Despite
the frequency with which recognition and realization are used interchangeably,
it is clear that these concepts are not identical, and their use as synonyms
stems from confusion. Though they
share connotation, the concept of recognition is infinitely less complex than
realization, which requires a process of understanding and synthesis of
facts. By this reasoning, all
realization requires an element of recognition as a premise on which further
comprehension may occur. The
distinction between the two is a powerful literary tool that can be used to
build characters and settings.
Martin
Scorsese’s Goodfellas is a perfect
example of this fine distinction.
Starting with the first lines of the movie, it is apparent that a
lifestyle of killing, theft, extortion, drug trafficking, and criminal
intimidation is nothing more than a way of life. The universal understanding of this is an example of
recognition; everyone can see that this is a way of life and is not to be
questioned. Realization doesn’t
occur until Ray Liotta’s character, Henry Hill, hits the figurative “rock
bottom” and is imprisoned for dealing drugs. While there, he realizes that his way of life is a
dangerous, indulgent, and cutthroat one.
This realization is dramatically more complex than the understanding he
previously knew.
Monsieur
Mersault of Camus’ The Stranger is an
equally compelling example of this difference. In this case, though, Mersault does not simply experience a
realization; this character embodies the difference between the two. No matter how numerous or detailed his
observations, there is never any thought or understanding passed from these
sensory details to any analytical part of his brain. Even at the climax of the first part, during which Mersault
actually murders a man, the reader is given to understand that the decision is
one of no real importance, and all action verbs in the passage describe the
gun, and neglect the hand that holds it.
Mersault cannot realize the value of life, yet fully recognizes the actions
he takes. In doing so, he
perfectly illustrates the paradox of their relationship.
No comments:
Post a Comment