Note: Pick one of the following three prompts to answer (Mirroring and Alterity, Badiou and Identity, or Everybody Knows). As always, 200-400 words, due by 10pm Monday 3/14.
We discussed the concept of "Mirroring" and "Alterity" in lecture yesterday, specifically w/r/t the scene in which Nelson Primus berates Coleman ("Faunia is not from your world" p. 80).
What other examples of mirroring do you see throughout the novel? What role do these mirrors play? What might Roth be saying about self-awareness through the dramatic irony of so many mirror characters/scenes? Further, we discussed how Primus's attitude toward Faunia mirrors Coleman Silk's attitude towards Tracy Cummings, but does Primus's condemnation of Coleman's association with Faunia mirror something else, as well?
What Roth might be saying about self-awareness through the dramatic irony of so many mirror characters/scenes is that maybe through certain things that people do they don’t really see the harm or the wrong that’s being done because they are already so wrapped/caught up into what they have already started. I think the best example was of how Primus was trying to explain to Coleman that what he had going on with Faunia was wrong, but Coleman wasn’t really trying to hear anything that Primus was telling him, it was all going in one ear and out the other. This is all probably the reason why Coleman was in the predicament that he was in as far as people finding out about him and Faunia’s “fooling” around. It was almost as if Primus had come along a little bit earlier to warn him of his wrong doing MAYBE it could have been prevented, but the way it was taken after that fact in all actual reality it probably would not have made a difference. As far as Coleman’s attitude toward Tracy Cummings I felt like him having known her and had gotten the opportunity to work with her, Coleman wouldn’t have been able to come across discovering who wrote/sent him the anonymous letter. Like the mirroring in this situation was that looking back in things Tracy Cummings somewhat served as a life saver to Coleman, and for that he should have been grateful.
ReplyDeleteDanielle Rainwater
ReplyDeleteThere are many instances of mirroring and alterity among the characters. First off you can see that Nathan Zuckerman and Coleman Silk have almost the same degree of emotional baggage from their past. Nathan’s struggle with prostate cancer, incontinence, and divorce intermingles with Coleman’s unlucky circumstances with the “spooks” incident and his wife’s death. They both feel as though the world is unkind and not in their favor. In a time of the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky fiasco, we see that Coleman and Faunia almost share the same relationship. It is a relationship full of scandal and sexual fulfillment for Coleman which is heavily scrutinized by Delphine Roux, like that of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Faunia’s relationship with her family could mirror that of Coleman’s. After running away and ditching her mother and abusive stepfather she starts a new life. However, she neglects and turns her back on her children ultimately leading to their death. Coleman’s is similar in that he chose to neglect his mother in telling her that he will never mention her in the future to his children. He says he will disown her. This could be seen as a symbolic death of her because she doesn’t exist to him or his children. Alterity is present among these characters because Coleman doesn’t embrace being an African American; instead he “chooses” to be a white Jew. To him, he is very convinced of this. Also Faunia, admitting that she is not illiterate, chooses to be illiterate. Through mirroring and self-awareness Roth might be trying to say that there are many people who go through the same situations or have the same pasts in common but they choose not to acknowledge it. Maybe because they want to experience things for themselves.
Alana, I don't know what point you're trying to make. What does any of that have to do with mirroring?
ReplyDeleteDanielle, good job picking up on some of the many instances of mirroring, but your explanation at the end of the post seemed like you ran out of gas. You nailed the "that," now work on the "why."
James Bowie
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel the Human Stain there are multiple examples of mirroring. The novel shows mirrors of the characters situations, personalities and character traits. One instance is when Coleman Consults Primus for advice on getting a restraining order against Faunia’s ex husband. Primus’s attitude and smug remarks made to Coleman in giving his advice drives Coleman to tell him of by saying, “ I never again want to hear that self admiring voice of yours or see your smug fucking lily-white face.” The comment “lily white face” mirrors Coleman’s racial slur “Spooks” earlier in the novel in an opposite light. When Coleman said “spooks” it was not meant purposefully by Coleman as a racial slur but was later taken as one. When Coleman says “lily white face” it is an intentional racial slur that confuses Primus cause he does not realize Coleman is partly African American. In this way the two racial slurs oppositely mirror each other “spooks” not meant to be a racial slur is taken as one and “lily white face” is meant to be a racial slur yet does not register with primus cause he believes Coleman is white. This could possibly be Roth hitting subconsciously in the novel on how racism is universal by having Coleman who is African American yet perceived as white make a racial slur towards both races even if it is incidental or not.