Passing Judgment
To chose between Claire and Irene is complex. Both have their issues. She tells Irene that she is willing to turn her back on anyone, sacrifice anything, to get that she wants. This is, to an extent, true. However, she is in a sense, innocent. Her dazzling good looks and talented tonged allow her to defuse almost any situation, and win over almost anyone. Even Irene is not immune to her charms. Because she can get whatever she wants, she functions with a kind of sardonic amorality, which makes it difficult to judge her actions and thoughts. She is not completely self reliant, as shown by her loneliness, and desire for contact, but she is completely self absorbed. This selfishness makes her irritating, but in a way, makes her impossible to judge. She is, in a way, not responsible for her actions. Claire is, as Irene observes, a sort of child.
It is tempting to side with Irene, but she is also very complex. Though it is a cliché, she is very like Claire, and many of the things she hates most about Claire either come from jealousy, or are her own worst qualities. she is frustrated that Claire can break all the rules, playing with fire and not getting burned. Despite her isolation and captivity, Claire has a certain inner freedom which Irene envies. In the end, Irene changes, adopting Claire’s ability to break the rules when she murders her. Irene’s overwhelming lamentation at the end of the book is very reminiscent of her earlier response to her abusive father’s death, more a release of pent up frustration then a show of genuine sorrow. Irene is also very controlling; she wants to make her husband and children the best they can be, and claims to know her husband better then he does himself. This phrase reminded me of Ballew’s claim that his acquaintances understood blacks better then they did. This seems to suggest that Irene is not as good a judge of character as she thinks she is. I regard neither character particularly highly, and I believe they are both subject to thoughts and feelings beyond their direct comprehension
