My favorite line in Hour of the Star is, without a doubt, the line in the introduction where Rodrigo asks the reader: "Who has not asked himself at some time or other: am I a monster or is this what it means to be a person?" The first time I read this line, I stopped and got a little shiver and I asked myself the same question. This line occurs during Rodrigo's very convoluted opening section. We have finally gotten to the point where Rodrigo actually seems to be starting the story (ie, telling us a bit about Macabea), but then he pauses again to talk about himself. And yet, while the whole of his introduction is dripping with irony and the reader often finds herself loathing him, one cannot deny that he is good at probing into the depths of human nature--just as he purports himself to be. Not only does he break the fourth wall (again), but he sets this paragraph aside and alone in the longer surrounding narration about Macabea herself. Clearly, the question is meant to stand alone, to give us pause, and to offer commentary on the nature of people who have in the midst of those who have not. The tone is chilling and the reader is forced to confront some ugly truths about him/herself. Rodrigo says "this book is a silence; an interrogation." The "am a I monster?" question is one of the first thing that we must be interrogated about.
“I cannot stand repetition: routine divides me from potential novelties within my reach.” Doesn’t this quote relate to the modern world accurately? We are so caught up in our daily activities, doing X, then Y and finally Z. We of course do these because humans are creatures of habit, we don’t enjoy when something deviates from schedule or changes entirely. The issue is though; if you continue the same exact pattern and lifestyle over and over, won’t that continue forever really? As well as, if you get comfortable in that daily life, why change it? If you cannot bear to change your habits, lifestyle and/or environment with the hope of doing something new, whether it seems exciting or not, how will you find happiness in things you’ve never done before? We are so caught up with maintaining a strict schedule of our life because it ‘just works’. And because of this schedule working, we are involuntarily barred from talking any alternate paths to new and original things in life. We should always be open to doing new things in life, especially if it breaks our ‘routine’.
One of the many literary elements found in the book is repetition. It’s amusing to see the author describe repetition in a negative light when he uses it frequently in the book - an example of irony. - Faris Ben-Salah
Hello Faris! I really liked your blog post and the quote that you picked! I would have never picked up on the irony of the use of repetition. I think that is super cool, thanks for pointing that out! I completely agree with your commentary on humans being creatures of habit. I am definitely that way. When I find a routine or a system that I like, I stick with it for as long as possible. In my mind, if it works, why change it? At the same time, this mindset can be super detrimental. Like everyone, I have that fear of growing up, looking back at my life and thinking, wow, I haven't done anything. The idea of being stuck in a day to day cycle for eternity is torturous.
Trying to pick a favorite line from The Hour of the Star is a super difficult task! Not only do all of the lines in the book contain rich symbolic meaning, I read the book in August, so I don’t remember which lines stood out to me. Instead, I am going to take this question as pick a favorite line from the first section of the book (which I just re-read). Just for fun, my top three from the section are:
1. Thinking is an act. Feeling is a fact. (3) 2. Words are sounds transfused with unequal shadows that intersect, stalactites, lace, transfigured organ music. (8) 3. I’m not afraid of the pouring rain or great gusts of wind, for I too am the darkness of the night. (10)
I think out of those three, my favorite is the second one. To give context, in this passage Rodrigo contunies his lament over how difficult it will be to write Macabea’s story. Rodrigo writes about the struggles of writing and creates an eerie tone. This line really stuck out to me because of the vivid imagery Lispector uses. The phrase is just so haunting and I love how Clarice incorportates musical imagery throughout the book. The image of transfigured organ music drew me to this line. I believe that music is one of the most fundamentally human things in the world. In IB Psych right now, I am reading a book called Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks about the impact of music on the brain. It is an incredible book and it came to my mind when I saw this line. In Musicophilia, Sacks points out that music is unique in that techinically it posesses no symbolic power or power of representation, yet it is so innate for humans to understand and causes intense, emotional connections. Nothing else has such a universal, profound effect on the majority of the human race. Using musical imagery throughout the novel gets the reader in touch with emotions that language alone cannot create. That is why I found this line so interesting, for Clarice intertwined the power of language and music into one beautiful phrase.
"Eternity is the state of things at this very moment."
I find this line so interesting because it suggests that all that matters is in this moment and that the future shouldn't be relevant in current situations. It's a sort of, being in the moment idea but stretched to a larger scale which involves every single moment. But later on in the book, we see that Macabea becomes obsessed with what her future will hold. Macabea's obsession is moving away from what the narrator has said previously, and I think that this shows the disconnect between the narrator and Macabea. This also could be the point at which Macabea is doomed to die considering that shortly after she ponders on her future, she is killed. It's quite sudden, but it does show that as soon as she begins to consider what the future could bring to her life, her future is stripped away from her and she is left with only, "what if's." What if she didn't get hit and only had a near death experience? What if the truck that hit her was just a little later, and she didn't realize that she as anywhere near danger. These, what if questions are exciting to think about and reflect on the possibilities of what could have happened. But either way, I feel that Macabea was doomed for death from the moment she began to contemplate her future.
I like the intensity behind the idea that disobeying this rule results in death, but being concerned about the future should be a good thing. The past determines the current determines the future right? So thoughts of the future are in a way being at this very moment. Using deterministic philosophy here, it should also reason that there shouldn't be 'what if's because there are only 'what is's. Additionally, because eternity is the now, the now must be eternity, so the future is now, and Macabea didn't deserved to be fated this way for following the instruction! It now seems she's been destined for woe.
Nice, detailed analysis. I agree that the moment Macabea actually considers her future (from the fortune teller) she is killed. This ties in to to what you're saying about what all that matters is the current moment because the current moment will become again tomorrow, there's no need to think about the future. It's also interesting that at the very moment she's told her future, she becomes unhappy. She is no longer living in the moment in the 'eternal state of things'.
I also noticed that the quote is non-conditional meaning that it applies regardless of anything. If eternity is the state of things at this very moment, then isn't the 'very moment' all the time and thus eternity is everything at all times? There are many different routes to take when understanding these existentialist-like questions. - Faris Ben-Salah
However brief and simple it was, this line did give me a new was of looking at life. In writing this story, I shall yield to emotion and I know perfectly well that every day is one more day stolen from death." That last idea carries the implication that death is a given and inevitable, which it is, but more so that death is the given and inevitable. Death owns you, and every day isn't something earned from life, but an item taken from death. This creates one of the least entitled worldviews I've ever seen; you don't even deserve your own time! This perspective makes more sense when given Ricardo's description of Macabea, how she's more of a creature than anything and is operating on borrowed time. Now this idea switches tone from somewhat inspirational to condescending because the individual doesn't have the choice in how their life is viewed. Ricardo is condescending towards Macabea throughout the novel and consequently is egotistical towards himself, and that's rubbed in by how he opens this line, "I shall yield to emotion". Pretending to be an intellectual so you can state that your burn comes from an objective emotionless place is such a scumbag move, but then again, dead girls can't talk back. I personally appreciated this quote because it was the first time the book gave a random philosophy nugget and it actually sparked something in my mind. It also serves as a perfect example of how Macabea is treated throughout the entire book, which just slowly makes you progressively more upset with Ricardo for trying to build a high road out of reflective garbage he found at the beach. A lot of elements were demonstrated by this line and it didn't take a gratuitous amount of brain power for it to come to me.
Guided Discussion Question #2, passage 6 in introduction: Clarice Lispector was either intentionally vague or extremely ‘deep’ while writing this section. In the first paragraph, Clarice writes “Things were somehow so good that they were in danger of becoming very bad because what is fully mature is close to rotting.” (Lispector, 17) A banana (or any fruit), for example, needs to be ripe in order to eaten and this takes time. When it’s fully ripe and ready to eat, it is closer to rotting than it was before it was ripe in the process of being ripened. Also, if you’re ever happy about something don’t believe that your happiness will be constant, something will bring you down sooner than later. Another analogy to the statement relates to economics; in economics, when a stock is doing really well this is when everybody takes their shares out of the stock in fear of the stock price suddenly plummeting. Doing this demonstrates that what is so good could become so bad in a short amount of time, this mood gives a dark tone to the passage because it essentially states that you should recognize joy is short-lived. When you realize this you tend to believe all joyous moments will soon lead to despair.
