Psychoanalysis of Symbolism in Naomi Wallace's "The Retreating World" through Lacan's Theory

Exploring the Depths of the Unconscious through Symbolic Representation

Key Takeaways

Lacan's Symbolic Order shapes character identities.
Symbolism in the play reflects unconscious desires and conflicts.
The interplay between the Imaginary, Symbolic, and Real reveals fragmented identities.

Introduction

Naomi Wallace's play, "The Retreating World," offers a profound exploration of human consciousness and societal structures through its rich symbolic narrative. Analyzing this work through Jacques Lacan's theory of the unconscious provides deeper insights into the characters' psyches and the underlying themes of identity, desire, and the fragmentation of self.

Lacanian Framework and the Structure of the Unconscious

The Unconscious as Structured Like a Language

Jacques Lacan posited that the unconscious is structured akin to a language, where symbols and signifiers play a pivotal role in shaping human desire and subjectivity. In "The Retreating World," Wallace utilizes symbolic elements such as a retreating horizon, shifting landscapes, and broken mirrors to illustrate the elusive nature of identity and the perpetual deferral inherent in desire. These symbols serve not merely as narrative devices but as signifiers that point towards the absence of a coherent self, echoing Lacan's assertion that desire is fundamentally structured around lack rather than presence.

The Symbolic Order and Its Influence

The Symbolic order, in Lacanian theory, represents the realm of language, laws, and social norms that govern human interaction and identity formation. Wallace's play intricately weaves symbols within this framework to depict how individuals navigate and are constrained by societal structures. For instance, the recurring image of a "retreating horizon" symbolizes the constant deferral of meaning within the Symbolic order, mirroring the Lacanian concept of "désir" (desire) as an endless pursuit of the unattainable.

Symbolism in "The Retreating World"

Broken Mirrors and Fragmented Identity

One of the most striking symbols in Wallace's play is the broken mirror, which serves as a metaphor for fragmented identity. According to Lacan's "Mirror Stage," the ego is formed through the misrecognition of oneself in an image, leading to a fragmented sense of self. In the play, characters confront literal and metaphorical shattered reflections, highlighting the instability of their identities. This fragmentation underscores the failure of language to fully encapsulate the totality of the subject's experience, aligning with Lacan's notion that the subject is perpetually split within the Symbolic order.

The Retreating Horizon as a Symbol of Desire

The recurring motif of the "retreating horizon" embodies the Lacanian idea of desire's perpetual deferral. In the play, this symbol represents the characters' unending pursuit of an ideal or reconciliation that remains just out of reach. This mirrors Lacan's concept that desire is always structured around the absence of the "objet petit a" (object little a), the unattainable object around which desire is organized. The horizon's constant retreat signifies the elusive nature of fulfillment and the inherent dissatisfaction that drives human desire.

The Interplay of the Imaginary, Symbolic, and Real

Navigating Between Orders

Lacan's tripartite structure of the psyche—comprising the Imaginary, Symbolic, and Real—provides a framework for understanding the complex interactions within the play. The Imaginary pertains to the realm of images and illusions, the Symbolic to language and societal structures, and the Real to what is outside language and resists symbolization. Wallace's narrative fluidly moves between these orders, using symbolic imagery to highlight moments where the characters encounter the Real, leading to ruptures in their perceived realities.

Memory and the Real

In the play, characters grapple with memories that bridge the conscious and unconscious mind, serving as conduits to the Real—the unrepresentable aspect of reality. Lacan suggests that the Real disrupts the Symbolic order, introducing chaos and trauma that cannot be fully articulated through language. The characters' struggles to recall or hold onto memories of peace and innocence reflect the intrusive nature of the Real, challenging the stability of the Symbolic framework within which they exist.

Authority, the Name-of-the-Father, and Symbolic Breakdown

Symbolism of Authority

Central to Lacanian theory is the concept of the "Name-of-the-Father," representing the law and the network of signifiers that structure desire. In "The Retreating World," Wallace alludes to the breakdown of authority through symbolic inscriptions and recurring motifs that function as substitutes for the Name-of-the-Father. These symbols signify a loss of a stable symbolic framework, leaving characters adrift in a world where traditional structures of meaning have disintegrated. This breakdown underscores the instability of the Symbolic order and the resultant existential uncertainty faced by the characters.

Implications of Symbolic Rupture

The ruptures in the symbolic order, as depicted through bursts of disintegration in the play, highlight the characters' confrontation with the Real. These moments of disruption reveal the limitations of language and symbolism in capturing the full spectrum of human experience, particularly in the face of trauma and loss. The inability of the symbolic constructs to fully articulate the characters' suffering exemplifies Lacan's assertion that the Real is always present, undermining the constructed realities of the Symbolic order.

Desire, Lack, and the Unattainable Object

Desire as Perpetual Deferral

Lacanian desire is characterized by its perpetual deferral and its orientation towards an unattainable object, the "objet petit a." In "The Retreating World," characters' quests for reconciliation, unity, or restoration of lost innocence represent this endless pursuit. The symbolic obscurity of their goals mirrors the Lacanian idea that desire is structured around lack rather than fulfillment, perpetuating a cycle of longing that cannot be fully satiated.

Symbolism Reflecting Unconscious Drives

The symbolic elements in the play, such as ritualistic recitations and coded language, serve as expressions of the unconscious desires and conflicts that drive the characters. These symbols operate within the symbolic order to articulate the characters' internal struggles and their attempts to navigate a world marked by absence and loss. The interplay between conscious actions and unconscious drives in the narrative reinforces the Lacanian perspective on desire and subjectivity.

Table: Lacanian Concepts and Their Manifestation in "The Retreating World"

Lacanian Concept	Manifestation in the Play
Symbolic Order	Use of ritualistic recitations and coded language to construct meaning.
The Real	Moments of disintegration and trauma that resist symbolization.
Mirror Stage	Broken mirrors representing fragmented and unstable identities.
Desire and Lack	Characters' pursuit of unattainable ideals, reflecting perpetual longing.
Name-of-the-Father	Symbolic inscriptions indicating the breakdown of traditional authority structures.

Conclusion

Naomi Wallace's "The Retreating World" serves as a compelling narrative canvas for exploring Lacanian psychoanalytic theory. Through its intricate symbolism, the play delves into the complexities of the human unconscious, highlighting the tension between the Imaginary, Symbolic, and Real. The fragmented identities of the characters, their perpetual desires, and the disintegration of symbolic authority all reflect the profound influence of Lacan's concepts on understanding human behavior and societal dynamics. This analysis underscores the relevance of Lacanian theory in interpreting contemporary literary works, revealing the enduring resonance of psychoanalytic insights in the realm of drama.