Derrida says in Structure, Sign and Play in the Discourse of the Human Sciences, that "the center is not the center". It exists both inside and outside the structure of totality. Obviously, Derrida wasn't one to focus on specificity.
But anyway, the main point I got from his essay is how the genesis of the sign, and thus, signification, is absent.
Which is how Minister's Black Veil is relevant. This minister in Salem just kind of starts wearing this black veil that completely covers his face and refuses to take it off. The townspeople, subsequently, start questioning him. However, it is clear that there is no realistic, accurate interpretation by the townspeople of his veil. It is considered dark and sinister, but its interpretation is completely based off even more baseless significations - that is, the idea of black and dark being evil. It just keeps going on and on.
Similarly, in the Scarlet Letter, the interpretation of the scarlet A on Hester's chest is completely baseless. And even more so, the town uses Hester as a physical representation of shame and suffering, comparing their own sins to her own to be relieved, although they have no right or reason to. They are personifying their own sin in the form of her public torture.
It's clear to Hawthorne that it doesn't matter whether the sin is hidden or plain clear, however - people will still attempt to personify their own sins onto others. The minister's veil is an image of a sin that is a mystery, which is why it is considered evil. Despite this, the congregation that the minister converts share this mystery of sin, as they hide behind that veil with him. However, even though Hester's sin is blatant on her chest, it is still ridiculed. Thus, whether the town has any reason to ridicule someone or not, they will use someone else's torture to signify their own purity.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Holder of the World vs. Scarlet Letter
Bharati Mukherjee's The Holder of the World is widely considered a modern revision of Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter due to it's many uncanny similarities to the 19th century novel - Hesters, single mothers, suggestions of witchcraft, illegitimate lovers and significant letters.
Long story short: Beigh, the narrator of the novel, is searching through her ancestor's history and comes along Rebecca Easton and her daughter, Hannah. Hannah, however, is not brought up by her parents, but by a Puritan family; and, after a marriage in which her husband supposedly dies (twice) and a move to India, she becomes the white lover of a Raja and is with child when he dies. Thus, she becomes a single mother.
The narrator suggests at the end of the story, "Who can blame Nathaniel Hawthorne for shying away from the real story of the brave Salem mother and the illegitimate daughter?" I think the real question is, what makes her think she did a better job?
Hawthorne did not stray or shy away from the real story - he made it quite clear. Hester raised and protected her daughter, Pearl, to the best of her abilities. She fought to give Pearl her own mind - not raised in the same Puritan society that ridiculed and ostracized them. Rebecca not only abandoned her daughter to the same Puritans that Hannah will eventually run from, but there is also a memory of Rebecca instilling a specific idea into Hannah's brain at an early age - A is for Act - almost like a lesson. Lastly, Gabriel and Hannah selfishly attempt to escape their lives in the United States and are equally unhappy in India. But Hester remains in Salem, despite her alienation, staying strong.
I feel like Jane Juffer would have something to say about that. Single mothers are ostracized, but they still do they best they can to bring up their child, whether by themselves or within a community.
Yes, Mukjherjee does do a better job at opposing the idea of Puritan ideology - the idea that "suffering is good" - the rebellion of Hannah is more apparent than of Hesters. But I feel that Hawthorne does a better job at truly demonstrating the idea of a single mother's life - making the best out of the worst situation and raising a child to be his or her own, despite the hypocrisy that surrounds her and the beauty that brought her into this world, despite the shame is is taken from it.
Long story short: Beigh, the narrator of the novel, is searching through her ancestor's history and comes along Rebecca Easton and her daughter, Hannah. Hannah, however, is not brought up by her parents, but by a Puritan family; and, after a marriage in which her husband supposedly dies (twice) and a move to India, she becomes the white lover of a Raja and is with child when he dies. Thus, she becomes a single mother.
The narrator suggests at the end of the story, "Who can blame Nathaniel Hawthorne for shying away from the real story of the brave Salem mother and the illegitimate daughter?" I think the real question is, what makes her think she did a better job?
Hawthorne did not stray or shy away from the real story - he made it quite clear. Hester raised and protected her daughter, Pearl, to the best of her abilities. She fought to give Pearl her own mind - not raised in the same Puritan society that ridiculed and ostracized them. Rebecca not only abandoned her daughter to the same Puritans that Hannah will eventually run from, but there is also a memory of Rebecca instilling a specific idea into Hannah's brain at an early age - A is for Act - almost like a lesson. Lastly, Gabriel and Hannah selfishly attempt to escape their lives in the United States and are equally unhappy in India. But Hester remains in Salem, despite her alienation, staying strong.
I feel like Jane Juffer would have something to say about that. Single mothers are ostracized, but they still do they best they can to bring up their child, whether by themselves or within a community.
Yes, Mukjherjee does do a better job at opposing the idea of Puritan ideology - the idea that "suffering is good" - the rebellion of Hannah is more apparent than of Hesters. But I feel that Hawthorne does a better job at truly demonstrating the idea of a single mother's life - making the best out of the worst situation and raising a child to be his or her own, despite the hypocrisy that surrounds her and the beauty that brought her into this world, despite the shame is is taken from it.
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