She must be very secure in herself, I suppose, in them, for it not to bother her, to walk where another woman has walked before. She obviously doesn't think of me as a threat. I think about Ted Hughes, moving Assia Wevill into the home he'd shared with Plath, of her wearing Sylvia's clothes, brushing her hair with the same brush. I want to ring Anna up and remind her that Assia ended up with her head in the oven, just like Sylvia did.
The quote reflects a deep sense of introspection regarding the dynamics between women, particularly in the context of relationships marked by past connections. The speaker seems to be grappling with feelings of insecurity and jealousy, contrasting her own emotions with the apparent confidence of another woman who has taken her place. It highlights a complex interplay of identity and past experiences, as she compares her situation with that of Ted Hughes and Assia Wevill, suggesting that the latter's acceptance of her place in Sylvia Plath's life hints at a troubling disregard for the potential repercussions of such actions.
This comparison evokes a sense of foreboding as the speaker draws parallels between the lives of these women and their tragic end. The mention of the shared possessions and spaces emphasizes the intimacy and intertwined fates of their lives, ultimately questioning the nature of moving forward when shadows of the past loom large. The reference to Assia's tragic fate serves as a warning, suggesting that disregard for historical trauma can lead to repeating it, leaving the speaker disturbed by these connections.
