The use of Christian imagery in “Flowering Judas” was very interesting. Not only is the image of Judas brought about from the title, but the Tree of Knowledge, the infamous last supper and also the image of Mary Magdalene washing Jesus’ feet are all referenced. It is very rare that the name Judas is not associated with Christ’s betrayer. Simply upon reading the title “Flowering Judas”, I knew some sort of betrayal would take place. After Laura eats the blossoms from her Judas tree she is given some kind of knowledge, she is now awake. Before she eats the tree blossoms Eugenio calls her a prisoner and this is why she must eat them. Just as the Tree of Knowledge frees Adam and Eve from their prison like state, this Judas tree will free Laura as well. After she eats the blossoms Eugenio calls her a murderer because she is eating his body and his blood, which bring about images of the Last Supper. She sees that she has betrayed him. I am a little confused of the order in which these events are presented especially when compared to the biblical references. Judas first attends the last supper, where he breaks bread and drinks of the wine and then he goes on to betray Christ. However, in “Flowering Judas” Laura first betrays Eugenio then eats the Judas blossoms, which make her realize her betrayal. Can anyone clarify this for me? Is the order important?
The image of Mary Magdalene washing Jesus’ feet can be seen in the actions of Braggioni’s wife washing her husbands feet once he has returned to her. She sits as his feet with a basin of water just as Mary Magdalene did with Jesus.
4 comments:
I definitely got the imagery of the foot-washing. Although it's funny because he is supposedly corrupt, according to Laura. I don't know how that adds to that, if at all.
I think this might have to do with the mythological proportions Braggioni has been raised/ raised himself to. Clearly, he is a corrupt person, yet he is treated like a religious prophet. In this case, narrative (here the mirroring of Biblical narrative) is important because the revolutionaries weave narratives for themselves to justify, frame and glorify their actions. So if Braggioni can tell himself a story of the revolution, playing the role of the protagonist Jesus, then what teleological result can he expect of his revolution? Self-sacrifice? Justified death and ressurection?
Yeah it is all kind of messed up. You'd think that if he was playing a protagonist in a revolution, like Jesus, then it would be others telling the story. In fact, he should be such a hero that he wouldn't be around to tell it (ie, die or fight).
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