This Goodison poem is an intertext of Rhys' short story "Sleep It Off, Lady." What are your thoughts on how this and other elements of the poem enhance meaning in "Lullaby for Jean Rhys"?
Notes of Interest:
http://www.jcls.net/contentsrhys.html
"Many of Goodison's poems focus on women and their struggles. Whereas some poems pay homage to great women—such as novelist Jean Rhys in "Lullaby for Jean Rhys," activist Winnie Mandela in "Bedspread," and civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks in "For Rosa Parks"—many more focus on ordinary women and their daily lives." From: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-1841900023.html
I think the intertextuality between Goodison's poem and Rhys' short story illustrates the dialogue that exists between writers and definitely between female authors in the Caribbean. Nadja and I also saw this in doing research for our poster as we found out that Olive Senior also wrote a poem for Rhys called "Meditation on Red".
ReplyDeleteIn this poem I see not only the dialogue between writers but also the carving out of a female space in which there is comfort and understanding. Goodison's tone is very nurturing and seems to be directly addressing Rhys and her multitude of characters - all very restless spirits.
She seems to be very cognizant of the many pitfalls that Rhys has had and encourages her to be in a place that was comforting to her even if at times self-destructive and even if it leads to death.
For instance the nurse dressed in "rain forest colours" seems to represent Rhys' proclivity for writing about the African nurse in whom she always found comfort. Additionally she seems to suggest to Rhys to go ahead and do the self destructive things she is accustomed to (drink alcohol, date men who do not stick around) if that gives her some kind of peace.
So this idea of sleep I think is linked with death but also of peace and I think that this is what Goodison is trying to steer Rhys towards.
Oswyn you make an interesting point here, and I especially like and agree with what you said with respect to the "dialogue that exists between writers". This is definitely the case, and its always great to see other writers referencing each other. Not only does inter-textuality contribute to lexical richness but it creates a sense of inter-relatedness in the canon, the way one writer can validate another through allusions or even writing about each-other. In a way, it provides a sense of tradition and in the Caribbean context vindicates our literary works.
DeleteI have never read Rhys' "Sleep it off Lady", so I am unable to make the intertextual connections between that and Goodison's "Lullalby for Jean Rhys". However, Goodison's poem reminds me of "Wide Sargasso Sea" and the frequent mentioning of "sleep" in that story. The word "sleep" is mentioned no less than sixty two (62) times in Wide Sargasso Sea (sometimes as "asleep", "sleeps", "sleeping"). This seems to be a common theme in Rhys' writing. The similarity between the poem and the story is that sleep appears to be seen as therapeutic. Christophene uses this method to help Antoinette when she visits her to get help because she felt that her husband had stopped loving her. When Christophene reports to Antoinette's husband some of what took place when Antoinette visited her, she says, among other things:
ReplyDelete"She isn't going to sleep natural that's certain, but I can make her sleep. That's what I do."
"When they get like that, first they must cry, then they must sleep."
"Yes I tell you. I make her sleep."
"It's better she sleep. She must sleep while I work for her - to make her well again."
"I give her something to sleep - nothing to hurt her."
Helen Carr and many other writers speak about how Jean Rhys' space in the canon of Caribbean literature is contested and often controversial. Goodison through this poem makes a space of welcome for Rhys and this is most evident from the title alone, and of course the concluding lines of the poem.
ReplyDeleteApart from "Sleep it off Lady", I saw alot of intertextual relations between Goodison's poem and Rhys' "I used to live here once", an ambigous work in which the reader is confused whether she is dreaming or a ghost returning to her home land.
Sleep, dreaming and death seems to be a recurring theme throughout most of Rhys' works. Goodison's 'lullaby' however connotes a sense of softness and gentleness in opposition to this idea of death. Restoring Rhys with a sense of peace in death.
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ReplyDeleteI like the point which Oswyn made about the unique connection which writers develop with other through their writing. I think this is fascinating, in that they can converse with one another vicariously through their writing. I also agree with Sylvern when she stated that sleep seems to be a repetitive theme in Jean Rhys' work, where sleep can symbolize rest, but also tranquility and an escape from the rest of the world and all your problems. Sleep can also represent a barrier which conceals and cuts one off completely from their environment. Jean Rhys has endured a challenging life with numerous trials but her strength lies in the ability to overcome her fears and issues and find refuge in her work. Her difficulties in life are constantly reflected in her novels and short stories where she conveys her whole experience to the world, whether it is done implicitly or explicitly.
ReplyDeleteGoodison shows great compassion and understanding for Jean Rhys. She presents her with immense hope and faith. The poem provides encouragement, understanding and hope for the future. It is not solely written for Jean Rhys but also for anyone who may be in need of reading encouraging words.
Since Rhys' story was about an old woman and the treatment towards her, I think by using the title of the story it puts the poem in perspective for the reader. Here is Goodison saying I respect and remember you and unlike the adverse effects of alcohol, the final "dark potion" mentioned in the poem will help Rhys to transcend to a place where fairy tales come true (hence the reference to the glass slipper). Also Goodison seems to hope that it will be a place where Rhys is finally truly loved as indicated by the simile used to describe the Prince Charming who will hopefully sweep her away.
ReplyDeleteBoth writers look at the treatment of women, where despite their differences , they can identify with each other as women. thus she shows a sense of sympathy toward Jean Rhys, where "lullaby" suggests something comforting to someone in distress.
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