Especially she dreaded the isolation of the swimmer, amid propelled and splashing figures yet she was isolated, always one isolated in the water where thoughts await like froth on the surface of the water that smelled like chemicals.
The protagonist in "Mudwoman" by Joyce Carol Oates experiences a profound sense of isolation, particularly in the context of swimming. Surrounded by others who are immersed in the aquatic activity, she feels a deep disconnection from those around her. This dichotomy creates a sense of loneliness that contrasts sharply with the physical presence of other swimmers.
Her thoughts, likened to froth on the water's surface, bubble up amidst a chemical smell, emphasizing the disorienting nature of her solitude. The water, although lively with motion, becomes a metaphor for her internal struggle, where external chaos fails to mask her internal feelings of being cut off and alone.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
