팍스의 『비너스』에 나타난 강박관념과 욕동

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the obsession and drive represented in Suzan-Lori Parks’s work, Venus. This paper focuses on Venus’ troubled life, and explores her obsession with ‘mint,’ the pursuit of wealth. The main character in the play is based on a real person, Saartijie Baartman. Baartman was exhibited at sideshows in London and Paris; she was considered entertaining because of her ‘exotic and large buttocks.’ Venus’ purpose in life is to make money in Europe and, eventually, to return home. However, over the course of the play her original purpose is forgotten, and instead she becomes obsessed with money. Her obsession and drive are shown as a form of escapism. She becomes caught up in the fantasy of wealth, in order to hide herself from the suffering. To add to her suffering, Venus was continuously displayed without any clothes on. She drank a lot and suffered from the cold European climate. Eventually, Venus was found dead on the streets of Paris. Her skeleton, preserved genitals, and brain were placed on display in Paris’ Musée de l’Homme until 1974. Through Venus this paper examines the protagonist, Venus’ obsession with money, and the fantasy of wealth as a way of hiding herself from her traumatic past.