Wavering Identities in “Daydreams of a Drunk Woman” and “The Spinoza of Market Street”

Clarice Lispector's short story, “The Daydreams of a Drunk Woman,” discusses the wavering identity of a woman who is struggling with contentment and happiness in her life. This woman illustrates the theme that role-playing can lead to a wavering sense of self. The story shares:

"Her eyes didn't leave themselves, the mirrors vibrated, now dark, now luminous… her open robe revealing in the mirrors the intersecting breasts of several young ladies."

This quote shows that the woman cannot accept her own identity, and instead, sees multiple different roles and people when she looks in the mirror. She is unsure of her identity as a mother, wife, and individual, and whether she can succeed in those roles.

One journal article mentions, “We argue that when consumers are faced with such identity-balance difficulty, they are motivated to enhance self-associations with the identities (e.g., reinforce that they are a good employee and a good parent)." The woman in the story attempts to convince herself that she can be content in the roles that she plays, but she finds that she is more trapped by them than helped. Lispector uses this character to show that the social structures that people build their lives around can also trap them.

“The Spinoza of Market Street” by Isaac Bashevis Singer also discusses a similar idea in terms of self-identity and social alienation. The main character is sure of his role in life as a “Spinoza” and philosopher, but this also alienates him, even from the people of his own religion. However, by the end of the story, the character lets go of the role he has held for so long in exchange for love, finally finding a true self-identity and helping him to join the community.

The text states:

"The doctor closed his eyelids and allowed the breeze to cool the sweat on his forehead and stir the hair of his beard. He breathed deeply of the midnight air, supported his shaky hands on the windowsill and murmured, ‘Divine Spinoza, forgive me. I have become a fool.’"

This illustrates the theme that his identity and life were uncertain and sad until he accepted his new role in society.

As a writer, play close attention to the roles that your characters are assigned. Sometimes, a traditional role or stereotype can be turned on its head, just as it was for the Spinoza. At other times, it can also be a good idea to remember that a character who is simply playing a role or attempting to be someone that they are not, can and will create a wavering identity. Eventually, characters must find their sense of self-identity and step into the roles they are meant to play. Also, I encourage you to be aware of your own role, identity, and purpose in writing as that will bleed into your work.