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The Blind Assassin : as a Whole

The Blind Assassin : as a Whole. Fiction and The Female Community. Questions. Who writes the novel within the novel? Who are the “writers” in the novel? How is writing related to life and the living?. Outline. Writing: The Purposes and “Left-Hand” Writers Writing and living.

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The Blind Assassin : as a Whole

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  1. The Blind Assassin: as a Whole Fiction and The Female Community

  2. Questions • Who writes the novel within the novel? • Who are the “writers” in the novel? • How is writing related to life and the living?

  3. Outline • Writing: The Purposes and “Left-Hand” Writers • Writing and living

  4. Purposes of Writing • Laura’s Writing: A. The notebook –p. 500 (The golden lock) – • 1. Latin – to absolve Iris • 2. History – to commemorate her experience with Alex • 3. Geography – the “two” rivers—” the Jogues and the Louveteau” – p. 49 • 4. French – Alex’s language • 5. Mathematics - (a guide to truth)

  5. Revelation of Truth: Richard and Laura • Interest shown: p. 376; 381 • Rejection in Avilion(236-237 “you’ll have to let him touch you.”), Sunnyside, Xanadu (Laura intimidated 331), Queen Mary (ashtray –p. 378), • Sacrifice starts in Water Nixie (p. 391 -92) • Toronto: a frequent matter ; Laura changed (Kitten p. 429)

  6. Purposes of Writing A. Writing as a Passive Act – Iris being written on (371); the hand severed from her (373) B. Iris –first novel – (pp. 512-13) – Fantasy, escape and Memorial • A memorial for herself, Laura and for Alex; • Alex is in another dimension of space for Laura • The four endings of “BA” – “Be Rage” “Yellow curtain” “telegram” “destruction of Sakiel-Norn”

  7. Purposes of Writing • Iris –first novel – (pp. 512-13) • Not wanting to be in spotlight; “cowardice” • “ The real author was neither one of us: a fist is more than the sum of its fingers.” • “left-handed book” – the invisible or forgotten hand, the hand severed and set loose

  8. Writing and the Living • Iris—2nd novel • To heal her wounds and to confess guilt of being blind (318) (history as pain 56 -- And nightmares: • beginnings of Xanadu (329: “a man”); • of The man with his head on fire (380 Laura “Where’s mine?”); • of The chestnut tree (395 a man outside the window, and Richard behind) • To present “truth” (284, 512-13): e.g. women’s positions 328

  9. Writing and the Living • Iris—2nd novel : Writing: Construction of a Community of Female Writers • To reach out and make connections: • Iris’s “audience” • first to the critics and curious readers (287) and then • to Myra (“Water Nixie” “The baby—that’s you, Myra” 388, 504), Sabrina (288, 512-13) • A general “you” – The beginning of Xanadu “not much of a nightmare”(329), of Cubicle (417); of “Gloves” -- “still talking to you” (473)

  10. Laura’s Writing in Iris’s books • The first book -- The endings of “The Blind Assassin” –p. 468 • The 2nd book – Iris’s invoking dead women beginning of golden lock (497) • Laura’s being the “wolf” – her power to break things (441 Betty’s Luncheonnette)

  11. The Invisible Hands; Severed Relations • Richard • – p. 479 (Home Fires– a sort of large rodent) • -- in W’s eyes – 511 ; W for Richard – the one who propped him up socially 331 • Iris in Winifred’s eyes – 511; • Iris in Aimee’s life – • Takes her out of her comfortable life • Fails to give comfort when possible

  12. Writing and the Living • To Sabrina –disconnected, with a father who origin is unknow “You are free to reinvent yourself at will.” (513 Heap of rubble) • To the living world – Iris’s appreciation of nature and life (e.g. 473 beginning of Gloves)

  13. Those on the Margins • Distanced but appreciated • The award recipient -- “Everyone is everywhere nowadays” (40) • The Portuguese 386 • The darkish girl 482

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