"'Deconstruction' is the name given to the critical operation by which such oppositions can be partly undermined, or by which they can be shown partly to undermine each other in the process of textual meaning" (Eagleton, p. 115). The final paragraph of Mary Elizabeth Braddon's novel Lady Audley's Secret provides a final salutation from the author herself - a rare breaking of the fourth wall, but this is done as a means to provide closure and a moralistic, fable-like ending to the story. By deconstructing the paragraph, one can see that it is the hope of diffusing the tension provided by the end of the story, and an attempt to describe a 'happy ending.' Taking a post-structuralism approach to the words, the text also denotes a need for the author to prove the happiness of the story and her own credibility.
- I hope no one will take objection to my story
The word 'hope' is used here to indicate a desire by the author, expressing their personal opinion. By 'taking objection,' the author feels it possible that people will be offended by the tale of bigamy and scandal that precedes this passage. This reads as a defense mechanism, a way of excusing what was written before this passage is seen, thus betraying either a lack of confidence or an understanding of the need for some kind of explanation. The concept of differance provides a means of inferring the opposite intent from the face value of text (Derrida, p. 280). In this instance, the author's overt apologies for the content of the story leads to a belief that the author recognizes the hollow nature of said apology
- because the end of it leaves the good people all happy and at peace.
'The good people' refers to the characters within the novel, 'good' meaning 'virtuous.' Here, the author is lending her own personal opinion on the characters, thus coloring the reader's perception of Robert, George and others as 'good,' while other characters are presumably evil. Stating that they are 'all happy and at peace' implies that the happy ending for these 'good' characters is justified, and is in tune with what should happen to the characters. The author is telling the reader not to worry, because it is going to turn out exactly as they wish it to.
- If my experience of life has not been very long, it has at least been manifold;
The use of the word 'manifold' is important here - manifold means 'varied, diverse,' meaning that the author has led a very interesting and eclectic life. This is meant to excuse and lend authority to her words, because she has not the experience of age and wisdom to back up her claims. She admits this in the previous phrase, stating her 'experience of life has not been very long.'
and I can safely subscribe to that...
Because of this excuse of her 'manifold' experience, she is confident in her assertions; the word 'safely' is used to reassure the audience that she knows what she is talking about. Much of this paragraph puts the author on the defensive, as if she has to excuse her words and make up for them by providing a show of being qualified to say what she has to say.
The presence of an ending paragraph straight from the author, when the rest of the book is in third person perspective, makes it interesting in the overall context of the novel. By deconstructing the first few lines, the author's desperate need to reassure the reader that the novel ends as normal is clear. Furthermore, she must prove her own claims by selling herself as someone with a diverse life, though it has not been long.
Works Cited
Braddon, Mary Elizabeth . Lady Audley’s Secret. Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-
953724-2.
Eagleton, “Post-Structuralism” Literary Theory: An Introduction by Terry Eagleton,
Anniversary Edition, University of Minnesota Press, ISBN 978-0-8166-5447-5)
Derrida, “Différance” in Literary Theory: An Anthology. 2nd Edition, Blackwell Publishing,
ISBN 978-1-4051-0696-2 p.278-299.
