“The toothache that runs through this story has given me a sharp stab in the middle of our mouth.” (pg.1– in my version)
Okay okay, it actually wasn’t that bad– there were many parts that made me feel that way though. However, I think my discussion for this post will largely revolve around my curiosity of the dynamic that exists between the author (Lispector herself), the narrator (Rodrigo), and their created character (Macabea). I was quite confused when I started reading and the narrator wrote that if a female writer wrote this story about Macabea, they “would make it all weepy.” I was like… wait, I thought this was a book by a woman? Why would a women be promoting such a sexist point of view? This is when I started to realize that Lispector and her fabricated narrator Rodrigo, are very differently people. (Or who knows, perhaps Lispector holds these own internalized sexist ideals as well– perhaps this was simply a cause of her time… I am not going to be one to judge! Just trying to make observations).
Anyways, then I became very curious about where Lispector injects herself into Rodrigo.. but even more, where Rodrigo injects himself into Macabea. It is clear very early on, and is reinforced often throughout the book that Rodrigo does not think very highly of Macabea. He thinks she is awful at everything she does basically and is constantly insulting her. Additionally, he also seems to make comments about his own writing and skill– especially in his ongoing monologues. He reinforces this idea that he is not a skilled or trained writer, and that he is struggling through creating this story. Due to these beliefs he has for himself, I can’t help but wonder if part of the reason he is insulting Macabea so heavily, and why he creates her as someone with little talent is because he is feeling insecure about himself and is projecting that onto her character. Because he is insecure, so must Macabea. I don’t know, just a thought I had early on that I couldn’t shake.
Another tie between the three identities is their connection to one another through the lens of death. When Macabea dies/is killed off by Rodrigo (as he is her narrator), Rodrigo then himself begins to ponder his own death. Further, through doing some very brief additional research, I discovered that Lispector passed away the same year the book was published. I think this timing is rather fascinating, as of course, with Lispector dies Rodrigo (as he is her creation). So, in a sense, they all die together.
Additionally, tying my thoughts to the lecture video, I want to think more about how when people die they are allotted an “hour as a star.” To me, I interpreted this as a matter of attention. When people die, especially artists, there works become much more valuable, as they are finite– no more can be created. Due to this common phenomenon, do you guys think that the success of this book has anything to due with the occurrence and timing of Lispector’s death?
A random unrelated point that I want to mention is just how much this story reminded me of a movie called “Stranger than Fiction.” This is a movie about a writer than exists in the same world as her character, and he must find her in this wold and try to convince her not to kill him in her book– or else he will die too. (At least, this is what I remember from when I watched it a few years ago). Anyways, I am sure you can see the parallels between the two.
This is a bit longer that usually but that last paragraph was a little useless so I think it should be okay haha!
“I became very curious about where Lispector injects herself into Rodrigo.. but even more, where Rodrigo injects himself into Macabea”
Yes, nice point, and interesting way of putting it. There is definitely something of Lispector in Rodrigo, I think. And likewise something of Rodrigo (or something of his imagination and fantasy, or better anxiety?) in Macabéa. It would be interesting to think more about these overlaps or projections/injections.
Hi Page! Your title drew me into your blog haha, and I loved all of your points and definitely agree with your perspective on this week novel.
“Due to these beliefs he has for himself, I can’t help but wonder if part of the reason he is insulting Macabea so heavily, and why he creates her as someone with little talent is because he is feeling insecure about himself and is projecting that onto her character. Because he is insecure, so must Macabea” This stood out to me the most and I fully agree with your thought. I think Rodrigo was struggling himself and given his background compared to Macabea’s, it makes him believe that she must be struggling as well, as thats the only logical explanation in his head. So it makes you wonder how classism and other inequalities shape peoples perspective of the world and others. And perhaps just because you believe you are better off, does not actually mean you are. And people who you’d view as below you, might be more happy and content in their life.
Great blog! See you in class:)