Perempuán, the character referred to as "she," ate the painting in Platform 2 as a strategic action to counteract the effects of sleeping gas. This desperate measure was an integral part of her meticulously crafted plan to escape the pit filled with corpses.
The Strategic Act: Counteracting Sleeping Gas
In the dire circumstances of Platform 2, survival often hinges on extreme measures. Perempuán's decision to consume the painting was not random but a calculated move driven by necessity.
- The Problem: The environment she was in, particularly the "pit with the corpses," likely posed immediate threats, including the deployment of sleeping gas.
- The Solution: She recognized that the painting, which was drawn with charcoal, possessed properties that could help neutralize or mitigate the effects of this gas. Charcoal is known for its absorbent qualities, often used in filters and for detoxification.
- The Timing: This act was carried out specifically at the end of the month, suggesting a cyclical or timed release of the gas, or a specific window for her escape attempt.
A Critical Step in an Escape Plan
Her actions were not impulsive but were part of a larger, overarching escape plan. This shows a high level of foresight and determination:
- Survival Instincts: Faced with a grim reality, Perempuán leveraged available resources—even unconventional ones like a charcoal painting—to give herself a fighting chance.
- Preparation: Eating the painting was a preparatory step, ensuring she remained conscious and capable during a critical phase of her escape. Without counteracting the sleeping gas, her entire plan would have been jeopardized.
By consuming the charcoal-drawn painting, Perempuán demonstrated a resourceful and calculated approach to overcoming an immediate threat, directly facilitating her broader goal of freedom from the horrific environment of the pit.
