Objecthood in Literature & Literary Theory

Objecthood: Etymology, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term: The term “objecthood” is derived from the combination of “object” and the suffix “-hood,” which denotes a state or condition. In philosophy and art theory, it refers to the state or quality of being an object, often explored in discussions about the nature and existence of objects.

Meanings and Concept:

In Philosophy	In Art Theory
Examines the ontological status of objects, questioning what it means for something to be considered an object.	Explores how objects are perceived, represented, and given significance in artistic contexts.
Involves discussions about the existence, identity, and properties of objects in the philosophical realm.	Focuses on the artistic representation of objects and their impact on viewer perception and interpretation.
Addresses questions about the nature of reality and the relationships between subjects and objects.	Considers how artists manipulate objecthood to convey meaning, challenge conventions, or provoke thought.
Explores the boundaries between subjects and objects, delving into philosophical inquiries about perception and consciousness.	Acknowledges the role of the viewer in determining the objecthood of artworks and the subjective nature of aesthetic experiences.

Objecthood: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Objecthood, as a theoretical term, encompasses the examination of an entity’s ontological status, questioning the fundamental nature of what constitutes an object. In philosophy, it delves into inquiries about existence, identity, and the relationships between subjects and objects, exploring the boundaries of reality. In art theory, objecthood extends to the representation and manipulation of objects, examining how artists convey meaning and engage with viewers through the intentional shaping of objecthood in their works.

Objecthood: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorists:

• Martin Heidegger: Explored the ontological aspects, questioning the nature of being and the existence of objects in the world.
• Jean-Paul Sartre: Contributed to existentialist discussions, emphasizing the subjective nature of perception and the role of consciousness.
• Maurice Merleau-Ponty: Examined the phenomenology of perception, offering insights into the embodied experience of objects.

Key Works:

• “Being and Time” by Martin Heidegger: Discusses the concept of Dasein and its relationship to the surrounding world, shaping discussions on it.
• “Being and Nothingness” by Jean-Paul Sartre: Explores existentialist ideas, delving into the interplay between consciousness, objects, and the subjective experience of reality.
• “Phenomenology of Perception” by Maurice Merleau-Ponty: Investigates the embodied nature of perception, providing a foundation for understanding how subjects engage with objects.

Central Arguments:

• Heidegger’s Argument on Readiness-to-Hand: Objects exist in a practical context, and their significance is revealed through their utility and functionality.
• Sartre’s Argument on Bad Faith: Individuals may engage in self-deception to escape the responsibility of confronting the true nature of objects and their own existence.
• Merleau-Ponty’s Argument on Embodiment: Objecthood is intimately tied to the embodied experience, with perception being a bodily and sensory engagement with the world.

Objecthood: Major Characteristics

1. Existential Ambiguity:

• Description: Objecthood often carries an inherent existential ambiguity, blurring the lines between being and non-being. Objects may exist in a state of potentiality, their significance shaped by context and perception.
• Literary Reference: In Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis,” Gregor Samsa’s transformation into a giant insect exemplifies the existential ambiguity of objecthood, challenging traditional notions of identity and existence.

2. Subject-Object Relationship:

• Description: Objecthood involves a dynamic interplay between subjects and objects, raising questions about the nature of their relationship. The perception and interpretation of objects are influenced by the subjective experiences of individuals.
• Literary Reference: In Marcel Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time,” the narrator’s reflection on the madeleine dipped in tea illustrates how objects trigger subjective memories, emphasizing the subjective nature of objecthood.

3. Aesthetic Representation:

• Description: Objecthood extends to the realm of art, where the representation and manipulation of objects contribute to aesthetic experiences. Artists intentionally shape objecthood to convey meaning, challenge conventions, or evoke emotions.
• Literary Reference: In Virginia Woolf’s “To the Lighthouse,” the lighthouse itself becomes a symbol of artistic representation, embodying the transformative power of shaping objecthood in literature.

4. Temporality and Objecthood:

• Description: Objects exist within the dimension of time, undergoing changes and transformations. The temporal aspect of objecthood adds complexity to their significance and contributes to the narratives of existence.
• Literary Reference: In Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” the recurring motif of the golden fish reflects the temporal nature of objects, mirroring the cyclical patterns of history and memory.

