Main Characters

In a tapestry woven with echoes and shadows, the protagonists of these two novels emerge: the unwavering mother, the introspective narrator or Suzanne in The Sea Wall, and her enigmatic brother, Joseph in the same tale, yet unnamed in The Lover. In the latter narrative, a poignant figure appears—the younger brother, Pablo, whose fleeting life leaves a tender imprint on the narrator's heart. In reality, Duras herself was tethered to two brothers, one of whom vanished to France, becoming a distant memory. Among the swirling cast, Helene Lagonelle, a schoolmate of the narrator, and wartime confidantes in Paris hold roles of subtle yet significant depth. The enigmatic Lover from Cholen stands as a pivotal presence in the second story. Meanwhile, Suzanne's hesitant romance with M. Jo, the late-blooming passion for Agosti, and the affluent mistress who entwines herself with Joseph's life play consequential parts in the first work.

The Mother's Fragile World

The mother's portrayal remains steadfast across both novels, with Duras intricately tracing her mental turmoil back to the collapse of The Sea Wall. Her demeanor swings wildly, from lavishing her children with tender care, especially during meals, to eruptions of ferocity, manifesting in tirades and physical chastisements. In The Lover, she floods their dwelling with water periodically, perhaps in a futile attempt to wash away the stains of her erratic actions and the oppressive guilt inflicted by the colonial shackles on her kin and homeland. In The Sea Wall, desperation drives her to pawn the precious diamond Suzanne receives from M. Jo, seeking funds to appease her debts. Yet, even with Joseph's mistress as her benefactor, the pittance garnered proves insufficient. Her reliance on medication spirals into dependency, ultimately leading to her demise.

Joseph and His Counterpart

Joseph mirrors the elder brother's figure in The Lover. Both embody isolation, a commanding presence, and a lack of empathy. However, Joseph stands out for his candidness with his mother and sister, starkly contrasting the older brother's squandering of their mother's wealth. Duras weaves the older brother's reign of terror into the fabric of war's incarceration and atrocities. This character pilfers from his mother, indulges in opium, and gambles with the South amidst conflict. Joseph, with his coarse speech, exerts control over his sister, forbidding her union with M. Jo, despite her possible willingness. He abandons his mother for the lure of a wealthy lover, subjecting her to the ignominy of letters marred by spelling blunders.

The Cholen Lover's Enigma

The Lover from Cholen stands as a solitary entity, despite a string of romantic escapades preceding the central affair in The Lover. Though perceived as "the other," he possesses financial superiority compared to the narrator's destitute family. He showers the young girl with paternal care, tending to her needs, shedding tears for her, bound by an impassioned love. He yearns for marriage, yet his father's disapproval thwarts him. Their relationship remains shrouded in ambiguity, inviting readers of the "new novel" to ponder its depths. In the tale's twilight, a call from Paris reveals that his love endures, unwavering and eternal.

Agosti and M. Jo

Agosti in The Sea Wall bears a striking resemblance to the Lover from Cholen. His experience with women is softened by a tender, paternal approach towards Suzanne, with a readiness to wed if she desires. Their initial intimate encounter mirrors a scene from The Lover. Meanwhile, M. Jo, the wealthy yet unattractive British entrepreneur, harbors a longing for affection, yet is spurned by Suzanne, largely due to her brother's disdain. Both Agosti and M. Jo echo the essence of The Lover from Cholen.

Narrative Techniques

The first novel employs dialogue as a sculptor's tool, chiseling out character with the precision of Duras's early endeavors. The focus rests more on actions than on physical attributes or hidden musings. In contrast, The Lover is a symphony of silence, composed of the narrator's inner reflections. The reader discerns other characters through this lens, a dual perspective as Duras veers between first and third person. This tension invites readers to piece together the narrative puzzle, a hallmark of Duras's oeuvre and the "new novel" genre.