|
|
Olsen reveals his uncontrolled passion for Helga as he proposes marriage to Helga: “It may be that with you, Helga, for wife I will become great. Immortal. Who knows? I didn’t want to love you, but I had to” (86-87). Even Olsen’s portrait of Helga suggests that his view of her is colored by his passion for her. Helga believes that the portrait does not resemble her at all: “It wasn’t, she contended, herself at all, but some disgusting sensual creature with her features” (89). Even her maid confirms Helga’s view of the portrait, exclaiming, “I don’t like that picture. It looks bad, wicked” (89). Clearly, Olsen has fallen victim to the femme fatale, for this is the image of Helga displayed in the portrait.
When Helga returns to New York City for her best friend Anne’s wedding, she captivates another victim, this time her friend’s new husband, Robert Anderson. Despite his recent marriage, Anderson has been fascinated by Helga ever since she was a teacher at Naxos where he was principal. Bumping into Helga in the hallway at a cocktail party, Anderson can no longer resist Helga’s spell: “He stooped and kissed her, a long kiss, holding her close” (104). Although Helga, at first, responds to the kiss with reciprocal passion, she quickly recognizes her error and pushes Anderson away. Anderson too regrets his impulsive behavior and, a few days later, apologizes for his indiscretion. Nevertheless, Helga’s power over him is evident.
Despite Helga’s considerable power as femme fatale, she is never able to achieve personal happiness that lasts more than a couple of years. Becoming dissatisfied and restless, she is constantly impelled to move on—to a new state, a new city, a new country, a new relationship—and she eventually succumbs to her own fruitless searching and lack of self-knowledge. Although she is optimistic about her future as she enters each new situation, even her marriage to a southern minister, Helga realizes at the end of the novel that her marriage to Reverend Pleasant Green and her roles as housewife and mother have trapped her in a fate from which there will be no escape.