Martha Marcy May Marlene - Tumblr Posts

This may be just me, but I find this quote to be true satire in context of the film. In the film, Martha May is unable to find peace due to her traumatizing past on the farm. But I believe she has always been at war with herself. Her fears imprison her, and cause her to be in a perpetual state of unhappiness. To me, the film is about discontent. No matter where she goes, or who she's with, she is unhappy. She is always fighting something, always struggling. This is her glory in the film. This hypothesis may not explain all of her behavior, but it can give us some insight on how to explain the "intent" of her behavior (in the words of my acting professor). 

Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn’t nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand.

(Aldous Huxley, Brave New World)

Happy new year to all.