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Correspondence from Jane Wolfe to Karl Germer
[4 January 1943]
On my first evening home I had a long, intimate talk with Smith [Wilfred Talbot Smith], bringing up matters which always puzzled me. One, a subtle opposition to A.C. This is based on fear, of course—may I say a feminine fear of overwhelming masculinity; yearning to yield but unable to do so. There is also the fear seared into his soul by a bitter, degrading childhood, plus panicky loneliness.
A serious lack is reverence of individuals, stemming from that same childhood, no doubt. I too lacked any conception of reverence while in Cefalu; this had to unfold in me.
Some of Smith's psychological troubles have been Jane's troubles also. We both came in, or had thrust upon us, similar snarls and emotional difficulties. And I now see that Smith's failure is my failure: had I given Smith at Winona what I give him since my return the story could have been different, I am sure, for today Smith turns to me.
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