As a French major reading the passage about “la tour Eiffel”
took on a completely different meaning, and perhaps this isn’t
the angle from which it should be approached but such a thing
did change my experience and give credence to the claims put
forward in this piece. Even now as I sit here in my room
typing this compulsory blog post, there is on my left an
Eiffel tower constructed in metal sitting atop my desk. What’s
funny is that I never sought to own this object, but its
status as the ultimate signifier of all that is French brought
it into my life. The tower was a gift given to me after I
completed high school as a present deemed more than
appropriate for a French major.
I think this in and of itself is representative of the
arguments that are made in the essay. Why would anyone assume
that as a lover of French culture, I would as a result like
the Eiffel tower? In reality i have a rather indifferent
feeling towards structure; in fact I would have greatly
preferred a desk guillotine. Yes although a desk guillotine
would be of great value to me, it all goes to show that
iconography leads to powerful signifiers. The Eiffel tower is
more French than France itself, than her people and even than
her flag or national anthem. Should I ever need someone to
identify France I would much sooner present them with an image
of the Eiffel tower than I would sing “La Marseillaise.”
The most interesting thing about the iconography, the great
signifier that is the tower however is its ability to be so
omnipresent and so permanent without necessarily having to do
anything. It is not the job of any signifier to be useful or
anything more than representative. It is my opinion that the
Eiffel tower comes under fire way too often for being
“inutile,” when in reality so many other important icons are
as well. The empire state building for example has a relative
uselessness for those who do not frequent the floors between
the ground and the roof on a day to day basis. Somehow despite
losing its status as the tallest building in the world however
the building continues to embody the city.
The Eiffel tower is quite special as its omnipresence is what
has allowed it to become the monster that it is today. It is
on everything considered even remotely French. I own erases,
pencils, notebooks, t shirts and all manner of things that are
considered “French” all because they possess an image of this
building. It is an interesting thing to note because it has
transcended language, history and understand. Those who do not
even know its name or the circumstances of its creation can
undoubtedly give information about its location and the people
they associate it with.
To complain about the monument perhaps only gives credence to
those who originally prayed that the tower would not be built,
but to respect it for what it is doesn’t particularly help the
deconstruction of its mythology.