Why does Blandine want to “save” Vacca Vale from being revitalized and urbanized so badly?
Tess Gunty's The Rabbit Hutch shares the story of the many inhabitants of an apartment complex located in Vacca Vale, Indiana, but mainly recounts the story of Blandine through her journey to exiting her body. Throughout the novel, Blandine is determined to fight against plans to develop and revitalize her hometown, Vacca Vale, specifically Chastity Valley, a nature-oriented part of town. So, why does Blandine hold such a firm conviction in trying to keep Chastity Valley as it is?
One plausible reason for Blandine's feelings towards Chastity Valley and having it remain untouched is that the valley seems to provide Blandine with personal comfort. Throughout the entirety of the novel, Blandine faces many difficult situations, such as having an exploitative relationship with her teacher, being abandoned by her parents, and being left to fend for herself by the age of 17; the valley seems to be representative of a place that is special and unique, a place where she can be at peace. While describing her town, Blandine states, "Vacca Vale, to Blandine, is a void, not a city. Every square foot of it. Except the valley" (Gunty 295). In a town filled with bad memories and abandoned promises, Chastity Valley is different, still inscribed with the beauty of nature. Blandine details her experience traveling to the valley by saying, "She follows a dirt path to a meadow, woods thick and noisy around her, and she can feel her whole body relax as she descends into greenery" (Gunty 297). The valley offers her comfort in a city that has been seemingly abandoned; the valley provides an escape, one of the last glimmering pieces of hope and promise in her life.
Blandine may also feel a strong commitment to the valley, as protecting it may place some power back into her own hands. When speaking to her former teacher, in which an inappropriate relationship took place, she says, "You treat young women like intravenous nutrients until they believe that's what they are– until they believe you're what they're for" (Gunty 329). Blandine lost a sense of who she was outside of this relationship, causing her to drop out of high school. In a world where she may have felt helpless due to this circumstance, fighting for the valley could be a way for her to regain some independence and power.
Blandine's commitment to preserving Chastity Valley is influenced by many factors. However, her attitudes may mainly be influenced by the comfort she feels due to the valley and how she may give herself a sense of independence and power after events with her teacher.
References:
"Grammar check" Grammarly. Retrieved [10/22/24], from https://www.grammarly.com
ReplyDeleteA central moment in the shift of Blandine’s character occurs through her ill-fated relationship with James. This alters her life completely, leading her to drop out of school and change her name from Tiffany to Blandine. Although not having a great childhood, this moment in her life completely destroyed any childhood innocence that remained inside of her. She was stripped of this innocence, manipulated by James to conform to his will and wants. I do agree that the town resonates as a place for comfort for Blandine, extending this viewpoint that it may remind her of the child-like innocence she once had. At one point in her life, she had been an innocent girl growing up in Chastity Valley. This valley is the only thing that reminds her of her past self, hence her saying that she will “never, ever, leave Vacca Ville” (Gunty 217). If this town was torn down and replaced by a multitude of factories and businesses, she would no longer be able to recognize the only place she felt safe at one point in her life. I agree that this signifies more than merely a destruction of a town, moreso a symbol of the loss of the innocence she was holding onto. This is why Blandine fights so hard for the town to stay and combats industrialization.
This is a great blog post that makes some great connections! Blandine's opposition to the revitalization of Chastity Valley results from her profound personal connection to the valley. Blandine has endured immense personal trauma. She sees Chasity Valley as a safe haven, as she associates positive memories and childhood innocence with it. For Blandine, Chasity Valley is a place where people of all backgrounds can come together and forget their personal hardships and worries. For people who have had difficult experiences in Vacca Valle, the Chasity Valley symbolizes a sanctuary of beauty and peace in contrast to the rest of the town.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like the connection you drew between Blandine’s determination to protect the valley as her attempt to regain a sense of control. Blandine’s fight to preserve Chasity Valley is a way for her to reclaim some of the control that she lost during many of her traumatic experiences, such as the affair she had with her teacher. Blandine protecting the valley can be seen as a symbolic battle for her own sense of identity and power. Blandine’s determination to save the valley is about preserving the one thing that still offers her hope, peace, and personal empowerment amidst the chaos of her life.