Jacques Lacan and Jacques Derrida are key pioneers of revolutionizing language theory by a new understanding of writing. Jacques Lacan psychoanalysis concepts touch on the mirror stage, the Real, the imaginary and symbolic in his psychoanalysis advanced symbolic order which dwells on the imaginary that is deception, imagination and images. Lacan gives a linguistic dimension to the symbolic order since language has imaginary and symbolic connotations (Naas, 23). He argues that if the signifier is the aspect on which the symbolic is founded on then the signification and signified are the constituents of the imaginary order. The psychoanalysis that the French Psychoanalyst was against was the reduction of psychoanalysis practice to the imaginary order. A linguist psychoanalyst, Lacan proposed the use of symbolic order to ease to rigidity of the imaginary by transforming images into words. The transformation according to him will enable the crossing of the analytic process to the identification plane. Jacques Derrida on the other hand is the main proponent of deconstruction (opposite of structuralism). He opposes Lacan’s take on psychoanalysis questioning the nature and origin of the textual evidence that backs him. Derrida emphasized the singularity of the literal work and textual meaning (Naas, 34). He dwells more on juxtaposition and how it can enhance literal work thought wise. The two psychoanalysts’ theories are going to be used to analyze Kate Chopin’s “The Storm”.
Kate Chopin’s “The Storm” a short story, is effective to convey emotional turmoil and conflict. It is one of the features of great writing that has the uncanny ability of making readers sympathize or empathize with the characters. The author tells of a story of a female character that is torn between two men. The title of the story, The Storm is telling of the author’s usage of symbolism to convey the emotion and feeling of the story’s characters. The storm as a symbol plays a great role in the plot development from the beginning to the end. The setting of the story is Louisiana where the main characters reside.
One of Jacques Derrida critique of structuralism, in literature is known as deconstruction. Deconstruction according to Derrida it is a strategy of reading that starts from a philosophical hierarchy where two opposing words are presented as superior in the general scenario and inferior in a special scenario. The opposing terms maybe good/evil, day/night, male/female, active/passive and nature and culture. In Kate Chopin’s The Storm, the term the storm represents a clash of concepts. The storm in its symbolism represents gloom but in an inferior sense as it takes course in the absence of happiness and optimism. The storm however in some scenario precipitates the emergence of hidden passions of the characters in the book. The main character Calixta revives her love for Alcee who once was her lover. The cultural context of Derrida’s deconstruction assumes that words have hierarchies and superior term depends on the suppressed.
The Lacan psychoanalysis that centers on the imaginary and imagery is illustrated by the way the storm is depicted in these first excerpts of the Kate Chopin’s story. The two characters, Bobinot and Bibi, are stuck up in their store as a result of a raging storm. The storm separates Calixta and Bobinot family courtesy of Mother Nature herself. The storm brings about worry, fear and concern on the side of Calixta as she is cut off from her loved ones. The waiting of the storm or rather the cutting of the duo by the storm means that Bobinot avoids the passionate storm of affection that Calixta awaits him with. The Storm as per the symbolic order represents anguish, worry and evil. Through Lacanian Psychoanalysis, the author’s message is interpreted in the choice of the title storm and its presence in the story. The storm, as imagery, is suitable of the story as it enhances the themes for the author.
Jacques Derrida deconstruction seeks a logical approach in identifying the use of terms. In the concept of casual structure which is in fact chronological reversal is present in the Kate Chopin’s literal work. The storm chronological order is reversed in the story very well. The storm as it intensifies from its origin brings with it pain, anguish and stress. As the rains go on the passions and inhibitions are let out bringing about a reversal of the course of events .A deconstructive analysis of the principle of causality, however, focuses on the fact that the experience of the storm causes the characters to look for their lost passions. The Derrida analysis of this story shows that were it not for the effect of the storm and rains there would be no cause of the intimacy between Calixta and Alcee. As a consequence the deconstructive psychoanalysis reading of the storm undoes and disregards of rhetorical operation of literal hierarchization that features in the story.
Jacques Lacan, on the other hand, does not go into the concept of text. His psychoanalysis of symbolic order does not focus on how philosophy of hierarchal oppositions and the narrative logic. In one instance in the story “certain somber clouds that were rolling with sinister intention from the west, accompanied by a sullen, threatening roar” statement is used to describe the storm, a symbol, in a personified manner. The statement further gives life or some sort of consciousness to the storm, in the story that is kicking in with “sinister intentionaccompanied by a sullen, threatening roar.”The storm is portrayed as an animal stalking its prey.
According to Jacques Derrida psychoanalysis signs are said to be deferential. A sign generates meaningful interpretation as a result of difference from other signs that is a sign in literature should acquire its distinctiveness from differentiation. The storm as natural phenomena in the story does not possess meaning by itself. The storm as a sign is related to the system of words and statements that make up the story. The start of the storm ushers in a period of confusion, anguish and pessimism. The system of words that expound on the commencement of the storm, bring about a concept that negates what the storm represents. It is seen as a negative element. However, as the storm ends as the book cites “the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems” it acquires a new interpretation. The storm is seen in a positive aspect as a sign of relief and optimism.
In contrast the Jacques Lacan and Jacques Derridian psychoanalysis both interpret the Kate Chopin differently. There is a discord between the symbolic order that is the sort of senseless autonomous mechanism and the subjective sense of meaning of a text. The natural phenomenon, the storm, is used to provide subjective sense of meaning to the story. The storm is described as a character in an instance through symbolism as it is described using living characteristics (Naas, 63). The symbolic order as per Jacques Lacan psychoanalysis ensures both the literal and metaphorical meaning of the story is accommodated. Jacques Derrida approaches his text with exemplification of the text in a standard communication model that encompasses the addresser, the message and addressee. The Storm, according to a Derridan psychoanalysis, shows the story tries to justify, in its own terms. It represents its own singularity, change of its genesis and change of its addressee. Kathy Chopin’s style tone and writing style enables to deliver the message well to the addressee (the reader). The writing style employs fluidity that transitions to different characters with ease as for the tone, she employs a tone that enables encouragement to the main character. In summary Derrida opposes the interpretation of symbols and signs in the Lacanian way as it misconstrues the true textual content of the story. The addressee of the story, the reader, may interpret the story wrongly (Naas, 67).
The comparison between the two psychoanalysts is that assessment of “The Storm” dwells on the symbolism and textual meaning. They both use the signs, symbols of the textual content in comprehending the message that is being disseminated by the author. The third person narration used is active and enables the characters to be seen for what they are supporting the Lacan psychoanalysis on the drives that are symbolic. The Derrida psychoanalysis hinges on the system of words and statements that bring forth the true feel of the narration. The descriptive language too helps in the exemplification of singularity the literal work that the author tries to pass on
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Works Cited
Chopin, Kate. “The Storm.” The Anthology of American Literature Ed. Nina Baym. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2007
Naas, Michael. Taking on the tradition : Jacques Derrida and the legacies of deconstruction. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press, 2003. Print.