The second paragraph introduces the existentialist belief of ‘Existence precedes essence’ when Lispector writes “This happened when I decided to write about reality, since reality exceeds me.” (17) Long after Lispector was born, she decided to write books to choose her essence as a human. The statement here however, is saying that existence as a whole surpasses her, who is also part of existence. It makes sense but it also paints a picture that she’s a very small cog in the world - nothing of significance. Previous to Lispector saying this she also writes “But the idea of transcending my own limits suddenly appealed to me,” (17) in which she describes that even though that she’s not of significance, she will still attempt to do something that she herself deems significant. This, again, seemingly paints a bleak picture of reality as a whole but follows it up with a way to combat the search for essence in your own life. Lispector also writes “Will what I’m about to write about sound mushy? It has that tendency but I am determined to sound dry and severe,” (17) in which she says that she’s unsure if the result of her story will sound overly emotional. She’s unsure because Lispector intends to tell the story with cold, hard facts - no sugar coating.
In the third paragraph, Lispector includes multiple literary devices and more emphasis on wanting the story to be as straightforward as possible without being overly sentimental. Lispector demonstrates a simile when she says “I tend to write with bold, severe strokes like a painter,” (17) in which she displays a similarity between her goal to write the story as factual as possible even if it is severe, just as a painter will use severe strokes on their paintings to put detail. Lispector uses another simile when she states “...as I decipher reality: to see angels flutter around like transparent wasps around my fevered head, this head that longs to be ultimately transformed into an object-thing, because so much more simple.” (17) Not only does Lispector describe angels to transparent wasps in the way that they fly around a corpse (for wasps it’s dead insects and for a food source), she also mentions something that is not of reality, a head to be transformed into an object-thing. Previously, she talks about reality, here, she is describing something out of the ordinary and not of reality. This creates a juxtaposition between the two, reality and something not of it.
In the fourth paragraph, an interesting question is put forth: is it possible that actions exceed words? I believe that actions speak louder than words. They do more than talk the talk. Further on in the paragraph Lispector talks about God gave us the ability to invent words. Literally, the action of inventing the word comes before the word itself. (continued) - Faris Ben-Salah
In paragraph 5, Lispector explains that the reason she writes about ‘the girl from the North-east’ is because “not for the girl...for the much more serious reason of force majeure or as they say in formal petitions by ‘force of law’.” (18) Here she is explaining that the reason of her being intentionally vague by referencing Macabea as the ‘girl from the North-east’ is/was because of the military dictatorship at the time of writing the book. She can’t be overly critical of the dictatorship, nor can she be too specific if she were to critique life in Brazil. Her vagueness which is presented by referring to Macabea as the ‘girl from the North-east’ allows her to write the story without apprehension and censorship by the government.
In paragraph 6; Lispector uses irony when she writes “I am not afraid of tempestuous storms or violent gales for I am also the night’s darkness. Even though I cannot bear to hear whistling or footsteps in the dark.” (18) It’s interesting that Lispector doesn’t mind storms or extreme winds but is frightened by mere footsteps in the dark. Lispector goes on to mention “...”one never forgets a person with whom one has slept. The event remains branded on one’s living flesh like a tattoo and all who witness the stigma take flight in horror,” (18) in which she explains that like a tattoo, sex is an experience that cannot be taken away from someone. Once it is done it’s done, it’s like an invisible mark on your body, or, oddly enough, a visible one. While sex doesn’t necessitate branding a visible mark on one’s body, a tattoo is a mark on somebody’s body. - Faris
In paragraph 7, Lispector writes “...like some vagrant bitch she [Macabea] was guided entirely by her own remote control,” (18) in which she states that Macabea, like a vagrant, are only led by their own desires (in the vagrant’s case, a home, money, food etc.) which is their remote control. They control their desires which controls their life which determines their fate.
In paragraph 8, it’s interesting how Lispector refers to the ‘girl from the North-east’ as the ‘young girl’. Lispector is narrowing in on the particular individual to perhaps to negate the vagueness from previously. Lispector also writes “...we live exclusively in the present because forever and eternally it is the day of today, and the day of tomorrow will be a today. Eternity is the state of things at this very moment,” (18) in which she essentially states that the current moment is all that there is. The last sentence is non-conditional, it applies at all times. The words ‘this very moment’ can be any, including the present or tomorrow.
This section breaks the fourth wall a couple times (paragraph 7 and 8), introduced some thought-provoking questions and used many literary devices. Lispector’s use of similes, juxtaposition and irony produces a vague effect on the passage which makes the reader feel unsatisfied and wanting to read more. - Faris
Wow!!! This blog post is incredible. The sheer dedication and time you put into this analysis is admirable. Amazing job!
I loved everything you wrote about, but I noticed some similarities between my passage and the description of fruit in your analysis of the first paragraph and your analysis words in the fourth paragraph . In section eight, Lispector says, "But knowing before-hand so as never to forget that the word is the fruit of the word. The word must resemble the word. To attain the word is my first duty to myself. The word must not be adorned and become aesthetically worthless; it must be simply itself." (20 in packet). When I read this passage, it really confused me. As I read your blog, I saw connections between the two. What do you think this parallel means? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Hello everyone! For my passage analysis I was tasked with reading section 8 which goes from, “There is little comfort now” (19-packet) to, “Now I only wish to possess what might have been but never was.” (21-packet). I noticed a lot of super cool things in this passgae that I wanted to comment on.
Firstly, I was struck by the odd nature in which Clarice sections her phrases. In the first paragraph of the section, Rodrigo says, “I must acquire dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep: dozing from sheer exhaustion like a manual labourer. Also wearing threadbare clothes.” (19-packet). In this passage Rodrigo continues to break sentences off at unfinished points and begin new sentences as shown above. This pattern leaves the reader unsettled. When I read it for the first time I had to do a double take. It was confusing and disorienting. I think Clarice made this choice to have the readers do just that, take a step back and question the work. This odd syntax adds to the idea of the novel being a question.
Another thing that is included in this section is existential themes. There is a lot of contrast between ideas. For example, in one segment, Rodrigo says, “I want to accept my freedom…”, and later he says telling Macabea’s story will result in his materialization into an object. I thought this contrast was very interesting. Rodrigo speaks of his freedom and yet complains throughout the rest of the book that the story has been thrust upon him; he isn’t telling the story of his own free will. I thought this “freedom” also contrasted with the idea of materialization into an object, the idea of existence before essence. Objects have a pre-determined purpose, therefore by turning into an object, Rodrigo loses his freedom of humanity. Even later in the passage, Rodrigo says, “I am powerless to invent with any freedom.” It is all so conflicting! Clarice has a peculiar way of interweaving existentialism into the story that makes readers stop and think.
I had the first passage, and just like you did in number 8 I noticed the strange syntax, But they appear to serve two very different purposes in both contexts. As you pointed out, when Rodrigo uses it there's disorientation created that forces the reader to perform a double-take and ultimately absorb the information better; it's a truly clever trick to engage your audience. When it's used in the author's dedication it feels more like the speech of someone who just isn't quite organizing their thoughts. It feels like texting in that our grammar through that medium structurally resembles talking rather than writing, so it creates a feeling of sharing emotion between the author and reader. Lispector has the ability to use this tool in such drastically different ways and that's interesting to see in action.
The obvious item of significance in the first passage is the allusions to composers. This is only the author's dedication, but you can see references to music throughout the rest of the novel with devices like the military drum that sounds 17 times throughout the book or the use of relevant diction. A total of 12 composers are named in the dedication, a clear reference to the chromatic scale, a 12 tone series within music, which is also emphasized by the mention of the impact of the 12 tone composers on music itself. Now this brings us to understanding why these composers were included within the dedication in the first place. The 12 tone composers were revolutionary in how they treated music, just as all of the other composers were, making them somewhat of experimental musicians. Lispector didn't have any particularly strong connection to music as far as I'm aware, nothing more than the next guy, so it makes this a kind of odd choice for a medium to deliver a message. My personal theory is that Lispector saw it as the form of expression most akin to writing and the best way to invoke a feeling in the audience. You can hear huge crashes and melodies in your head at the mention of the music, and that's why she chose to use it in her writing.
