David Damrosch-Meetings of the Mind-Princeton University Press (2000).pdf

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MEETINGSOFTHEMIND Wehavemoremoral,politicalandhistoricalwisdom,thanweknowhowtoreducetopractice;wehavemorescienti®candeconomicalknowledgethancanbeaccommodatedtothejustdistributionoftheproducewhichitmultiplies.Thepoetryinthesesystemsofthought,isconcealedbytheaccumulationoffactsandcalculatingprocesses....Wewantthecreativefacultytoimaginethatwhichweknow;wewantthegenerousimpulsetoactthatwhichweimagine;wewantthepo-etryoflife;ourcalculationshaveoutrunconception;wehaveeatenmorethanwecandigest.PercyShelley,ADefenceofPoetry MeetingsoftheMindDavidDamroschINCOLLABORATIONWITHVicd'OhrAddams,MarshaDoddvic,andDovMidrash,D.C.A.PRINCETONUNIVERSITYPRESSPRINCETONANDOXFORD CopyrightÓ2000byPrincetonUniversityPressPublishedbyPrincetonUniversityPress,41WilliamStreet,Princeton,NewJersey08540IntheUnitedKingdom:PrincetonUniversityPress,3MarketPlace,Woodstock,OxfordshireOX201SYAllRightsReservedLibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataDamrosch,DavidMeetingsofthemind/byDavidDamrosch;incollaborationwithVicd'OhrAddams,MarshaDoddvic,DovMidrash.p.cm.Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.ISBN0-691-05055-4(alk.paper)ÐISBN0-691-05056-2(pbk.:alk.paper)LiteratureÐStudyandteaching(Higher)ÐUnitedStatesÐHistoryÐ20thcentury.2.CriticismÐHistoryÐ20thcentury.I.Title.PN68.D362000801©.95©0904Ðdc2199-087371ThisbookhasbeencomposedinJansonThepaperusedinthispublicationmeetstheminimumrequirementsofANSI/NISOZ39.48-1992(R1997)(PermanenceofPaper)www.pup.princeton.eduPrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica10987654321 TOTHEMEMORYOFCharlesBernheimerComparatist,co-conspirator,friend CONTENTS1Tokyo:HowDoDisciplinesDie?32Bloomington:TravelingTheoryComesHome423Chicago:ThePoliticsofCulturalStudies884PuertoVallarta:CriticalConfessions134Bibliography187Index207 MEETINGSOFTHEMIND 1TOKYOHowDoDisciplinesDie?TheHakoneregionhasaerialcablecarstraversingthemountains,boilinghotsprings,andlakecruises....ThemostworthwhileattractionintheareaistheMOAArtMuseum,namedafteritsfounder,MokichiOkada.WhileestablishingoneofJapan'snewreligions,theChurchofMessianity,Okadawasabletocollectmorethan3,000worksofart....Locatedonahillabovethestationandsetinagardenfullofoldplumtreesandazaleas,themuseumalsooffersasweepingviewoverAtamiandthebay.Admission:¥1,500.Open9:30±3:30;closedThurs.Fodor's91:JapanTheprojector,whichwas®ttedwithinadequatebulbs,threwfaintimagesontoanover-largescreen,andthelecturer,howevercloselyhepeered,couldhardlydiscerntheiroutlines,whileforthepublictheywerescarcelydistinguishablefromthedampstainsonthewalls....Tothismixtureofmoth-eatenghostsandrestlessinfantsthelecturerwasprivilegedÐasthesupremerewardforsomucheffort,careandhardworkÐtorevealhispre-ciousstoreofmemories,whichwerepermanentlyaffectedbythechilloftheoccasion,andwhich,ashespokeinthesemi-darkness,hefeltslippingawayfromhimandfallingonebyonelikepebblestothebottomofawell.ClaudeLévi-Strauss,TristesTropiquesIARRIVEDatNaritaairport,lateinAugustof1991,notknowingwhattoexpect.Severalhundredcomparatistsfromaroundtheworldwereassem-blingforthetriennialmeetingoftheInternationalComparativeLiteratureAssociation;thiswouldbethegroup's®rstmeetinginAsia.Myuncertaintyhadpartlytodowiththeconference'stheme,ifithadone;ªTheForceofVisionºwasaprettyvaguetopic,thoughI'dcertainlyseenvaguer.Mychiefconcernwaswithmyfellowpanelists.Iknewnoneofthemwell,theirworkonlyalittlebetter.AsIwaitedfortheairporttrainintothecity,stillgroggy 4ÐTOKYOfromafourteen-hour¯ight,IwonderedabouttherationaleforourhavingbeenlumpedtogetheronapanelentitledªDisciplinaryPerspectives.