Cat’s Eye ppt 3Cat’s Eye ppt 3

From From

Grade 13Grade 13

IX Leprosy - Grace’s fall IX Leprosy - Grace’s fall from gracefrom grace

I can’t account for my own savagery.I can’t account for my own savagery.

Base treacheryBase treachery

She was adored by all of us…And in She was adored by all of us…And in Cordelia’s version, now, she never Cordelia’s version, now, she never was.was.

Mean Mouth (Chapters Mean Mouth (Chapters 42-43)42-43)

Grade 11Grade 11 I want all my hurts to I want all my hurts to

be intentional.be intentional. Uses Cordelia as Uses Cordelia as

target practice. target practice. Elaine tells stories - Elaine tells stories -

vampire, twins: vampire, twins: “I’m “I’m really dead. I’ve been really dead. I’ve been dead for years.” dead for years.”

Since the ravine? Since the ravine? “Born” again?“Born” again?

Energy has passed Energy has passed between us, and I am between us, and I am stronger.stronger.

Murder in the RavineMurder in the Ravine A girl is found murdered, down in the A girl is found murdered, down in the

ravine.ravine. The girl is our age.The girl is our age. This murdered girl troubles me…she goes This murdered girl troubles me…she goes

to that place where all things go that are to that place where all things go that are unmentionable.unmentionable.

she stirs up something, like dead leaves. I she stirs up something, like dead leaves. I think of a doll I had once, with white fur think of a doll I had once, with white fur on the border of the skirt. I remember on the border of the skirt. I remember being afraid of this doll. I haven’t thought being afraid of this doll. I haven’t thought about that in years.about that in years.

A reminder of what almost was?A reminder of what almost was?

Elaine tutors Cordelia on the atom Elaine tutors Cordelia on the atom for the Physics exam. for the Physics exam.

Stephen says an atom looks like Stephen says an atom looks like a lot a lot of empty space…you can only say it of empty space…you can only say it has a tendency to existhas a tendency to exist

Stephen’s verdict on Cordelia – Stephen’s verdict on Cordelia – has a has a tendency to exist.tendency to exist. Stupid/thick?Stupid/thick? Like an atom, perhaps no one really Like an atom, perhaps no one really

understands her?understands her?

DATINGDATING Something about Cordelia makes boys uneasy.Something about Cordelia makes boys uneasy.

It’s as if she’s too attentive to them, too polite, It’s as if she’s too attentive to them, too polite, studied and overdone.studied and overdone.

Put off by her artificiality?Put off by her artificiality? Occasionally, Elaine organises double dates. Occasionally, Elaine organises double dates. Cordelia Cordelia triestries to look at them sincerely, head- to look at them sincerely, head-

on; they are blinded by the glare, and freeze on; they are blinded by the glare, and freeze like rabbits in a headlight.like rabbits in a headlight.

Is too forward in the Is too forward in the back seatback seat Is trying to win affection. Is picky of boys Is trying to win affection. Is picky of boys

because it is better to reject than be rejected?because it is better to reject than be rejected?

The Earle Grey PlayersThe Earle Grey Players Macbeth – Cordelia is a serving woman, Macbeth – Cordelia is a serving woman,

soldier in the final battle scene.soldier in the final battle scene. Many roles, but this seems to be Many roles, but this seems to be

something she genuinely lovessomething she genuinely loves The rotten cabbage is replaced – The rotten cabbage is replaced –

Macbeth’s head bounces, “bumpity-bump” Macbeth’s head bounces, “bumpity-bump” tragedy tragedy

becomes laughter. Cordelia’s attempt becomes laughter. Cordelia’s attempt

to be helpful turns into an excuse for to be helpful turns into an excuse for

Elaine to taunt Cordelia, who is Elaine to taunt Cordelia, who is

almost in tears.almost in tears.

Zoology tutoringZoology tutoring Cordelia is becoming Cordelia is becoming

mushier and mushier. mushier and mushier. Does that mean Elaine Does that mean Elaine

is getting harder?is getting harder? I do the frog for her. I do the frog for her.

I’m good at this. I’m good at this. Smart, disconnected.Smart, disconnected. Cordelia had no Cordelia had no

problems with bullying a problems with bullying a friend, but takes issue friend, but takes issue with dissecting an with dissecting an animal in the name of animal in the name of knowledge.knowledge.

