Literature

Dr. Etti Gordon-Ginzburg

Children in Gothic Literature

26\03\2020

Greek Myth in “A Marble Woman” by LM Alcott Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: Motifs from Greek Mythology in…? The Allusion to the Myth of Amor and Psyche in….?

  In the novella  "A Marble Woman" written by Louisa May Alcott one can observe the integration of Greek mythology in order to deliver a message of collective importance. A myth is a traditional story that embodies beliefs regarding facts or phenomena on in which often the forces of nature and soul are personified. It also commonly held belief or the misconception that idealizes the reality. Myths belong to the general classes of traditional tales. Myths have been widely incorporated in literature, especially in the definition and elaboration of societal traditions. Source? However, it is worth noting that myths serve anticipated objectives, such as keeping people away from unethical practices or promoting morality. In this context, in Louisa May Alcott's novella "A Marble Woman" the myth outlined of Cupid and Psyche is reviewed while making the necessary comparison and focusing on the Greek myth elements, its mutual importance difference between ancient tale and other genres like legends and fairy tales. Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: Allusions to Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: Verb and Unclear wording Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: ? do you mean: alluded to? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: ? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: ?

Misconceptions describing the subject love and relations exist in the two stories. In the novella, “A Marble Women”, the female character gets married to a monstrous husband who at first was her guardian (Louisa Alcott 197), Psyche also moved from her father’s house to her husband’s house (McCullough 90). Also, there is love at first sight as stated,: “For many minutes Bazil Yorke watched the unconscious child as if there was some strong attraction for him in the studious little figure”(Louisa Alcott 136). Love is wretchedness or rather a mystery used as a mythic element in the novel. One of the character's’ experience is explained when Louisa Alcott/ states that “love makes half the misery of the world; it has been the bane of my life, it has made me what I am, a man without ambition, hope, or happiness.” (Peabody 150). Why are you bringing this quote? What does it aim to prove? In "A Marble Woman" Alcott states that love will bring either sorrow or happiness for one’s life.Quote? Cupid and Psyche had to overcome some obstacles to be together as husband and wife despite their differences (Apuleius & Edward). The scenario, therefore, presents aspects defining Greek myth from the relationship perspectives. However, it is worth noting that the given argument is applicable in a real-life situation. The stability of marriage depends on the cooperation of the involved parties. If they care about each other and communicate effectively, then they are likely to lead a happy marriage life and vice versa. Although the concept is approached as a misconception, it aims to encourage couples to participate in executing marriage goals to enhance happiness. What is the connection to the story? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: Is Bazil Yorke really monsterous? I don’t think so. Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: Indeed, but under completely different circumstances, and Psyche’s lover and then husband is the God of love himself and no monster at all Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: I agree, but Cecil is a child when he falls in love with her, whereas Cupid and Psyche are no children Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: What do you mean by that? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: If this quote is not from the novella you have to say so here Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: What scenario? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: What argument? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: What is the concept and what is the misconception?

The usage of elements of the myth in the Novel novella are manifested when love is portrayed to be a mystery, . Cupid was not a real human being, but some evil serpent-like creature and he fell in love with Psyche who also was superhuman and worshipped as a goddess due to her perfect beauty. It is expected that the evil creature would have fallen for a normal human being, but he did not, : “Mr. Yorke had love trouble and can’t bear women, so none dare goes near him,” or Psyche would get married to the real human lovers, but it’s not the case (Peabody 135). “She shall be given to one who waits for her on yonder mountain; he overcomes gods and men” Later described as “monster” (Peabody 90). “Surely he whom the Oracle had called her husband was no monster, but some beneficent power, invisible like all the rest“(Peabody 90). Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: He was a god! Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: NO! Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: No, she was mortal Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: Do you speak about the novella here? You should say so Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: He did! But she left him! This is why he hass “love troubles” Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: What is the connection between the two sentences? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: ? context?

The novel presents myths as modeling societal behavior of behavior and bringing about positive religious experiences. In “A Marble Woman” novel, Cecil, already secretly in love with Yorke, chooses to stay with Yorke, and become his ideal woman, a marble woman.” (McCullough, 61). Psyche’s father sought guidance from the god of Apollo, who was the god of light, reason, and prophecy he and was advised to abandon her on a rocky crag where a serpent-like creature would marry her. Having the conclusion that beauty was a curse, Psyche was not like any other person, and so she was worshipped as a goddess of love due to her perfection. This also led her to her life partner, the evil creature, since the real human lovers felt intimidated to approach her. Cecil fell in love with Yorke as well aslike Psyche with Cupid despite Cupid and Yorke's physical and emotional aspects. Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: Why “a marble woman”? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: Connection? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: NO! Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: ?? Both were VERY good looking!

