Becoming One: Social Deconstruction in Tarchetti’s “A Spirit in a Raspberry” Jessie Hwang College

In Iginio Ugo Tarchetti’s “A Spirit in A Raspberry,” the main character, Baron B. has always been in his comfort zone: he has all he needs, and he is content with existing only in his small corner of the world. The young baron is unaware that life could be any different and lives an egocentric life. However, the baron’s later experience sharing an experience with another adds dimension to his previously simple life. Nevertheless, such a dimension also brings with it an uncanny fright: according to Sigmund Freud, blurring the lines between the familiar and the unfamiliar gives rise to the uncanny. Yet in the story, the baron’s familiar self is made whole by Clara’s unfamiliar other half, making this uncanny experience both wholesome and frightening. Although the spiritual union between Clara and the baron is a supernatural event, it also shows that love can unify two opposing wills, completing the baron’s human experience.

In the story, the baron’s sight and feelings are linked to his emotions, and his thoughts and memories are linked to his knowledge. He sees things differently when he feel differently about them, whereas his knowledge relies on memories and is independent of the senses. However, how he feels often differs from...