Thoughts on Orual - Jacob (Blog Post 4)

 Our discussion last night got me thinking about Orual as a character. I think the fact that she was in error during most of the book does not negate the fact that she is still a highly sympathetic character. In fact, I think she is meant to be an everybody. She is a very human character. Her struggles and selfishness is something everyone goes through. There is no doubt, she has been dealt a bad hand. Yet, in her selfishness, she only sees her own suffering. I think, throughout the book, her character flaws are somewhat subtle. She is not the monster her father is. Yet, her monstrosity does occasionally come out, like when she threatens to kill Psyche and then kill herself if Psyche does not comply with her demands. In her bitterness over her own lot, she attempts to make others suffer. She is jealous that Psyche could be content with her divine lover. Orual does not want Psyche to derive joy outside of what she can give her.  

Her own selfishness begins to be revealed when she speaks to Bardia’s widow. They are both surprised to find the other has been mourning too. I think every human person can relate to Orual’s plight. We all have a tendency to be self-obsessed and not to realize that others are going through their own battle. While I think Orual is in the wrong for the majority of the book, her wrongness is what makes her relatable. I feel like everyone probably feels like they have a good case to indite the divine. We become obsessed with our suffering and hurt others in subtle ways.