Cordelia’s fatherCordelia’s father Parallels between him and child-Cordelia:Parallels between him and child-Cordelia:

He can make you feel that what he thinks of you He can make you feel that what he thinks of you matters, because it will be accurate, but what you matters, because it will be accurate, but what you think of him is of no importance.think of him is of no importance.

Too frightened of him. Too frightened of him. She’s frightened of not pleasing him. She’s frightened of not pleasing him. her dithering, fumble-footed efforts to her dithering, fumble-footed efforts to

appease him.appease him. How can she be so abject? When will she How can she be so abject? When will she

learn?learn? What is being echoed here?What is being echoed here? Cordelia fails mid-year Zoology test – doesn’t Cordelia fails mid-year Zoology test – doesn’t

seem to care.seem to care. Why not? Why not?

EPIPHANYEPIPHANY

In midst of Biology exam, In midst of Biology exam, like a sudden like a sudden epileptic fit,epileptic fit, not going to be a biologist not going to be a biologist

I am going to be a painter. I am going to be a painter. My life has been changed, soundlessly, My life has been changed, soundlessly,

instantaneously.instantaneously. Cordelia rings to see her. Needs Elaine Cordelia rings to see her. Needs Elaine

more than Elaine needs her.more than Elaine needs her. Cordelia is a wreck Cordelia is a wreck looks like Haggis looks like Haggis

McBaggis.McBaggis.

Falling apartFalling apart

Has tutor for summer school papers.Has tutor for summer school papers. Only accomplishment is deluding the Only accomplishment is deluding the

tutor.tutor. I sleep a lot.I sleep a lot. Maybe I am a cretin.Maybe I am a cretin. She’s acting like a jerk.She’s acting like a jerk. Lack of will-power.Lack of will-power. Elaine lacks empathyElaine lacks empathy An epiphany/purpose evades Cordelia.An epiphany/purpose evades Cordelia.

X Life DrawingX Life Drawing Preoccupied with Preoccupied with

the name Cordelia – the name Cordelia – Heart of the moon, Heart of the moon, jewel of the sea, the jewel of the sea, the third sister, the third sister, the only honest one.only honest one.

ExpectationsExpectations The stubborn one, The stubborn one,

the rejected one, the rejected one, the one who was the one who was not heard.not heard.

Elaine thinks of her Elaine thinks of her name as name as tough but tough but pliable now, like a pliable now, like a well-worn glove.well-worn glove.

Jon Jon

Potential has a shelf-life.Potential has a shelf-life. Always made a fetish of lateness.Always made a fetish of lateness. Last saw each other 4 years agoLast saw each other 4 years ago He’s up to the smart remarks. He’s up to the smart remarks. Split from his second wife, Mary Jean. She Split from his second wife, Mary Jean. She

left.left. She said she couldn’t get through to me.She said she couldn’t get through to me.

Forgiving men is so much easier than for Forgiving men is so much easier than for women.women.

Why?Why?

Falling WomenFalling Women Fallen women were women who had Fallen women were women who had

fallen onto men and hurt themselves.fallen onto men and hurt themselves. Recalls the men in the ravine?Recalls the men in the ravine? Is the fall inevitable? A Is the fall inevitable? A

consequenceconsequence of interaction?of interaction?

Mr HrbikMr Hrbik Art teacher – in his mid-30s, Elaine is Art teacher – in his mid-30s, Elaine is

almost 18.almost 18. Looks at her folio. Looks at her folio. You are a complete You are a complete

amateur.amateur. You can draw objects very well. But as You can draw objects very well. But as

yet you cannot draw life.yet you cannot draw life. You are an unfinished voman…but here You are an unfinished voman…but here

you will be finished. you will be finished. Ewwww.Ewwww. Elaine – “letting herself go” dressed in Elaine – “letting herself go” dressed in

black. Switching identities (again).black. Switching identities (again).

Growing UpGrowing Up Aware of Susie’s affair.Aware of Susie’s affair. Sets up Sets up ersatz squalor ersatz squalor in cellar.in cellar. Dad feels betrayed by Uni politics, Mr Dad feels betrayed by Uni politics, Mr

Banerji back to India. Banerji back to India. Stephen, in California, studying Stephen, in California, studying

Astrophysics – arrested for being in a Astrophysics – arrested for being in a Military testing zone. Oblivious to all Military testing zone. Oblivious to all but science/quest for knowledge.but science/quest for knowledge.

Does not even mention it in his letter Does not even mention it in his letter (written as he is up a tree, watching (written as he is up a tree, watching football game for free).football game for free).

