Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses graphic sexual content.

O says, before being sent to see Anne-Marie by Sir Stephen, that “she opened herself in every part of her body which could possibly open” (186) and “that there lay her raison d’etre” (186). In many ways, this comment captures O’s character in the novel. O’s story can be grasped both in terms of her attempts to open herself ever more deeply to the physical and spiritual desires of the other and to become a better vessel or opening for that desire. This is first evident during her time at Roissy. O gives herself to all the men—including the valets—at the mansion and submits to all their designs on her body. She allows herself to be dressed for their pleasure and whipped, and she internalizes the rules designed to make her more pliant. However, she does this not for the specific benefit of the men there. Rather, she does so because René “for a long time […] had desired to prostitute her” (48). She submits to being used at Roissy because in doing so she finds new depths to which she can be “open” to René and can accommodate herself to his wishes.