Re: nabokov, america, salinger
Camille Scaysbrook (verona_beach@geocities.com)
Wed, 31 Mar 1999 14:05:27 +1000
Jim wrote:
> The point is that we are talking about two different points of view, both
> with their own strengths and weaknesses. It's not surprising that
> Nabokov might present America in a way you can identify with, Camille,
> the view from outside the bowl.
Aha ... yes, but how do you know that this is the `real' America? You're
right that views both in and outside are totally valid - anything, when you
think about it, is valid - but, well, let's use another comparison. No one
likes to hear their voice on tape. Nobody. And this is because you're
hearing the voice you present to the world, and it always sounds so prissy
and awful and nasal that you *can't* match it up with the voice you hear
when you yourself speak. This voice, the one that seems the `real' one to
you, is in actuality only the `real' one to you, the actual real one is the
one you can never hear. Likewise - it's nearly impossible for all but the
very greatest writers to step out of the goldfish that is their own self
and view things totally objectively.
Camille
verona_beach@geocities.com
@ THE ARTS HOLE http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/6442
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