Anna in Love

Today in class we discussed Anna's general lucidity with respect to social codes, conventions, expectation, and inequalities. We discussed her general unwillingness to consider these things legitimate, although this does not necessarily take the form of what we would call resistance or any kind of revolutionary attitude, but rather nearly no interest in providing for herself or finding some kind of lasting power over her situation on others' terms.

Something that stands out for me, in this pattern, is the way Anna treats her love for Walter. That is, although she seems to be aware that he is using her, this facet of exploitation seems repressed in the narrative, only indirectly or unconsciously surfacing in the narrative. For example, on p. 40, while Anna thinks about her affair with Walter, she says "And [I would think] about getting up and saying 'I must go now," and dressing...and the front door that clicked so silently, that clicked always as if it were the last time." Though not consciously articulated, even early in their relationship Anna feels anxieties of being abandoned, but seems to not want to know it. Long after Walter breaks it off with her, she maintains that she loves him, and that this makes her suffer. What I want to suggest is that love with Walter, though sordid and exploitative as much of the rest that happens to Anna in the book, seems different to her, cherished and special in a way that transcends her awareness of exploitation. It's something she cares about. What's going on here? Is this love valuable, despite Walter being an asshole?