“An Ant Enclosed in a Circle”:
The function of space and Identity in Shani Mootoo’s Cereus Blooms at Night “However, I cannot escape myself, and being a narrator who also existed on the periphery of the events, in am bound to be present. I have my own laments and much to tell about myself. It is my intent, however, to refrain from inserting myself too forcefully.” This is a quote from the character Tyler in Shani Mootoo’s Cereus Blooms at Night. This shows Tyler’s character in his conscious determination to ensure Mala’s story reigns supreme. Though we do learn some of Tyler’s story, he does not overly force himself into Mala’s historical space. We notice this trend of Tyler respecting not only Mala’s historical space, but her identity as well throughout the novel. As Mootoo explores the complex concepts of space and identity in the patriarchal, postcolonial setting of Paradise Lantanacamera, we learn how important those words are and why Tyler does his best to ensure that his story does usurp that of Mala’s. While the setting in the novel is fictional, the issues and struggles mirror the …show more content…
Immediately, he slips back into mimicking Wetlandish ways. He buys a chandelier for the home, “put two coats of white wash on the weathered mudra home… bought a small imported rug for the living room… [and] out came his white shirts and trousers… he bought himself an expensive straw hat with a narrow velvet band imported from the Shivering Northern Wetlands” (51). He does all of this in the hopes of impressing Lavinia, even though he is still married to Sarah. While Chandin is doing everything he can to capture Lavinia’s attention, Lavinia’s attention and affection go to Sarah and the children instead. The reader watches Lavinia and Sarah fall in love through young Poh Poh’s eyes and witness her feeble attempts to protect her father from the knowledge while pursuing Lavinia, he losses both
The function of space and Identity in Shani Mootoo’s Cereus Blooms at Night “However, I cannot escape myself, and being a narrator who also existed on the periphery of the events, in am bound to be present. I have my own laments and much to tell about myself. It is my intent, however, to refrain from inserting myself too forcefully.” This is a quote from the character Tyler in Shani Mootoo’s Cereus Blooms at Night. This shows Tyler’s character in his conscious determination to ensure Mala’s story reigns supreme. Though we do learn some of Tyler’s story, he does not overly force himself into Mala’s historical space. We notice this trend of Tyler respecting not only Mala’s historical space, but her identity as well throughout the novel. As Mootoo explores the complex concepts of space and identity in the patriarchal, postcolonial setting of Paradise Lantanacamera, we learn how important those words are and why Tyler does his best to ensure that his story does usurp that of Mala’s. While the setting in the novel is fictional, the issues and struggles mirror the …show more content…
Immediately, he slips back into mimicking Wetlandish ways. He buys a chandelier for the home, “put two coats of white wash on the weathered mudra home… bought a small imported rug for the living room… [and] out came his white shirts and trousers… he bought himself an expensive straw hat with a narrow velvet band imported from the Shivering Northern Wetlands” (51). He does all of this in the hopes of impressing Lavinia, even though he is still married to Sarah. While Chandin is doing everything he can to capture Lavinia’s attention, Lavinia’s attention and affection go to Sarah and the children instead. The reader watches Lavinia and Sarah fall in love through young Poh Poh’s eyes and witness her feeble attempts to protect her father from the knowledge while pursuing Lavinia, he losses both