Star for a Cause: A Lacanian Review of The Solemn Lantern Maker

This paper aims to present Lacanian analysis of the novel, The Solemn Lantern Maker of Merlinda Bobis, a Filipino transnational writer. The formalistic approach was employed in the literary analysis of the elements of fiction, contextual representation of star as the novel’s trope, and the societal problems depicted in the novel. It aims to introduce a paper that may be used in a teaching-learning scenario that evaluates and criticizes, anchored on the philosophical theory of Lacan on psychoanalysis. Saussere’s linguistic as used in Lacan’s psychoanalysis, traced the formalistic analysis in terms of characters and the trope, referring to the contextualization and symbolic meaning of star. The setting, structure and style, language and local color are suggestive of the foregrounding of the unconscious. The novel can be concluded as an expression of the author’s speculation of the mechanism whereby an individual emerges into consciousness. The entire novel is suggestive of action that should emanate from the self, towards helping the community by being aware of the societal follies and angst originated from the colonial mentality brought by the country’s course of history. It is recommended that the learning materials with realistic portrayal be treated with appropriate analytical tool.