In chapter fourteen of Quicksand, Helga is in Copenhagen living with her aunt and uncle. Repeatedly, she compares her life there to her hatred of America. The narrator describes Helga's appearance throughout the chapter as nonhuman or unnormal which contributes to Helga's search for self-acceptance.
"A decoration. A curio. A peacock...Her dark, alien appearance was to most people an astonishment," (67).
This passage describes Helga through the perspective of the people in Copenhagen. The term "alien" labels Helga as a foreigner but also differientiates her as an "Other". Also, the diction of "peacock" juxtaposed agaisnt "dark" emphasizes what Helga herself has been struggling with throughout the novel. On one end, she is the black dehumanized "Negro" and on the other she is half-white. Likewise, the term peacock is connotative of the vibrant and lively bird while the word dark is gritty and somewhat gruesome. Helga is also objectified as a "decoration", an ornament to be admired.
Although this quote is very short, I thought it summarized Helga's struggle very well. Obviously, appearance is a big deal to her. She refuses to marry a white man in attempt to alleviate any future children of her conflicting emotions with race.
1 comment:
Appearance is a big deal to Helga and is constantly shown throughout the book. She is seen as different in this place yet she cant seem to determine if she likes this or not. She is confused as with her identity because of the appearance differences among her and the people that surround her in her life. This quote does summarize Helga's struggle and her fight. She is constantly struggling with her appearance of herself as well as the appearance others see and her outlook on life.
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