Joy Laxton: Bracketing and Till We Have Faces

 

One thing valuable I have taken from this class is our discussion on bracketing (separating and removing preconceptions about a certain thing from the thing itself) and returning to the things themselves, from the quote, “To turn back to the things themselves is to return to that world prior to knowledge of which knowledge speaks” (Merleau-Ponty, 1956, p. 60). 

This is significant in light of the ideas we have about things and how we may begin to like the ideas we have about something rather than the thing itself.  I think this can particularly occur when one begins to idolize another and view them as perfect; the individual may begin to like another for this idea of perfection that they have placed on them, instead of seeing them for who they truly are.  I think this can be seen in the Till We Have Faces book, when the people seem motivated to worship Psyche like a goddess.  For example, when a woman asks Psyche to kiss her baby to make it beautiful and when the people crowd the palace to be healed by her.  When Psyche’s true nature is revealed the people begin to hate her, calling her Accursed and throwing stones at her.  This reveals the true selfishness that the people’s love for Psyche was rooted in.

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