Like Till We Have Faces, Omeros also features this idea of obsessive love. When first read one would believe it was jealousy and the want of love and acceptance from Helen that fuelled the argument between Achille and Hector over the tin, however on closer inspection it appears to the reader that this is more than just jealously. Both men want to possess Helen as an object, to claim her as their winning prize, the prime example of the male ego. This idea of possession and obsession is something which both writers have chosen to concentrate on; showing to the reader that love is not always how we first perceive. Like Lewis Walcott has chosen very specific language when discussing the fuel for Hector and Achille’s argument he states that “The duel of these fishermen was over a shadow and its name was Helen” Walcott is objectifying Helen with ‘its name’, he gives her no sense of identity suggesting that the two men have become so distorted with the argument/her that they no longer know what it is they are fighting about.
It could also be argued that Walcott himself has an obsessive tendency towards Helen. He makes her the object of his desire by embodying her as St. Lucia. Walcott uses her as linking device to all of the other characters suggesting his need for her within the epic novel. Walcott as the present narrator attempts to make her the history of St. Lucia as well as the object of desire for Achille and Hector. He stated once that ‘Helen is based on a woman he say in a transport van’ potentially purporting the idea that this is not just a fictional obsession but one which was based on a literal transfixion.
Heather M. Bradley suggests that “the conflict between Achille and his adversary, Hector, signifies the battle between the traditional and modern” this is important to note as it is apparent that Walcott has used the love of his country as one of the principles for the basis of writing the book. He has stated that he wishes ‘to give St. Lucia a history’ which would entail looking at what is and what has been. Perhaps this is Walcott’s way of inserting the difference of cultures – the new modern way, that has come into the Caribbean culture and the old traditions which Walcott wishes to preserve. This same love for history could also be said for Lewis in Till We Have Faces; he has chosen to retell a myth and keeps ultimately to the basis of the story, showing his love and appreciation for the history. Although an atheist he still appreciates the ‘existence’ of the gods and has kept it true to form.
Storge or the affectionate love mostly felt for family members is something is a web of complexity within both novels. In Till We Have Faces, this love is evident between Orual and Fox, her helper and somewhat of a guardian she states profoundly that 'I loved the Fox ... more than anyone I had yet known’ and precedes to call him ‘Grandfather’ regardless of the fact that he is a slave of her fathers’. “The Fox is portrayed lovingly, but his enlightened philosophy has an insufficiency about it” as put forward by Pete Lowman, however I believe that it is not his philosophy which is insufficient but the fact that he is not truly related to Orual and cannot give her the true family ties, similar to Psyche, who as much as Orual wants is not her true sister. Yet still she feels this strong affliction and yearning for them, which would mean that Orual is yearning for a true family life as her father (her only true living relative) has dubbed her ‘ugly’ and continuously taunts her for it whilst casting her aside. This suggests a lack of Storge on her father’s part and falls into one of the key themes on unrequited love. Here Lewis is implementing his own relationship with his farther into his novel which has been commented on by critic Michael McCrary as ‘beyond mere communicative deficiencies’, showing that Lewis is giving depth to the love or lack of it in this case, right down to his own experiences. His mother dying when he was relatively young and being left to his father’s care is a direct parallel to that of Orual and so in essence is highlighting his own past as well as the lack of love received from the King
The inclusion of Lewis’ own biographical history as a literary device is something which Walcott also explores. Although Walcott’s experience with his father is something which is very different to that of Lewis the inclusion of the Storge love from the writer gives an inclusive feeling to the book and has a dramatic effect on the reader. Walcott never got to know his father truly so is exploring the idea of lost love in a difference sense. His farther is a direct character instead of being the inspiration like Lewis. Walcott meet the ghost of his father twice--once in St. Lucia and once in North America which ties in with the want to explain the history as well as expanding on the type of love he is feeling. ’The novel is as much about Walcott's own poetic consciousness as it is the other stories of the St. Lucians’ (Robert D. Hammer) meaning that he has attempted to write this epic poem as a way of both explain and exploring his own past in the emotional sense. Furthermore he implant this idea of love within the character of Helen who is pregnant, but she does not know who the father is regardless of this she still loves the bay unconditionally and even though she no longer has a job she will do her best to provide even if that means the lack of agape with Hector which she feels with Achille.
The complication that comes with loving another person is important to acknowledge when comparing both of these texts. It is particular clear of the heart ache that Maud Plunkett feels in Omeros in regard to her native land of Ireland, "a silver anniversary of bright water that glittered like Glen-da-Lough in Maud's home county?” is Walcott highlighting her longing to return in regards to their marriage but she stays out of love for her husband and his love for St. Lucia and deems this more important than the love of the native. She acts as the rock for her husband because she loves him even if that means constricting her own dreams. This could also be said for Achille and Hector as their love for Helen ultimately destroys their long friendship and they give that friendship up in pursuit of a different type of love. Furthermore it seems that this ‘love triangle’ is something which Helen is coming to terms with too. She loves Achille but sleeps with Hector to spite him and is then confused of her emotions. This may be suggestive of Walcott to go with your truest feelings or risk the over complication and hurt that love can but nothing is ever simple when it comes to love.
Psyche and Cupid also have to comprehend the complication of love. Psyche can never truly see cupid or she will be dammed for all eternity ‘he says I mustn’t-notyet-see his face or know his name. I’m forbidden to bring in any light to his-our chamber’ but this is something that Psyche is willing to live with (like Maud) for the sake of love even if ‘the lover who comes to her in the darkness is also part of the madness’ it is irrelevant because what she feels is the truest form of agape. This sacrifice is something that Lewis wants the reader to be aware of so to see the purity of Psyche herself.
In conclusion both Lewis and Walcott present love in very similar ways. They use it as a key theme with the novel and the epic so to create a depth and personal layer to the characters. It also enables them to comment on societies’ view of love or lack of it in some cases and imprint their own personal vendetta into their works. Furthermore they both succeed in creating a layered plot with the different types of love felt between the characters but also the love for the ancient themselves. They have appealed to the modern reader by creating novels which accessible for all to relate too as well as commenting on the times which they are set. Walcott himself has used the device of love to create a link or his country through the different race of people but also the different character situation. Whereas Lewis as achieved the ideal of retelling a myth but placing his own individual aspects within the pages. Lewis has used love as the attraction and destruction of his tale. Both writers use love to have an inherent impact on their novel/epic. Ultimately both authors have shown that love is something that is both universal but also individual and applied it in very different ways but with equal success.
Bibliography:
Bradley, H.M (1997), Achille's Struggle with Hector in Omeros
Abraham, C (2002), Omeros by Derek Walcott
Van Sickle, J (1997), the design of Derek Walcotts Omeros
Religious view from Christian forum
Lowman, P (2008), Chronicles of heaven unshackled
McCrary, M (unknown), The communicative relationship between C.S.Lewis and his father
Nicholas, Toni (2013), Derek Walcott comments on new development near Pitons
Johnson, C (1999), Wound in Omeros
Karlson, H(2006), TWHF
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maddieturner27 (student)
