White Fetishism in Meridian: A Lacanian Interpretation

Abstract

Fetishism, a term long explored within the field of psychoanalysis, has been subject to various theoretical interpretations for over a century. One such perspective is offered by Jacques Lacan, a prominent French psychoanalyst, who explored the connection between desire, lack, the symbolic order, and the fetish object. His main argument is based on the idea that human desire is not rooted in the pursuit of an object but is instead fueled by the inherent lack in the subject. Drawing upon Lacan’s psychoanalytic framework, this article explores Alice Walker’s novel Meridian (1976) in terms of Truman Held’s symbolic desires and the complex relationships that shape his identity. This study applies a qualitative approach, deploying close textual analysis of key passages from the novel to identify instances of fetishism. The fetish, as a symbolic substitute for the unattainable object, emerges as a crucial element in comprehending Truman’s coping mechanisms and attempts to reconcile his fragmented self. Ultimately, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the novel’s psychological dimensions, illuminating the character’s struggles for identity formation, agency, and liberation by uncovering the ways in which desire becomes a driving force within the broader socio-political context.