Literary Monster: Close Reading

The selected passage provides ample room for reflection and consideration of the genie’s moral (or rather immoral grounds), beginning with a variety of literary elements reflecting its nature. First of all, one can quickly arrive at the conclusion that this particular genie is extremely untrustworthy through the author’s use of juxtaposition when crafting the monster’s confounding dialogue. The fisherman is offered a wish by genie - a carefully chosen word tied with joy and giving more often than not. When the fisherman goes forth in inquiring what it is exactly he should wish for, the genie brings down the hammer proposing to reflect on the method he will choose to die with. This harsh contrast seems as if it does not belong so early in a portion of the story that only moments earlier seemed happy with freedom. Tying back to the thesis, this goes to highlight a grey area of trust right off the bat when the genie is introduced leading to a decisive inference, one that alongside the fisherman can make readers themselves feel a little taken aback - helping them arrive at the quick realization that the genie most likely should not be categorized as a black and white villainous force. 

The use of literary devices to establish the genie’s identity does not end there, with the use of allusions to create a heightened sense of fear and warn readers that although they may still be confused in regards to exactly what the genie’s intentions are, they most likely aren’t virtuous ones. For instance, the genie mentions the biblical figure King Solomon by name, which although does not say much about the king, does provide a frame of reference as to how powerful the genie believes himself to be - even though in truth his power and influence must be much weaker considering he was trapped in the jar. In direct relation to the jar, whereas throughout the passage the genie does not use much imagery, he does release a couple descriptive words when discussing its structure. It seems to routinely emphasize the strength of the jar and the hardened materials it required to hold him captive, again reaching the same effect of attempting to call upon ideations of his own strength. In this story, the genie clearly raises one of the poem’s central thematic conversations, that of the balance of power and how words, much like genies, can be misleading. 

Building onto the idea that the genie holds a bettered notion of himself, this passage provides a unique opportunity to dive into a mindset one rarely gets to review when discussing the origins of monstrosity. That is, of course, the idea that the monster itself is providing the readers with their background story. So often do those studying literary works have to delve into discussions of the villain’s intent and reasoning, and here the genie is plainly laying it all out for everyone to see. One would think this would make the character one with a see-through basis, but this could not be further from the truth. Seeing the ambiguity of the tale and the uneven decision making the genie seems to impart to willingly (death in exchange for freedom hardly seems like a fair bargain) makes the genie an even more capricious figure. 

Seeing such an effective representation of what is possible when literary monsters are given the ability of speaking through the page, one cannot help but wonder how other works could have possibly been interpreted differently had their monsters carried a voice. For example, the topic of Grendel’s mother in Beowulf comes to mind. Although the poet explains that she is grieving the death of her son when she arrives to take revenge, the lack of her own perspective speculates constant discussion (even carried on in class) about her intentions and even basis as a monster. Whereas both Grendel’s mother as well as the genie remain mysterious and nameless seekers of violence, the insight gained on the latter through personal reflection is clearly given more gravity. 

Examining the above reflections, it can be seen that this portion of the story provides insight that extends to the ambiguous identity of the genie as well as to the general poem as a whole.