Irrepresive Individuals :: essays research papers

The Irrepressible Individual in the Works of Shirley capital of Mississippi throughout her life, Shirley capital of Mississippi struggled with a conflict between her dogged individuality and partnerships sine qua non that she adhere to its norms and standards. Jackson precept a second level of compassionate nature, an inner identity lurking beneath the one which outwardly conforms with societys expectations. Societys repression of her individuality stalk Jackson in her personal life and expressed itself in her theme through the opposition of two levels of world, one magical and one mundane, that both equally real. All of the various dichotomies that make up Jacksons double-sided reality can be traced to the hidden human nature, the repressed individual she saw within each of us. From an early age, Jackson did not feel all told comfortable in the society around her. She preferred to sit in her room and write poetry rather than play with the other children in her neighborhood (Oppenheimer 16). Alone in her room, Jackson explored the magical worlds, the alter-egos which her family did not understand. "I will not tolerate having these other worlds called imaginary," she insisted (Oppenheimer 21). Jackson did not see her drive, a wealthy socialite who wanted her daughter to be beautiful and customary and was disturbed by her talk of "other worlds." Relations between Jackson and her mother were tense throughout her life, paralleling the conflict between Jackson and the society in which she found no place for herself. "I will not tolerate having these other worlds called imaginary" -Shirley Jackson Jacksons mother wrote to her once that "you were eer a wilful child" (Oppenheimer 14). This careless statement captures Jacksons stubborn self-assertion of her individuality, as well as her mothers disapproval. Jacksons obesity particularly troubled her mother, who suggestively send her corsets even after she was married (Oppenh eimer 14). Being overweight symbolized Jacksons rebellion against her mother and the standards of fashionable society. Her obesity demonstrates the connection Jackson made between her singular individuality and the "freakish and abnormal, the grotesque and arabesque" (Sullivan n. pag.). The abnormal second reality Jackson contemplated in the seclusion of her room was to her supremely ironic. Jackson rarely ends her stories with a annunciation of the plot instead, a dramatic incident or revelation serves to dilate the irony she sees in the world. In her most famous short story, "The Lottery," Jackson takes pains to describe a village of hard-working, upstanding Americans.