In discussion today, Leslie brought up a film, Bridesmaids, and claimed that one of the characters in said film could be related to Ignatius. Well, having a great deal of film expertise, I quickly have racked my mind and have also found a character that relates to Ignatius. In Bridesmaids the Ignatius parallel receives some positive punishment and ends up motivated and gets a happy ending. Now, in juxtaposition, may I introduce to those that have lived under culture-blocking rocks Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket. This film follows a cynical and pragmatic marine through the Vietnam War from Basic Training to the Tet Offensive, exemplifying the horrors and primitive nature of war through his eyes. In bootcamp, the protagonist, Private Joker, befriends a social misfit(this film's Ignatius parallel), Private Pyle, and watches as he slowly goes insane from the stress of training. This training works the same way as in Bridesmaids, and the same way that Myrna has used to motivate Ignatius; they are degrading, punishing, etc. them in order to cause a lifestyle change. This may work in Bridesmaids, but in Full Metal Jacket (note I am going to spoil part of this film, it was released over 20 years ago and is quite popular) Pyle goes on a psychotic rampage, killing both himself and his drill instructor. In my opinion, someone, such as Ignatius, with such a disconnected view of the world, someone who has very little connections to other, someone who Myrna indirectly characterizes as "a sick, reactionary villain" is NOT someone who should be bullied into conforming to more tolerable lifestyles (80). I understand that boot camp training is a much more severe instance of positive punishment than the example in Bridesmaids, but the possibility is still there. On one side, Ignatius could go the route of Bridesmaids and turn his life around, or he could take the darker route of Full Metal Jacket and end up believing blood "makes the grass grow". In my opinion, Myrna's letter to Ignatius and her whole method of trying to get him to relate to the outside world seems, to me, a complete gamble on Ignacius's sanity, and considering that he said he would "'Show this offensive trollop [Myrna]"' seems to imply he is growing into a nice little psychopath (81). Sometimes playing along with someone's behavior, despite how ridiculous it may seem, works better than shoving an ideology down their throats.
I viewed Myrna's letter similarly. Although she seems quite insightful and in tune with the psychology of Ignatius, she does "gamble" with Ignatius' reaction. This makes me doubt her intentions. She bluntly says, "You are aware, of course, that Freud linked paranoia with homosexual tendencies" (79). If she felt any concern for Ignatius' emotional well-being in regards to his sexuality, she would not have so bluntly stated something that she knew Ignatius would react poorly too. On the same note, she selfishly says, "Don't write to me again... I hate cowards" (81). Her harsh tone implies she does not care about Ignatius, despite her long letter. I feel that this happens often in society. People tell themselves they should care about someone's well-being, but do not have the patience to sympathize or empathize with them. I found Myrna quite annoying and hypocritical in this sense.
ReplyDeleteSide note: I strongly disagree with "degrading" someone to "toughen them up." This sort of dehumanization sickens me, although I suppose it's necessary at times. It's a difficult subject.
Firstly, I want to say that I love this movie, and I love your parallel and comparison with Bridesmaids. The radical difference between the two possible endings makes me want to know how this book will end. We already know of Toole's tragic ending; will this character end himself in the same way as his creator and Pvt. Pyle?
ReplyDeleteBut still, I think Myrna's and, recently, his mother's strategy of acting harshly toward Ignatius may prove the only way to evoke a change in attitude in the stubborn man-child. Confidence and ruthlessness seem the only tones that get through to Ignatius, qualities that he admires. Obviously his mother's sweet encouragement throughout the majority of his lifetime only worsened the situation. So far, I believe Myrna's letter has only motivated him to prove her wrong by building himself up to a great success through Levy's-- not descending onto the path of self-destruction.
First off, I really appreciate your use of AP Pyshc terms in here, Connor. I also appreciate both references to the movie charachters and feel that they are very accurate, especially Private Pyle. I feel that Myrna's letter serves in part to indirectly characterize her as ignorant. Myrna, someone who clearly has a deep knowledge of Ignatius due to a prior relationship, fails to display this knowledge when she, as you say, shoves her idealogy down the throat of Ignatius. I am thoroughly interested to observe how Ignatius finally snaps, because i think it will be in a way the nobody expects.
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