Clarice Lispector’s Hour of the Star was a fantastic read. The novella interestingly links the reader, the writer and Macabéa (the protagonist) into a complex relationship. The writer seems to have something to prove to the reader and yet is completely out of control of their own writing according to them. Macabéa, although she is their creation, is independent of them and so they can only tell of her but cannot control how or what she is. The title Hour of the Star is interesting. The novella could be read in an hour and in that hour we appear to gain all relevant information on Macabéa there is to know. She exists and ceases to in one hour. Does that make the protagonist the “star”?
The writer only takes control at the very end and most crucial moment in her life: her death. The ending, although somewhat devastating is also a relief. Macabéa’s death was her only escape from a future that would likely have been extremely disappointing and unhappy. The fortuneteller made her conscious of her own circumstances and made her believe that they should make her an unhappy person but then also gave her overwhelming hope for a different future. This is dangerous because if would not have been fulfilled it would possibly have left Macabéa at least unhappy in her current circumstances or at worst unhappy and bitter due to a belief that she has been deprived of something she was owed or deserved. In this sense she might have turned into Olímpico who is arguably the least pleasant and unhappiest character in the novella.
Another interesting theme was existence. The narrator insisted that Macabéa for the large part doesn’t exist apart from at specific moments, for example when describing her sex. Her existence does not seem to be dependent on her affect or impact on her surroundings or others but is perhaps more intrinsic. Why then does se not exist when she is happy, for example when she turns the radio up and dances on her own, or when she finds joy in learning adds of by heart. The narrator insists she is nobody but at the same time reveals her to be wonderfully unique.
This reading was fast paced and really enjoyable. The way that the narrator seemed to be attempting to make Macabéa sound unattractive and unpleasant and yet at the same time she is the freest and most likeable character. Her innocent happiness, bravery and ignorance to social standards make her an extremely pleasant character to read about. The narrator’s love for her is also the only thing that redeems them from their self-conscious style.
Questions:
- Did you like or empathise with Macabéa?
- What is the start from the title and what might it symbolise?
“The narrator’s love for her is also the only thing that redeems them from their self-conscious style.” And it is, however, a bit of a strange form of love, to say the least. Don’t you think? It’s almost a love without sympathy, one that at times seems to resist letting her exist… but she’s already there and the narrator doesn’t quite know what to do with her. Still remembering the last novel, the role of the one who foresees the future catches my attention, but this time to deny it and once again frustrate our expectations.
“Her existence does not seem to be dependent on her affect or impact on her surroundings or others but is perhaps more intrinsic.”
I also think this is at the core of the narrative. It seems to me an extension of Lispector’s belief on how women are often caricaturised–or otherwise sidelined in literature–when depicted by men. I also agree in your statement that death, for Macabéa, is in some ways a relief, playing into what I see as Lispector’s general pessimism for life.