Zenobia's true feelings towards Priscilla

I was especially interested in Zenobia and Priscilla’s relationship. While Priscilla’s feelings towards Zenobia are clear from the start, I found Zenobia’s treatment of Priscilla both confusing and intriguing.

Zenobia’s reaction to Priscilla’s arrival supports her character and her defiance displayed throughout the book, as Zenobia opposes all things traditionally seen as ‘womanly’. It is assumed that Zenobia will take care of Priscilla because she is a woman, this should be natural for her as the ideal women should be maternal, but her first reaction to Priscilla opposes this maternal image. It seems as though she needs to be reminded by Hollingsworth what her duties are, as a woman; ‘The very heart will be frozen in her bosom, unless you women can warm it’ (pg.28), after which she is more kind to Priscilla.

Initially she makes her annoyance with Priscilla clear, discussing this with Coverdale in front of her, clearly showing no regard for Priscilla’s feelings. Possibly she wanted Priscilla to hear in the hope it might make her less attached, or perhaps she was trying to draw a reaction from Priscilla. Or maybe she simply knew enough of Priscilla’s character by that point that she was secure in the knowledge that Priscilla would not protest.

It appears that at some point Zenobia begins to take pity on Priscilla, and attempts to be kinder to her. She offers act as a 'duenna', as she tells Priscilla; ‘I intend to fill the place of a maiden-aunt’ (pg.77). But despite Zenobia’s conscious attempts to be kinder to Priscilla, occasionally streaks of her original reluctance sneak through. For example, when she places a weed in Priscilla’s hair amongst the flowers.

Zenobia’s attitude changes again as Priscilla becomes a rival for Hollingsworth’s affections. While initially she was unkind to Priscilla out of annoyance, this rivalry begins to make me question Zenobia’s actions. It is unclear whether she has Priscilla’s best interests at heart, or whether Zenobia’s desperate pursuit of Hollingsworth’s love affects her motives. On his return to Blithedale Coverdale hints at Zenobia’s role in a scheme against Priscilla, as he deliberates over what discussion he missed; ‘the degree in which Zenobia had been cognizant of the plot against Priscilla, and what, at last, has been the real object of that scheme’ (pg.215).

Additionally, the scene towards the end of the book when Coverdale returns to Blithedale made me wonder if the revelation that they were half-sisters changed Zenobia’s feelings towards Priscilla? It may have changed her treatment of Priscilla because she felt an obligation, as family, to treat her better, but the competition for Hollingsworth must still have had an impact on their relationship.

After acknowledging they are sisters Zenobia ‘stooped down and kissed Priscilla – but not lovingly’ (pg.219). Zenobia’s actions towards Priscilla are often confusing and contradicting, this may reflect how she feels towards Priscilla. Zenobia is trying to make sense of the contradicting feelings of sisterly affection and the hatred or jealousy of a rival for her love interest.