Kushaal Palasamudrum
In the early stages of The Secret History, Richard views Professor Julian’s students almost like deities. Observing their every move, Richard calculates how to interact with them so he can become one with their group. In doing so, however, he exposes his social ineptitude. Richard tends to overanalyze situations and place his peers on high pedestals, which hinders the development of his relationships with them and also contributes to his “fatal flaw”. One particular passage in the middle of chapter 2 details Richard reflecting on his social situation in Hampden, and, in my opinion, this reflection serves as a significant turning point for Richard. Through the use of literary devices and specific diction, the chosen passage plays a unique role in displaying Richard’s psyche: we gain a better understanding of how Richard’s “fatal flaw” manifests and impacts his relationships with others, while also witnessing how he begins to come to terms with it.
Richard’s perception of how other people view him has always been clear, explaining that people take his “shyness for sullenness, snobbery”(Tartt 80). And this perception illustrated by the diction of “sullenness” and “snobbery” is solidified in his head by his father telling him he looks “so superior”(80). This view he has of himself is further built upon by Richard describing his facial features as a “facial cast”(80). Using a
metaphor here, Richard indicates he views his features as an entity separate from himself. They work on their own, as a cast, doing their bidding, sometimes acting against Richard’s will. At the core of all these self-perceptions lies Richard’s fatal flaw: “longing for the picturesque”. This desire drives him to believe that his facial features need to be picturesque (less “superior-looking”), and his perceived lack of picturesque qualities shapes others’ views of him. I believe this is an overanalysis, and I think that Richard’s fatal flaw makes him prone to overanalysis. This passage elucidates this, showcasing how Richard’s desire to achieve an idealized and aesthetically pleasing life drives him to constantly scrutinize his appearance, actions, and social interactions, which leads him to his current, rigid self-view.
Although this passage does a brilliant job of highlighting Richard’s fatal flaw, it is not unique; his fatal flaw is demonstrated throughout the book. What is unique about this passage though is that Richard starts to come to terms with his fatal flaw. Initially entrenched in his rigid self-views, Richard explains “I found to my surprise that at the start they’d been nearly as bewildered by me as I by them. It never occurred to me that my behaviour could seem anything but awkward and provincial”(80). The choice of the word bewildered I think really encapsulates how Richard interacted with the Greek club members, he was bewildered by them, analyzing and calculating their every move. Realizing that they were just as bewildered by him is a significant moment of reflection for Richard, as he steps away from his rigid self-perception, and starts viewing things realistically. This is reinforced by the simile “politely as maiden aunts”(80). Richard viewing his peers as “maiden aunts” is a huge step away from the previous pedestal he put them on. By dismantling said pedestals, Richard essentially achieves sonder, understanding his peers are not chess pieces in his picturesque game, but rather complex individuals with their own experiences and emotions. His meticulous way of approaching social situations conflicted with his interest in finding a place within the Greek group. This passage, thus, underscores Richard’s journey towards self-awareness, as he starts to confront the consequences of his fatal flaw.
In this passage, by highlighting Richard’s tendency to overanalyze and view his peers as deities, Donna Tartt, through the use of literary devices and carefully chosen diction emphasizes Richard’s fatal flaw, and demonstrates how he begins to understand it.