Lewis, and Freud: A Response to "Madwoman In the Attic" #4

In the beginning of the novel, The Monk, the author, Matthew Lewis, gives a few character and scene descriptions that can be directly related to Freud and his theories on class and female representation.

Let me bring the focus to the opening scene with Antonia and Leonella. Antonia is completely covered from head to toe. "The voice came from a female, the delicacy and elegance of whose figure inspired the youths with the most lively curiosity to view the face to which it belonged. This satisfaction was denied them. Her features were hidden by a thick veil; but struggling through the crowd had deranged it sufficiently to discover a neck for symmetry and beauty might have vied with the Medicean Venus. It was of the most dazzling whitness, and received additional charms from being shadded by the tresses of her long fair hair, which descended in ringlets to her waist. Her figure was rather below than above the middle size: it was light and airy as that of an Hamadryan. Her bosom was carefully veiled. Her dress was white; it was fastened by a blue sash, and just permitted to peep out from under it a little foot of the most delicate proportions. A chaplet of large grains hung upon her arm and her face was covered with a veil of thick black gauze." (13)

From the description, one might decide that Antonia is weak. Beautiful but fragile. Her features are masked which gives off, in a sense, that she is sheltered, or cloistered. Freud had often spoke about the role of the female in society. That is not to say he has contrived a set of social standards for society, but has observed some behaviours that seem to fit together to help form a stereotype for men and women. "Freud claims that the roles male and female play in society are determined by their sexual development. Men and women reach their full psychological characters as a result of the various stages of their natural sexual development. The particular psychology that individuals develop as a result of their natural sexual evolution forces them to assume certain roles, duties and responsibilities along gender lines." (http://www.maricarmenmartinez.com/Freud.html) One might suggest then that due to Antonia's lack of sexual prowess, she radiates innocence, and her wardrobe helps support this. She is covered in white, a color that may inspire thoughts of innocence and purity.
Also, the slight hints at her femininity, such as her neck and foot, might be indicative of her progress in her natural sexual developement. This may seem like a stretch, but imagine this youthful girl, around the age of 15. She appears the embodiment of chastity until she hears the monk speak. She is suddenly overcome with emotion: "Antonia's eyes followed him with anxiety. As the door closed after him, it seemed to her that she had lost some one essential to her happiness. A tear stole in silence down her cheek." (21) Here she is overwrought with distress because there is a possibility that she may never again hear the monk speak. Antonia feels so strongly about him, and yet she has never even met him. These appear to be new feelings for her, or at least new advances in her behavior.




What do you think...?