[51]
ANTHONY’S REACTION TO “A CERTAIN SOPRANO”
When Violet delivers that devastating “a certain soprano” blow, the following unfolds visually with Anthony:
The physical impact: He does not retaliate verbally, he does not shout, and he does not go on the defense. Instead, you see his jaw clench tightly.
The icy glare: He looks at her with a gaze that is cold, wounded, and full of restrained fury. It is the look of a son who feels betrayed on the most intimate level by his own mother, yet simultaneously refuses to grant her the satisfaction of an emotional outburst.
The mask of the Viscount: By remaining silent and merely staring at her icily, he attempts to maintain control. But behind that silence, you can almost hear the walls of his soul being pulled up.