A critical study of specific exploded violent hierarchies in five novels by Toni Morrison

[摘要] In a study of Toni Morrison's fiction it is appropriate to consider some of the relevantphilosophical insights of Jacques Derrida, particularly Derrida's theory of deconstructionand the way in which it facilitates the explosion of violent hierarchies.Firstly, a general overview of relevant Derridean terminology is given. In his work, Derridaexposes many classical philosophical oppositions in which one pole of the oppositiondominates the other. In fact, he questions the very nature of a Western reason which causesdifference to be viewed as opposition. He uses the phrase 'violent hierarchy' to show thatthere is no peaceful co-existence of terms within oppositions but that one term traditionallyhas the upper hand. Derrida also demonstrates that these hierarchical structures of dominanceand oppression not only manifest themselves in language but are also promoted bylogocentric language. By insisting on the play of différance in language, Derrida offers away in which these violent hierarchies can be exploded. The term 'explode' is similar (yetnot identical to) the Derridean term deconstruction. However, instead of deconstructingMorrison's texts, the aim of this study is to lay bare Morrison' s treatment of the tensionsinherent in specific hierarchical structures of dominance. To explode the chosen violenthierarchies is to expose the contradictions and ironies in certain hierarchic structures whichmanifest themselves and are reflected in language, whereas deconstruction itself is acomplex reading strategy that Derrida uses when revealing discrepancies within certainclassical philosophical texts. The term 'explode' is thus a more accurate description ofwhat is aimed at in this research.Next, the study entails an assessment of exploded gender, class and racial hierarchies infive novels by Toni Morrison. In The Bluest Eye and Sula, Morrison's explosions of themale/female violent hierarchy are evaluated, while violent class hierarchies are addressedin Song of Solomon. Finally, the way in which Morrison explodes racial and colouristhierarchies in Beloved and Paradise is researched. By opening up language to the play ofdifférance and consequently undermining traditional metaphysical binary reason Morrison,like Derrida, encourages the perpetual explosion of these violent hierarchies in bothliterature and society at large.

[发布机构] University of the Free State