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Human perception and understanding of the world are often rooted in the absolutes and constants we hold dear. However, the ways in which we perceive reality are socially constructed, shaped by our values and attitudes, ultimately influencing our behavior and worldview. Reality itself remains elusive, refracted through the unique prism of each individual's perspective. Margaret Atwood's novel, "Cat's Eye," a work of influential English literature, delves into the multifaceted nature of reality and challenges the accuracy and truthfulness of our perceptions of both the world and ourselves.
Atwood employs a variety of techniques to subtly convey the idea that "nothing is quite as it seems," inviting readers to question their own versions of reality and potentially leaving them with a sense of disillusionment.
At the heart of Atwood's novel is a profound challenge to the notion of absolutes and constants in our lives, leading to a broader questioning of established societal beliefs. These constants, whether they be religious, philosophical, or personal, provide a sense of security and structure to our understanding of the world.
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They enable us to make sense of our surroundings, offering a connection to both the world and our inner selves, fostering a profound sense of belonging. However, Atwood disrupts these very foundations by introducing the concept that these constants may not be as fixed as we believe.
Measurable, knowable, constant, and absolute qualities of life are instrumental in reinforcing our beliefs and our comprehension of the world. Atwood challenges these concepts, along with the idea of fixed and knowable identities and universal truths, utilizing a range of narrative elements and techniques throughout "Cat's Eye."
Atwood employs various narrative elements and techniques to convey her challenging ideas effectively.
Autobiographical writing is one such element, inviting readers to question the singular version of reality presented through Elaine's life. It encourages readers to contemplate whether what is being conveyed is the one and only version of reality. This narrative approach adds layers of complexity to the story and subtly casts doubt on the reliability of the narrator.
Additionally, imagery and symbolism play a recurring role in Atwood's narrative toolbox. Reflective surfaces such as glass, water, and mirrors are symbolically used to explore the theme of reflection and self-perception. Atwood prompts readers to consider whether what they see is an accurate reflection of themselves and the world around them. These techniques are deliberately employed to evoke self-doubt and insecurity in readers, unsettling and complicating their perceptions of themselves and the world. "Cat's Eye" challenges the entrenched and socially constructed perspectives, encouraging readers to question dominant worldviews and self-identities.
Atwood introduces the concept of refraction as a powerful symbol, representing the belief that our vision of life and self is refracted and distorted. According to this perspective, our perceptions are not always accurate, similar to how light is broken and distorted as it moves through different mediums. The idea of refraction is exemplified in Elaine's second encounter at the bridge, where it becomes evident that our views, especially of others, are refracted and may not align with reality.
One notable example of this is Elaine's relationship with Cordelia, which significantly impacts her life. Throughout the novel, Cordelia's actions traumatize Elaine, leaving her with a lasting emotional burden. However, it isn't until the end of the story that Elaine realizes that these emotions were, in fact, Cordelia's own, transferred to Elaine as a coping mechanism.
"There is the same shame, the sick feeling in my body, the same knowledge of my own wrongness, awkwardness, weakness; the same wish to be loved; the same loneliness; the same fear. But these are not my own emotions anymore. They are Cordelia's; as they always were."
Elaine's realization marks a pivotal moment in her life, granting her the strength to release Cordelia's emotional burden. She reaches a point of clarity and begins to make sense of her past. This revelation demonstrates how our refracted views of others can significantly influence our perceptions of ourselves and the world. Elaine's understanding of her own past is profoundly altered by this realization, emphasizing Atwood's contention that fixed and knowable identities are a fallacy.
"Cat's Eye" employs a first-person limited narration that challenges the notion of reliability. Elaine's narration is unreliable in the sense that she cannot fully comprehend the complexities of her own life. Her maturation, desires, external influences, and the consequences of her choices all contribute to this unreliability. This narrative perspective questions whether autobiographical narratives, or any narratives for that matter, can ever be entirely accurate.
The novel's narrative structure further accentuates this critique. It continually shifts between past and present, young Elaine and older Elaine. This shifting mirrors Elaine's own struggle to make sense of her life, which she finds barely comprehensible. As the story is presented in the first person, it offers only one version of reality – Elaine's. This deliberate choice forces readers to question the accuracy of Elaine's narrative and the reliability of her perspective. Atwood employs this narrative strategy to highlight the complexity of Elaine's character and her ongoing struggle to reconcile her identity. Ultimately, it challenges the notion that autobiographical narratives can present an unproblematic version of reality.
Elaine's art serves as a powerful reflection of her psychological state and her experiences. Cordelia's subtle psychological bullying during Elaine's childhood shattered her self-confidence, leaving a lasting impact on her adult life. Elaine's art becomes an outlet for her bottled-up emotions and a means of coping with her trauma. Through her art, she presents an alternative version of reality, one that she cannot confront in her everyday life.
"I can no longer control these paintings, or tell them what to mean. Whatever energy they have came out of me. I'm what's left over."
Her art enables her to exert a power that was denied to her during her childhood, allowing her to seek revenge on individuals like Mrs. Smeath and confront the bullying she endured. Her art, particularly the painting "Cat's Eye," encapsulates the psychological turmoil she experienced, symbolizing her struggle with self-perception and the traumatic events of her past.
Furthermore, Elaine's art highlights the idea that our understanding of ourselves and the world is multifaceted and often influenced by past events. It reinforces Atwood's argument that fixed identities and an exact truth are elusive concepts. By examining her life through the lens of her art, Elaine invites readers to consider that "nothing is what it really seems."
In conclusion, Margaret Atwood's "Cat's Eye" challenges the notions of absolutes and constants that form the bedrock of our understanding of the world and ourselves. Atwood employs a range of narrative elements and techniques to question the fixity of identity and the existence of universal truths. The concept of refraction, symbolizing the distortion of our perceptions, runs as a thread through the narrative, urging readers to reevaluate their views of others and themselves.
The first-person narration serves as a critique of autobiographical narratives, highlighting the unreliability of such accounts in presenting an unproblematic version of reality. The narrative structure, shifting between past and present, reinforces the idea that life is often barely comprehensible. Elaine's art further underscores the multifaceted nature of reality and the lasting impact of past experiences on our self-perception.
Ultimately, "Cat's Eye" encourages readers to contemplate the complexity of human identity and the ever-shifting nature of reality. It challenges the quest for a fixed identity and the belief in an exact truth, leaving readers with the profound realization that life is a series of conflicting versions of reality. In a world where "nothing is what it really seems," Atwood's novel serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the fluidity of our perceptions and the elusive nature of truth.
The Shifting Realities in Margaret Atwood's "Cat's Eye". (2016, Jul 31). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/margaret-atwood-cats-eye-analysis-refraction-and-self-essay
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