Self and the "Other"

In each of the collection’s four parts, the writing contends that in general, a sense of self is primarily defined by a relationship with someone else, an “other.” In Part 1, that “other” is primarily an abusive father-figure, not necessarily limited to biological fathers. In Parts 2 and 3, the “other” is a male beloved. In Part 4, as in the other parts of the collection, there are references to the experiences of the speaker (who seems intended to be perceived as one female individual) being defined, at least to some degree, by a relationship with her mother; by male perspectives in general; and by culture and society as a whole.

To be more specific: the experiences of pain; of feeling loved; of feeling both valued and dismissed; of being celebrated and of being denied – are all, in the perspective of the speaker, triggered primarily by...