Identity

Question 1

Quote 1:
“Agnes Jonsdottir. She sounds like the woman I should have been. … Born blessed under a marriage. Born into a family that would not be ripped apart by poverty. Agnes Jonsdottir would not have been so foolish as to love a man who spent his life opening veins, mouths, legs…She would have been assured of a place in heaven. She would have believed in heaven.”

Answer 1

Argument:
Names have a patronymic influence, and thus the presence and absence of a name can impact one’s sense of identity and belonging.
Analysis:
- Patronymic naming system demonstrates how identity and worth are often tied to male lineage which influences the way one is treated and perceived by society, highlighting the impact of male connections, and the social standing associated with their name, on the identity and life trajectories of women.
- The repetition of “would have been” creates a rhythmic pattern that intensifies the sense of regret and longing. It demonstrates how an alternate name could lead to a different identity and thus a more respected life, suggesting that, in a patriarchal society, names carry not only familial connection but also social value and respectability, particularly for women. Without a ‘legitimate name’ Agnes is reduced to the identity society imposes on her rather than being seen as an individual with inherent worth.
- Absence of a respectable name, or the inability to claim one with pride, can lead to a fragmented sense of self and a lack of belonging.

Question 2

Quote 2:
“They will see the whore, the madwoman, the murderess, the female dripping blood into the grass and laughing with her mouth choked with dirt. They will say ‘Agnes’ and see the spider, the witch caught in the webbing of her own fateful weaving. … But they will not see me. I will not be there.”

Answer 2

Argument:
Societal prejudices and labels can distort and erase a person’s identity, leading to a loss of one’s true self and individuality.
Analysis:
- Negative labels “madwoman”, “murderess”, “witch” - suggestive of someone who is inherently evil and insane- Society views Agnes through a lens of fear, prejudice, and condemnation, stripping away the complexity and humanity of her true identity.
- Metaphors comparing Agnes to a “spider”, an animal that evokes a sense of terror, further exemplifies how society perceives Agnes as an inhumane creature that should be feared rather than allowing her true self to be seen.
- Agnes being caught in her own “webbing” illustrates how she is confined within the weave of societal prejudices and labels, unable to escape the roles that have been forced upon her while society blames her for bringing this fate upon herself.
- “I will not be there” - Society’s prejudices have entirely eclipsed her genuine identity, leaving her feeling as though she no longer exists in the eyes of others.
- Imagery of Agnes “dripping blood” and “choking on dirt” evoke notions of death, implying that these derogatory labels are suffocating her true self, reinforcing the destructive power of societal naming and how it can lead to the ultimate obliteration of individuality.

Question 3

Quote 3: “I remain quiet. I am determined to close myself to the world, to tighten my heart and hold what has not yet been stolen from me. I cannot let myself slip away. I will hold what I am inside, and keep my hands tight around all the things I have seen and heard, and felt.”

Answer 3

Argument:
The importance of asserting one’s identity in an oppressive world to maintain a sense of belonging.
Analysis:
- “stolen” conveys a profound sense of loss and violation, suggesting that society has systematically stripped Agnes of her identity.
- “slip away” – a sense of vulnerability and fragility- what remains of Agnes’ identity is at risk of being lost in society intent on diminishing and oppressing those who do not conform to societal expectations.
- The words “close,” “tight,” and “hold” create a metaphorical barrier, symbolizing Agnes’ fierce determination to shield herself from society’s harsh judgments and condemnation. These terms suggest an act of self-preservation, where Agnes is fighting to protect her inner self from being eroded by the negative labels imposed on her.
- “inside” emphasises that her fight to preserve her identity is solely for herself, not to prove her worth to anyone else. This highlights to readers that in a repressive world, asserting and holding onto one’s identity serves to foster a sense of personal belonging, rather than relying on external validation.
Final Sentence: In the face of societal condemnation, the act of defining and asserting one’s identity is crucial for maintaining a sense of belonging, even if that belonging is only to oneself.