5. Phenomenological Engagement:

• Description: Objecthood involves a phenomenological engagement, emphasizing the embodied experience of interacting with objects. Perception is not merely visual but encompasses sensory and emotional dimensions.
• Literary Reference: In J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye,” Holden Caulfield’s fixation on his sister Phoebe’s red hunting hat exemplifies the phenomenological engagement with an object, where its sensory and emotional aspects become central to the narrative.

These characteristics of objecthood, as illustrated through literary references, showcase its multifaceted nature and its profound impact on existential, subjective, artistic, temporal, and phenomenological dimensions.

Objecthood: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Objecthood
Existentialism	Examines the existential ambiguity inherent in objecthood, as objects often represent the struggle for meaning and identity in a seemingly indifferent world.
Structuralism	Explores the relationships and signifying structures within a literary work, considering how objects may function as symbols or signs that contribute to the overall structure of the narrative.
Postmodernism	Challenges traditional notions of representation and reality, highlighting the subjective nature of objecthood. Objects in postmodern literature may be deconstructed, recontextualized, or used to question established norms.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Views objects as symbols that may have latent meanings in the subconscious. Objecthood can be analyzed in terms of desire, repression, and the manifestation of psychological processes in literary symbolism.
Feminist Criticism	Investigates the role of objects in reinforcing or challenging gender norms. Objecthood in literature may reflect and contribute to the construction of gender identities and power dynamics.
Reader-Response Theory	Focuses on the reader’s engagement with the text, and objecthood can influence the reader’s interpretation and emotional response. Objects may evoke personal memories or cultural associations, shaping the reading experience.

Objecthood plays a crucial role in various literary theories, influencing how scholars analyze and interpret texts within the frameworks of existentialism, structuralism, postmodernism, psychoanalytic theory, feminist criticism, and reader-response theory.

Objecthood: Application in Critiques

1. Beloved by Toni Morrison:
   • Application of Objecthood: The haunting presence of the baby ghost, representing Sethe’s traumatic past, serves as a poignant object in the narrative. Analyzing the objecthood of the ghost contributes to critiques by unraveling themes of slavery, motherhood, and the enduring impact of historical trauma.
2. Blindness by José Saramago:
   • Application of Objecthood: The sudden epidemic of blindness in the novel introduces a collective object, challenging societal norms and exposing the fragility of civilization. Critically examining the objecthood of blindness contributes to critiques by exploring themes of human vulnerability, societal breakdown, and the loss of individual identity.
3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy:
   • Application of Objecthood: The father and son’s journey through a post-apocalyptic world is marked by their possession of a shopping cart. Analyzing the objecthood of the shopping cart adds depth to critiques by exploring themes of survival, familial bonds, and the struggle for humanity in a desolate landscape.
4. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde:
   • Application of Objecthood: Dorian Gray’s portrait serves as a central object embodying the consequences of his hedonistic lifestyle. Critiques focusing on the objecthood of the portrait contribute to the analysis of themes related to morality, the corrupting influence of aestheticism, and the pursuit of eternal youth.

Objecthood: Relevant Terms

Theoretical Terms	Brief Description
1. Subjectivity	Examines individual perspectives and experiences in interpretation.
2. Ontology	Investigates the nature of being and existence, often in a metaphysical context.
3. Aesthetics	Focuses on the study of beauty, taste, and artistic expression.
4. Semiotics	Analyzes signs and symbols in communication and their interpretation.
5. Phenomenology	Explores conscious experience and the ways phenomena are perceived.
6. Epistemology	Examines the nature and scope of knowledge and belief.
7. Representation	Studies the portrayal or depiction of concepts, objects, or ideas.
8. Signification	Investigates the meaning and significance of signs and symbols.
9. Identity	Explores the nature and characteristics that make entities distinct.
10. Spectatorship	Focuses on the role and engagement of the observer or audience.

Objecthood: Suggested Readings

1. Heidegger, Martin. Being and Time. HarperOne, 2008.
2. Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. W. W. Norton & Company, 1996.
3. Marquez, Gabriel Garcia. One Hundred Years of Solitude. Harper Perennial, 2006.
4. Merleau-Ponty, Maurice. Phenomenology of Perception. Routledge, 2012.
5. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Vintage, 2004.
6. Proust, Marcel. In Search of Lost Time. Vintage, 1992.
7. Saramago, José. Blindness. Mariner Books, 1999.
8. Sartre, Jean-Paul. Being and Nothingness. Washington Square Press, 1993.
9. Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Little, Brown and Company, 1991.
10. Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Oxford University Press, 2006.