Fragmentation of Self: A Lacanian Study of Flannery O'Connor's Wise Blood

Abstract

This research work takes Flannery O'Connor's novel Wise Blood to interpret the protagonist Hazel Motes' alienation and lack as he is trapped between mirror stage and symbolic stage. His desire for the mirror image results in his being a torn subject. So, finally he blinds himself. The reason for the self-blinding of the protagonist, Hazel Motes is analyzed in line with the notion of Lacan. Further, the act is taken as his struggle to find his subjectivity in the form of redemption. Hazel Motes becomes a split personality due to his disdain towards the corrupt reality and the patriarchal symbolic order dominated by Catholicism. He refuses to accept the rules and restrictions of the symbolic order, so he cannot accept the corrupt modern life. Nor can he return to his imaginary stage to have the total grasp of it, that is the spiritual peace and redemption which is already displaced by symbolic order.