Starting in mystery and ending in unfinished business. This, what seems to be, couple is faced with a trying relational dilemma. They are waiting for a train after a trip filled with site seeing and consuming alcohol. During this wait, they are attempting to have a conversation. A conversation that requires drink after drink of indecision. They find themselves future parents; a result of spending many nights next to each other in hotel rooms. The man is try to mask his manipulation with care and concern. He wants her to abort the child and for them to walk the simple path. Many have walked and come out "happy", or so they say. She doesn't seem convinced, but in confusion of what to do, she drinks and drinks some more. Being weighed down by this burden, her self concern seems to fade. Still waiting for the train. Still lingering for a decision.
Today abortion is a heavy topic. Hasn't it always been? Do those who contemplate abortion and or make that commitment that they cannot reverse, experience the emotions portrayed in this piece? Masked force and helpless confusion? Is the process not a trauma of some sort? Or is this experience free of psychological pain?
I believe that the girl's indecisiveness and the American's ability to manipulate her decision-making is a a tall tell indicator of the lack of her self-confidence. This, unfortunately, is a big factor amongst many women (particularly young young women) who find themselves in such a pickle. While this scenario is unique to a portion of women who experience the process of abortion, reasoning behind such decisions are boundless.
ReplyDeleteI concur with your conclusions regarding Jig's indecision and how the man masks his manipulation with care and concern, like when he tells her "I'd do anything for you." Jig is also trapped by a need to be wanted because she states "I don't care about me." However, towards the end she says she feels fine. Jig seems to go through a series of conflicts within herself. She wants everything to be ok, and yet doesn't want to compromise herself. I don't think everyone who's ever contemplated an abortion has gone through the gamut of emotions Jig has gone through. I know of women who have had abortions, and later regret it. Some because they felt condemned afterward and some because when they wanted children, but were now barren and felt they should not have done it in the first place. The abortion issue is not as black and white as freedom of choice or right to life. There are grey areas that don't necessarily fall into those two categories as to why someone aborts or decides not to, such as rape.
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