Essay Questions

Apply Lacanian theory is explicating the connection between Holly and Leo.

Holly affirms, “I had no intention of allowing Leo to go anywhere by himself, for my own sake, if not for his. I was far too attached to him for that. I am not a man of many ties or affections. Circumstances have been against me in this respect, and men and women shrink from me, or at least, I fancy that they do, which comes to the same thing, thinking, perhaps, that my somewhat forbidding exterior is a key to my character. Rather than endure this, I have, to a great extent, secluded myself from the world, and cut myself off from those opportunities which with most men result in the formation of relations more or less intimate. Therefore Leo was all the world to me—brother, child, and friend—and until he wearied of me, where he went there I should go too. But, of course, it would not do to let him see how great a hold he had over me; so I cast about for some means whereby I might let myself down easy.” For Holly, Leo is an Objet petit a representing love and family. Holly regards Leo as his son even though he is not his biological father. Holly bestows Leo all his affection unreservedly, because he is the only person, besides Leo’s Father (Vincey), who appreciates him unreservedly and does not abandon him due to his ugliness. Loving Leo gratifies Holly’s unconscious desire for affection and family. Their relationship affirms that Vincey was accurate in sanctioning Holly to be Leo’s ‘father’ after his demise. Splitting the two would be emotionally shattering for Holly since Leo is his sole comrade.

Elucidate the import of the introduction chapter.

H. Ridder Haggard affirms, “Well, that is all I have to say. Of the history itself the reader must judge. I give it him, with the exception of a very few alterations, made with the object of concealing the identity of the actors from the general public, exactly as it came to me. Personally I have made up my mind to refrain from comments. At first I was inclined to believe that this history of a woman on whom, clothed in the majesty of her almost endless years, the shadow of Eternity itself lay like the dark wing of Night, was some gigantic allegory of which I could not catch the meaning. Then I thought that it might be a bold attempt to portray the possible results of practical immortality, informing the substance of a mortal who yet drew her strength from Earth, and in whose human bosom passions yet rose and fell and beat as in the undying world around her the winds and the tides rise and fall and beat unceasingly. But as I went on I abandoned that idea also. To me the story seems to bear the stamp of truth upon its face. Its explanation I must leave to others, and with this slight preface, which circumstances make necessary, I introduce the world to Ayesha and the Caves of Kôr.”

Haggard outlines his role in editing the text which apprises the reader that the text is not Haggard’s particular composition. The revelations provided in the introduction deliver contextual material which is contributory in transitioning to the chief plot of She: A History of Adventure. Additionally, Haggard’s introduction authorizes that he published the information which he obtained from Holly ; hence, would not precisely authenticate the realism of ‘ She.’

How does the ‘porsherd’ appeal to ‘magical realism’?

The ‘porsherd’ reads, “and they brought us to the Queen of the people who place pots upon the heads of strangers, who is a magician having a knowledge of all things, and life and loveliness that does not die. And she cast eyes of love upon thy father, Kallikrates, and would have slain me, and taken him to husband, but he loved me and feared her, and would not. Then did she take us, and lead us by terrible ways, by means of dark magic, to where the great pit is, in the mouth of which the old philosopher lay dead, and showed to us the rolling Pillar of Life that dies not, whereof the voice is as the voice of thunder; and she did stand in the flames, and come forth unharmed, and yet more beautiful. Then did she swear to make thy father undying even as she is, if he would but slay me, and give himself to her, for me she could not slay because of the magic of my own people that I have, and that prevailed thus far against her. And he held his hand before his eyes to hide her beauty, and would not. Then in her rage did she smite him by her magic, and he died; but she wept over him, and bore him thence with lamentations.”

First, the Queen’s magic is the personification of extraordinary realism because it activates astonishing supremacy which is not archetypal among regular humans. Second, the ‘Pillar of Life’ epitomizes mystic realism since it is eternal. If the queen were conventional, she would have straightforwardly been consumed by the flames. The realism is contributory in constructing the prime conflict and mystery in She: A History of Adventure.