Lack of Self Knowledge in Mad Shadows

Authors Avatar
ThemePart. ChptQuoteExplanation(Lack of) self-knowledge1.1“Thetrainwasleavingtown.” (Blais 15)Journey to self-knowledgeNo stopping fate, cannot get off train after it has parted until you reach your destination1.1“He watched in silence and did not understand, but his idiot face was so dazzling that it made on think of genius.” (Blais 15)Silence – Patrice’s idiocy, nothing behind his pretty face1.1“The blond child followed indolently, his head resting against his mother’s elbow.” (Blais 17)Simply follows mother, a guide leading him to vanity1.1“He cried when he was told to, responded to her tenderness without knowing shy. He had never discovered anything, not even his mother’s love, or Isabelle’s jealousy.” (Blais 18)Lack of self-knowledge. He is an idiot, cannot discover anything about himself. Without a soul, no identity, a doll, no self.1.1“He was destined to know nothing but his own beauty. This he discovered.” (Blais 18)Vanity, won’t make further discovery as for his self, identity, will not
Join now!
have a soul1.2“From then on Patrice knew that he was beautiful, and beauty was to become the goal of his life. Patrice had become the god of Patrice. His soul was too feeble to ask for more.” (Blais 20)Experiences self-realization to an extent, but only surface, beauty (what he discovers) prevents him from further self-knowledge – cannot gain a soul1.3“At forty, Louise was still a frivolous doll, empty and excessively concerned with her slender body. Patrice’s beauty was to her but a reflection of her own.” (Blais 24)Self-absorbedNarcissist love (Patrice)Empty doll, no soul, only vanity1.4“He was easy-going and always accommodating. ...

This is a preview of the whole essay