“Two Women” by Amos Oz is a simple story on the surface, but deep down it contains a great deal of meaning. Let's look at some insights that might be drawn from the story.

First, we might talk about Osnat's apparent indifference to losing her husband to another woman. She seems to be a quiet woman, merely going on about her daily life with little thought to anything around her. She notices the little things, like the pigeons and the kittens. Osnat is actually trying to protect herself. She doesn't want to think too much. Her notes to Ariella show that she still cares deeply about her husband, but if she shows it in any other way, she might lose control, and this is something that Osnat does not want to do.

We might also think about the relationship between Boaz and Ariella. They both seem to think that they have no choice in the matter. They are attracted to each other, and that's that. But they are wrong. They do have a choice about whether or not to follow their attraction. They do have a choice about whether or not to hurt Osnat. They could have said no to their temptations. They could have considered the feelings of another and the fact that Boaz is married. They choose not to. They have free will even though they try to deny it. They are trying to find excuses to let themselves off the hook, but their excuses are weak and poor.

Finally, we might also consider Ariella's unhappiness. Her relationship with Boaz is clearly not what she thought it would be. Physical attraction goes only so far. Boaz is not a man to express his feelings or even talk much. There is no real connection between Boaz and Ariella, and Ariella knows it. This is why she writes such a long letter to Osnat. She is seeking a meaningful connection, and she hopes to find it with the woman who also knows what Boaz is like. Ariella wants someone to talk to, someone who understands her. Boaz is not that person. Yet Ariella does not find a friend in Osnat either. Osnat is still guarding herself, and she does not respond to the letter. It is easier for Osnat to just follow her routine and try to keep on living.