Circe and Delia Mañara: Mythical Parallels
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ScribdTranslationsCirce and Delia Mañara: Mythical Parallels
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ScribdTranslationsSUBSTITUTE PLAN FOR SECOND YEAR OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE
1.- Read the story Circe and answer the following questions regarding it.
argumentative content of the work and outline an interpretation regarding it.
1.- Establish an intertextual relationship between Circe and Delia Mañara.
2.- How is the product Delia prepares related to her?
3.- What is the duality that the Mañara suffer regarding Delia?
We could say that Delia Mañara represents the archetype of the fatal woman.
Explain why
5.- How is the introductory epigraph related to the narrative of
Cortázar? Provide arguments regarding this.
And one kiss I had of her mouth,
as I took the apple from her hand.
But while I bit it, my brain whirled
and my foot stumbled; and I felt
my crashing fall through the tangled
boughs beneath her feet, and saw the dead
white faces that welcomed me in the pit.
DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI
The Orchard-Pit
Circe is a character from mythology. She is a
demigod, sorceress who spent her time
climbing the mountains due to poisonous plants
and other elements of witchcraft that, when the
night fell, was occupied with distilling and preparing in
secret. She killed her first husband, who was a king.
with one of its many concoctions, earning the
hatred of the whole town, for which he goes to Italy.
He had the ability to turn men into
animals, leaving them aware of their state.
A sailor who had to endure such shame
It was Odysseus who saw how his entire crew
turned into pigs. However, he resisted
thanks to the golden garlic, a plant that Hermes gave to him
gifted and went to Circe's palace and forced her
to restore their shape to the sailors and she, who
she listened, surprised that someone was paying attention to her
resistiera fell hopelessly in love with him.
We find a great parallelism with Delia here.
what was secretly made in the kitchen of
his house the liquors and chocolates, which he later gave
to test their boyfriends, leading them to death.
Throughout the story, the animals chased her.
with a certain fear and she appeared indifferent
before them, like Circe who did not pay attention to him
to the men already turned into animals. A
exception of one occasion when Delia called
to a dog that was gentle towards its hands,
like Mario, who patiently waited for his
moment to approach Delia.
...(A cat was following Delia, it was unclear whether it was affection
or domination, they were close to her without her noticing them
Mirara. Mario noticed once that a dog moved away.
when Delia was going to pet him. She called him and the dog
gentle wine, perhaps happy, to his very fingers)...
Another similarity is that only one man survived.
to Circe, just as only Mario survived Delia.
In the case of Odysseus, it was because of the golden garlic and in
in Mario's case, it was the anonymous ones that
they put more alert.
from the house to talk to him about the anonymous ones)...
Like Circe through the village, Delia was
hated by her neighbors, having to
to move a few blocks farther from his house
after the death of her last boyfriend.
...(Everyone was talking about Delia Mañara with a hint of
shame (...) interrupted gossip)...
...(The Mañara moved four blocks away and that
a long time ago in Almagro)...
Common questions
Powered by AIDelia Mañara represents the archetype of the fatal woman through her lethal charm and the tragic fate of the men around her. Her preparation of deadly concoctions, akin to Circe's enchantments, reinforces her fatal nature. Like Circe, who had the power to transform men and was feared by those who knew her acts, Delia’s beautiful yet deadly offerings of chocolates and liquors lead to the death of her suitors . Her indifference to the animals and people around her, except a rare gentle interaction, highlights her allure coupled with danger. Furthermore, her need to relocate due to the shame and gossip encircling her amplifies her fatal woman trope .
The societal reaction to Delia Mañara, as shown by gossip and eventual marginalization, reflects broader themes of fear and ostracization of women who defy traditional roles. Delia, through her secret concoctions and lethal allure, subverts societal expectations of docility and passivity by employing knowledge and agency traditionally denied to women . Her need to relocate due to communal disdain and shame indicates the struggles faced by women who transgress societal norms, emphasizing themes of alienation and the stigmatization of powerful women . This reaction underscores the tension between individual agency and communal expectations.
