ENIGMA OTILIEI

Product Information

I find Otilia really clever, but the stereotype that the woman must not be an erudite is planted so deeply in her mind that it makes her look stupid and foolish for most of the time.

Pascalopol is jealous of the handsome and young Felix, whom he rightfully sees as a rival for Otilia's affections.

Needless to say, her children failed spectacularly to live up to their names: Olimpia's marriage disintegrates and her child dies because of her negligence, Aurica is a frustrated and desperate old maid and Titi is mentally challenged. Pascalopol cannot decide if his feelings towards Otilia are paternal or, on the contrary, of a romantic nature. At his uncle’s house, Felix falls in love with Otilia, whom he finds attractive: “ fata măslinie, cu nasul mic si ochii foarte albastri, trupul subtiratic, cu oase delicate” (olive-toned complexion, tiny nose, deep blue eyes, lean body, and delicate bones).

May–December Romance: Near the end of the book, Otilia marries Pascalopol, a rich landlord who is significantly older than her, and they move to Paris. Costache for example, truly loves Otilia but his avarice is so deeply-ingrained that he cannot bring himself to secure her future. Pascalopol knows Otilia since she was a child, is old enough to be her father and admits to Felix that he is uncertain what is paternal and what is sexual in his affection for her. After that he sells different proprieties across the city (he is a wide rental lord in the capital) and brings in the house a maid named Paulina. Once arrived at the established address, Otilia, the adopted protege of his uncle, invites him at the table where Felix gets to know the other members of the family: Aunt Aglae, uncle Simian and their children Titi, Aurica, Olimpia, bridegroom Stănică Raţiu as well as the old friend of the family Leonida Pascalopol.Felix on the other side feels more attracted to Otilia which he admires, and with whom he spends more and more time. She spreads malicious rumors about them, tries to tear at their self-esteem and tries to prevent Otilia from being adopted by Costache.