"Very early in my life it was too late. At eighteen it was already too late. I aged. This aging was brutal. It spread over my features, one by one. I saw this aging of my face with the same sort of interest I might have taken, for example, in the reading of a book. That new face, I kept it. It's kept the same contours, but it's like it is destroyed. I have a destroyed face."
-Thus begins The Lover
Her life experiences are written on her face, in the author's opinion, her life has destroyed her face... I see superficial parallels to Oscar Wilde's, The Portrait of Dorian Grey!
I would agree that there are parallels between Duras' outlook on like and Dorian's opinion that life destroys the face, however, I think a key distinction to make is that Duras does not search out to destroy her face while Dorian Gray does. Instead, Duras seems to search out a way to express her sexuality? Or simply to live through a life that must be controlled by prostitution?
ReplyDeleteI had never thought of comparing the two books, the surface story is so different, that I didn't even think about that! Now that you have brought it to the forefront though, I can see the parallels. Do you think that the ruin to Dura's face is similar to that of Dorian because both are struggling with finding their sexual identity? Both characters strive for power over others, even it meant to hurt someone. However, I think that the age on Dura's face is from living a hard, poor, stressful lifestyle, while Dorian did the things to his face on purpose.
ReplyDeletewow i would have never imagined there to be any similarities between the two book however now from that quote it jumps out at me that the main character, as well as margherite duras was perhaps as conflicted as dorian in that they felt out of place. none of them were socially acceptable in the societies they evolved in. They internally suffered and were "the others" in their behaviors. however both books "right" this behavior by killing or reestablishing the order with her movign away in the lover for example.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the characters it's interesting that there is this sort of transition from virginity and innocence into a sexual awakening. That resonates very much for me. I think though there is a difference though in terms of gender. I think that Duras' book is essentially feminist while Wilde's novel suggests a sort of degeneration of society due to Gray's behavior. Interesting connection though!
ReplyDeleteKatpuc: I don't know if I would say I definetely think that both characters destroy there faces while discovering thier sexual identities, but I would agree that both experience this search during thier life and it adds to a collection of life experiences that subsequently disfigures each face. The parallel I made was a one line, superficial observation. It was interesting to read your comment and the other people who commented on this post in particular because you and they have made further connections that I had not even thought of. well done!!
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