One of the many fascinating aspects of N.K Jemisin’s novel, The Fifth Season, is her choice to alternate perspectives in each new chapter. The novel starts with the perspective of a woman named Essun, who just watched her husband murder her son, Uche, because he was an orogene. She interrupts her thoughts by saying “nothing” in order to block out her traumatic memories (Jemisin 17). She feels paranoid that her city will discover that she, too, is an orogene because she just prevented a shake from destroying Tirimo. She willingly leaves Tirimo to search for her husband and get revenge, but kills the guards with her powers after they attempt to kill her.
Then the perspective switches to a young girl named Damaya. Her parents have locked her in a barn because they are scared of her orogeny after she accidentally killed one of her classmates. A tall pale man comes to get Damaya and she becomes convinced that her parents have sold her, since “ the other children in creche whisper of child-markets in faraway cities” where misbehaved children go to (Jemisin 26). The strange man turns out to be a Guardian, a person who manages orogenes. He takes Damaya to the Fulcrum to learn how to control her powers, where her curiosity leads her to find things in the Fulcrum that were hidden for a reason and almost get her killed.
The final character to be introduced is Syenite, an overly eager four-ringer who has been sent on an assignment with Alabaster, a ten-ringer who could care less about his life at the Fulcrum. Even though Syen barely tolerates his presence at first, she learns to control her orogeny through him. Syen and Alabaster have a son together, but he eventually dies as a result of a Fulcrum attack on the island they have been hiding on (Jemisin 443).
At first glance, the only thing that connects these characters is their orogeny. But there are subtle similarities that connect the seemingly separate chapters. All three have had to leave their home as a result of their abilities and if you line up the characters by age you see a gradual increase in their ability to control themselves. Jemisin reveals later on in the novel that all three characters are in fact the same person. But she illustrates each character in such a way that you view them as separate people. She does this to show that your life is a journey and you are not confined to one character as you age. You have the ability to adapt and change, for better or for worse. Jemisin did not want us to see Essun, Damaya, and Syenite as the same person because, while they might be the same physically, mentally they are in very different places. They each struggle with their own problems and deal with their own losses. Jemisin wanted us to see that it is normal and acceptable to change and I believe that this message is one of the most inspiring messages I’ve read in awhile.
Interesting post. I agree that the separation of character's is an inspiring message, in showing the growth we are capable of. In addition, as commented on by another classmate, the different parts can be seen as a coming into womanhood, with the development of power and self assurance throughout each persona. Damaya is unsure of her self and her powers, and is very submissive at first, especially to her guardian. After gaining control of her power, and more self assurance, Syenite begins to act less passive towards Alabaster, and even talks back despite him outranking her. This again further iterates the gaining of confidence as she grows from one persona into another. Finally, Essun is a determined and powerful orogene who stops shakes from destroying cities. By portraying each character as separate, and then piecing them together, Jemison fully demonstrates the growth and progression of self that we are capable of.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the use of different perspectives in The Fifth Season is interesting and effective as N.K. Jemisin gives insight into the life of an oppressed person throughout different stages in life. This post makes me think about the stages the oppressed face in life. Damaya is born into oppression and quickly sent away to be controlled. She is afraid of herself and believes the lies that everyone around her says because it is all she knows. As she gets older and begins to gain control and learn about her strengths, now named Syenite, she takes on a new role. She is less afraid, instead, she now seems to be comfortable and in control. She has accepted her role as a worker for the fulcrum as she believes in “the polite fictions and unspoken truths that have kept her comfortable, and safe, for years” (348). Jemisin then goes on to show the evolution of Essun, the same girl from before, only older and wiser, and in hiding. Having finally seen the oppression she faces, Syenite changes her name and goes into hiding.
ReplyDeleteThis allows Jemisin to display what many oppressed people do today. They are afraid, so they accept the oppression and gain comfort in believing what others tell them to believe. Even when they eventually mature and their eyes are opened to the reality of their captivity, they seek freedom in hiding. It seems to be the only way to be left alone, to hide your true identity. Jemisin ends the novel by showing that this is not the only option. Essun is told to continue the revolution that Alabaster has started, she is told “to make it worse” (449). This is Jemisin urging people to fight back and not try to hide and be safe and comfortable, just accepting the lies they are told.
I agree that the use of three supposedly different characters helped to strengthen the novel and introduce the reader to a bevy of information about the world they are learning about. Jemisin was obviously deliberate in structuring her story in this manner, and it definitely added more than simply a plot twist that they are all the same. While it may have seemed like information overload, I believe the use of three characters helped from a functional point of view to rapidly introduce the reader to The Stillness. Immediately the reader learns about quakes and orogenes’ abilities to quell them, about The Fulcrum and Guardians, and the systems in place within society. Then, with regard to a deeper purpose I agree that Jemisin wanted to illustrate the evolution and change someone may go through in their lifetime. Essun, Damaya, and Syenite all appear to be completely different individuals, and as the reader progresses through the story, we are given a glimpse of the events that have shaped their lives. Finally, when the reveal does happen that they all are the same – in addition to being an amazing twist – the reader is left to ponder how they have changed throughout their lives, and how people in general can become unrecognizable compared to their former selves. The ability to change could therefore be a message towards acceptance in relation to the social issues Jemisin alludes to throughout the novel, and how it is possible to become more accepting.
ReplyDeleteI also think that the use of the three different kinds of perspectives allows for a new sort of reading of the novel that otherwise would not have been possible. I feel that this fractured narrativizing goes to show the ways in which different experiences go on to shape the person. Essun's character makes much more sense understanding the grief that Syenite experienced with the death of her first child. I don't fully agree that once the reveal was made that all of these characters were the same that I felt inspired. There was more of a crushing realization for me that these sort of conflicts, perpetrated by one class unto another, is unending. That the actions of our main character are futile against a system that is made to place her as lower, as other. This feeling may be changed if I were to read the other books in the trilogy, but looking at this novel as one, the end being the reveal is something that is tragic. Especially due to the fact that the reveal immediately follows the scene where Syenite smothers her child. The down beat tone followed by the reveal that the tragedy is not over creates the sense of a tragic cycle that I as a reader can not find inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThe alternate yet interweaving character perspectives is perhaps my favorite aspect of N.K. Jemisin’s novel, The Fifth Season. While Jemison very well could have written this book in a linear fashion, having it separated into three parts for Damaya, Syenite, then Essun, having their story broken up into the three different names is what made this story truly compelling. It requires the reader to play closer attention to the way the character is going through life, and how different choices and events are affecting her in different ways. It is clear that Essun lives her quiet life, not alerting others she is an orogene due to the things she did as Syenite, specifically the destruction of Allia. Syenite went almost off the map then and was described to have finally become Essun, and have found “the little town called Tirimo, and comfort if not happiness for a time” (Jemisin 443). The events of destruction that came from Syenite clear up Essuns current life. Without Jemisin’s creative writing of the perspectives, there would be little to pay attention to, and it would not hold the same excitement.
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