Ancraged rhizome : Tattooing for self-reappropriation in "The Woman with Blue Fingers" by Margaux Guyon

Abstract

This article aims to demonstrate that tattoos, by their nature, formally embody a rhizome that reflects a plural experience leading to self-unity for the protagonist. This transformation is examined through the formal principles of the rhizome. Tattoos facilitate the establishment of deep and non-linear connections with others, visibly marking key moments in the story, thus illustrating the principle of connection. Furthermore, the diversity of human experience is celebrated through the heterogeneous motifs inscribed on the described skins, expressing the porosity and permeability between identities.
These connections, traversed by a-significant and unpredictable ruptures, transform each tattoo into a creative rupture. Each mark becomes a landmark in the protagonist's intimate mapping, reflecting her diurnal and nocturnal experiences as well as the evolution of her identity. Finally, the multiplicity of tattoos rejecting any categorization, highlights the consequences of the diversity of relationships on perpetual self-exploration. In essence, tattoos serve as both symbols and catalysts for the protagonist's journey towards self-discovery and unity.