I love your questions. I see many of the moments between Gen and Attolia that the court witnesses and are confused/angered by (with the wine cup and the dance) as part of the balance between their private lives and their public lives. Most of what we see of them are their public image, the appearance of their marriage that most of the court thinks is a sham. But Costis (and we!) slowly get a glimpse into their real affection for one another. I think Irene is very unsure of how to show any affection in public, and thus she maintains her cold face most of the book. Gen, on the other hand, sometimes wants to throw caution to the winds and be himself.
With the wine cup scene, Gen laughs, knowing she wouldn't poison him, but the court thinks she wants to (and could!). And in the dance scene, Attolia doesn't want to reveal anything of herself to the court or to make a spectacle, but Gen doesn't care because he loves her and wants to show off. I just re-read QOA and realized Irene and Gen make a personal commitment to each other at the end of that book, but in KOA they seem to be unsure of how to conduct themselves in public. With a brood of vipers around them, hiding their true feelings seems the safest option.
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Date: 4/8/17 03:35 pm (UTC)With the wine cup scene, Gen laughs, knowing she wouldn't poison him, but the court thinks she wants to (and could!). And in the dance scene, Attolia doesn't want to reveal anything of herself to the court or to make a spectacle, but Gen doesn't care because he loves her and wants to show off. I just re-read QOA and realized Irene and Gen make a personal commitment to each other at the end of that book, but in KOA they seem to be unsure of how to conduct themselves in public. With a brood of vipers around them, hiding their true feelings seems the safest option.