Question 5: Around the middle of the story when Rodrigo is describing Macabea's personality and habits he says “(It’s as good as saying that a healthy dog is worth more.)” (35) This is insulting because a dog is on a much more less cognitive level than that of a human. They’re excellent companions. However, when we see them do things that we, as humans would know better, we’d laugh at them because of unawareness. Rodrigo is equating Macabea to a dog because of his perception that Macabea is dense, unaware and incompetent, which could be comparable to a dog in some qualities. Not only does Rodrigo dehumanize Macabea in this instance, but he also puts her on the mental level of a being with much less cognition - a dog. In the beginning of the book when Rodrigo is explaining why he wants to talk about Macabea he says “I now want to speak of the girl from the North-east, It’s as follows: like some vagrant bitch she was guided entirely by her own remote control.” (18) Rodrigo here is proposing a comparison between a vagrant (homeless person) and Macabea. Vagrants generally desire a lot of things in life, food, clothing, shelter and this is all for good reason. Some individuals also tend to think lowly of beggars because of their supposed desires, irritation or mere appearance. To compare Macabea to a vagrant, of which she has no qualities (she doesn’t desire much, she doesn’t ask for a lot), is false and dehumanizing. Some people's negative perception of vagrants as weak and reliant contributes to this dehumanization. This comparison ultimately connotes worthlessness by; calling Macabea a bitch (I’m sure Rodrigo meant this literally because later in the book, he equates her to a dog) and by labeling her as a vagrant - a low-life essentially.
An important aspect to mention is how Rodrigo generally refers to her as ‘the girl from the North-east’. The very mention of her as a girl from the North-east connotes a ‘she’s nothing special’ idea. If I were to refer to someone who lives in Oregon as a ‘kid from Oregon’, there’s no respect in it. Anybody could be a ‘kid from Oregon’, I don’t know who that is. That lack of knowledge makes it seem as if this girl is not worth being mentioned by her name. Just like how people are shunned in a group by a rule stating not to mention them by name is almost equal in this regard. This mentality dehumanizes the person, he is no longer a unique individual but a person in the crowd of many. By referring to her as ‘the girl from the North-east’ it describes her as insignificant, not worthy of mentioning her name and somebody within a crowd of many. If that’s not convincing enough then why does Rodrigo refer to Gloria and Olimpico briefly after introducing them?
At the beginning of the book when Rodrigo briefly mentions Macabea he says “And since I have discovered almost everything about her, she has clung to my skin like some viscous glue or contaminating mud.” (21) In this particular instance, Rodrigo is not only describing the clinginess of Macabea, but he is also describing it as toxic. Just like mud, you don’t want to get anywhere near it let alone have it touch you. By Rodrigo creating an analogy between Macabea, a human being, with mud which is a combination usually consisting of rain which is hated, and dirt, which is generally considered to be worthless, Rodrigo is dehumanizing Macabea. (ex. ‘A pile of dirt is more useful than you!’)
Hello Faris! I liked the quotes that you picked! They all exemplify the dehumanization of Macabea by Rodrigo very well. However, I still want to hear your thoughts about why you think Clarice included such an unfeeling man as a narrator. I think it is because having a cold narrator strips away all of the glamour and "robust words" Rodrigo hates so much. Instead of getting a polished version of the world, Clarice presents the audience with the cruelty of the world as it is, served on a plate for all to see. There is no embellishment of Macabea's sad life, which I think is what makes The Hour of The Star such a powerful novel.
Blog topic 5 asks us to identify at least 6 moments in the novel where the cold treatment of Macabéa by Rodrigo explores the dehumanizing effects of the urban world on the poor. Here are my six quotes I found:
1. “Anyway, it’s true that I too have no pity for my main character, the northeastern girl: it’s a story I want to be cold. But I have the right to be sadly cold, and you don’t.... What I write is more than mere invention, it’s my obligation to tell about this one girl out of the thousands like her.” (5) 2. “She’d been born with a rap sheet and now looked like the daughter of nobody in particular apologizing for taking us space.” (18) 3. “All of her was a bit grimy since she rarely washed… Not that it mattered. Nobody looked at her on the street, she was cold coffee.” (19) 4. “Here I’m playing the role of a safety valve for you and from the massacring life of the average middle class. I’m well aware that it’s frightening to step out of oneself, but everything new is frightening. Though the anonymous girl in this story is so ancient that she could be a biblical figure. She was subterranean and had never flowered, I’m lying: she was grass.” (22) 5. “She thought she’d incur serious punishment and even risk dying if she took too much pleasure in life. So she protected herself from death by living less, consuming so little of her life that she’d never run out.” (24) 6. “I am gratuitous and pay my light, gas and phone bills. As for her, she sometimes occasionally on payday bought a rose.” (24)
All of these quotes share a common thread. In each description of Macabéa, there is little to no emotion or pity towards Macabéa’s pitiful life. Clarice Lispector deliberately included an objective narrator in order to create the cold tone that runs through the book. Reader’s are not used to character’s who are void of emotion. By creating such an unfeeling, cold narrator, audiences are forced to confront the flaws of urban society face to face. Lispector is unapologetic in depicting Macabéa’s poverty and throws it right in everyone’s face through Rodrigo. The urban world has dehumanized thousands of poor women like Macabéa. It is the inherent nature of society to create a hierarchy and those like Macabéa are the ones that get the worst of it.
Hello! Oh my gosh, I think this is our last blog of the year! For this final blog, the writing topic is biblical references or existentialism. Since I don’t know anything about biblical references, I thought I would share some traces of existentialism I have found. These are some of my favorite quotes:
“And I want to accept my freedom without thinking what so many do, that existing is something for fools, a case of madness. Because that’s what it seems like. Existing isn’t logical. The action of this story will end up with my transfiguration into somebody else and my materialization finally as an object.” (12) This quote has so many existentialist themes! (absolute freedom, existence before essence, absurdity etc.) This was a part of my close reading section so you can find my commentary in my second blog if you want to check it out.
“When I prayed, I achieved an emptiness of the soul - and that emptiness is all I can ever have.” (6) The idea of achieving emptiness of the soul is very interesting. On one hand, this quote makes it sound as though Rodrigo discovered that he was committing philosophical suicide. Through prayer, he became empty for instead of confronting the world head on, he took the philosophical approach. On the other hand, Sartre said that existence is nothingness. Emptiness and nothingness are very closely related. By praying does Rodrigo discover existence? It is an odd, completely in left field thought, but for some reason it came to my mind.
“And may angels flutter an transparent wasps around my hot head because this head wants finally to transform itself into an object thing.” (9) This is the existentialist idea of existence precedes essence. Objects are unique in that they begins with an essence before they come into existence. An object is created for the purpose of being an object. Having a pre-defined purpose makes being an object so much simpler than being a human, which is why Rodrigo yearns to be an “object-thing.”
“You know what else I learned? They said you should be glad to be alive. So I am.” (42) To give context for this quote, Macabéa says this to Olímpico as she tells him all of the things that she has learned from Clock Radio. Macabéa is living a life that is passive instead of active. Clock Radio tells Macabéa that she should be happy, so she is, or at least she convinces herself she is. It is very sad!
“She didn’t know that she herself was a suicide, although it had never crossed her mind to kill herself.” (50) Macabéa being compared to a suicide is really harsh! This line was one that confused me, but it struck me as being connected to existentialism. Existentialists have strong feelings about suicide being the cowards way out. What do you think Lispector was trying to say about Macabéa by comparing her to a suicide?
The blog is working for me again (yay!), so I decide to share my posts with the group. I know it's after the fact now, but I thought why not still share my ideas.
Blog #1
There are so many good lines in this book, but I think my two favorites (I can't just choose one) are these two, both from page 17:
"Some people have got it. And some don't. It's very simple: the girl didn't. Didn't have what? Exactly that: she didn't. If you see what I'm saying fine. If you don't, that's fine too. But why am I bothering with this girl when what I want more than anything is a purely ripe and golden wheat in the summer?"
"There was something slightly idiotic about her, but she wasn't an idiot. She didn't know she was unhappy. That's because she believed. In what? In you, but you don't believe you have to believe in anyone or anything - you just have to believe. That sometimes gave her the state of grace. She'd never lost faith."
