Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Paradox of the Need for Privacy and the Need for Understanding
One part of this article that interested me is when Madden brings up monomania. Madden writes, "Copeland, obsessed with the one true purpose, and Blount, obsessed with the gospel of social reform, are both subject to monomania, and it is in this light that we see them" (1). I think that almost all of the characters have some sort of deep rooted obsession. For instance- Mick's monomania is music, Antonapolous' deals with food, and Portia's is similar to Jake's. At first I thought that these obsessions were the cause of the desire for solitude, especially in Mick's case. If Mick was always engrossed in music, it would be difficult for her to spare much time for being with people who did not love it as much as she did. But this is not necessarily true, because the characters do not shut themselves inside the "rooms" of their minds simply to focus on their obsessions. Like all humans, they have a longing for solitude which conflicts with their need for understanding. "More than any of the other characters, Mick needs solitude, privacy." (2). Is it possible that the characters use their monomanias as an excuse to retreat into themselves? Are their obsessions a way to attain privacy without feeling lonely? It seems as though Mick finds comfort in music. Could this be because the music feels so familiar, or because it is an escape, or distraction, from the people around her who don't understand?
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Wow this is a really interesting point Libbey, i hadn't even thought about the obsessions within each of the characters. Relating to Mick, i feel like her love and obsession for music is both a way to attain privacy without feeling lonely, but also her way to connect to the outside world.
ReplyDeleteMick loves to walk the streets and listen to others listen to music, and like Ms. Parrish said the other day in class, i agree that this habit she has is based off of both her need for privacy and need for understanding
Music is an extremely personal thing in that the composer uses music to portray an emotion or feeling he/she has, but also the person listening to the music has the ability to listen to it and take something unique away from it whether or not it was what the composer intended initially. This gives music that "private" aspect that Mick is yearning for. And i think this does give her comfort because it is as if she can relate to the music, and the music understands her feelings because she creates in her mind what she believes the music to be representing. In that sense the music is a paradox in and of itself as it is private and comforting.
As well however, Mick is not just listening to music on her own, she listens to other people listening to music which exhibits her need for desire to be understood and connected with others. To paraphrase what Ms. Parrish said the other day, which i completely agree with, Mick is reassured that others love beautiful music, not only her, when she hears others listening to it.
this connects her to society and allows her to feel understood, while she is still tied personally and privately to the music itself.
Libbey & Anna: Excellent idea about obsessions as a means of communicating without exposing oneself too much.
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