Factory Music
Publication Type |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication |
2006 |
Author |
|
Journal |
Yale Review |
Volume |
94 |
Number |
4 |
Pages |
1-15 |
Language |
English |
Publish Dates |
October |
Keywords |
|
Annotation |
As the title suggests, Marder’s essay focuses on Weil’s time working in three factories between December 1934 and August 1935. After a brief biographical introduction to Weil, he turns to a discussion of Weil’s list of five temptations: idleness, the inner life, domination, self-sacrifice and perversity, noted in her journal just before her factory work commenced. Marder notes that Weil entered factory work with the belief it would assist in freeing her from what she saw as her besetting sins. Drawing on Weil’s ‘factory journal’, he gives a concise but comprehensive overview of her experience and the impact it had on her, reflecting on its success in the reshaping or remaking of her self, as she desired. Ultimately, Marder argues, it was this experience above all else that irrevocably changed Weil, giving rise to the understanding and articulation of affliction that was so central to her work. |