Probably the cutest little book I have ever bought, "Galatea" explores the aftermath of the famous myth of Pygmalion.
In Pygmalion's mythology, the sculptor decides he's going to carve his ideal woman out of marble. Once she is complete he names her Galatea, and the sculptor cries realising this woman will never be real. In Ovid's version, the goddess Venus (greek counterpart: Aphrodite) takes pity on him and turns Galatea into a living, breathing woman. In theory, they live happily ever after.
Miller's continuation of this myth suggests anything but a happily every after for this non-conventional couple. Playing on the themes woven into the original myth, Miller highlights the misogyny attached to Pygmalion - a man who only sees the value of a woman he created, one who does not exist outside of himself, and one who lives up to his standards of what a woman should be. Galatea, to Pygmalion, is perfect, obedient, quiet, and without a single blemish both physically and morally.
All in all, it was a really compelling read. Quite dark I must admit, but interesting nonetheless. I thought Miller did a great job in paying homage to the original myth, while also guiding the tale into darker waters (and yes, that is a reference you will only understand if you've read Galatea). However, there's no way of critiquing this on an educational spectrum, given that the short story isn't necessarily a retelling. Therefore I would advise people who want to read this story to also read the original myth in order to fully appreciate what Miller has used as a springboard for her own narrative.
You Can Find The Myth At -
Brittanica: www.britannica.com/topic/Pygm...
Theoi: www.theoi.com/Heros/Pygmalion...
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26 июл 2024
