Week 9: Julia Kristeva: Maternality as the Sujet en Proces
Why do you think Kristevaʼs article ʻStabat Materʼ is structured in the way it is and what does it tell you about her conception of the self? How might this conception reflect an attempt to engage ethically with ʻthe otherʼ?
Stabat Mater is structured in such a way, I think, in order to make a point about how we tend to fraudulently manufacture a different self when writing. The other self is
not as concerned with the rules that society impinges. It tends to occupy a more physical role in her eyes, while the written self is almost entirely a mental pursuit.
The revision we put ourselves though reveals some fear about the subconscious and the less socially acceptable thoughts that usually remain solely within the mind.
I am not sure whether the self that is solely written or the base self is that which is more capable of engaging with an 'other'. Or perhaps the point is that there is already an 'other' within ourselves which we must come to terms with before attempting to relate to a fully external other.
It is a very interesting piece, though I feel it is somewhat gimmicky, especially as the ways in which it is unusual seem to be more important than its other message. Maybe I just can't engage on an ethical middle ground with her particular other... Her deconstruction of the relationship she has with the academic world isunnerving because it comes across so effectively, yet it continues to have no practical Real-World Application. Since the work is content solely to highlight an issue she perceives as abhorrent without providing a method of solution it becomes deconstruction for the sense of deconstruction and reduces its worth. Opening the door for others to generate a resolution may eventually solve the problem, but leaving the door open seems immoral. Especially since the door she opens is barred to half of the population.
(Placed indented along side the main body à la Kristeva's Stabat Mater)
Tired, eat, finish, work heart, dry open begin consume facile breathe raise rise turn cloud gaze reveal leaves new yellow contrast howl start stare
stark bare nevermore itch you can never scratch Runner observe point make facare furnish produce complete end joke. aww mama, can this really, be the end, stuck in
Critical Theory, with crises of self identity again? And why skylight,