Fragmentation of Self: A Lacanian Study of Flannery O'Connor's Wise Blood
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Faculty of Art in English
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.