Quick responses on Muriel...
john v. omlor (omlor@packet.net)
Tue, 09 Dec 1997 15:19:56 -0500
A couple hasty replies to various thoughts...
I hope I in no way implied an "always" in my discussion of impossible
relationships or the blindness of the first fall. I would never maske such
an absolute claim of course. I was merely trying to suggest that it
happens and that it happens often and that when it happens the
impossiblities can often make it painful and even shattering. But it is
certainly not the story of every relationship and if by writing "I hope
you're wrong" someone meant imply that it was not, so far, the case for his
own romantic life, I can only say I hope I'm wrong too.
Regarding the text's attitude towards Muriel... Looking back at the story
I agree that laughter may be too strong a characterization (although I'm
not convinced that Muriel is held up as some sort of balancing force to the
Glass' ethereality -- that would seem to me too neat for the amibiguity I
find in the story -- also it seems necessary in such a discussion to
consider Sybil and her innocence within this context of who's who...).
Perhaps it's a question of differences and of surfaces and depths and its
clear at least in spots which of all these "sides" offers the more
sensitive reaction to the harshness of the world. But I will accept that
at least Muriel giggles when she tells her mother what Seymour calls her,
as if, at least to some degree, she gets and appreciates the joke (though
obviously not completely).
Finally, for Helena: according to the *Pulp Fiction* soundtrack Samuel
Jackson's speech is supposed to be taken from "Ezekial 25:17." and indeed
my cheesy New Revised Standard Edition does have an approximation of that
passage right where it should be... But not the whole thing, so this not
really an answer....
Meanwhile I heard this just a moment ago on the TV:
"If you have to convince the heart, then it's not... Convinced, that is."
--Jerry Springer during his "Final Thoughts" on a show with at least five
separate fights.
Question: which Salinger character would be most likely to be a guest on
"Jerry?"
(This is what I do with my time.)
--John