Marianela

Pablo and Nela continue to walk until they are peering at the sea. Nela wanders off, lost in her daydreams of flying. Pablo tries to get her attention, finally succeeding in getting Nela to lay her head on his shoulder. He tells her of the books his father reads to him, some of which interest him very little. However, last night, Pablo’s father read to him about beauty, which he determines to be “the outcome and radiance of goodness and truth” (63). He told his father that Nela symbolizes this goodness and truth for him, and that even without sight, he can tell she is beautiful. His father had laughed and said simply “yes” (65). 

Pablo turns to Nela and asks, “Tell me—are you not beautiful—very pretty?” (65). Nela hesitates and is briefly lost in observing her reflection in the water. She tries to see what Pablo speaks of, asking uncertainly, “And the book said I was beautiful?” (66). Pablo insists that she is and that he knows better than those with sight, who can abstract the truth. Lacking sight, Pablo believes that he possesses true clarity. He declares his love to Nela, embracing her, though she does not respond.