*This post contains SPOILERS for The Memory of Babel.
In the Memory of Babel, Thorn and Ophelia get a brutally small amount of time together. So, to fully appreciate their emotional development in each of those short scenes, we – as readers – are invited not to indulge ourselves with the hope that these two people will magically hug and make up, but to step back and examine the events of the last book as well as the gap which the three-year-long separation has created between them.
UNDERSTANDING THORN
Not an easy job, I can tell you that.
Erhem, so…
For a guy who is cold and rational most of the time, who demands clarity from others, Thorn is certainly behaving in the most puzzling way in this book. And after some interactions, just like Ophelia, the readers are left ultra confused with Thorn’s unnecessarily rude and cold behavior. I mean, just look at this…
“I don’t want any of your finer feelings. I need efficiency.” (305)
He keeps asking her questions like “why are you in Babel?” (255) and “Are you really certain you have nothing to say to me?” (285) in a rather business-like manner, intensifying Ophelia’s nervousness and doubt.
Besides all of his mixed signals, Thorn is particularly specific about keeping a physical distance with Ophelia; he also uses disinfectant once every five minutes, so… I’m not sure what exactly you’re trying to convey here, OK, Thorn?
At one point, we might even start rooting for Ophelia and Octavio, because at least they talk.
I mean… what are you even talking about, Thorn? Didn’t she embrace you back passionately when you were in prison? What more do you need to understand how Ophelia feels?
But as I look at each of their characters again closely, it turns out: Thorn does need more, justifiably so. A lot more, as a matter of fact. And I applaud Christelle Dabos’ writing which allows us to think with Ophelia as she reflects on Thorn’s character.
From the beginning, the Thorn we know has always been taciturn, dry, and pragmatic. He grew up in an environment that demands precision. To him, either something is fact, or it is not. He collects dice, has no interest in any social activity that concerns more than reports and investigations as he deems those activities unnecessary for his job, disregards social cues, and only work with straight answers.
The one time that he tries to read Ophelia’s clues and acts according to his interpretation of her feelings, he gets a slap in the face – which, yes, he deserves. So… yes, it is way beyond Thorn’s scope to understand what Ophelia means when she simply hugs him in response to his in-the-face clear declaration of love.
No, seriously. After a whole speech that indicates how much he cares for her, Thorn adds: “by the way, I love you” (The Missing of Clairdelune, 486), just to make sure Ophelia gets it, even though it couldn’t be clearer to the readers.
Doing a fake accent, pretending to be someone else and watching tedious documentaries all night, sure. But understanding what a girl means when she hugs him like there’s no tomorrow? That’s just too much for Thorn.
Ophelia, on the other hands, has always been more… well, normal when it comes to social interactions. She, therefore, has a better grasp of others’ feelings. But since it comes more easily to her, she incorrectly assumes that Thorn should be able to recognize her affection towards him without her making an appointment and saying it to his face.
The guy is ice, yes, but perhaps Ophelia’s mistake lies in her lack of consideration for Thorn’s limitations while she herself sometimes faces the same problem – difficulty to express intense emotions.
And Thorn’s love for Ophelia? Well, it is definitely intense. It is foreign and more than Thorn has learnt to handle.
Then comes the moment when Thorn’s claws get out of control and attack Ophelia, leading her to think that he is absolutely done with her and her new hairstyle.
Oh, did I not mention it? Our brave girl cut off her long braid in the beginning of the book and is now walking around with a brand new look.
But of course, Thorn is not done.
Let’s face it, no one in the whole universe can put up with Thorn except Ophelia. Thorn knows this, we all know this, only poor Ophelia doesn’t.
COMES THE MOMENT OF OPHELIA’S CONFESSION
Two super awkward people make up in the most unromantic place ever, and it is done in the most unromantic fashion ever. Yet, the scene reads like a chapter from a fairy tale – and I think that’s all I have to say about the writing.
Now, on to the awkwardness.
It turns out that Thorn has been having trouble controlling his Dragon Claws (his family power) ever since the wedding ceremony in the last book. Long story short, anyone who tries to take him by surprise — regardless of their intentions — will likely be attacked with electric shocks.
Not knowing this, Ophelia approaches Thorn while his back is turned as he is focusing on a microfilm, and tries to… give him another hug, I guess. Feel free to imagine what happens next.
Yes, take your time and laugh, I did.
Anyway, they both jump like an alarm has just gone off and Thorn then drags Ophelia and himself to the ground. Not to serve any romantic purpose, of course. In fact, if you ever see a loving gesture from Thorn at any time in this book, it’s probably done by accident.
Both Thorn and Ophelia are full of flaws and Christelle Dabos certainly knows her characters.
At no point does Thorn turn into a perfect, caring and expressive boyfriend for Ophelia. He’s secretive and anti-social; these flaws do what they exist to serve: helping his character grow. At no point does Ophelia suddenly become an emotional healer for Thorn; because she too has doubts about herself.
The Memory of Babel ends with a short scene where Thorn and Ophelia finally clear the doubts that have existed between them since the day he took her to the Pole. They try to do this over a loud radio and in a house full of walking robot servants, of course; because if there is one thing you can always count on Thorn and Ophelia to do, it is getting themselves in awkward situations.
Anyway, who would have thought — the guy in a bear coat whom Ophelia was repulsed by and succeeded in also making the readers feel that repulsion during their first encounter.