In the End "I Smelled Nothing"

The last paragraph of Age of Iron reads as such a relief after reading through all the stress, pain and ranting by Mrs. Curren. She describes the scene as getting into bed with Vercueil and holding him. I think this is the scene where she finally feels free enough and comfortable enough to die. She says, "I smelled nothing," "the breath went out of me in a rush," "there was no warmth to be had" (198). After a long book, long letter, of deeply describing smells and emotions, feelings and experiences with so much detail they feel almost too real, these last few statements stand out as a momentous event. Vercueil was right next to her and she did not describe his sweaty, dirty, alcoholic smell. She made no reference of her opinions on the situation, the environment. No, this paragraph is strikingly opposite from the rest of the book, further enforcing my feeling that Mrs Curren indeed has passed on.