Identity In Haywood's Fantomina

The literary standards of the eighteenth century differ from those of the American Realistic and Naturalistic literary period in many aspects. For instance, eighteenth century satirical texts and American Literature take different approaches in their use of focalization and the way in which it functions. Purdue University’s Introductory Guide to Critical Theory, defines focalization as “the presentation of a scene through the subjective perception of a character. The term can refer to the person doing the focalizing or to the object that is being perceived. In literature, one can achieve this effect through first-person narration, free indirect discourse, or what Mikhail Bakhtin refers to as dialogism” (Dino, 2002). The narration in Eliza Haywood’s …show more content…
By employing four different personas, Fantomina’s status evolves from a powerless figure to that of a powerful, sexual force. Though Beauplaisir is only temporarily intrigued by each of her personalities, Fantomina’s character focalization demonstrates that her desire has an effect on her overall being, considering “Strange and unaccountable were the Whimsies she was possess’d of, -- wild and incoherent her Desires, -- unfix’d and undetermin’d her Resolutions, but in that of seeing Beauplaisir in the Manner she had lately done. As for her Proceedings with him, or how a second Time to escape him without discovering who she was, she cou’d neither assure herself, whether or not in the last Extremity she wou’d do so -- Bent, however, on meeting him, whatever shou’d be the Consequence, she went out some Hours before the Time of going to the Playhouse” (44-45). Fantomina’s psychological conflict between her socially instilled ideas and the sexual desire she feels for Beauplaisir are demonstrated by her constant change in perspective and emotions towards her lover (Fowler,