ºOrwerewethepanelonªPerspectivesonDisciplinarity?ºSettingmysuitcasedown,Ipulledtheprogramoutofmybriefcase:thereweweretobe,twodayshence,atnineo'clockonSaturdaymorning,inasessionwhoseFrenchtitleinourbilingualprogram,ªQuelquesperspectivesdisciplinaires,ºsoundedalmostapologetictomyear.Whowouldhavetheenergytocome?Whatwouldwehavetosayevenifsomeonedidshowup?HereIwas,preparedtotalkaboutchangesinchildren'sliterature,andthedisturbingimplicationsofthosechangesforfutureenrollmentsinEnglishcourses,whileanindependentscholarIbarelyknew,VicAddams,wasdoingsome-thingonthedisciplineofClassicsattheturnofthecentury,andMarshaDoddvic,a®lmtheoristfromBennington,wasgoingtodiscussrecentde-velopmentsinfeministcriticism.TheIsraelisemioticianDovMidrash,ofallpeople,wouldbeacommentatoronourpapers,noneofwhich,sofarasIknew,hehadyetseen.RolandBartheswouldprobablyhaveseenthisconcatenationassomeZenexerciseinsemioticemptiness,butitlookedtomelikegarden-varietydisorganization,sotypicalofthepseudo-collaborationfoundinconfer-enceswhenneithertheorganizersnortheparticipantsarepreparedtoworktogetherinanymeaningfulsense.Facedwithhundredsofpaperproposalsfromcomparatistsindozensofcountries,theconference'sªorganizersºhadapparentlyresortedtosomeobscurestochasticprinciplesinassemblingthepanels.Clearly,itwouldbearealchallengetothefourofustomakesome-thingcoherentofourmanifestlyunrelateddisciplinaryperspectives.FromwhatIknewofmyfellowpanelists'work,Iwasn'toptimistic.IhadmetandlikedMarshawhenwewerebothgraduatestudents,andshe'dcometoastudentconferenceI'dorganizedatYale.Atthetime,herlivelyandopenpersonalityhadseemedtocontrastsharplywiththedensetheo-reticalproseofherdissertationonfetishisminthe®lmsofBusterKeaton.I'dneverquitemanagedtounderstandherarguments,andIcertainlydidn'tlikethelookofªscopophilia,ºforwhichMarshawascondemningÐorper-hapspraisingÐKeaton.Evengrantingthatmyproblemlayinthegapbe- HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð5tweenmycapacitiesandMarsha'sgreaterbrilliance,Iwonderedjusthowwe'dcommunicatetoacommonaudienceoreventoeachother.Still,thosewereoldimpressions,aswe'dbeenoutoftouchforyears,andIwascurioustoseehowherthoughtshadevolvedinthemeanwhile.IhavetoadmitthatIwaslesseagertorenewmyacquaintancewithVicAddams,almostforoppositereasons.IlovedhisworkÐtheimpressiveeasewithwhichhecouldmovefromSanskritaestheticstomedievalmysticismtoAztecpoetry;theresolutelyuntrendyaestheticismofhisrecentbook,TheUtilityofFutilityÐyetI'dalwaysfoundmyselfalittleputoffbyVicinperson.Wasitacertainsuperciliousnessinhismanner,orwasIjustenviousofVic'ssuperblytailoredwardrobe,hisplacesontheVineyardandinVen-ice,hisevidentenjoymentofboththe®nancialresourcesandthesparklingprosestylethatenabledhimtospendhisholidaysdoingarticlesforYachtingToday?Mostofall,IwasapprehensiveregardingtheformidableDovMidrash,whomIwouldbemeetingforthe®rsttime.ReadersofDiacriticsmayrecallthecontroversythatswirledaroundDov'smajorworkofthemid-eighties,NarrheitundMethode(ªFollyandMethodº)Ðanambiguouslyironicrecon-structionofdeconstructionthatmaintainedthatdeconstructiveinsightsaremostprofoundpreciselywhentheyapproachastateofpureself-parody.AwholesaleattackonthebookbyE.D.HirschunderthetitleªDarknessRisibleºhadonlyincreasedthebook'scachetamongthoseintheknow.InareviewessayinGlyph,theTurkishscholarHymitBathtöihadobservedthatevenasHirschdenouncedMidrash'sconclusions,hehadgrudginglygrantedMidrash'smajorpoints,admittingthebasicinstabilityofpoeticex-pressionandtheultimateunknowabilityofanauthor'soriginalintention.BathtöiconcludedthatHirsch'ssupposedattackwasactuallyacovertde-fenseofMidrash'sposition,promotingtheveryviewsitpretendedtodis-miss.BathtöiwentsofarastospeculatethatªMidrashºmightbeapen-nameforHirschhimself,achargewhichHirschindignantlyrejectedbutwhichMidrashhimselfrefusedeithertocon®rmordeny.Formypart,afterreadingseveralattacksanddefenses,IonlyknewthatIwouldneverbeenoughintheknowtoknowwhatMidrashwasreally 