Foundation of Sisterhood: Jealousy Complexes

Priscilla is envious, but does Zenobia look Green?

 

I know the complex well: admiring the other sister for the traits that you do not have, being jealous of different parental treatment, and being pissed when she takes everything that you call your own. Zenobia: the sensual, intelligent, beautiful older sister, while I find the most admiral of all the characters is not on the receiving side of such intense jealousy. In fact, it seems she continually displayed passive contempt to her half-sister Priscilla, who by the by, is somewhat of a twat (according to current standards). Though I suppose I can concede Priscilla is in possession of many of the qualities one of highest womanhood should posses-- submissiveness being her leading quality! And it seems this quality is the winner of hearts among the men in the end, though until then it’s fairly unclear to the reader as to who’s heart belongs to whom. While it was unclear to the audience, I’m certain it would have been clearer to Zenobia’s character that Priscilla was favored. And here begins her complex… 

First off, it’s hard for me to speak of this nature since I, like most I assume, am so much more in favor of Zenobia and her interesting nature. But there it is, her half sister who is half her intellect, and much younger in age is favored by the two men in her life. Not to mention the fact that Priscilla was not abandoned by her father, but in fact was raised by him, while Zenobia was left and thought to be an orphan. If that isn’t enough to create jealously of your sister, what is?

But while Zenobia does play harsh jokes on her half-sister she does spend all of her time with her, even if part of it is in passive aggression that Priscilla seems completely unaware of.  I have to admit their relationship most of the time seemed on the whole a very real sister relationship, not one that is born of pure jealously.