Mario's role in the narrative is that of a suitor who survives Delia's fatal charms, paralleling Odysseus's survival of Circe's enchantments. Unlike other men who fell victim to Delia, Mario’s awareness, akin to Odysseus's use of Hermes' golden garlic, allowed him to evade the fatal fate . This implies a theme of awareness and external intervention being key to overcoming perilous enchantments, suggesting that survival against fatal attractions requires both alertness and external guidance . His role thus reinforces the idea of intelligence and caution as essential against manipulative dangers.
Intertextuality between 'Circe' and Delia Mañara's story is primarily drawn from mythological and narrative parallels. Circe is an enchantress capable of transforming men into animals, famously witnessed by Odysseus, mirroring Delia's ability to ensnare and ultimately doom her lovers with her concoctions, demonstrating similar themes of seduction and transformation . Delia's need to relocate due to societal rejection parallels Circe's exile, highlighting themes of isolation and societal backlash against powerful, independent women. This intertextuality enhances Delia's character as both mysterious and dangerous, drawing readers into a narrative of allure and peril .
Delia's chocolates and liquors symbolize the deceptive allure and deadly control she holds over her admirers. These concoctions, like Circe's potions, are means of entrapment, signifying both allure and danger . This symbolism connects to broader themes of manipulation, temptation, and the peril inherent in desire. As physical manifestations of Delia's power, they emphasize her agency within a constraining society, challenging normative expectations and positioning her as both an object of desire and a formidable force. By embodying allure and danger, they deepen the narrative's exploration of the fatal attractions women can wield.
The epigraph from Rossetti's 'The Orchard-Pit' symbolizes temptation and the consequences of succumbing to allure, which mirrors the narrative of 'Circe'. The act of biting into the apple, leading to a fall into a pit surrounded by dead faces, parallels the fates of Delia's suitors, who are drawn by her charms to their demise . This comparison enhances the understanding of Delia's character as an embodiment of irresistible temptation leading to destruction. The epigraph also reinforces themes of human vulnerability and the perils of desire, deepening the narrative's exploration of consequence and enticement.
Delia's relocation highlights the tension between public perception and personal identity by underscoring her conflict with societal norms. The societal gossip and resulting isolation reflect the narrative theme that a woman's agency is often met with suspicion and fear . Her move signifies a retreat from judgment, yet also a separation from a community unwilling to accept her true nature. This dichotomy accentuates themes of alienation and the harsh judgment imposed on non-conformity, illustrating the broader commentary on individual identity versus societal acceptance.
The Mañara family's perception of Delia reflects dualities of fear and pride in her abilities. While they may view her lethal craft and societal reactions with a sense of shame, there is an implicit recognition of her power and uniqueness, suggesting complex familial dynamics . This duality informs the reader that Delia is a figure of both awe and fear, whose independence challenges traditional family roles. The family's mixed respect and apprehension represent the broader societal tension between admiration for individual agency and fear of its consequences.
The presence of animals around Delia suggests her mystical and potent nature, drawing a parallel to Circe, who also interacts with animals transformed by her will. This presence underscores the connection between her and the natural, often untamed world, reinforcing themes of enchantment and control . It also indicates her outsider status, as these creatures align more closely with her than the surrounding society, reflecting tension between civilization and nature. This blended imagery supports broader themes of misunderstood power and the innate, often feared connection certain individuals have with otherworldly realms.
Transformation is a central theme in 'Circe', reflecting their power and the fear it incites. Circe's ability to change men into animals is a direct manifestation of her supernatural influence over others and nature . In Delia's narrative, transformation is allegorical, as she alters the fate of her suitors through her deadly concoctions, leading them from life to death. Both characters wield transformative power, highlighting themes of control, manipulation, and the dangerous allure of enchantresses. This theme underscores how transformation, whether physical or metaphorical, serves as a tool for powerful women, challenging male-dominated narratives.