6ÐTOKYOtalkingabout.Andnowtheinstigatorofallthisdebatewasgoingtobeourrespondent.WouldwehavetospendourtimedecodingMidrash'sresponse,tryingto®gureoutwhetherhewascomplimentingusormock-ingus?ActuallymeetingMidrashprovedtobearelief.IfoundamessagefromhimawaitingmewhenIarrivedatmyhotel,proposingthatthefourofuscopanelistsmeetforbreakfastthenextmorningatanearbycoffeeshop.DovandIwerethe®rstonesthere;hisstocky,beardedformstoodout,therestofthepatronsbeingJapanese.Apparentlythetravelersinthesurround-inghotelsweren'tventuringoutsoearly,oriftheydidtheymayhavebeenputoffbytherestaurant'sEnglishnameÐSnackMemoryÐandgoneinsearchofmoreauthenticcuisine.Infact,though,SnackMemoryservedstandardJapanesefaretoaclienteleofof®ceworkers,andDovandIsettleddowntoamealofmisosoupandraweggoverrice.Heprovedtobeafascinatingconversationalist,thoughattimeshewasalittlehardtofollow,speakinginlow,gravellytonespunctuatedbyself-mockinginterjections.HespokeEnglishnotsomuchwithapronouncedaccentaswithunder-lyingspeechrhythmsthatre¯ectedseveraldifferentlanguages.AsIlaterlearned,he'dgrownupspeakingRussianwithhisfather,Yiddishwithhismother,andHebrewinschool,thenhadlecturedinGermanfortenyearsatKonstanz,beforeassuminghisnewposts®rstatGenevaandnowatIrvineaswell.HehadakeenearforAmericancolloquialisms,andattimeshealmostsoundedAmerican;thenyou'dgetaglimpseofoneoranotherlinguisticlayerbeneathhiscommandofEnglish.ªGladtomeetyou,ºDovsaid.ªThisfuckingarchitecture.ºHegesturedattheblandof®cebuildingsoutside,anun®lteredcigaretteinhishand.ªYouseewhathappenswhenaculturegivesupitsowntraditions?Food,no,thankGod:here,wehaveagoodbreakfast.ºHeusedhischopstickstostirhiseggintohisrice.IcouldseethatsmalltalkwasnotgoingtobeMidrash'sstrongsuit.Idecidedtorespondinkind.ªButwhatareJapan's`own'traditions?ºIasked.ªDoyoumeanthescripttheyborrowedfromChina,orthemetaphysicsthatcamefromIndiathroughKorea?º HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð7Dovsmiled.ªMaybeyouareright,itisjustamatteroftime.Theimportneedstoputdownroots,becorruptedorpuri®edinlocalterms,soin®vehundredyearstheywillbuildremarkableskyscrapershere.Weshouldmaybecomebackthenandsee.ºIwasabouttopointoutthedif®cultyofdoingso,whenMarshawalkedin.WhenI'dknownherinherBerkeleydays,we'dallbeenatthestageofandrogynousjeansandtangledhair;now,thoughthehourwasearly,Marshawaswearingasuit,itsblackleathercontrastingeffectivelywithherpaleskinandwiththebrightredofhernails.ªDon'tyoujustloveithere?ºsheasked,afterI'dintroducedhertoDov.ªTheenergy,theelectronicreadoutsinthesubwaycars,allthatneoninoverdrivearoundthetrainstation!ºShegesturedtowardthebustlingbou-levardoutside.ªDon'tyouthinktheydoParisbetterherethanwedoinAmerica?ºDovjustshrugged.Idecidedtochangethesubject,andaskedMarshahowshe'dbeeninthelastfewyears.ªGreat!ºshereplied.ªTheBenningtonstudentsareatrip,andthede-partment'sareallycollegialbunch.It'shardtogetmuchwritingdone,butthewholeatmosphereiswonderful,artsy,off-beat,intense,andthey'reput-tingmeupfortenureinthefall.Everyonesaysit'sasurething.ºªSotheyhavesomethingsode®niteastenureatBennington?ºDovasked.ªIthoughttheyrefusedtoplaytheusualacademicgamesthere.