JosefJosef I’m in love with his need.I’m in love with his need. Susie wants to marry him. Is this an unfair desire?Susie wants to marry him. Is this an unfair desire? Elaine fancies herself a bohemian: Elaine fancies herself a bohemian: I’ve put myself I’ve put myself

beyond marriage. I can see it back there, innocent beyond marriage. I can see it back there, innocent and beribboned, like a child’s doll: irretrievable. and beribboned, like a child’s doll: irretrievable. Instead of marriage I will be dedicated to my Instead of marriage I will be dedicated to my painting.painting.

Double standard: Double standard: (There is of course the spectre of (There is of course the spectre of pregnancy. You can’t get a diaphragm unless you’re pregnancy. You can’t get a diaphragm unless you’re married, rubbers are sold under the counter and only married, rubbers are sold under the counter and only to men...to men...[but these things have][but these things have] nothing to do with nothing to do with Josef and his experienced mauve bedroom. They Josef and his experienced mauve bedroom. They also have nothing to do with me, wrapped as I am in also have nothing to do with me, wrapped as I am in dense minor-key enchantment. But I make little dense minor-key enchantment. But I make little check marks on my pocket calendar, all the samecheck marks on my pocket calendar, all the same

Cordelia reinventedCordelia reinvented Run away from home, hunted Elaine Run away from home, hunted Elaine

down.down. Gaunt, thinner, Gaunt, thinner, over her days of sloth and over her days of sloth and

overeating and failure.overeating and failure. She is a bit-part player for Stratford She is a bit-part player for Stratford

Shakespearean Festival.Shakespearean Festival. Explains the shoplifting: Explains the shoplifting: It was something It was something

I could have.I could have. Elaine makes a special trip to Stratford to Elaine makes a special trip to Stratford to

see Cordelia in see Cordelia in The Tempest The Tempest – can’t tell – can’t tell which one is her. She is fading away.which one is her. She is fading away.

MENMEN

Josef is rearranging her. Josef is rearranging her. She is out-growing him.She is out-growing him. Can’t imagine Susie surviving without Can’t imagine Susie surviving without

him.him. She is limp, without will, made spineless by She is limp, without will, made spineless by

love, as I am.love, as I am. Jon reappears.Jon reappears. Still treats Elaine Still treats Elaine like an honorary boy.like an honorary boy. Holds onto Jon as Holds onto Jon as if I’m sinking into mud.if I’m sinking into mud. Does she turn to him, or fall onto him?Does she turn to him, or fall onto him?

XI Falling WomenXI Falling Women Killing is endless Killing is endless

now now Woman convinces Woman convinces

her to give money. her to give money. Her hands smooth, Her hands smooth,

Elaine’s the skin Elaine’s the skin of an of an incipient incipient toad. toad. Another sign Another sign of aging.of aging.

Endless need.Endless need.

Susie’s abortionSusie’s abortion Elaine’s devotion to Josef makes her Elaine’s devotion to Josef makes her

unsympathetic of Susie’s weakness.unsympathetic of Susie’s weakness. Elaine called to bloodbath.Elaine called to bloodbath. Elaine’s persistence gets room opened Elaine’s persistence gets room opened

and Susie to hospital.and Susie to hospital. Prejudices exposed. Prejudices exposed. “What’d she use, “What’d she use,

a knitting needle?”a knitting needle?” ““Stupid kids. You’d think they’d have Stupid kids. You’d think they’d have

more sense.”more sense.” Josef thinks he’ll never get over it. Josef thinks he’ll never get over it.

Elaine dumps JosefElaine dumps Josef Small voice Small voice It serves her right.It serves her right. Because she Because she

hasn’t “fallen” as far, Elaine feels superior?hasn’t “fallen” as far, Elaine feels superior? The experience has The experience has hardenedhardened Susie. Susie. Elaine feels inadequate to cope with Josef on Elaine feels inadequate to cope with Josef on

her own. her own. I see him as weak now, clinging, gutted like a fish.I see him as weak now, clinging, gutted like a fish.

He leaves Toronto forever. He leaves Toronto forever. Elaine enjoys walking away. Elaine enjoys walking away. It’s enormously It’s enormously

pleasing to me, this act of walking away. It’s pleasing to me, this act of walking away. It’s like being able to make people appear and like being able to make people appear and vanish, at will.vanish, at will. Who else has she walked away Who else has she walked away from?from?

