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Transcript

Jacques Lacan

"The Mirror Stage as Formative"

Self vs. Image of Self

-The child, though sometimes not even old enough to walk, is aware of himself and displays this self-awareness through mimicry; this act is described as an expression of situational appreciation.

-The act of mimicry causes the child to participate in a series of gestures which creates solely an illusion of the reality around him.

Lacan's Primary Focus

The Imago

The Mirror Stage

-Lacan focuses on the relationship between an infant and their reflection, which gives rise to the mental representation of an "I." Basically, this concept refers to how certain events or perceptions in our early years shape and define us as we grow older, as well as how we interact with our own past.

-The Mirror Stage: sheds light on the ego in an objective manner rather than subjectively.

-What is the Mirror Stage?

-When a child recognizes his or her own image in a mirror, even at a young age (as early as 6 mo.s). Though different levels of self-awareness abound during this phenomenon, many babies are able to identify the image that is reflected in a mirror as themselves. However, babies often view themselves objectively, meaning that they can recognize themselves in a mirror, but only as a projection.

The Gestalt

-Imago: The infant recognizes his particular shape, but also understands that there is a transformative significance beyond that shape.

-This suggests that babies understand that there's more to their reflection than just themselves; however, their reality is still limited. It is separate from the socialization they will undergo later in life

-This Imago is established as a concept called the "Ideal - I"

-The child then identifies himself with his reflection and this serves as a gestalt.

Gestalt: refers to our own perception of our form.

Basically, we do not understand the world by assembling different elements, rather we create a pattern of meaningful associations

In the Mirror Stage, the Imago is the type of Gestalt that Lacan employs throughout his work.

The Ideal - I

The Mirror Image in the Context of Literature

- The "Ideal - I" is a child's most basic, projected image of himself; it is what the individual sees himself as and what the individual hopes to become.

- It presents all of the potentialities of the "I," and this potential is separate from the reality of what the child will become, because most of the potential qualities remain unattainable. This causes humans to realize they are limited.

-Once they realize they cannot fulfill their Ideal-I, people are exposed to:

-lowering their standards, anxiety, disappointment, unfullfilment, and lack of motivation.

1) Are there any characters that exhibit the limitations described in the "Ideal - I"?

2) In what ways do certain characters seem to be affected by the "Ideal - I" concept? (ie. which characters cling tightly to their past?)

3) Do you think that all children undergo the process of unrealistically idealizing what their future lives will one day be like?

4) Do you feel that the overall concept of the Mirror Stage holds any legitimacy in how we read and understand literature?

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