Eraserhead

Ok, so here's my thoughts on the film. Given the way the movie progresses, even though there is definite abstraction and fragmentation present, it strikes me as being more Modern than Postmodern. Then again, this does also bring into consideration what delineates the Modern from the Postmodern. I think the key with "Eraserhead" is the presence of some sort of overlying narrative. The film seems to have a certain set of goals at its outset, and by the end of the film those goals are met. We meet Henry, we meet Mary, and eventually we meet the Baby. Although we do not ever discover what the baby is, that does not seem to be the major concern. What is concerning the parents more is how to deal with the creature. They try to feed it, they try to nurture it and care for it, but no matter what they do they still do not know what to do with it. It certainly cannot be treated in the same way any normal child could be handled. They can't even seem to name the creature. In the end, though, all is well. Henry removes the bandages and exposes the Baby's heart and stabs it, ending its perplexing existence and conquering it. He then goes on to find some sort of bizarre love with the Lady in the Radiator.

Taking into account the events in the film, it would not qualify as Postmodern since it follows a teleological path. Another thing to consider is how it tries to create a narrative in which the seemingly unconquerable is conquerable. If you consider the Baby as trying to achieve the same sort of symbolism as the Minotaur in House of Leaves, then you can clearly see how differently David Lynch handles the unknown from Mark Danielewski. The Minotaur is not something that can be unravelled and exposed, its heart ready for the taking, but the Baby is clear and in sight, no matter how strange it may be.

And that's that.