Dreaming of SusieDreaming of Susie

Page-boy haircutPage-boy haircut Holding a skipping ropeHolding a skipping rope Licking an orange popsicleLicking an orange popsicle ““Don’t you know what a twin set is?”Don’t you know what a twin set is?” I know I have done something I know I have done something

wrong.wrong. What is the significance of the What is the significance of the

dream? What does it mean/reveal?dream? What does it mean/reveal?

PaintingPainting

I want objects that breathe out light; I want objects that breathe out light; a luminous flatness.a luminous flatness.

PregnantPregnant Afraid to tell Jon. Afraid to tell Jon. Refuses to end up like Susie.Refuses to end up like Susie. Now I begin to paint things that aren’t Now I begin to paint things that aren’t

there.there. These are objects she fixated upon when These are objects she fixated upon when

she was being bullied: toaster, coffee she was being bullied: toaster, coffee percolator, wringer, deadly nightshade.percolator, wringer, deadly nightshade.

They are suffused with anxiety, but it’s They are suffused with anxiety, but it’s not my own anxiety.not my own anxiety.

Or is it anxiety she has forgotten?Or is it anxiety she has forgotten?

Paints Mrs SmeathPaints Mrs Smeath

Needs to feel pain, to attach herself to Needs to feel pain, to attach herself to daily life. Bites her nails again.daily life. Bites her nails again.

My body is a separate thing... I am My body is a separate thing... I am disgusted with it.disgusted with it.

Mrs Smeath - now 3 dimensional - smiles Mrs Smeath - now 3 dimensional - smiles her half-closed smile, smug and accusing. her half-closed smile, smug and accusing.

Whatever has happened to me is my own Whatever has happened to me is my own fault, the fault of what is wrong with me.fault, the fault of what is wrong with me.

Just like it was with the bullying.Just like it was with the bullying.

Nearly 30 - & over the Nearly 30 - & over the hillhill

Sarah - 2Sarah - 2 Gets married. Oldest reason in the book.Gets married. Oldest reason in the book. Fights.Fights. Feminist meeting. Feminist meeting. Sisterhood is a difficult concept for me.Sisterhood is a difficult concept for me. Paints Virgin Mary descending to the Paints Virgin Mary descending to the

earth – looks tired. “Our Lady of earth – looks tired. “Our Lady of Perpetual Help.”Perpetual Help.” Why does she look tired?Why does she look tired? Does she give help or need it?Does she give help or need it?

The openingThe opening

Grace Smeath lookalike. Grace Smeath lookalike. You are disgusting...You are taking the Lord’s You are disgusting...You are taking the Lord’s

name in vain. Why do you want to hurt people?name in vain. Why do you want to hurt people? Is that a tear? I am aghast, and deeply Is that a tear? I am aghast, and deeply

satisfied. She is making a spectacle of satisfied. She is making a spectacle of herself, at last, and I am in control.herself, at last, and I am in control.

Ink flies at “White Gift”Ink flies at “White Gift” Henfighting – Feathers Fly at Feminist Henfighting – Feathers Fly at Feminist

Fracas” reads the headline. Fracas” reads the headline. A great many A great many people come.people come.

999 Queen999 Queen Cordelia in a Cordelia in a discreet private loony bin. discreet private loony bin.

The Dorothy Lyndwick Rest Home.The Dorothy Lyndwick Rest Home. OD’d on pills.OD’d on pills. Get me outGet me out I guess you’ve always hated me.I guess you’ve always hated me. Elaine Elaine

can’t understand why Cordelia would can’t understand why Cordelia would say this.say this.

Elaine takes Cordelia back.Elaine takes Cordelia back. Dreams a mannequin statue, ends at Dreams a mannequin statue, ends at

neck , Cordelia’s head under arm.neck , Cordelia’s head under arm. Significance?Significance?

XII ONE WINGXII ONE WING WinterWinter Sarah sick.Sarah sick. Jon away.Jon away. Elaine sick, doesn’t paint at all Elaine sick, doesn’t paint at all

anymore.anymore. Slashes wrist.Slashes wrist. Hears voice of a 9 year old child - Hears voice of a 9 year old child - Do Do

it. Come on. Do it.it. Come on. Do it. Recalls bullying; infer that it is Recalls bullying; infer that it is

Cordelia’s voiceCordelia’s voice

VancouverVancouver

Divorces Jon.Divorces Jon. Meets Ben in supermarket – offers to Meets Ben in supermarket – offers to

carry her shopping bags.carry her shopping bags. 10 years older & divorced.10 years older & divorced. Marry, have Anne. Marry, have Anne. In awe of her paintings.In awe of her paintings. His “normality” balances out her His “normality” balances out her

own more artistic nature.own more artistic nature.