In most settings, myths are associated with repercussions, as presented in “A Marble Woman” story and Cupid and Psyche. The main characters always survive difficult tasks like for the case of Psyche when Venus, Cupid’s mother, told her, Cupid’s mother, that for them to wed, she had to do some difficult tasks first. She was supposed to sort a huge pile of seeds for a single night and was helped by ants. Concerning the second task, she was assisted by a river god on how to collect the fleece of the golden sheep. She traveled to Proserpina queen of the dead to convince her to drop her beauty in a box for Venus for the last task, and the unseen voice helped her. SOURCE? Cecil tried to get Yorke’s attention but was disappointed (Alcott142) until he told her that he was done with love (Alcott151). Cecil's starting point in life as a twelve-year-old child, homeless and alone, and later on her addiction to opium, depicts her life journey which was ridden with difficulties in which she puts aside her natural impulses for warmth and affection. She experiences difficulties in establishing love relationships, but her success at deadening nature in addition to Yorke’s actions actually backfire (Alcott 82).Psyche decided to perform all tasks that Venus wanted her to do so that she could get a chance to be with her loved one (Pelsue? ). She was then made immortal and free from obstacles created from humans. While Cecil decides to fight and "conquered" her loved one and abandoning her childish innocent image what requires of to actually fight against herself because for her a woman in love is capable of anything (Alcott 249). Through it the readers can observe that the bond between the couples would not be broken. Where do you learn that? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: What repercussions?? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: Does she? I don’t think so. She persists in her attempts to achieve love, as we learn towards the end of the novella Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: ? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: What actions/ Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: How? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: ?? unclear, also due to wording and syntax Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: What? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: What couples?

Most mystery love stories usually end well, and the myth of cupid and psyche is not an exception. Psyches' family knew that she was going to be killed by Cupid, but that was not the case since she did the tasks by Venus to see him again, and that came to pass when she was made immortal (Apuleius & Edward). Louisa May Alcott in her story "A Marble Woman" ensures that the context in which the myth was integrated is enlightening and informative that is applicable in real-life as for Cecil and Yorke. The Greeks promoted morality and ethical practices through the formulation of myths and misconceptions concerning multiple life aspects such as relationships. As a result, cohesion in the society was significantly enhanced, thus economic activities. Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: ?? source? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: NO Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: NO Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: How so?! Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: No – this is fiction Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: How is this relevant here?

The Usage of Psyche and Cupid in the Novel was meant to compare Cecil and Psyche. Cecil and Psyche were both courageous and faced all they had to go through with great determination and persistence till finally, they reached love. The comparison is based on character traits, behavior, purpose and even external appearance. : “Colorless, like a plant deprived of sunshine, strangely unyouthful in the quiet grace of her motions, the sweet seriousness of her expression, but as beautiful as the psyche and almost as cold” (Alcott 144). What does this quote suggest? Why is it here?

In conclusion, it is possible to observe that Louisa May Alcott implements many elements from the Myth into the novel indirectly, majorly the overcoming of obstacles to reach the ultimate love and marriage. Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: What obstacles does Cecil have to overcome?

The transformation of a woman into a statue is difficult, and in the end, impossible, because female passion cannot be contained.√ Although the presented myths and misconceptions might not be currently applicable in currently, it is worth noting that they were instrumental in defining societal activities and interactions.  Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: Word? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: What misconceptions? Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: This undermines everything you have written so far. If the myth is not applicable to the story, why discuss it in the first place?! Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: Where?

Works Cited

Apuleius, Lucius, and Edward John Kenney. Cupid and Ppsyche. Cambridge University Press, 1990.

McCullough, Kate. "Louisa May Alcott's Incestuous Fathers and Fiendish Mothers, or, the Daughter As Wife." Pacific Coast Philology (1991): 59-67. Retrieved from:www.jstor.org/stable/1316556. Comment by etti gordon ginzburg: MLA

Peabody, Josephine Preston. Old Greek Folk-Sstories Told Anew. No. 114. Boston, New York, Houghton, Mifflin [c1897], 1897.