In the concise yet intricately woven narrative of Study for Obedience, we are introduced to an enigmatic and unnamed narrator who stands as the central figure of this brief novel. The story revolves around her profound sense of alienation and disconnection from her environment.
The novel kicks off with the narrator reflecting on her life and experiences, revealing that she is the youngest in a large family of siblings. Throughout her life, she has strived to fit in and please others, which has seemingly shaped her identity. She studied German and Italian at university, excelling in both languages and earning praise from her professors. However, despite her linguistic prowess, she hasn’t managed to secure substantial employment and instead works remotely as a typist for a law firm.
The narrative takes a pivotal turn as the narrator moves in with her older brother, the eldest in the family. This transition necessitates her relocation to a remote village, initially intended to be a six-month stay, but her brother repeatedly extends her visit. Her brother’s house is nestled in this secluded village, and her arrival coincides with his wife and children leaving him for Italy due to undisclosed reasons. He informs her of an impending business-related absence and entrusts her with everyday responsibilities, a role she’s accustomed to since she has been caring for her older siblings, both emotionally and physically, since childhood.
Left alone in the remote village, the narrator initially appreciates the silence but soon finds it taking a toll on her mental and emotional well-being. She continues her work as a typist, yet the words in the interviews she transcribes appear increasingly distant and unintelligible. She’s been cut off from language and the world, a situation exacerbated by her inability to learn the local language despite her previous language-learning proficiency. Her efforts to integrate into the village, including enrolling in language courses, are met with frustration, as she still feels like an outsider.
Her attempt to explore the village and engage with the locals leads to discomfort and rejection when she enters a shop, and the employees refuse to speak English. Her sense of unease heightens when she encounters the lifeless body of a pregnant ewe, and the villagers cast accusatory glances her way, perhaps blaming her for the animal’s demise. This sense of being blamed is not new to the narrator, as her ethnic minority background has often made it challenging for her to gain trust and acceptance.
In an effort to gain acceptance and forge connections, the narrator joins a community farming program in the village. However, she discovers that the other volunteers are peculiar and that they had slaughtered some of their cows weeks earlier. Amidst the monotony and strangeness of village life, the narrator’s focus shifts to a pregnant dog she observes daily. She eagerly anticipates the birth of the puppies, but in the summer, both the dog and its owner vanish. The narrator only comprehends the true circumstances behind their disappearance upon her brother’s return. It is revealed that the dog experienced a phantom pregnancy, and the villagers attributed it to the narrator’s presence, considering it a sign of misfortune she brought.
As time passes, dead animals begin to appear in their garden, raising questions about whether it’s the result of a wild beast or a form of vengeance from the villagers. The narrator’s attempts to integrate further into the village include a visit to a local diner, but her feelings of foreignness and isolation persist. She stumbles upon an unsettling ritual where town-folks listen to a preacher while holding a talisman. These experiences fuel her growing paranoia, leading her to believe that the villagers hold her responsible for the mysterious animal deaths.
Back at home, she locks herself indoors, securing all doors and windows, yet struggles to find solace and sleep. She reflects on her lifelong conditioning to refrain from questioning and to dutifully follow her brother’s wishes, which contributes to her passive and obedient demeanor.
The passage of days remains monotonous, but further strange events unfold. A mysterious alphabet, unfamiliar to the narrator, is carved into the wall of her house. This unfamiliar symbol represents a turning point in her relationship with her brother. She stands up to him, an act that initiates a battle of wills lasting several days. In a sudden and unexplained turn of events, her brother falls ill, and as winter descends, it becomes evident that the narrator has effectively isolated him from the outside world. She locks him up in the house, tending to his needs obsessively, all in a desperate bid to avoid loneliness.
The novel reaches a harrowing climax as the narrator is drawn to the town’s church, where she is surrounded by the carcasses of the slain animals. She remains steadfast in her belief that she is not the cause of their deaths, but the villagers, gathered within the church, begin chanting, pushing her to the brink of madness.
In its brevity, Study for Obedience offers a plot rich in complexity and an eerie, ethereal atmosphere that lingers in the reader’s mind. An adaptation of this narrative could effectively capture the foreboding and peculiar nature of the village. The story also addresses issues of immigration and sexism without overt moralizing, instead illustrating how these expectations have profoundly shaped the narrator’s identity.
The writing style, while well-crafted, may pose a challenge to some readers due to its compactness and limited dialogue, at times resembling an academic essay more than a traditional novel. The novel subtly delves into fascinating concepts concerning feminism, the power of women, and the historical depictions of hysteria, rooted in gender roles. However, these themes may be somewhat esoteric for readers less familiar with women’s history.
In conclusion, Study for Obedience stands as a highly unique read, catering to a specific audience of feminist literature enthusiasts who appreciate its intricate exploration of identity, isolation, and the subtle influence of societal expectations.