XIII PicosecondsXIII Picoseconds Stephen killed – Stephen killed – an eye for an eyean eye for an eye Elaine spent 15 hours in Airports and planes Elaine spent 15 hours in Airports and planes

to get to identify him.to get to identify him. I will get older. And he will not.I will get older. And he will not. The death of The death of

the most important man in her life.the most important man in her life. Her parents fade after Stephen’s death.Her parents fade after Stephen’s death. Mum reminisces about the girls Mum reminisces about the girls giving E. a giving E. a

bad time.bad time. What she wants from me is forgiveness, but What she wants from me is forgiveness, but

for what?for what? Finds the marble and remembers: Finds the marble and remembers: I look into I look into

it, and see my life entire.it, and see my life entire.

XIV Unified Field TheoryXIV Unified Field Theory

Elaine analyses Mrs Smeath again.Elaine analyses Mrs Smeath again. Went for vengeance. Has learnt the Went for vengeance. Has learnt the

lesson from her brother’s death.lesson from her brother’s death. An eye for an eye leads only to more An eye for an eye leads only to more

blindness.blindness.

One WingOne Wing

Painted for Stephen after his death.Painted for Stephen after his death. TriptychTriptych World War 2 airplane – style of cigarette World War 2 airplane – style of cigarette

card.card. Large pale green luna moth.Large pale green luna moth. Central panel – a man falling from the sky.Central panel – a man falling from the sky. This is the kind of thing we do, to assuage This is the kind of thing we do, to assuage

pain.pain. Misinterpreted by Charna as being about Misinterpreted by Charna as being about

men and war.men and war.

Cat’s EyeCat’s Eye Self-portrait.Self-portrait. A pier glass hangs in empty sky.A pier glass hangs in empty sky. At a distance, condensed by the At a distance, condensed by the

curved space of the mirror, curved space of the mirror, there are 3 small figures, there are 3 small figures, dressed in winter clothes of 40 dressed in winter clothes of 40 years earlier.years earlier.

They walk forward, their faces They walk forward, their faces shadowed, against a field of shadowed, against a field of snow.snow.

Unified Field TheoryUnified Field Theory Last painting’s title.Last painting’s title. The Virgin of Lost Things, positioned The Virgin of Lost Things, positioned

just above the railing of the bridge in just above the railing of the bridge in winter – snow.winter – snow.

Opening a success.Opening a success. Goes home: exhausted, crying Goes home: exhausted, crying Cordelia has a tendency to exist.Cordelia has a tendency to exist. As a As a

ghost, a figment, a banshee.ghost, a figment, a banshee. Having only remembered the torment Having only remembered the torment

five years ago, Elaine never got to five years ago, Elaine never got to confront Cordelia over the torment.confront Cordelia over the torment.

XV BRIDGEXV BRIDGE Faces childhood demons. Faces childhood demons. Sees Cordelia.Sees Cordelia. There is the same shame, the sick feeling in There is the same shame, the sick feeling in

my body, the same knowledge of my own my body, the same knowledge of my own wrongness, awkwardness, weakness; the same wrongness, awkwardness, weakness; the same wish to be loved; the same loneliness, the wish to be loved; the same loneliness, the same fear. But these are not my own emotions same fear. But these are not my own emotions any more. They are Cordelia’s; as they always any more. They are Cordelia’s; as they always were.were.

The snow in my eyes withdraws like smoke.The snow in my eyes withdraws like smoke. Has reached some sort of understanding of Has reached some sort of understanding of

what happened and why.what happened and why.

Final chapterFinal chapter

Two old ladies: contrast with the teenage Two old ladies: contrast with the teenage Elaine and Cordelia at the beginning of Elaine and Cordelia at the beginning of the book.the book.

This is what I miss, Cordelia: not This is what I miss, Cordelia: not something that’s gone, but something something that’s gone, but something that will never happen.that will never happen.

Has absorbed the past and found Has absorbed the past and found meaning in it. meaning in it. It’s old light, and there’s It’s old light, and there’s not much of if. But it’s enough to see by.not much of if. But it’s enough to see by.