Forum From the Archives: Miranda July Wrestles with the Female Midlife Crisis in ‘All Fours’
Nov 29, 2024
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Miranda July, an acclaimed actor, screenwriter, director, and author, shares insights from her latest novel, 'All Fours.' She vividly explores the complexities of the female midlife crisis through the story of a 45-year-old artist on an unexpected road trip. July addresses themes of marital ennui, fears of aging, and the pursuit of self-identity. She invites listeners to reflect on personal transformation, the evolving nature of relationships, and the significance of embracing growth and creativity during life’s transitional phases.
Miranda July's novel 'All Fours' reflects her journey through midlife, addressing the complexities of aging and women's evolving identities.
Through candid conversations, July highlights the importance of community and dialogue among women in navigating the female midlife crisis.
Deep dives
Navigating Midlife Changes
Entering her 40s prompted Miranda July to confront her feelings about aging and the changes in her body. She experienced a sense of grimness and uncertainty about the future that seemed to emerge unbidden, contrasting sharply with her generally optimistic outlook. This led her to search for information about her body and the physical changes she was experiencing, which she found lacking in open discussions. July expressed that while there was a societal silence surrounding menopause, her personal conversations with friends revealed a rich dialogue about the intricacies of desire, family life, and self-identity.
The Whisper Network of Women
Through intimate conversations with friends, July discovered an unscripted dialogue among women regarding their evolving experiences in midlife. These exchanges often reflected a crisis of identity, as women questioned their roles as mothers, partners, and individuals while experiencing rampant changes in their bodies. One poignant moment shared was at a school event, where she and another mother exchanged a knowing glance that signified their shared struggles. This 'whisper network' empowered them to discuss their fears, desires, and challenges openly, highlighting the importance of community in navigating transitional life phases.
Redefining Relationships and Marriage
July's novel explores the dynamics of marriage as she presents a main character who begins to question traditional constructs of partnership and family. Through her writing process, she rebuffed the idea of adhering to established patterns or societal expectations about marriage, opting instead for a more authentic exploration of individual needs and desires. As she recounted her experiences, July revealed how the act of writing helped her unpack these complex feelings and challenged her to approach her own marriage with fresh eyes. This introspection led her to emphasize that open discussions around relationships could foster growth and redefine expectations, ultimately seeking a more personalized approach to marriage.
Embracing the Unknown
The novel's cover art featuring a cliff serves as a metaphor for the uncertainty and potential associated with aging and change. July expressed how not having a well-defined narrative for aging, particularly for women, can evoke feelings of anxiety and fear, leading many to avoid addressing these issues openly. However, through her writing, she encourages reframing this period as a chance to explore personal specificity and individuality. Acknowledging that the fears associated with aging need to be illuminated rather than avoided, she believes that confronting these realities can lead to a newfound freedom and authenticity in personal expression.
In Miranda July’s new novel, “All Fours,” a 45-year-old artist embarks on a solo roadtrip to New York from her Los Angeles home. She makes it as far as Monrovia, a small town a half-hour from L.A., and waits out the rest of her trip in a motel room while pursuing an infatuation with a Hertz rental car employee. The novel, which shares similarities with July’s own life, explores themes of marital ennui, the fear of sexual irrelevance and the contours of the female midlife crisis. July grew up in Oakland and is known for her performance art, her films “Me and You and Everyone We Know” and “Kajillionaire,” and her fiction “No One Belongs Here More Than You” and “The First Bad Man.” We listen back to our May conversation with July about her new novel and why she describes it as “closer to the bone.”
Guests:
Miranda July, actor, screenwriter, director and author - She’s known for her films “Me and You and Everyone We Know” and “Kajillionaire,” and her fiction includes “No One Belongs Here More Than You” and “The First Bad Man”. Her new novel is "All Fours"
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