The Four-Chambered Heart

The Four-Chambered Heart, Anaïs Nins 1950 novel, recounts the real-life affair she conducted with café guitarist Gonzalo Moré in 1936. Nin and Moré rented a house-boat on the Seine, and under the pervading influence of the boats watchman and Morés wife Helba, developed a relationship. Moré named the boat Nanankepichu, meaning not really a home. In the novel, which Nin drew from her experiences on the boat, the characters are clearly based. Djuna is an embodiment of Nin herself. A young dancer in search of fulfillment, she encapsulates all that the author was striving for at that time. The character of Djuna features in other novels, perhaps weaving a directly autobiographical thread into Nins fiction. The gypsy musician, Rango, is therefore Moré, and his invalid wife is Zora. The old watchman is present as a force which, along with Zora, works against the lovers in their quest for happiness. Nins main concern is the outside, and how it affects the interior. Water is a cleverly used theme. “I have no great fear of depths,” says Djuna, “and a great fear of shallow living. ” Rango and Djunas relationship is, in effect, their effort to remain afloat. Often, Nin employs a stream of consciousness, especially in her flowing analyses of love, life and music, which continues the water image. Anaïs Nins writing is typically exquisite in its detail and texture. She describes Paris: its black lacquered cobblestones and silver filigree trees. The humid scarfs of fog on the river, and the sharp incense of roasted chestnuts reveal their source through their reality: Nins personal experience.