The “Look” and the “Other”
Sartre’s abbreviated theory of Identity
Creation
On “The Look”
one dimension of human existence is the
individual's awareness of being the object
of “The Look” of another individual
“The Look” is objectifying: it involves taking
its object to have certain fixed
characteristics, a deterministic nature
Hence….”The Other”
Both parties engage in this notion of creating “The Other”.
For Pecola, her “Other” (Maureen) is the one to be admired
and emulated, while “the look” of Maureen and Yacabowski
has created Pecola’s identity as their “Other” (a foreign,
less than human existence).
The “Other” takes on different roles for each character.
One (Pecola) wishes to emulate “The Other”, one
(Maureen) uses it to distinguish what she is NOT, and one
(Yacobowski)is oblivious to “The Other’s” existence
(Pecola is invisible).
Finally…Perception
“The Look” and the creation of “The Other”
all reflect PERCEPTION and explores the
theory that the way we view each other can
not only limit each other’s “potential to be”
BUT it can help shape how we view
ourselves and this in turn helps to create
our identity.
Homework:
Read up to page 90 for tomorrow.
Pay particular attention to how Pecola learns
to answer the question “How do you get
someone to love you?” and how the
prostitutes fit into this answer.
Identify 1 of her experiences that begins to
answer this question and be prepared to
discuss for tomorrow.