Zenobia's "bloom, health, and vigor, which she possessed in such overflow that a man might will have fallen in love with her for their sake only." (15) Coverdale is physically attracted to zenobia, but is unable to act instinctually. He has to detach himself from the scenario in order to understand everything. He is an observer, describing in excruciating details that which will only haunt his memory later. Coverdale's relationship with Zenobia will proceed, only if he accepts it.
             Zenobia, for Coverdale, is a representation of all that he thinks he will find at Blithedale. She is the anti-Boston that Coverdale is looking for. He believes that if he changes his exterior the interior is soon to follow. (352-53) He plunges in to the everday chores of shoveling manure and milking cows, thinking that somehow these experiences are going to change him for the better. In a way they do. He puts on six inches in the shoulders and he is able to breathe the clean air of the country, but these things are bound to happen when Miles places himself in that enviroment. Coverdale did not come to Blithedale for these reasons only. He still is not really living, just observing. He distances himself from everybody, by picking out their faults and using those to condemn them.
             Coverdale doesn't allow himself to get hurt; therefore, he will never have the kind of life experience he is looking for. He does, however, allow himself to befriend his neighbors, and to involve himself in their lives. An example of this friendly interaction is Miles' romantic interest in Zenobia. Coverdale's fascination of her is apparent from the beginning of the novel. He even compares her to Eve and the influence that Eve might have had "when she was just made, and her Creator brought her to Adam, saying- 'Behold, here is a woman!'"(17) Something about Zenobia overwhelms Miles Coverdale. He is determined to solve the mys...