Skip to main content

“The Time of the Doves” by Mercè Rodoreda

Welcome to my sixth blog! This week I read “The Time of Doves” by Mercè Rodoreda.

The story intricately tells the story of Natalia, who endures two marriages against the tumultuous backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. Natalia is initially attracted to Quimet after a chance encounter in a square, but their marriage is fraught with difficulties as Quimet joins the army during the war, leaving Natalia to take care of the children all by herself. Quimet's death further deepened her descent into poverty, prompting Natalia to consider the unthinkable: ending her own life and that of her children. Antonio became a beacon of hope in this dire situation, ultimately leading to a more prosperous life for Natalia after her marriage. As her children grow up, Natalia returns to the square and unearths repressed emotions from her past.

The story profoundly demonstrates Natalia's resilience as a mother and prompts people to reflect on the traditional boundaries of marriage and the role of women in marriage. The universal theme of “motherhood” permeates every aspect of social norms, including gender dynamics, childcare, household chores, and social expectations. Examples such as Quemet's mother eagerly awaiting news of Natalia's pregnancy highlight society's view of motherhood: motherhood is a woman's social obligation. Additionally, the story delves into the intersection of gender equality and motherhood, such as Natalia's initial reluctance to become pregnant but later overturned by Quimet's persuasion, emphasizing the power dynamics in the relationship.

Rodoreda adeptly employs symbolism to underscore the theme of motherhood, as evidenced by the quote: “When they saw me coming the doves who were roosting raised their heads and stretched their necks. They spread their wings and tried to protect the nests. When I stuck my hand under their breasts they’d try and peck me” (111). A simple analysis of this quote is the significant dove protecting the egg that symbolizes the mother's protection of her child, which is the most straightforward interpretation of parental responsibility and love. Natalia's complex relationships with Pere and Quiemet unveil layers of emotional turmoil and societal expectations, accentuated by Rodoreda's masterful use of metaphors and vivid descriptions.

I admired the book's narrative structure, it provides an intimate feel like watching Natalia’s documentary, brimming with vignettes and introspective musings. It was evident that Natalia wrestled with the elusive pursuit of love and contentment, permeating every facet of her existence. Her detachment from her children, evident in her impersonal references to them as "the boy" and "the girl," reflected the emotional chasm wrought by Quimet's callous demeanor. Moreover, Natalia's tumultuous upbringing, marked by a dearth of familial warmth and communication, likely colored her parental perceptions. Even after finding solace in her marriage to Antoni, a compassionate and devoted partner to both her and her children, Natalia remained haunted by thoughts of Quimet, prompting contemplation on the enduring hold of significant figures in our lives, despite their transgressions. The pivotal moment of reckoning came during "the time of the doves," symbolizing peace yet ironically exacerbating Natalia's turmoil as she grappled with the aftermath of Quimet's actions. Yet, amidst the chaos, Natalia's perspective gradually shifted, culminating in a newfound appreciation for the serenity embodied by the doves, mirroring her own journey towards acceptance and fulfillment in her life with Antoni.

Thank you so much for reading. My question for this week is “how does the portrayal of motherhood in "The Time of the Doves" reflect societal expectations and gender dynamics during the Spanish Civil War era?”

Comments

"Rodoreda's masterful use of metaphors and vivid descriptions"

Can you give examples of these? (NB in general it is good advice to "show, don't tell." Show us with examples that the book is "intricately" told, or that the background is "tumultuous," etc., rather than simply tellings us that that's how things are. Don't let your analysis hinge on your adjectives and adverbs.)

Meanwhile, are the doves ever really serene?

But I like what you have to say about motherhood, and wonder what the novel also has to say about fatherhood. After all, there is Quimet, for instance, but also Antoni (*not* Antonio) who is biologically unable to have children, but who becomes a father figure for Natalia's kids.
meave said…
Hi Fiona! I think there was a strong emphasis on traditional gender roles where women were expected to fulfill domestic duties and prioritize their roles as wives and mothers. This probably made Natalia feel the need to conform to these societal norms, dedicating herself to her family and household despite the challenges she faces.

Popular posts from this blog

On the surface: My conclusion. On the inside: IT’S OVER! AHHHAHAHAHAARARAGSHGAHASFKDHAKDHQKDHWKDHPAHFKSHDODHAKDGSKSHS

 Welcome to my final blog for this course! Since we are done with the novels and it is almost the end of the semester, I completely expressed my true self in this post. No matter how much rewriting I’ve done to make myself sound a least a bit more serious, the joy of making through this year still overtook me in the end. This introduction should be enough to reach over 400 words… Ok enough chitchatting, here is my experience with this course! When I signed up for this course, I was kinda mentally gearing up for a hard time. I figured, hey, gotta tick that literature box for my major requirement, right? But, was I pleasantly surprised! RMST 202 turned out to be a real gem this semester, defying all my expectations! I never thought I'd end up loving it this much. From our class chats to diving into everyone's blog posts, and yeah, even reading those novels I'd probably never touch otherwise, I genuinely feel like I've gained so much more from this course than I bargained ...

Introduction

Hello, everyone! I'm Fiona, a first-year student, and I plan to study English. My goal is to become an elementary teacher after finishing the 11-month teacher education program for elementary and middle years. The tricky part for me is that calculus is a requirement for the program. Math isn't my strong suit, but I'll give it my best shot. I hope to aim for a B+ or an A- in this course, and I'm excited to enhance my reading skills by exploring new novels. Speaking of novels, the last one I read was "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green. Even though I had to read it, I had high hopes because of the author's reputation and the touching stories. However, after spending time reading and taking notes, the last few chapters let me down. This might be why I'm not a big fan of reading.  In my free time, I enjoy doing various activities that bring me joy and relaxation. Among my favourites are practicing latte art, singing, exploring digital drawing, and daydr...