The context of this is when she was talking to Gloria and her boss, and then she went to the bathroom. Why I like them is that they're both so thought-provoking. Both get to me to think, especially that first one. About that quote, something I wonder each time I think about it is that it is so vague and why Lispector made it so. I think that may be because she wants the reader to infer what she's talking about and add meaning as she mentioned in the introduction. Though having just finished the existentialism unit, I also find another meaning there that connects it with the second quote. It could be talking about the absurd and how 'some people got it,' and others don't and how Macabea went along with her life believing whatever, and that didn't make her an idiot because she didn't realize there was more out there. Both quotes hold so much more meaning than what I talked about, but I also don't want this post to get too long.
Sorry for the weird spacing! I can't fix it because it looks normal when I post, sorry again!
Blog #2
The passage I'm going to analyze in this post is the in the introduction I was assigned. It's on page 18 - 19 in the introduction packet we were given. The first thing of note I caught after reading through it a few times was how the narrator was essentially saying that he's going to write the story as it comes to him and as he sees it and will not be sugar coating it. This is most evident but this line, "The question is how do I write? I can verify that I write by ear..." then this is followed later by, "I only lie in the precise hour of lying. But when I write, I do not lie."
Later, the narrator says this line that's interesting. "What I propose to narrate sounds easy and within everyone's grasp. But its elaboration is extremely difficult. I must render clear something that is almost obliterated and can scarcely be deciphered." Here Clarice is saying it in the clearest way possible that her books have a deeper meaning. Each word she chose, was specially chosen and had a designated meaning (something that is mentioned later on how each word has a specific meaning) and she wants the reader to know that there is more underneath the simple exterior. It is meant to be read by all but understood by the few that can look deeper and analyze further.
I think that Lispector set such a cold tone towards Macabea to show both the conflicting feelings of the narrator and while also using them as a way to characterize Macabea.
Some quotes that show this are:
"... I've guessed so much about her, she's stuck to my skin like some sticky treacle in black mud (pg 13)" Here, honestly you can see how much the narrator views Macabea almost as a burden, as if he doesn't want Macabea to be his character, but got stuck with her.
"Her existence is sparse. Yes. But why should I be feeling guilty? And trying to rid myself of the weight of not having done anything concrete to help the girl? (pg 15)"
"She makes me so uncomfortable that I feel hollow. I'm hollow of that girl. And more the uncomfortable she makes me the less she demands. I'm angry. so enraged I could smash cups and dishes and break windows (pg 18)."
"I've got it: by loving my dog who has more food than that girl. Why doesn't she react? Can't she grow a backbone? No, she is sweet and obedient (pg 18)."
"When I rid myself of this story, I'll return to the more irresponsible realm of having slight forebodings. I did not invent this girl. She forced her being upon me. She wasn't retarded by any means, she was as helpless and trusting as an idiot. The girl who at least didn't have to beg for food, there is a whole subclass that's even more lost and hungry. I alone love her (pg 21)." This goes back to the first quote I mentioned where the narrator acts as if Macabea is a burden. But he ends the quote with 'I love her'? Interesting switch within one quote....
Though, at times, the narrator is also hard on himself. What I keep remembering as I am reading the book is this one quote from early on. "I write because I have nothing else left to do in the world: I was left over, and there is no place for me in the world of men. I write because I'm desperate and I am tired, I can no longer bear the routine of being me, and if not for the always novelty that is writing, I would die symbolically every day." I think there is so much going on in this quote, but to focus it in on cold treatment I think the narrator is excusing himself of not helping her through this. He feels as if he needs something to do, and that thing is to create Macabea, though that's all he has to do. The narrator doesn't feel the need to protect her, and in a sense, live for her, she has to do that on her own.
Some quotes I found that relate to existentialism, especially the absurd and finding meaning to one's own life are these:
"Because she had within her a certain fresh flower. Since, as strange as it may seem, she believed. She was only a fine organic matter. She existed. That's it. And me? The only thing known about me is that I breathe."
This quote can have many meanings, but to connect it to existentialism, I think this refers to finding one's meaning in life, or rather, lack thereof for Macabea. Here the narrator is saying she is just existing, she had that flower of meaning in her, but she just lived instead of water it and adding meaning / accepting the absurd.
"I write because I have nothing else left to do in the world: I was left over, and there is no place for me in the world of men. I write because I'm desperate and I am tired, I can no longer bear the routine of being me, and if not for the always novelty that is writing, I would die symbolically every day."
This is when the narrative is saying he found in his life, and his meaning was to write, and so he did. Had he not accepted the absurd, he would have died symbolically, or otherwise known was philosophical suicide as existentialists call it.
"Her existence is sparse. Yes. But why should I be feeling guilty? And trying to rid myself of the weight of not having done anything concrete to help the girl?"
The narrator heer is saying that Macabea's life is empty because she has no meaning, as she hasn't accepted the absurd. so he's saying 'is it my fault she doesn't do anything about it?' He doesn't want the burden of heling her find it; he thinks it's her job to find her own meaning and accept the absurd.
"Not knowing who to turn to, she appeared to have answered her own question: it is so because it is so. Could there be some other answer?"
This can refer to how Macabea may begin looking to herself for her own answers, which can also mean that she may begin to accept the absurd and add meaning to her life. The first step to accepting the absurd / finding meaning is looking within one's self, so by answering her own questions, she's doing so. Additionally, she is also not committing philosophical suicide by accepting someone else's answers.
My favorite line in the book is “but the idea of transcending my own limits suddenly appealed to me” this one takes place in the middle of the introduction is part of what makes the book so fantastic in that the quote is in reference to reality because the author believes that reality is exceeding him so the idea of transcending limits refers to transcending reality in which the book although it is fake reveals truth. I believe this statement by Rodrigo is stating that this book will be different because it goes beyond all others --Harrison
The passage that our group was assigned to annotate had a lot of references to sound light and begins to characterize macabea. The effect of these details is that we begin to understand the author's purpose and audience he states “coming back to myself what I'm about to write cannot be assimilated by mine to expect much and crave sophistication for what I'm about to express will be quite stark” what he states as stark is the experimental nature of the novel so unlike any others. Rodrigo also States how difficult of a task he has before him he also indicates that the story is still occurring and thus he cannot finish it but will give it a try anyway. --Harrison
the point of Rodrigo's introduction is to somewhat reveal the purpose of the seemingly dull story and set the tone in which the story must be taken due to Lispector speaking through a man we get to see a harder realist perspective. The introduction also serves to state all of Rodrigo’s intended purposes and I think a little bit to thoroughly confuse the reader. The introduction also immediately characterizes Rodrigo’s intense study and fascination with philosophy and elevate him far above the subject of the story, Macabea. Because Rodrigo is a middle-class man he constantly belittles the working-class woman which is subtle commentary by lispector who is a woman on the folly of telling stories when the lack of experience is present. --Harrison
I believe the whole book is a critique of an existentialist ideas because we see that the main character who is repeatedly called useless and has a meaningless existence obtains happiness through her “philosophical suicide”. one cannot state that she is truly happy at the beginning of the story but she is not absolutely crushed by her circumstances even though she has every right to be she only appears to be happy after subscribing to whimsy of the fortune teller and is shortly thereafter murdered. She never confronts the absurd nor does she develop her own meaning yet she still obtains happiness. --Harrison
The author explores the dehumanizing effect of the urban world on her main character by portraying her as someone with no merit with nothing to offer because she has low social standing no money and no skills. Lispector states “she wasn't even aware that she lived in a technological society where she was a mere cog in the machine” this statement belittles her existence while at the same time gives her some semblance of a purpose if only to contribute to the machine of society. He goes on to say “I realize that by saying that my typist has a diseased body I'm saying something much more offensive than any obscenity” Making it appear that he knows he is incredibly rude but that that is how all upper class view the lower class. --Harrison
The novel is clearly experimental due to the author of taking on the role of Rodrigo who is very scatterbrained and cannot seem to tell the story he wishes to tell. He definitely has vast psychological conflict within himself and it's incredibly irrational. Rodrigo seems to be motivated by some sorts of responsibility or duty to tell the story but that duty does not require him to be clear with his message. he is clearly an antihero because his story does indeed have merit to us the reader in the ideas it presents. --Harrison
My favorite line in Hour of the Star is, without a doubt, the line in the introduction where Rodrigo asks the reader: "Who has not asked himself at some time or other: am I a monster or is this what it means to be a person?" The first time I read this line, I stopped and got a little shiver and I asked myself the same question. This line occurs during Rodrigo's very convoluted opening section. We have finally gotten to the point where Rodrigo actually seems to be starting the story (ie, telling us a bit about Macabea), but then he pauses again to talk about himself. And yet, while the whole of his introduction is dripping with irony and the reader often finds herself loathing him, one cannot deny that he is good at probing into the depths of human nature--just as he purports himself to be. Not only does he break the fourth wall (again), but he sets this paragraph aside and alone in the longer surrounding narration about Macabea herself. Clearly, the question is meant to stand alone, to give us pause, and to offer commentary on the nature of people who have in the midst of those who have not. The tone is chilling and the reader is forced to confront some ugly truths about him/herself. Rodrigo says "this book is a silence; an interrogation." The "am a I monster?" question is one of the first thing that we must be interrogated about.
