I attempted suicide when I was 20. Felt loads of anxiety, fear, and depression although I don’t think I recognized the depression at the time. This story resonated not just because I have experienced the emotions the author conveys with the confusion and uncertainty about how you end up in a moment ending your life, but even more so about the role of light providing clarity and strength to survive. The fire works to reveal truth to the main character and I love that imagery. Deeply appreciate you sharing the story and for your interpretation.
Dreamlike, for sure. Your accurate appraisal of events was wonderful, but for me there were gaps in the logic of the symbolism that left me wanting, even though it was obliquely rich. Maybe that’s what P intended, more questions than answers, a mood of confusion. I was left, wondering why she wrote the story, other than to amuse. I did not feel that I gained any insight into her internal struggle.
It's a powerful and disturbing story, indeed, and as you say, it's a topic that is often avoided for convenience or fear. I think the black coat represents the inner world, with its loneliness and sense of belonging, shattered by abandonment. By burning it, she accepts those experiences and evolves as a person, that's why she revives, returning to face life itself. The matches bring not only light but warmth to her and us, because it gives us hope.
I attempted suicide when I was 20. Felt loads of anxiety, fear, and depression although I don’t think I recognized the depression at the time. This story resonated not just because I have experienced the emotions the author conveys with the confusion and uncertainty about how you end up in a moment ending your life, but even more so about the role of light providing clarity and strength to survive. The fire works to reveal truth to the main character and I love that imagery. Deeply appreciate you sharing the story and for your interpretation.
Thank you, and thank you for joining us and sharing your deeply personal story.
I hope you are in a much better place now, and I'm glad you connected with the story.
Dreamlike, for sure. Your accurate appraisal of events was wonderful, but for me there were gaps in the logic of the symbolism that left me wanting, even though it was obliquely rich. Maybe that’s what P intended, more questions than answers, a mood of confusion. I was left, wondering why she wrote the story, other than to amuse. I did not feel that I gained any insight into her internal struggle.
James Freeman
Thanks, James. There is a certain element of 'fairy tale writing' at play that means some depth is sacrificed, as you so rightly put.
It's a powerful and disturbing story, indeed, and as you say, it's a topic that is often avoided for convenience or fear. I think the black coat represents the inner world, with its loneliness and sense of belonging, shattered by abandonment. By burning it, she accepts those experiences and evolves as a person, that's why she revives, returning to face life itself. The matches bring not only light but warmth to her and us, because it gives us hope.