In Search of Lost Time Volume 5: The Prisoner and The Fugitive *Spoiler Alert*

Albertine continues to be a woman of freedom and doing whatever she wants - even though she is now married to the narrator. Also, over the course of these reviews - have you noticed how much I acknowledge Albertine? She's married now - so there's another turning point in her life. I seem to be more interested in her than the narrator. 

THIS IS UNTIL THE MARRIAGE ENDS! OH MY GOD NO! D:

Fact: I was up all night reading this. I have very recently started Volume 6. We're making good time, but I'm now delirious. 

Characters:

The best character is still Albertine. She is such a quiet woman, but still remains headstrong and true to herself. She seems to be scared of the narrator ever so slightly - as if now that she is married she feels the need to seek approval. I think Albertine and her marriage symbolise a state of regression in traditional values; even the narrator seems to believe that Albertine should be interested in his approval. Even though he is madly in love with her - he thinks that she should live only to impress him. But, by Albertine's silence, we can see that it is not her destiny to do so. 

Themes:

I love the theme of traditional values. It makes Albertine look like more of a heroine - but also makes the narrator seem like a fool for trying to tame her. The gender imbalances make it almost impossible for Albertine to go on living with the narrator. It is clear from the statement of marriage that the entire relationship is doomed. 

Storyline:

I think that the storyline for this particular volume is that "all marriage will inevitably fail". The silences and abrupt leavings of Albertine symbolise this. There was once where she would leave somewhere else in order to visit the narrator - and now she leaves the narrator abruptly to visit someone/somewhere else. These strange happenings seemingly continue - sending the marriage in a downward spiral, until she finally leaves him. 

Verdict:

I give this volume 9. 

100% for characters: I still seemingly love Albertine. 

100% for themes: The theme of traditional values has not yet been used to explain situations. I like how it hasn't been overused. 

100% for storyline: I think, as there wasn't too much going on, the storyline was simple to understand and very thought provoking.