ReplyDelete“I cannot stand repetition: routine divides me from potential novelties within my reach.”
ReplyDeleteDoesn’t this quote relate to the modern world accurately? We are so caught up in our daily activities, doing X, then Y and finally Z. We of course do these because humans are creatures of habit, we don’t enjoy when something deviates from schedule or changes entirely. The issue is though; if you continue the same exact pattern and lifestyle over and over, won’t that continue forever really? As well as, if you get comfortable in that daily life, why change it? If you cannot bear to change your habits, lifestyle and/or environment with the hope of doing something new, whether it seems exciting or not, how will you find happiness in things you’ve never done before? We are so caught up with maintaining a strict schedule of our life because it ‘just works’. And because of this schedule working, we are involuntarily barred from talking any alternate paths to new and original things in life. We should always be open to doing new things in life, especially if it breaks our ‘routine’.
One of the many literary elements found in the book is repetition. It’s amusing to see the author describe repetition in a negative light when he uses it frequently in the book - an example of irony.
- Faris Ben-Salah
Hello Faris! I really liked your blog post and the quote that you picked! I would have never picked up on the irony of the use of repetition. I think that is super cool, thanks for pointing that out! I completely agree with your commentary on humans being creatures of habit. I am definitely that way. When I find a routine or a system that I like, I stick with it for as long as possible. In my mind, if it works, why change it? At the same time, this mindset can be super detrimental. Like everyone, I have that fear of growing up, looking back at my life and thinking, wow, I haven't done anything. The idea of being stuck in a day to day cycle for eternity is torturous.
DeleteTrying to pick a favorite line from The Hour of the Star is a super difficult task! Not only do all of the lines in the book contain rich symbolic meaning, I read the book in August, so I don’t remember which lines stood out to me. Instead, I am going to take this question as pick a favorite line from the first section of the book (which I just re-read). Just for fun, my top three from the section are:
ReplyDelete1. Thinking is an act. Feeling is a fact. (3)
2. Words are sounds transfused with unequal shadows that intersect, stalactites, lace, transfigured organ music. (8)
3. I’m not afraid of the pouring rain or great gusts of wind, for I too am the darkness of the night. (10)
I think out of those three, my favorite is the second one. To give context, in this passage Rodrigo contunies his lament over how difficult it will be to write Macabea’s story. Rodrigo writes about the struggles of writing and creates an eerie tone. This line really stuck out to me because of the vivid imagery Lispector uses. The phrase is just so haunting and I love how Clarice incorportates musical imagery throughout the book. The image of transfigured organ music drew me to this line. I believe that music is one of the most fundamentally human things in the world. In IB Psych right now, I am reading a book called Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks about the impact of music on the brain. It is an incredible book and it came to my mind when I saw this line. In Musicophilia, Sacks points out that music is unique in that techinically it posesses no symbolic power or power of representation, yet it is so innate for humans to understand and causes intense, emotional connections. Nothing else has such a universal, profound effect on the majority of the human race. Using musical imagery throughout the novel gets the reader in touch with emotions that language alone cannot create. That is why I found this line so interesting, for Clarice intertwined the power of language and music into one beautiful phrase.
This blog post is by Liana Greger! I don't know why it says unknown.
DeleteI love all those, too!!
ReplyDelete"Eternity is the state of things at this very moment."
ReplyDeleteI find this line so interesting because it suggests that all that matters is in this moment and that the future shouldn't be relevant in current situations. It's a sort of, being in the moment idea but stretched to a larger scale which involves every single moment. But later on in the book, we see that Macabea becomes obsessed with what her future will hold. Macabea's obsession is moving away from what the narrator has said previously, and I think that this shows the disconnect between the narrator and Macabea. This also could be the point at which Macabea is doomed to die considering that shortly after she ponders on her future, she is killed. It's quite sudden, but it does show that as soon as she begins to consider what the future could bring to her life, her future is stripped away from her and she is left with only, "what if's." What if she didn't get hit and only had a near death experience? What if the truck that hit her was just a little later, and she didn't realize that she as anywhere near danger. These, what if questions are exciting to think about and reflect on the possibilities of what could have happened. But either way, I feel that Macabea was doomed for death from the moment she began to contemplate her future.
I like the intensity behind the idea that disobeying this rule results in death, but being concerned about the future should be a good thing. The past determines the current determines the future right? So thoughts of the future are in a way being at this very moment. Using deterministic philosophy here, it should also reason that there shouldn't be 'what if's because there are only 'what is's. Additionally, because eternity is the now, the now must be eternity, so the future is now, and Macabea didn't deserved to be fated this way for following the instruction! It now seems she's been destined for woe.
DeleteThe reply was mine
DeleteNice, detailed analysis. I agree that the moment Macabea actually considers her future (from the fortune teller) she is killed. This ties in to to what you're saying about what all that matters is the current moment because the current moment will become again tomorrow, there's no need to think about the future. It's also interesting that at the very moment she's told her future, she becomes unhappy. She is no longer living in the moment in the 'eternal state of things'.
DeleteI also noticed that the quote is non-conditional meaning that it applies regardless of anything. If eternity is the state of things at this very moment, then isn't the 'very moment' all the time and thus eternity is everything at all times? There are many different routes to take when understanding these existentialist-like questions.
- Faris Ben-Salah
However brief and simple it was, this line did give me a new was of looking at life. In writing this story, I shall yield to emotion and I know perfectly well that every day is one more day stolen from death." That last idea carries the implication that death is a given and inevitable, which it is, but more so that death is the given and inevitable. Death owns you, and every day isn't something earned from life, but an item taken from death. This creates one of the least entitled worldviews I've ever seen; you don't even deserve your own time! This perspective makes more sense when given Ricardo's description of Macabea, how she's more of a creature than anything and is operating on borrowed time. Now this idea switches tone from somewhat inspirational to condescending because the individual doesn't have the choice in how their life is viewed.
ReplyDeleteRicardo is condescending towards Macabea throughout the novel and consequently is egotistical towards himself, and that's rubbed in by how he opens this line, "I shall yield to emotion". Pretending to be an intellectual so you can state that your burn comes from an objective emotionless place is such a scumbag move, but then again, dead girls can't talk back.
I personally appreciated this quote because it was the first time the book gave a random philosophy nugget and it actually sparked something in my mind. It also serves as a perfect example of how Macabea is treated throughout the entire book, which just slowly makes you progressively more upset with Ricardo for trying to build a high road out of reflective garbage he found at the beach. A lot of elements were demonstrated by this line and it didn't take a gratuitous amount of brain power for it to come to me.
Guided Discussion Question #2, passage 6 in introduction:
ReplyDeleteClarice Lispector was either intentionally vague or extremely ‘deep’ while writing this section. In the first paragraph, Clarice writes “Things were somehow so good that they were in danger of becoming very bad because what is fully mature is close to rotting.” (Lispector, 17) A banana (or any fruit), for example, needs to be ripe in order to eaten and this takes time. When it’s fully ripe and ready to eat, it is closer to rotting than it was before it was ripe in the process of being ripened. Also, if you’re ever happy about something don’t believe that your happiness will be constant, something will bring you down sooner than later. Another analogy to the statement relates to economics; in economics, when a stock is doing really well this is when everybody takes their shares out of the stock in fear of the stock price suddenly plummeting. Doing this demonstrates that what is so good could become so bad in a short amount of time, this mood gives a dark tone to the passage because it essentially states that you should recognize joy is short-lived. When you realize this you tend to believe all joyous moments will soon lead to despair.
