Exploring Dissociation and Destruction in Keri Hulme's "Hooks and Feelers"
More Than a Short Story
Keri Hulme’s short story "Hooks and Feelers" delves into the lives of dissociated Maori, grappling with confusion and maladjustment amidst urban life. Set against the backdrop of bustling cities, the narrative unfolds the lives of pastoral people ensnared in a cycle of alcoholism that exacerbates rather than alleviates their problems. At its core, the story examines a fractured family, torn apart by simmering tensions that culminate in a pivotal confrontation, meticulously foreshadowed throughout the text.
Central to Hulme’s narrative technique is focalisation, skillfully portraying characters’ perspectives. For instance, the son’s interior monologue on page two vividly captures the challenges of navigating urban chaos with an increasingly unstable mother: “She has a nice instinct for disasters. She used to be a strong little woman, but she's run to frailty and brittle bones now.” This shift from strength to fragility not only reinforces themes of decay but also exemplifies third-person external focalisation, where the narrator reflects on the mother’s decline, heightening the narrative’s sense of detachment.
Moreover, the narrative employs action advancing to intensify tension subtly. Throughout the story, there are recurring motifs like the cones Charleston’s mother crafts, only to destructively unravel them later. The initial mention of these cones, “Another cone begins to grow under her fingers,” sets the stage, their repeated appearance underscoring a metaphorical destruction mirroring her own life. Similarly, the persistent reference to alcohol, despite its detrimental effects, reinforces the motif of self-destructive behavior within the narrative.
In summary, Keri Hulme’s "Hooks and Feelers" intricately weaves together themes of dissociation, urban disillusionment, and familial strife. Through nuanced focalisation and carefully structured action advancing, the story not only captures the internal struggles of its characters but also paints a poignant picture of individuals grappling with their own unraveling amidst the chaos of modern life.