Point 1
Identity as an ideological construction (illusion of individuality)
Point 1 THT quote
“I’m a cloud concealed round central update”
Cloud= semi transparent - fragility of identity, saved by illusionary autonomy
Central object= symbolic of any central demand - translatable to capitalism or religion
- Atwood critique the post-modernist assumption that sacralisation and the move from collectivism has granted us freedom. Instead suggesting the vulnerability and susceptibility to lost identit/ external control is an inherent part of the human condition..
- identity is inherently malleable
Point 1 FG
The woman who shoPPED
“the mirror… has shape was mutable”
Evidence identity is a social construction and illusionary? symbolised through the concept of consumer culture - the illusion of autonomy
- mirror= reference to the looking glass self - consumers culture underlines how we sculpt our identity through the desire to be perceived in a particular way, linked to Butler = concept expressing and identity is mediated and focused round our recognition of how are seen
- focaULT panopticon = mirror symbolises a constant state of surveillance - internal, reproduce and submit to systems desire
- as a result, her shape is mutable, does not stem from her own but reflects her internal submission, allowing autonomy and agency to become illusionary
THT Point 2
“tokens” reflect transactional and dehumanisation of female existence
- individuality is stripped, become a commodity vocal itself round the con contribution to society and own materialistic value
Focal biopolitics= argued with a system defines a body to be is intrinsic to how identity shaped - becomes tired exclusively to fertility and one’s identity becomes subject to state property
Speculative nature= use of identity in its contribution to politics
- infamous decree 770 = Romania band contraception and abortion justified this in the brutality of women through the concern of low fertility rates
- no longer or autonomous individuals but subject to being objects to sustain a regime
Contemporary tension through Rovy Wade - non-compis mantis
Token show women become economically and biologically reduced to commodities state intervention is validated and the inventory
Point 2
Identity as a repressive tool (reduction & commodification)
Point 2 FG
Naomi Wolf beauty mYTH “she was beautiful as a political solution” as passivity and submission aren’t winded with controlled identity
“she was skin and bone” reductive and reflects perspective of society
- Lost ingredients necessary to have a conscious experience a subsequently lost personhood and identity - minimises her potential and provides opportunity to control as no longer protected by societies notion of worth
- not just physically emancipated but also erased personhood
-HER IDENTITY BECOME SCULPTED AROUND THE MALE GAZE SHE BECOMES POWERLESS AND OBJECT THAT REPRODUCES HEGEMONY