The second paragraph introduces the existentialist belief of ‘Existence precedes essence’ when Lispector writes “This happened when I decided to write about reality, since reality exceeds me.” (17) Long after Lispector was born, she decided to write books to choose her essence as a human. The statement here however, is saying that existence as a whole surpasses her, who is also part of existence. It makes sense but it also paints a picture that she’s a very small cog in the world - nothing of significance. Previous to Lispector saying this she also writes “But the idea of transcending my own limits suddenly appealed to me,” (17) in which she describes that even though that she’s not of significance, she will still attempt to do something that she herself deems significant. This, again, seemingly paints a bleak picture of reality as a whole but follows it up with a way to combat the search for essence in your own life. Lispector also writes “Will what I’m about to write about sound mushy? It has that tendency but I am determined to sound dry and severe,” (17) in which she says that she’s unsure if the result of her story will sound overly emotional. She’s unsure because Lispector intends to tell the story with cold, hard facts - no sugar coating.
In the third paragraph, Lispector includes multiple literary devices and more emphasis on wanting the story to be as straightforward as possible without being overly sentimental. Lispector demonstrates a simile when she says “I tend to write with bold, severe strokes like a painter,” (17) in which she displays a similarity between her goal to write the story as factual as possible even if it is severe, just as a painter will use severe strokes on their paintings to put detail. Lispector uses another simile when she states “...as I decipher reality: to see angels flutter around like transparent wasps around my fevered head, this head that longs to be ultimately transformed into an object-thing, because so much more simple.” (17) Not only does Lispector describe angels to transparent wasps in the way that they fly around a corpse (for wasps it’s dead insects and for a food source), she also mentions something that is not of reality, a head to be transformed into an object-thing. Previously, she talks about reality, here, she is describing something out of the ordinary and not of reality. This creates a juxtaposition between the two, reality and something not of it.
In the fourth paragraph, an interesting question is put forth: is it possible that actions exceed words? I believe that actions speak louder than words. They do more than talk the talk. Further on in the paragraph Lispector talks about God gave us the ability to invent words. Literally, the action of inventing the word comes before the word itself.
(continued)
- Faris Ben-Salah
In paragraph 5, Lispector explains that the reason she writes about ‘the girl from the North-east’ is because “not for the girl...for the much more serious reason of force majeure or as they say in formal petitions by ‘force of law’.” (18) Here she is explaining that the reason of her being intentionally vague by referencing Macabea as the ‘girl from the North-east’ is/was because of the military dictatorship at the time of writing the book. She can’t be overly critical of the dictatorship, nor can she be too specific if she were to critique life in Brazil. Her vagueness which is presented by referring to Macabea as the ‘girl from the North-east’ allows her to write the story without apprehension and censorship by the government.
DeleteIn paragraph 6; Lispector uses irony when she writes “I am not afraid of tempestuous storms or violent gales for I am also the night’s darkness. Even though I cannot bear to hear whistling or footsteps in the dark.” (18) It’s interesting that Lispector doesn’t mind storms or extreme winds but is frightened by mere footsteps in the dark. Lispector goes on to mention “...”one never forgets a person with whom one has slept. The event remains branded on one’s living flesh like a tattoo and all who witness the stigma take flight in horror,” (18) in which she explains that like a tattoo, sex is an experience that cannot be taken away from someone. Once it is done it’s done, it’s like an invisible mark on your body, or, oddly enough, a visible one. While sex doesn’t necessitate branding a visible mark on one’s body, a tattoo is a mark on somebody’s body.
- Faris
In paragraph 7, Lispector writes “...like some vagrant bitch she [Macabea] was guided entirely by her own remote control,” (18) in which she states that Macabea, like a vagrant, are only led by their own desires (in the vagrant’s case, a home, money, food etc.) which is their remote control. They control their desires which controls their life which determines their fate.
DeleteIn paragraph 8, it’s interesting how Lispector refers to the ‘girl from the North-east’ as the ‘young girl’. Lispector is narrowing in on the particular individual to perhaps to negate the vagueness from previously. Lispector also writes “...we live exclusively in the present because forever and eternally it is the day of today, and the day of tomorrow will be a today. Eternity is the state of things at this very moment,” (18) in which she essentially states that the current moment is all that there is. The last sentence is non-conditional, it applies at all times. The words ‘this very moment’ can be any, including the present or tomorrow.
This section breaks the fourth wall a couple times (paragraph 7 and 8), introduced some thought-provoking questions and used many literary devices. Lispector’s use of similes, juxtaposition and irony produces a vague effect on the passage which makes the reader feel unsatisfied and wanting to read more.
- Faris
Wow!!! This blog post is incredible. The sheer dedication and time you put into this analysis is admirable. Amazing job!
DeleteI loved everything you wrote about, but I noticed some similarities between my passage and the description of fruit in your analysis of the first paragraph and your analysis words in the fourth paragraph . In section eight, Lispector says, "But knowing before-hand so as never to forget that the word is the fruit of the word. The word must resemble the word. To attain the word is my first duty to myself. The word must not be adorned and become aesthetically worthless; it must be simply itself." (20 in packet). When I read this passage, it really confused me. As I read your blog, I saw connections between the two. What do you think this parallel means? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Hello everyone! For my passage analysis I was tasked with reading section 8 which goes from, “There is little comfort now” (19-packet) to, “Now I only wish to possess what might have been but never was.” (21-packet). I noticed a lot of super cool things in this passgae that I wanted to comment on.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I was struck by the odd nature in which Clarice sections her phrases. In the first paragraph of the section, Rodrigo says, “I must acquire dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep: dozing from sheer exhaustion like a manual labourer. Also wearing threadbare clothes.” (19-packet). In this passage Rodrigo continues to break sentences off at unfinished points and begin new sentences as shown above. This pattern leaves the reader unsettled. When I read it for the first time I had to do a double take. It was confusing and disorienting. I think Clarice made this choice to have the readers do just that, take a step back and question the work. This odd syntax adds to the idea of the novel being a question.
Another thing that is included in this section is existential themes. There is a lot of contrast between ideas. For example, in one segment, Rodrigo says, “I want to accept my freedom…”, and later he says telling Macabea’s story will result in his materialization into an object. I thought this contrast was very interesting. Rodrigo speaks of his freedom and yet complains throughout the rest of the book that the story has been thrust upon him; he isn’t telling the story of his own free will. I thought this “freedom” also contrasted with the idea of materialization into an object, the idea of existence before essence. Objects have a pre-determined purpose, therefore by turning into an object, Rodrigo loses his freedom of humanity. Even later in the passage, Rodrigo says, “I am powerless to invent with any freedom.” It is all so conflicting! Clarice has a peculiar way of interweaving existentialism into the story that makes readers stop and think.
I had the first passage, and just like you did in number 8 I noticed the strange syntax, But they appear to serve two very different purposes in both contexts. As you pointed out, when Rodrigo uses it there's disorientation created that forces the reader to perform a double-take and ultimately absorb the information better; it's a truly clever trick to engage your audience. When it's used in the author's dedication it feels more like the speech of someone who just isn't quite organizing their thoughts. It feels like texting in that our grammar through that medium structurally resembles talking rather than writing, so it creates a feeling of sharing emotion between the author and reader. Lispector has the ability to use this tool in such drastically different ways and that's interesting to see in action.
DeleteThe obvious item of significance in the first passage is the allusions to composers. This is only the author's dedication, but you can see references to music throughout the rest of the novel with devices like the military drum that sounds 17 times throughout the book or the use of relevant diction. A total of 12 composers are named in the dedication, a clear reference to the chromatic scale, a 12 tone series within music, which is also emphasized by the mention of the impact of the 12 tone composers on music itself. Now this brings us to understanding why these composers were included within the dedication in the first place. The 12 tone composers were revolutionary in how they treated music, just as all of the other composers were, making them somewhat of experimental musicians. Lispector didn't have any particularly strong connection to music as far as I'm aware, nothing more than the next guy, so it makes this a kind of odd choice for a medium to deliver a message. My personal theory is that Lispector saw it as the form of expression most akin to writing and the best way to invoke a feeling in the audience. You can hear huge crashes and melodies in your head at the mention of the music, and that's why she chose to use it in her writing.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 5:
ReplyDeleteAround the middle of the story when Rodrigo is describing Macabea's personality and habits he says “(It’s as good as saying that a healthy dog is worth more.)” (35) This is insulting because a dog is on a much more less cognitive level than that of a human. They’re excellent companions. However, when we see them do things that we, as humans would know better, we’d laugh at them because of unawareness. Rodrigo is equating Macabea to a dog because of his perception that Macabea is dense, unaware and incompetent, which could be comparable to a dog in some qualities. Not only does Rodrigo dehumanize Macabea in this instance, but he also puts her on the mental level of a being with much less cognition - a dog.
