Brain Pain discussion

This discussion covers Part II, Chapter 7, 8, & 9


Part II, Chapter 7

“We will now discuss in a little more detail the struggle for existence.” - Darwin, The Origin of Species

A chaotic Christmas arty-party at Esther’s place. Anxiously awaiting the arrival of a famous author, she instead sees the specter of Wyatt who has stopped by to pick up a few things. Stanley and Agnes Deigh talk Nietzsche and “the melancholia of things completed”. Benny critiques the critic. Esther has a near deja-vu with Otto. Anselm melts down. Stanley gets pinched. Happy Yom Kipper!



Part II, Chapter 8

Then Adam, seeing Enoc and Elias says,

Say, what maner men bene yee,
That bodily meten vs, as I see,
And, dead, come not to Hell as we,
Since all men damned were?
When I trespassed, God hett me
That this place closed always should be
From earthly man to haue entry;
And yet fynd I you here.
- The Harrowing of Hell

Another holiday arty-party, this time at Recktall Brown’s place. Less booze, less drugs, way more blood. Fuller and Wyatt find themselves free at last, yes sar!



Part II, Chapter 9

Vicisti, Galilæe.
- Julian, dying words

Reverend Gwyon holds a bull session on Christmas morning and the townspeople are not amused. Reverend “Dick” renovates, but the past still resonates.


To avoid spoilers, please restrict your comments to Part II, Chapter 7, 8, & 9 (and the earlier chapters)

Jim, are you making up these discussion starters? They're very good.

Ian wrote: "Jim, are you making up these discussion starters? They're very good."

Merci beaucoup!

The quotes are from Gaddis, but the short summary sentences are from me, to help jog the memory and prime the discussion pump.

I might have to get you to precis some of my reviews.

Ian wrote: "I might have to get you to precis some of my reviews."

Can,will...

The arty-parties in chapter 7 and 8 are too funny! They remind me of the reasons why I didn't miss them when I moved to California. "The Duchess of Ohio" is a great name for a Manhattan type found at many arty-parties. They arrive from the mid-west or other points unknown, prepared to fend off those snobby New Yorkers and end up becoming caricatures of the people they were afraid they would encounter. Gaddis had the ear and eye to catch these parties quite well.

Your summaries are completely on the money, as well as hilarious. I look forward to reading them!

Jim wrote: "
The arty-parties in chapter 7 and 8 are too funny! They remind me of the reasons why I didn't miss them when I moved..."

I was at a benefit that mixes interior designers with the wealthy elite to raise money for disadvantaged children, and it was fun to observe their mannerisms, and real ghastly boas (not the snake but the dead animal) draped over women's shoulders, etc. Super wealthy people are an eccentric lot.

Don't worry. We've read it, but we're not talking about it. So it doesn't really make a difference. I'm trying to get up the motivation to chip into the discussion, because you know I can yap my flap when I'm feeling motivated.