With his novel "Under the Skin" Michael Faber addresses the limitations of society and identity, which are typical themes of modern Scottish arts as well as the Scottish mentality. In Faber’s novel the protagonist Isserley is caught in a constant struggle of defining herself. In which way is Isserley’s process of constructing an identity problematical?
Being a hybrid result of surgery, Isserley shares similarities and differences with more than one species. This inevitably influences her perception of herself and others. The process of shaping her identity based on appearance is characterised by continual constructions and deconstructions in which the murky demarcations between bodies prove to be an additional difficulty.
Assuming that body and identity are mutually generative and that an identity is thus partly constructed through the body, this paper firstly explores the 'natural' body of Isserley’s species as a lost marker for identification. Secondly, the body of the non-human animal is brought into discussion due to its familiarity. Thirdly, there will be a focus on the vodsel-body as a source of inner conflict for Isserley with regard to the issue of gender in relation to animals. After analysing the linguistic development in the protagonist’s construction of an identity, the paper takes a closer look at the final scene.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Body in Michel Faber's Under the Skin
- 2.1 The Human Body as Lost Identity
- 2.1.1 Isserley's 'Human' Body
- 2.1.2 Isserley's Beauty Standards
- 2.1.3 Further Difficulties: Class and Gender
- 2.2 Animating the Familiar Non-Human Body
- 2.2.1 The Non-Human Animal
- 2.2.2 The Inanimate
- 2.3 The Vodsel-Body as Source of Conflict
- 2.3.1 Isserley's Appeal and Outer Appearance
- 2.3.2 The Denying of Similarities
- 2.3.3 Who's the Bait? – The Question of the Woman and the Animal
- 2.4 The Linguistic Development in the Construction of an Identity
- 2.4.1 Keeping Distance Through Linguistic Animalisation
- 2.4.2 Pulling the Linguistic Trigger: The Rape Attempt and Murky Divisions
- 2.4.3 The Process of "Becoming"
- 2.5 The Final, Disembodied Identity
- 2.1 The Human Body as Lost Identity
- 3. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay explores the problematic construction of identity in Michel Faber's Under the Skin, focusing on how Isserley's identity is shaped by her body. The essay investigates the interplay between body and identity, arguing that identity is partly constructed through the body.
- The impact of physical alteration and the loss of a "natural" body on identity formation.
- The blurring of boundaries between human and animal bodies, and the implications for self-perception.
- The role of language in constructing and deconstructing identity.
- The influence of social class and gender on Isserley's experience of otherness.
- The exploration of identity in relation to the concept of the "hideous animal."
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the essay by establishing the central question: how is Isserley's identity construction problematized in Faber's novel? It introduces the key themes of body, identity, and the blurred lines between species, highlighting the significance of Isserley's physical alterations and their impact on her self-perception. The chapter also briefly previews the essay's structure and methodology, mentioning relevant scholarly sources utilized in the research. The introduction establishes the context of the novel within modern Scottish arts and the concept of identity formation through opposites, drawing on the Oxford Dictionary's definition of "body" to ground the discussion within a specific framework.
2. The Body in Michel Faber's Under the Skin: This chapter serves as an overarching section, encompassing a detailed examination of Isserley's identity crisis as it's deeply connected to her physical form. The subchapters delve into different facets of this relationship: the loss of her original body, the impact of beauty standards, the complications arising from class and gender differences, and the ongoing negotiation of her identity through language. Each subchapter contributes to a holistic understanding of how Isserley's experiences with her altered body influence her sense of self and her interactions with others. The analysis uses examples from the novel to show how Isserley's fragmented identity is reflected in her physical appearance and the social implications of her hybrid nature.
Keywords
Body, identity, Michel Faber, Under the Skin, hybridity, animal, human, alien, otherness, plastic surgery, language, gender, class, Scottish identity, Science Fiction.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Identity in Michel Faber's "Under the Skin"
What is the overall focus of this academic essay?
This essay analyzes the problematic construction of identity in Michel Faber's novel, "Under the Skin," focusing on how the protagonist, Isserley's identity is shaped by her body and its transformations. It investigates the interplay between body and identity, arguing that identity is partly constructed through the body.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores several key themes, including: the impact of physical alteration and the loss of a "natural" body on identity formation; the blurring of boundaries between human and animal bodies, and the implications for self-perception; the role of language in constructing and deconstructing identity; the influence of social class and gender on Isserley's experience of otherness; and the exploration of identity in relation to the concept of the "hideous animal."
What is the structure of the essay?
The essay is structured into three main sections: an introduction, a detailed analysis of the body and identity in "Under the Skin," and a conclusion. The analysis section is further divided into sub-sections that explore specific aspects of Isserley's identity crisis, including her lost identity, the impact of beauty standards, the complexities of class and gender, and the role of language in shaping her self-perception. Each sub-section delves into the novel's text with examples to support its arguments.
What aspects of Isserley's body are examined in the essay?
The essay examines various aspects of Isserley's body, including her "human" body, its perceived beauty standards, the difficulties related to class and gender, and the blurring of lines between human and non-human (animal and inanimate). It particularly focuses on how her altered body, and the process of alteration itself, affects her sense of self and her relationships with others. The essay also explores how the concept of a "hideous animal" relates to Isserley’s identity.
What role does language play in the essay's analysis?
The essay highlights the significant role of language in constructing and deconstructing Isserley's identity. It examines how linguistic strategies, such as animalization, are used to create distance and maintain certain social boundaries. The essay also explores how language contributes to the process of "becoming" and the ambiguous relationship between Isserley and those around her.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of the introduction and the main analytical chapter. The introduction sets the stage by establishing the central question of the essay, outlining the key themes, and briefly describing the methodology. The summary of the main analytical chapter details the exploration of Isserley's identity crisis in relation to her physical form, covering the loss of her original body, the impact of beauty standards, class and gender complexities, and the use of language in shaping her self-perception.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
The keywords associated with the essay are: Body, identity, Michel Faber, Under the Skin, hybridity, animal, human, alien, otherness, plastic surgery, language, gender, class, Scottish identity, Science Fiction.
What is the overall objective of this analysis?
The overall objective is to provide a detailed and nuanced analysis of the complex relationship between body and identity in Michel Faber's "Under the Skin," exploring how Isserley's physical alterations and experiences shape her sense of self within the social and cultural contexts of the novel. The essay aims to contribute to scholarly discussions on identity formation, embodiment, and the representation of otherness in literature.
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- Christina Haupt (Autor:in), 2018, The body and the construction of an identity in Michel Faber’s "Under the Skin", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/462566