In the beginning of the book when Rodrigo is explaining why he wants to talk about Macabea he says “I now want to speak of the girl from the North-east, It’s as follows: like some vagrant bitch she was guided entirely by her own remote control.” (18) Rodrigo here is proposing a comparison between a vagrant (homeless person) and Macabea. Vagrants generally desire a lot of things in life, food, clothing, shelter and this is all for good reason. Some individuals also tend to think lowly of beggars because of their supposed desires, irritation or mere appearance. To compare Macabea to a vagrant, of which she has no qualities (she doesn’t desire much, she doesn’t ask for a lot), is false and dehumanizing. Some people's negative perception of vagrants as weak and reliant contributes to this dehumanization. This comparison ultimately connotes worthlessness by; calling Macabea a bitch (I’m sure Rodrigo meant this literally because later in the book, he equates her to a dog) and by labeling her as a vagrant - a low-life essentially.
An important aspect to mention is how Rodrigo generally refers to her as ‘the girl from the North-east’. The very mention of her as a girl from the North-east connotes a ‘she’s nothing special’ idea. If I were to refer to someone who lives in Oregon as a ‘kid from Oregon’, there’s no respect in it. Anybody could be a ‘kid from Oregon’, I don’t know who that is. That lack of knowledge makes it seem as if this girl is not worth being mentioned by her name. Just like how people are shunned in a group by a rule stating not to mention them by name is almost equal in this regard. This mentality dehumanizes the person, he is no longer a unique individual but a person in the crowd of many. By referring to her as ‘the girl from the North-east’ it describes her as insignificant, not worthy of mentioning her name and somebody within a crowd of many. If that’s not convincing enough then why does Rodrigo refer to Gloria and Olimpico briefly after introducing them?
At the beginning of the book when Rodrigo briefly mentions Macabea he says “And since I have discovered almost everything about her, she has clung to my skin like some viscous glue or contaminating mud.” (21) In this particular instance, Rodrigo is not only describing the clinginess of Macabea, but he is also describing it as toxic. Just like mud, you don’t want to get anywhere near it let alone have it touch you. By Rodrigo creating an analogy between Macabea, a human being, with mud which is a combination usually consisting of rain which is hated, and dirt, which is generally considered to be worthless, Rodrigo is dehumanizing Macabea. (ex. ‘A pile of dirt is more useful than you!’)
- Faris
Hello Faris!
DeleteI liked the quotes that you picked! They all exemplify the dehumanization of Macabea by Rodrigo very well. However, I still want to hear your thoughts about why you think Clarice included such an unfeeling man as a narrator. I think it is because having a cold narrator strips away all of the glamour and "robust words" Rodrigo hates so much. Instead of getting a polished version of the world, Clarice presents the audience with the cruelty of the world as it is, served on a plate for all to see. There is no embellishment of Macabea's sad life, which I think is what makes The Hour of The Star such a powerful novel.
Blog topic 5 asks us to identify at least 6 moments in the novel where the cold treatment of Macabéa by Rodrigo explores the dehumanizing effects of the urban world on the poor. Here are my six quotes I found:
ReplyDelete1. “Anyway, it’s true that I too have no pity for my main character, the northeastern girl: it’s a story I want to be cold. But I have the right to be sadly cold, and you don’t.... What I write is more than mere invention, it’s my obligation to tell about this one girl out of the thousands like her.” (5)
2. “She’d been born with a rap sheet and now looked like the daughter of nobody in particular apologizing for taking us space.” (18)
3. “All of her was a bit grimy since she rarely washed… Not that it mattered. Nobody looked at her on the street, she was cold coffee.” (19)
4. “Here I’m playing the role of a safety valve for you and from the massacring life of the average middle class. I’m well aware that it’s frightening to step out of oneself, but everything new is frightening. Though the anonymous girl in this story is so ancient that she could be a biblical figure. She was subterranean and had never flowered, I’m lying: she was grass.” (22)
5. “She thought she’d incur serious punishment and even risk dying if she took too much pleasure in life. So she protected herself from death by living less, consuming so little of her life that she’d never run out.” (24)
6. “I am gratuitous and pay my light, gas and phone bills. As for her, she sometimes occasionally on payday bought a rose.” (24)
All of these quotes share a common thread. In each description of Macabéa, there is little to no emotion or pity towards Macabéa’s pitiful life. Clarice Lispector deliberately included an objective narrator in order to create the cold tone that runs through the book. Reader’s are not used to character’s who are void of emotion. By creating such an unfeeling, cold narrator, audiences are forced to confront the flaws of urban society face to face. Lispector is unapologetic in depicting Macabéa’s poverty and throws it right in everyone’s face through Rodrigo. The urban world has dehumanized thousands of poor women like Macabéa. It is the inherent nature of society to create a hierarchy and those like Macabéa are the ones that get the worst of it.
Hello! Oh my gosh, I think this is our last blog of the year! For this final blog, the writing topic is biblical references or existentialism. Since I don’t know anything about biblical references, I thought I would share some traces of existentialism I have found. These are some of my favorite quotes:
ReplyDelete“And I want to accept my freedom without thinking what so many do, that existing is something for fools, a case of madness. Because that’s what it seems like. Existing isn’t logical. The action of this story will end up with my transfiguration into somebody else and my materialization finally as an object.” (12)
This quote has so many existentialist themes! (absolute freedom, existence before essence, absurdity etc.) This was a part of my close reading section so you can find my commentary in my second blog if you want to check it out.
“When I prayed, I achieved an emptiness of the soul - and that emptiness is all I can ever have.” (6)
The idea of achieving emptiness of the soul is very interesting. On one hand, this quote makes it sound as though Rodrigo discovered that he was committing philosophical suicide. Through prayer, he became empty for instead of confronting the world head on, he took the philosophical approach. On the other hand, Sartre said that existence is nothingness. Emptiness and nothingness are very closely related. By praying does Rodrigo discover existence? It is an odd, completely in left field thought, but for some reason it came to my mind.
“And may angels flutter an transparent wasps around my hot head because this head wants finally to transform itself into an object thing.” (9)
This is the existentialist idea of existence precedes essence. Objects are unique in that they begins with an essence before they come into existence. An object is created for the purpose of being an object. Having a pre-defined purpose makes being an object so much simpler than being a human, which is why Rodrigo yearns to be an “object-thing.”
“You know what else I learned? They said you should be glad to be alive. So I am.” (42)
To give context for this quote, Macabéa says this to Olímpico as she tells him all of the things that she has learned from Clock Radio. Macabéa is living a life that is passive instead of active. Clock Radio tells Macabéa that she should be happy, so she is, or at least she convinces herself she is. It is very sad!
“She didn’t know that she herself was a suicide, although it had never crossed her mind to kill herself.” (50)
Macabéa being compared to a suicide is really harsh! This line was one that confused me, but it struck me as being connected to existentialism. Existentialists have strong feelings about suicide being the cowards way out. What do you think Lispector was trying to say about Macabéa by comparing her to a suicide?
The blog is working for me again (yay!), so I decide to share my posts with the group. I know it's after the fact now, but I thought why not still share my ideas.
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There are so many good lines in this book, but I think my two favorites (I can't just choose one) are these two, both from page 17:
"Some people have got it. And some don't. It's very simple: the girl didn't. Didn't have what? Exactly that: she didn't. If you see what I'm saying fine. If you don't, that's fine too. But why am I bothering with this girl when what I want more than anything is a purely ripe and golden wheat in the summer?"
"There was something slightly idiotic about her, but she wasn't an idiot. She didn't know she was unhappy. That's because she believed. In what? In you, but you don't believe you have to believe in anyone or anything - you just have to believe. That sometimes gave her the state of grace. She'd never lost faith."
