One of the main things that struck me about The Vegetational Fatherhood, was how Mynona comments on the relationship between nature and humanity. Nature is not just a silent entity that provides for humans, but has some sort of enticing or hypnotizing power over humans. The introduction showcases the example of plants with power over humans, the "man-eating plants" (583). This tinges the tale already towards a more evil, threatening characteristic of the the relationship between plants and humans/animals. Then, the young woman who is held entranced and almost drugged, is basically raped by the rose, and so this sinister nature is fully established. With the eventual death of the daughter of this slightly horrific coupling, the warning is full-fledged by the end of the tale.
I believe Mynona uses this aspect of the tale as a warning to the power of vegetation over the lives of humans, as well as to say that the intertwining of plants and humans is doomed - unnatural - destructive. Also, most evident of all the messages, that humans should respect and be wary of the power of nature.
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I like how you say that the story acts as a warning for those who do not respect the power of nature. The beginning of the story definitely plays out this notion in detail with its descriptions of the effects of flowers on mankind.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thought that the rose's encounter with the young woman is nothing more than a rape scene. However, I did not view the story as being filled with evil, but rather as a cautionary tale. The rose's exploitation or the young woman is not so very different than humanity's exploitation of nature. I believe that Mynona presents this story to warn about the importance of respecting nature and the dangers of failing to do so.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your image of the rose raping the woman. I believe it seems that you think there was no consent being given during the transaction. Which I am not sure is true... just food for thought....
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