Character Analysis
In the story, “The Daemon Lover”, author Shirley Jackson came across specific moments where the main character, a woman, underwent issues that all women used to go through back in the early 1900’s. Jackson uses this woman to portray objectification, representing a psychological phenomena that is expressed based on this woman’s so-called role in her community and her frustrations as a result of her expectations as a female.
Throughout the story there is a roller-coaster of traits she represents and feelings that she experiences as a result of her community. Shirley Jackson explained, “Looking at herself in the mirror she thought with revulsion, It’s as though I was trying to make myself look prettier than I am, just for him…It isn’t what you’re wearing that matters, she told herself firmly”(Jackson 11). This woman shows signs of confidence and awareness because she knows that no matter what, she looks beautiful, whether someone else thinks otherwise. However, there was a point where that confidence and awareness shifted gears and turned into complication when Jackson brought up “It was two minutes after ten; she was not satisfied with her clothes, her face, her apartment”(Jackson 12). Her views of appearance changed all of sudden making it seem as if now she does care about what she wears and what her soon to be husband might think at their wedding.
Little did she know that this wedding turned into a search party and underwent moments that triggered a sort of frustration, while looking for her fiance. She was a determined woman and went from building to building and from street to street trying to see if anyone in the community had seen him. What triggered her frustration and her view of society were the men she came across when asking for help. Jackson introduced the moment, “Nice corsage ? he said, as they went through the shop… Ladies always look their best in flowers, he said, bending his head toward her”(Jackson 23). This woman’s response had an upsetting tone. “Going up the street she thought, Everyone thinks it’s so funny : and she pulled her coat tighter around her, so that only the ruffle around the bottom of the print dress was showing”(Jackson 23). The reason for this type of response was the man’s compliments about her looks instead of actual help.
These traits and moments discussed about the character and what she goes through, leads to the conclusion of her representation of objectification. The woman’s confidence shifted to complication after thinking of her husband and what he may say about the way she’s dressed. This was also emphasized by the man that focused on what was on her body rather than the real situation she was dealing with. There was another moment where this woman truly realized that all she was nothing in society, but an object. Jackson brought up, “What a fool I’d look like. She had a quick picture of herself standing in a police station, saying yes, we were going to be married today, but he didn’t come, and the policemen, three or four of them standing around listening, looking at her, at the print dress, at her too-bright make up, smiling at one another”. She wouldn’t have to paint this picture in her head if men simply recognized more than just her appearance. She got even more frustrated because she was the only one that knew her worth. She emphasized this when she explained, “there’s more than you think when you look at me”(Jackson 23). This character was aware of her true self, but the fact she’s objectified by men proves why she has these different feelings when it comes to her clothing and why she doesn’t get taken seriously.
All in all, the moments the main character of the short story portrayed objectification. The woman felt a sense of frustration. This was shown as a result of the actions of the men she came across. The fact that her confidence shifted to caring what others think was a major sign of objectification because it was an emphasis on the idea that a women’s role is to please the men.
