Knowing one’s own self has been defined as one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish in our lives. Nevertheless, all of us feel the inner need to relate to ourselves in order to become holistic beings. But how do we get to know the self? In contrast to collectivism, individualism is considered an egoistical doctrine that selfishly ignores the needs of others.
However, the terms do not necessarily exclude each other. On the contrary, identity is based on relationships and on the dialogue with others. During the twentieth century, existential philosophy developed as a discipline which faced those big existential questions and tried to provide a guideline to find one’s personal identity in life. Eventually, existential philosophers such as Martin Buber and Mikhail Bakthin became known as pioneers of the so-called dialogical philosophy.
In opposition to individualism, Buber established a concept of getting to know the self from a totally different point of view. Instead of focusing exclusively on the subject as an individual, Buber presents an approach which stresses the importance of the other person. In his view, two individuals establish an intersubjective relationship in order to achieve self-formation.
In her book “The Shaking Woman” Siri Hustvedt describes her struggle of self-identification and self-acceptance. Hustvedt suffers from physical shaking but no one is able to find a certain diagnosis for her illness. Nevertheless, Hustvedt manages her inner conflict and finds self-acceptance in the end.
This paper shall provide evidence in how far Buber’s concept of dialogism supports Siri Hustvedt in order to resolve her inner conflict. By entering the dialogue with the other we are able to find and accept our true self. In relation to Martin Buber’s approach of dialogism, the act of entering the dialogue happens by addressing God, the so-called Eternal Thou. Therefore, the act of self-acceptance which occurs in “The Shaking Woman” can be also considered as religious experience.
First, this paper will explain Martin Buber’s dialogical approach and its relevance for the “Shaking Woman”. Further, I will point out the relevance of the Eternal Thou which provides healing and reconciliation with the self. Afterwards, this paper will analyze Siri Hustvedt’s conflict of the self and how she reaches self-acceptance by entering the dialogue in terms of Buber’s philosophy.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Martin Buber’s I and Thou Dialogism
2.1 The Eternal Thou
3. The ambiguity of the self in Siri Hustvedt’s “The Shaking Woman”
4. The “Shaking Woman” enters the dialogue
5. Conclusion
6. Works Cited
6.1 Primary Literature
6.2 Secondary Literature
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how Martin Buber's dialogical philosophy can be applied to Siri Hustvedt's "The Shaking Woman" to understand how the protagonist resolves her inner conflict and achieves self-acceptance through the concept of the "Eternal Thou."
- Application of Martin Buber’s dialogism to contemporary literature.
- Exploration of the "I-Thou" relationship as a path to self-formation.
- Analysis of the ambiguity and dissociation within the self in "The Shaking Woman."
- Understanding the "Eternal Thou" as a spiritual framework for healing and reconciliation.
- Reinterpreting self-acceptance as an outcome of entering into dialogue.
Excerpt from the Book
3. The ambiguity of the self in Siri Hustvedt’s “The Shaking Woman”
The ambiguity of the self is an essential issue in Hustvedt’s book. Generally, ambiguity is considered to be “the overriding principle which governs Siri Hustvedt’s account of the shaking woman” (Hornung 67).
To illustrate the discrepancy between body and mind, the following passages will illustrate the situations that provide evidence for Hustvedt’s ambiguity and incongruence within the self.
In the beginning of the book, an ambiguity of her mind and her body is described, when she gives the speech for her father who has recently died (cf. Hustvedt 3). While she is giving the speech, her body starts to shake. Since the act of giving a speech is rather considered as an intellectual activity, one can recognize a discrepancy between her mental and her physical behavior. The speech which is intellectually controllable and has been planned ahead and the unexpected shaking of her body proclaim that there is some kind of disharmony between body and mind, since her body is performing acts she cannot control.
On the one hand, Hustvedt is eager to know about the reasons for her shaking, but on the other hand she is “afraid of an analysis” (Hustvedt 19). It seems that she suffers from repressive thoughts since she assumes that there are “hidden recesses of [her] personality that [she] [is] reluctant to penetrate” (Hustvedt 19).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the struggle of self-identification, introduces Buber’s dialogical philosophy as a lens for analysis, and sets the goal of examining how Siri Hustvedt reaches self-acceptance.
2. Martin Buber’s I and Thou Dialogism: This section details Buber’s core philosophy, focusing on the encounter and the distinct nature of the I-Thou relationship compared to the I-It world.
2.1 The Eternal Thou: This chapter explores the concept of the Eternal Thou as an essential, omnipresent element in Buber’s framework that allows for a continuous dialogical relationship.
3. The ambiguity of the self in Siri Hustvedt’s “The Shaking Woman”: This chapter analyzes the protagonist's internal conflict, focusing on the dissociation between her mind and body as depicted in her personal account.
4. The “Shaking Woman” enters the dialogue: This section demonstrates how Hustvedt gains self-acceptance by integrating her physical struggles into her self-identity through the process of dialogue.
5. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes how engaging in dialogue, particularly through Buber’s perspective, provides healing for the ambiguity of the self and leads to a more holistic perception.
6. Works Cited: This section provides a comprehensive list of primary and secondary sources used in the research.
Keywords
Martin Buber, Siri Hustvedt, The Shaking Woman, Dialogism, I-Thou, Eternal Thou, Self-acceptance, Identity, Ambiguity of the self, Existential philosophy, Dissociation, Intersubjectivity, Relationality, Healing, Religious experience
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the path to true self-acceptance by applying Martin Buber’s dialogical philosophy, specifically his concept of the "I and Thou" relationship, to the experiences described in Siri Hustvedt's book "The Shaking Woman."
What are the primary themes addressed in the work?
The central themes include the search for personal identity, the philosophical significance of interpersonal relationships, the nature of religious experience, and the psychological concept of dissociation.
What is the main research question of this study?
The study investigates how Buber’s concept of dialogism can support the protagonist in "The Shaking Woman" to resolve her inner conflict and reach a state of self-acceptance.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The paper uses a qualitative literary analysis, utilizing existential and dialogical philosophy to interpret the narrative content and psychological states presented in the primary literature.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers Buber’s philosophical definitions, the specific role of the "Eternal Thou," an analysis of Hustvedt’s physical and mental ambiguity, and the process by which she integrates her "shaking" self into her identity.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Buber’s dialogism, self-formation, "The Shaking Woman," I-Thou, and the ambiguity of the self.
How does Buber define the "Eternal Thou"?
Buber describes the "Eternal Thou" as an essential, spiritual counterpart—often synonymous with God—that remains in a constant state of "Thou," unlike human relations that frequently revert to an "I-It" structure.
Does the author conclude that Hustvedt experiences a religious transformation?
Yes, the paper concludes that Hustvedt's process of self-acceptance can be considered a religious experience in Buberian terms, as it involves hallowing life and entering into a meaningful, holistic dialogue with existence.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Bachelor of Education Natalie Pehl (Autor:in), 2016, Finding true self-acceptance by entering the dialogue with God. An adaption of Martin Buber’s dialogism on Siri Hustvedt’s “The Shaking Woman”, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/344302