The context of this is when she was talking to Gloria and her boss, and then she went to the bathroom. Why I like them is that they're both so thought-provoking. Both get to me to think, especially that first one. About that quote, something I wonder each time I think about it is that it is so vague and why Lispector made it so. I think that may be because she wants the reader to infer what she's talking about and add meaning as she mentioned in the introduction. Though having just finished the existentialism unit, I also find another meaning there that connects it with the second quote. It could be talking about the absurd and how 'some people got it,' and others don't and how Macabea went along with her life believing whatever, and that didn't make her an idiot because she didn't realize there was more out there. Both quotes hold so much more meaning than what I talked about, but I also don't want this post to get too long.
Sorry for the weird spacing! I can't fix it because it looks normal when I post, sorry again!
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The passage I'm going to analyze in this post is the in the introduction I was assigned. It's on page 18 - 19 in the introduction packet we were given. The first thing of note I caught after reading through it a few times was how the narrator was essentially saying that he's going to write the story as it comes to him and as he sees it and will not be sugar coating it. This is most evident but this line, "The question is how do I write? I can verify that I write by ear..." then this is followed later by, "I only lie in the precise hour of lying. But when I write, I do not lie."
Later, the narrator says this line that's interesting. "What I propose to narrate sounds easy and within everyone's grasp. But its elaboration is extremely difficult. I must render clear something that is almost obliterated and can scarcely be deciphered." Here Clarice is saying it in the clearest way possible that her books have a deeper meaning. Each word she chose, was specially chosen and had a designated meaning (something that is mentioned later on how each word has a specific meaning) and she wants the reader to know that there is more underneath the simple exterior. It is meant to be read by all but understood by the few that can look deeper and analyze further.
Blog #3
ReplyDeleteI think that Lispector set such a cold tone towards Macabea to show both the conflicting feelings of the narrator and while also using them as a way to characterize Macabea.
Some quotes that show this are:
"... I've guessed so much about her, she's stuck to my skin like some sticky treacle in black mud (pg 13)" Here, honestly you can see how much the narrator views Macabea almost as a burden, as if he doesn't want Macabea to be his character, but got stuck with her.
"Her existence is sparse. Yes. But why should I be feeling guilty? And trying to rid myself of the weight of not having done anything concrete to help the girl? (pg 15)"
"She makes me so uncomfortable that I feel hollow. I'm hollow of that girl. And more the uncomfortable she makes me the less she demands. I'm angry. so enraged I could smash cups and dishes and break windows (pg 18)."
"I've got it: by loving my dog who has more food than that girl. Why doesn't she react? Can't she grow a backbone? No, she is sweet and obedient (pg 18)."
"When I rid myself of this story, I'll return to the more irresponsible realm of having slight forebodings. I did not invent this girl. She forced her being upon me. She wasn't retarded by any means, she was as helpless and trusting as an idiot. The girl who at least didn't have to beg for food, there is a whole subclass that's even more lost and hungry. I alone love her (pg 21)." This goes back to the first quote I mentioned where the narrator acts as if Macabea is a burden. But he ends the quote with 'I love her'? Interesting switch within one quote....
Though, at times, the narrator is also hard on himself. What I keep remembering as I am reading the book is this one quote from early on. "I write because I have nothing else left to do in the world: I was left over, and there is no place for me in the world of men. I write because I'm desperate and I am tired, I can no longer bear the routine of being me, and if not for the always novelty that is writing, I would die symbolically every day." I think there is so much going on in this quote, but to focus it in on cold treatment I think the narrator is excusing himself of not helping her through this. He feels as if he needs something to do, and that thing is to create Macabea, though that's all he has to do. The narrator doesn't feel the need to protect her, and in a sense, live for her, she has to do that on her own.
Blog #4 - Last Blog!!!
ReplyDeleteSome quotes I found that relate to existentialism, especially the absurd and finding meaning to one's own life are these:
"Because she had within her a certain fresh flower. Since, as strange as it may seem, she believed. She was only a fine organic matter. She existed. That's it. And me? The only thing known about me is that I breathe."
This quote can have many meanings, but to connect it to existentialism, I think this refers to finding one's meaning in life, or rather, lack thereof for Macabea. Here the narrator is saying she is just existing, she had that flower of meaning in her, but she just lived instead of water it and adding meaning / accepting the absurd.
"I write because I have nothing else left to do in the world: I was left over, and there is no place for me in the world of men. I write because I'm desperate and I am tired, I can no longer bear the routine of being me, and if not for the always novelty that is writing, I would die symbolically every day."
This is when the narrative is saying he found in his life, and his meaning was to write, and so he did. Had he not accepted the absurd, he would have died symbolically, or otherwise known was philosophical suicide as existentialists call it.
"Her existence is sparse. Yes. But why should I be feeling guilty? And trying to rid myself of the weight of not having done anything concrete to help the girl?"
The narrator heer is saying that Macabea's life is empty because she has no meaning, as she hasn't accepted the absurd. so he's saying 'is it my fault she doesn't do anything about it?' He doesn't want the burden of heling her find it; he thinks it's her job to find her own meaning and accept the absurd.
"Not knowing who to turn to, she appeared to have answered her own question: it is so because it is so. Could there be some other answer?"
This can refer to how Macabea may begin looking to herself for her own answers, which can also mean that she may begin to accept the absurd and add meaning to her life. The first step to accepting the absurd / finding meaning is looking within one's self, so by answering her own questions, she's doing so. Additionally, she is also not committing philosophical suicide by accepting someone else's answers.
My favorite line in the book is “but the idea of transcending my own limits suddenly appealed to me” this one takes place in the middle of the introduction is part of what makes the book so fantastic in that the quote is in reference to reality because the author believes that reality is exceeding him so the idea of transcending limits refers to transcending reality in which the book although it is fake reveals truth. I believe this statement by Rodrigo is stating that this book will be different because it goes beyond all others
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The passage that our group was assigned to annotate had a lot of references to sound light and begins to characterize macabea. The effect of these details is that we begin to understand the author's purpose and audience he states “coming back to myself what I'm about to write cannot be assimilated by mine to expect much and crave sophistication for what I'm about to express will be quite stark” what he states as stark is the experimental nature of the novel so unlike any others. Rodrigo also States how difficult of a task he has before him he also indicates that the story is still occurring and thus he cannot finish it but will give it a try anyway.
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the point of Rodrigo's introduction is to somewhat reveal the purpose of the seemingly dull story and set the tone in which the story must be taken due to Lispector speaking through a man we get to see a harder realist perspective. The introduction also serves to state all of Rodrigo’s intended purposes and I think a little bit to thoroughly confuse the reader. The introduction also immediately characterizes Rodrigo’s intense study and fascination with philosophy and elevate him far above the subject of the story, Macabea. Because Rodrigo is a middle-class man he constantly belittles the working-class woman which is subtle commentary by lispector who is a woman on the folly of telling stories when the lack of experience is present.
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I believe the whole book is a critique of an existentialist ideas because we see that the main character who is repeatedly called useless and has a meaningless existence obtains happiness through her “philosophical suicide”. one cannot state that she is truly happy at the beginning of the story but she is not absolutely crushed by her circumstances even though she has every right to be she only appears to be happy after subscribing to whimsy of the fortune teller and is shortly thereafter murdered. She never confronts the absurd nor does she develop her own meaning yet she still obtains happiness.
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The author explores the dehumanizing effect of the urban world on her main character by portraying her as someone with no merit with nothing to offer because she has low social standing no money and no skills. Lispector states “she wasn't even aware that she lived in a technological society where she was a mere cog in the machine” this statement belittles her existence while at the same time gives her some semblance of a purpose if only to contribute to the machine of society. He goes on to say “I realize that by saying that my typist has a diseased body I'm saying something much more offensive than any obscenity” Making it appear that he knows he is incredibly rude but that that is how all upper class view the lower class.
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The novel is clearly experimental due to the author of taking on the role of Rodrigo who is very scatterbrained and cannot seem to tell the story he wishes to tell. He definitely has vast psychological conflict within himself and it's incredibly irrational. Rodrigo seems to be motivated by some sorts of responsibility or duty to tell the story but that duty does not require him to be clear with his message. he is clearly an antihero because his story does indeed have merit to us the reader in the ideas it presents.
ReplyDelete--Harrison