The Idol is Teresa
“The Idol of Cyclades” focuses on a reversion of two archaeologists into primitive thought leading to an association that causes blurred lines of reality and eventually death.
The narrative takes place in Somoza’s apartment who has kept a statuette that he, Morand, and Morand’s wife, Teresa, found in Greece. Morand is half-listening to Somoza crazy rantings as he flashes back to the origins of the idol. When Somoza found the idol, he “held the statuette up and caressed it so as to end by stripping it of it false clothes, time and oblivion” he then wishes that he could see the statuette “by ways other than the hands and the eyes of science”. (341)
This is the beginning of Somoza’s reversion into primitive thought association. He begins to want the idol like he wants Teresa. He wants to see Teresa outside of an archaeological and academic manner and connect with her. Morand seems to notice this behavior, but makes no verbal objection or comment.
It is then revealed that Morand and Teresa believe that Somoza is falling in love with Teresa and they seek to end the journey as quickly as possible. Neither Teresa or Morand discuss this with Somoza, which is symbolized by a dirty rag Morand spots Somoza’s apartment floor “which was like all they had not said to one another and which perhaps they should have said.” (342) Somoza is incredibly obsessed with the idol months later and barely leaves the house, spending most of his time constructing replicas of the statue. He called Morand to the apartment that day in order to tell him that he had fully connected with the idol over the last 48 hours, but Morand can make no sense of his ancient gibberish stating “Somoza’s voice rose again in that impersonal tone typical of these explanations which, the next moment, went beyond all intelligibility.” (340) It seems Morand does not grasp Somoza’s reality issues and makes no attempt to listen or understand the concepts Somoza is vocalizing.
Morand’s association then begins to reveal itself. He realizes that he had absolutely no reason to call Teresa to the apartment that night, but for some reason he had. It seems he cannot even remember what he said over the phone. This part plays an important part in the story’s climax and is the first revelation of Morand’s primeval thoughts.
The mood in the apartment rapidly changes as Somoza begins to speak of a sacrifice, and picks up a hatchet and removing his clothes. Morand quickly backs away, but eventually runs into the rag. He feels he can go no farther. Somoza moves to strike, but Morand disarms him and kills him. He then uncharacteristically takes off his clothes and hides behind the door, waiting for Teresa.
Somoza’s primitive thought is evident throughout the entire narrative, beginning with the caressing of the statue. For some reason, which the author never fully explains, Samoza is entangled in an ancient world he can no longer separate from reality, associating Teresa with the idol and believing Morand is the appropriate blood sacrifice to activate her. Morand proves quite reasonable throughout most of the narrative, but falls victim to the primitive thought at the end, even experiencing an ancient flashback during his encounter with Samoza. (345) While Morand struggles with reason, he is eventually plunged into an ancient world, leading to his final actions.
When engaged in the primitive mindset, Morand waits to kill his wife in the end because he believes has been coveted. He has fully reverted into primeval thought, and sees that Samoza has lusted, caressed and possessed his wife. Though she has not committed any act of adultery, her value has been diminished in his eyes.
Both Morand and Samoza are guilty of reverting themselves into making a primitive association that has led to their inability to distinguish reality from fantasy. Cortazár demonstrates the differences in ancient and modern society that the love and lust after a woman can cause. While in modern times, nothing would be spoken of and the issue would be ignored, Morand and Samoza revert into a primitive and deadly mindset.
“The Idol of Cyclades” focuses on a reversion of two archaeologists into primitive thought leading to an association that causes blurred lines of reality and eventually death.
The narrative takes place in Somoza’s apartment who has kept a statuette that he, Morand, and Morand’s wife, Teresa, found in Greece. Morand is half-listening to Somoza crazy rantings as he flashes back to the origins of the idol. When Somoza found the idol, he “held the statuette up and caressed it so as to end by stripping it of it false clothes, time and oblivion” he then wishes that he could see the statuette “by ways other than the hands and the eyes of science”. (341)
This is the beginning of Somoza’s reversion into primitive thought association. He begins to want the idol like he wants Teresa. He wants to see Teresa outside of an archaeological and academic manner and connect with her. Morand seems to notice this behavior, but makes no verbal objection or comment.
It is then revealed that Morand and Teresa believe that Somoza is falling in love with Teresa and they seek to end the journey as quickly as possible. Neither Teresa or Morand discuss this with Somoza, which is symbolized by a dirty rag Morand spots Somoza’s apartment floor “which was like all they had not said to one another and which perhaps they should have said.” (342) Somoza is incredibly obsessed with the idol months later and barely leaves the house, spending most of his time constructing replicas of the statue. He called Morand to the apartment that day in order to tell him that he had fully connected with the idol over the last 48 hours, but Morand can make no sense of his ancient gibberish stating “Somoza’s voice rose again in that impersonal tone typical of these explanations which, the next moment, went beyond all intelligibility.” (340) It seems Morand does not grasp Somoza’s reality issues and makes no attempt to listen or understand the concepts Somoza is vocalizing.
Morand’s association then begins to reveal itself. He realizes that he had absolutely no reason to call Teresa to the apartment that night, but for some reason he had. It seems he cannot even remember what he said over the phone. This part plays an important part in the story’s climax and is the first revelation of Morand’s primeval thoughts.
The mood in the apartment rapidly changes as Somoza begins to speak of a sacrifice, and picks up a hatchet and removing his clothes. Morand quickly backs away, but eventually runs into the rag. He feels he can go no farther. Somoza moves to strike, but Morand disarms him and kills him. He then uncharacteristically takes off his clothes and hides behind the door, waiting for Teresa.
Somoza’s primitive thought is evident throughout the entire narrative, beginning with the caressing of the statue. For some reason, which the author never fully explains, Samoza is entangled in an ancient world he can no longer separate from reality, associating Teresa with the idol and believing Morand is the appropriate blood sacrifice to activate her. Morand proves quite reasonable throughout most of the narrative, but falls victim to the primitive thought at the end, even experiencing an ancient flashback during his encounter with Samoza. (345) While Morand struggles with reason, he is eventually plunged into an ancient world, leading to his final actions.
When engaged in the primitive mindset, Morand waits to kill his wife in the end because he believes has been coveted. He has fully reverted into primeval thought, and sees that Samoza has lusted, caressed and possessed his wife. Though she has not committed any act of adultery, her value has been diminished in his eyes.
Both Morand and Samoza are guilty of reverting themselves into making a primitive association that has led to their inability to distinguish reality from fantasy. Cortazár demonstrates the differences in ancient and modern society that the love and lust after a woman can cause. While in modern times, nothing would be spoken of and the issue would be ignored, Morand and Samoza revert into a primitive and deadly mindset.
No comments:
Post a Comment