Purring Between the Lines: A Commentaire Redoublant of T.S. Eliot's Macavity

And when the larder’s looted, or the jewel-case is rifled,

Or when the milk is missing, or another Peke’s been stifled,

Or the greenhouse glass is broken, and the trellis past repair—

Ay, there’s the wonder of the thing! Macavity’s not there!

Beyond the Paw Prints: Derrida's Claws and Macavity's Mischief

Jacques Derrida introduced the concept of 'Double Reading' in 'Of Grammatology,' specifically in the essay titled 'The Exorbitant: Question of Method,' which serves as a foundational text for his reading methodology (Bradley 2008).

One of the core principles of Double Reading is to engage with a text in a manner that meticulously reproduces, to the best extent possible, what the author intended when creating it. This approach aligns with traditional methods of literary analysis where the primary goal is to uncover the author's original meaning and intent.

However, this procedure does not stop at the surface-level comprehension of a narrative. It also encourages readers to engage more critically and explore the ways in which the text surpasses or challenges the author's presumed intentions. This aspect of the methodology involves a creative engagement with the written work, aiming to discover hidden meanings, contradictions, or complexities that may not be immediately evident.

Analyzing "Macavity the Mystery Cat" through the lens of this methodology reveals intriguing layers of meaning and symbolism beyond its apparent narrative of a cunning cat evading capture. Let's explore this poem in two dimensions:

1.      Literal Understanding: At its surface level, the poem presents Macavity as a master criminal, elusive and enigmatic, capable of outwitting even the most astute law enforcement agencies. The speaker describes Macavity's extraordinary abilities, such as defying gravity and leaving no trace at the scene of the crime. This dimension aligns with traditional literary analysis, focusing on the narrative's explicit content and the author's intended message. T.S. Eliot portrays Macavity as a formidable adversary, challenging the conventional order and authority represented by Scotland Yard.

2.      Beyond Literal Understanding: Delving deeper into the poem reveals symbolic and philosophical implications that extend beyond the literal description of Macavity's escapades. This approach encourages readers to explore the ambiguity and multiplicity of meanings inherent in the text.

a. Identity and Deception: Macavity's portrayal as a master of disguise and deception raises questions about the nature of identity and truth. Like the concept of différance, which emphasizes the deferral and difference of meaning, Macavity embodies the fluidity and instability of identity. His ability to elude detection by assuming different personas challenges the notion of fixed identity categories.

b. Power and Authority: The poem implicitly critiques established systems of power and authority, represented by institutions like Scotland Yard and the Foreign Office. Macavity's ability to manipulate and evade these structures subverts their perceived legitimacy, echoing Derrida's deconstruction of hierarchical binaries such as good/bad and law/crime.

c. Language and Meaning: The repeated refrain "Macavity's not there" underscores the poem's exploration of language and meaning. Like the deconstruction of metaphysical binaries, such as signifier/signified, the poem highlights the inherent limitations of language in capturing reality. Macavity's absence becomes a metaphor for the indeterminacy and instability of linguistic representation.

d. Trace and Absence: Within Derrida's philosophy, the concept of 'trace' is central to understanding the inherent instability of meaning and the presence of absence within language. In 'Macavity the Mystery Cat,' the notion of trace is exemplified through Macavity's elusive nature and the lingering clues he leaves behind. However, it's crucial to note that the trace is not just a residue or clue but rather a fundamental aspect of Macavity's existence. Like the trace that remains after an event, Macavity's actions leave behind a mark that hints at his existence while simultaneously emphasizing his absence. This concept challenges traditional notions of being, suggesting that even in Macavity's apparent absence, there is still a trace of his existence embedded within the fabric of the narrative. Thus, the poem becomes a meditation on the indeterminacy of meaning and the elusive nature of truth.

In conclusion, "Macavity the Mystery Cat" transcends its narrative of a cunning feline criminal through a Double Reading that uncovers deeper layers of meaning related to identity, power, and language. Through a deconstructive lens, the poem reveals a rich tapestry of philosophical implications, particularly evident in its treatment of the concept of trace. Despite the repeated assertion that "Macavity's not there," the poem paradoxically suggests that, in a sense, he is. Just as the notion of trace emphasizes the lingering presence within absence, Macavity's elusive nature leaves behind a subtle but undeniable imprint, challenging conventional notions of presence and absence. Thus, by engaging with the poem through this interpretive framework, readers can appreciate its complexity and confront the inherent ambiguity that lies at the intersection of language and representation.

 Related Post

Derrida's Double Reading: Understanding and Creativity in Deconstruction

https://derridaforlinguists.blogspot.com/2023/10/derridas-double-reading-understanding.html

Bibliography

Macavity: The Mystery Cat by T.S. Eliot

https://allpoetry.com/Macavity:-The-Mystery-Cat

Derrida, Jacques. 1998. Of Grammatology. Translated by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Derrida, Jacques. 1981. Positions. Translated and annotated by Alan Bass. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Bradley, Arthur. Derrida’s Of Grammatology: An Edinburgh Philosophical Guide. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2008.