 |
| http://aliettedebodard.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/starlit_small.jpg |
After reading the short long story, "The Waiting
Stars", I was particularly drawn by how Aliette de Bodard separates the
ideas of "mind" and "body". We see that the Dai
Viet “Minds” race becomes integral to space ships and its controls. It’s as if
technology gains consciousness and knows how to do everything on its own.
However, the “Minds” face oppression from the “Outsiders” when they are
captured and their consciousness is sent into different bodies on the planet
Prime.
On Prime, we see a whole other
perspective as to what is really happening to the Dai Viets. They are put into
fake bodies, different from their own, and their memories are all erased. Then,
at the institution, they are forced to learn “proper behavior” through the
cruel treatment of the Matron. No matter how hard they try to escape, even to the point of killing themselves, the Minds are just redirected into a new body and the process starts over again. We see this predicament especially in the case
of Catherine, when she gains her memory back as the effects of the memory wipe
wear off towards the end of the story. She remembers her real name, Mi Chau.
The name “Catherine” is fake and masks who she really is and Jason and the
other Outsiders try to assimilate her into the culture. The Outsiders try to force the Dai Viets to be something they are not.
It turns out that Mi Chau is the
Great Aunt of Lan Nhen, and her family tries to rescue her from her entrapment.
Her mind just yearns to be free and back to where she belongs—the waiting stars.
The separation of mind and body here shows how though we may try to change our
appearance and the way we act, our minds and the way we think reflect who we
are and there is no changing that.
Darren,
ReplyDeleteI love the distinction between mind and body that you pointed out; one thing that was interesting to me in 'The Waiting Stars' was the minds are actually a physical entity, and in addition, are portrayed as almost an additional, more evolved form of human intelligence (at least in the sense that they can control spaceships, which is something I really wish I could do). I think that, as you pointed out, the distinction really plays with our perception of identity - are our identities defined by our physical bodies? Our minds? Our actions? I certainly don't think 'The Waiting Stars' defines it as one or the other, rather, the narrative of Mi Chau serves to demonstrate that each are different facets of the same identity that are fluid - it's through the interactions of all these aspects of ourselves with each other and society at large that define who we are.
I love your take on this story Darren! I especially agree with the name "Catherine" masking her true identity. In the context of Asian American literature, I think the similarities can be drawn in today's society with masking true identity. Parents who identify with their native cultures are sometimes left with no other option than to give their children a name that is common in a new culture. I see this in "paper menagerie" when the son is named a typical American name like Jack. His neighbors respond "That doesn't sound very Chinesey.". To try to escape the criticism for being different, people conform. This pressure to conform is the force that breaks people from their heritage.
ReplyDeleteHave a good break bud,
Dylan Norris