolve
Yaltha shares the Egyptian myth of Osiris with Ana and Tabitha, a tale of murder and resurrection by the goddess Isis. Yaltha emphasizes the story's allegorical power, suggesting that even when life is torn apart, one can rise anew. This resonates deeply with Ana, who realizes she must actively shape her destiny, becoming the "Isis" who rebuilds her own life.
Inspired, Ana resolves to provoke her fiancé, Nathaniel, into seeking a divorce before their wedding. She considers the grounds for divorce—blindness, lameness, infertility, disobedience—and contemplates how she might embody one. However, a new feeling complicates her plan. The thought of being unmarriageable, once appealing, now clashes with her encounter with the compelling young man in the market. Her search for self and personal longing has expanded beyond intellectual freedom to include a desire for connection.
Chapter 14: The Cave and the Stonemason
Ana's anxiety about her impending marriage intensifies as she passes the palace of Herod Antipas, the site of her wedding. A public, royally sanctioned event would make securing a divorce from Nathaniel nearly impossible. Noticing damage to the Livia Gate from Zealot attacks, she worries about her brother, Judas, who is rumored to be involved. The need for a safe haven for her writings becomes ever more urgent.
While wandering with Lavi, Ana discovers a balsam grove and hears a chanting voice. She sees a man praying before a dark cave opening, his stonemason's tools nearby. As he turns, she recognizes Jesus from the market. He is reciting the Aramaic Kaddish, the prayer for mourners. Overwhelmed by attraction, Ana feels a powerful physical and emotional response. Though she longs to speak to him, she respects his grief and the social impropriety. The cave, a perfect sanctuary for her writings, located where Jesus prays, feels like a divine sign. She marks the time, planning to return, her longings for her words and for him intertwined.
Chapter 15: The Song of Solomon
Back home, Ana struggles to confide in Yaltha about Jesus, feeling an "inexplicable diffidence." Instead, she mentions finding a cave. Yaltha is relieved, having caught the servant Shipra snooping. She retrieves Ana's hidden scrolls and incantation bowl. Holding the bowl, Ana realizes her hesitation stems from fear of her intense emotions.
The feelings Jesus evokes remind Ana of the forbidden Song of Solomon, its verses about love resonating with her newfound "ache and sweetness and flame." Later, seeing her betrothal robe fills her with despair. Inspired by the poem, she writes a passionate declaration of love for Jesus, acknowledging that he has "flung [her] open." This act of voicing her desire is both a release and a risk. She hides the papyrus with her other writings, knowing they cannot remain safely in the house much longer. This chapter solidifies the theme of Feminism and Women's Voices, as Ana claims her desire and emotions through the written word.
Key Events
- Yaltha's story of Isis inspires Ana to take control of her destiny.
- Ana plans to provoke Nathaniel into divorce but questions her desire for solitude.
- Ana discovers a cave while seeking a hiding place for her writings.
- She finds Jesus praying outside the cave.
- Ana experiences intense attraction to Jesus.
- Unable to speak her feelings, Ana writes a declaration of love, inspired by the Song of Solomon.
Character Development
Ana's character undergoes significant development:
- Ana: Her longing evolves from intellectual freedom to include passionate love for Jesus. Inspired by Yaltha, she becomes proactive in resisting her betrothal. She claims her emotional and romantic desires, channeling them into her writing.
- Yaltha: She is firmly established as Ana's mentor, providing wisdom and empowerment through stories and myths.
- Jesus: Though silent, his character gains depth as a devout, grieving stonemason. His presence catalyzes Ana's emotional awakening, linking him to her creative and spiritual life.
Themes & Symbols
-
Themes:
- The Search for Self and Personal Longing: Ana's longing expands to include human connection and love, embodied by Jesus.
- Feminism and Women's Voices: Yaltha encourages Ana to become the "Isis" of her own life. Ana uses her writing to document and legitimize her forbidden feelings.
- Alternative Faith and Spirituality: Yaltha's use of Egyptian myth and Ana's feeling of divine "auspice" suggest a spirituality beyond formal religion.
-
Symbols:
- Isis and Osiris: Symbolizes the feminine will to rebuild a life shattered by patriarchal forces, representing resurrection through a goddess's agency.
- The Cave: Represents sanctuary, secrecy, and the womb, where Ana's mind (writings) and heart (love for Jesus) converge.
- The Song of Solomon: Validates female desire, providing a sacred language for Ana to express her feelings for Jesus.
Key Quotes
“Jesus had put his hand to the latch and I was flung open.”
This quote encapsulates the profound impact Jesus has on Ana, suggesting a complete and sudden emotional awakening. The metaphor of being "flung open" conveys a sense of vulnerability and liberation, as if Jesus has unlocked a part of her that was previously dormant or suppressed. It highlights the transformative power of love and desire in Ana's journey of self-discovery.
Why This Matters and Section Significance
This section marks a turning point where Ana's internal and external conflicts merge. Her intellectual ambition and fight for freedom become linked to her love for Jesus. The discovery of the cave where Jesus prays suggests a narrative destiny, intertwining Ana's voice and her love.
Ana's decision to write about her love is transformative. She documents her own story and longings, claiming her personal experience as worthy of record. This solidifies her identity as a writer and sets the stage for the central relationship of the book.