entment in her status poverty could have been avoided. The was much wealthin Mathilde’s life and her marriage but obsession blinded her to reality thus dominating herlife.Unlike Mathilde, John was not born into his obsession; he created it and theyshared similar circumstances. Though he was to be a brilliant political figure it can beinferred that he wasn’t satisfied. Not that he wanted more, just that he wanted a littleclarity. He digs through the sand as if to dig for meaning in his own life, only to find “ fulldrop of solid matter.” Solid, where John, in his life, may not be. This piece of glass, “sodefinite an object compared with the vague sea,” troubled him. He wondered about it andas it sat on his mantelpiece it always prompted some reminder of the knowledge it held,though John found it difficult to synthesize the glass with his own life. He began to seekout more objects; next finding a piece of china so “vivid and alert” that John wasprofoundly affected. The china was found on his way to a meeting with his constituents,but that was soon forgotten for he had to have the broken china that was beckoning him. Again, as with the glass, he placed it on the mantelpiece, and went about in search ofmore. He neglected his responsibilities, losing his election; but was not saddened in theleast. John’s companion Charles, fully aware of the reality that had befallen his friend,goes to console him. However John needs no consolation, just more objects. His desirefor these fascinatingly rare objects obsessed him and everyday he would go out with hisbag and his stick, searching through “rubble heaps” looking for more. One of the lastpieces he came across before the tragic end of the story was heavy, unearthly piece ofiron. He was captivated by its similarity to the glass, that again he placed it alongside themantle piece. Though his “taste more severe” ...
