Margola Clements The Wisdom Of Eve

“The Wisdom of Eve” is told in a first-person perspective by an unnamed narrator. The narrator’s friend, a theatre actress named Margola Clements speaks to the narrator about her experience meeting her biggest fan, a woman named Eve Harrington. Through the way Margola speaks of Eve, it is clear that Eve will in some way betray Margola at some point, resulting in dramatic irony. Margola’s husband Clement tells her of a woman who would stand at the theatre entrance and watch Margola come out. The woman wore a red trench coat and did not attempt to interact with Margola in any way. When Margola mentions the red coat, the narrator interrupts her to state that the girl was wearing a red coat during her interaction with Margola earlier in the night as well. This interruption seems to annoy Margola, which was likely the intended result given her catty friendship with the narrator. Continuing her story, Margola states that she kept an eye out for the woman at her next performance. Just as Clement stated, the woman was both there after the matinee and the after the evening performance. Intrigued the woman, Margola decides to speak to her after clearing the crowd. The woman states that she stands there every

Eve provides Margola with information about her tragic past, stating that Margola’s performances are the only facet of her life that bring her joy. It is worth noting that individuals with Machiavellian personalities often attempt to take advantage of their victims’ sympathy. Margola decides that she must aid the poor woman and offers a job as a secretary. Overjoyed, Eve cries and kisses Margola’s hand. Margola notes that Eve seemed entirely genuine as she cried. The narrator notes that the way Margola spoke, it seemed as though Eve was not genuine at all. Margola tells her “not to jump cues” and smokes her cigarette before continuing her