ºªItisn'tcalledtenure,that'strue,ºMarshareplied;ªit'skindofapointofprideinthecampusculturetostayawayfromanyhierarchyofpower.Sowehaveapermanentrenewalofcontractinsteadoftenure.ºªItsoundslikeit'sjustthesamethingunderanewname,ºIremarked.ªNamesmatter,ºMarshareplied.ªAsymbolicchangecanhavearippleeffectinrealityÐotherwise,allofusinliteraturemightaswellshutupshop.Theproofcomesintheperformance.AtBennington,refusingtheordinarylanguageofacademicauthorityisawayweexpressaninstitutionalreality.Thepowerisn'theldtightbyourseniorfacultyatallÐIchairedthedepart-mentlastyearmyself,evenbeforethevotethisspring.Ofcourse,mycasestillhastogothroughtheTrustees,timesaretough,enrollment'sbeen 8ÐTOKYOsaggingsome,butnooneexpectsanyproblem.Theadministrationhasalongtraditionofcloseconsultationwiththefaculty,we'vegotadynamicnewpresidentÐawoman,nolessÐandshe'ssuretostrengthenourcollab-orativeculture.Shewantsustohavecampus-widediscussionsthiscomingyearaboutthefutureoftheinstitution.Allinall,we'reexpectinggoodtimesahead.IfonlyIwasn'tfeelingtornintwosomuchofthetime.ºªWhat'sgoingwrong?ºIasked,alarmed.ªNothing'swrongatall,ºMarshareplied.ªJusttoomuchgoodfortuneallatonce.EspeciallythearrivalofCassie,ourdaughter,she'sthirteenmonthsnow.She'ssowonderful!AndsoengrossingÐIjustdon'tknowhowI'mgoingtojuggleeverythingwhenclassesstartbackupnextmonth.LastyearIhadahalf-timedeal,thathelpedalot,butwecan'treallyafforditthiscomingyear.Anyway,I'mimpatienttogetbackintothingsfull-time,whatwiththepromotionandeverything.Atleastshestoppedbreast-feedingacoupleofmonthsago,butevensoÐifonlyIhadan`insertparagraph'commandinmylife!ºªIsthereahusbandinthepicture?ºDovasked.ªDoeshehelp?ºªYou'redamnrighthedoes,ºMarshareplied,thenpaused.ªIguessthatcameoutsoundingalittle....ButIdidn'treallymeanitthatway.Andheisn'texactlyahusband,either,asfarasthatgoes.Still,we'vebeentogetherquiteawhilenow,andwebothwantedachild.TomadoresCassieÐheeventhinkshedoesanequalshareofallthework.I'veneverhadtogetupatnightwithher,whichhelpsbecauseIsleeplikearock.WhenIwasnursing,wehadthisdealatnight,I'dprovidethefood,he'dprovidethetransportation.Butdaytimes,Idon'tknow,Tomcanbekindofslowontheuptake,andhalfthetimehe'soutinhisgreenhouses,orholedupinthestudydoingsomegardeningcolumnonatightdeadline.Aweekcangoby,andI'vebarelyreadapage.Andasforwriting....ºMarsha'svoicetrailedoff.Sheshookherself,andcontinuedmorepositively.ªAtleastIfeelI'veearnedthisbreak.Tendays!Ihavetosay,it'skindofnicetobefootlooseforachange.ºJustthen,avoicecalledoutfromthedoorway: HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð9ªDavid,mydear,thereyouare!ºVicAddamsneversimplyenteredaroomwhenhecouldmakeanentrance.Bendinghisheadgracefullytoavoidahanginglantern,hecametoourtable,anddrapedhisslenderformontoachair.Withoutwaitingforintroductions,hetookatouristbrochureoutofthepocketofhislinenblazer.ªDoyouseethis?ºheasked.Wealllooked:anordinarypromotionalphoto,showingtheTokyoskylineasseenfromthebay.ªLook!ºVicsaid.ªThey'rewindsur®ngoutthere,Mistralsailsnoless,rightinfrontoftheskyscrapers.Sublime!AndthinkofthehousinghereÐdoyouknowwhatthatmeans?ºªNo,what?ºIasked.ªRentals!HowmanyTokyoapartmentscouldhavespaceforaboard,nottomentionthemast?MyconciergeinformsmethatthehotspotisabeachoutatTsudanuma,partwayroundthebay,wherewell-endowedyoungfellowsrentwell-equippedsailboards.Who'scomingwithme?I'vehiredacarfortheday;mydrivercanrunyoubyyourhotelsforyoursuits,andwe'reoff.ºªIthoughtwehaveaconferencestartingtoday,ºDovsaid.ªAndourownpanelcomestomorrowmorning.Ithinkwemustplanitout,andIneedtoknowwhatyouwillsaysoIcanpreparemyresponse.ºMarshaandIspokeatthesametime.ªDov'sright,ºIsaid.ªLet'sgo,ºsaidMarsha.ªI'veneverbeenwindsur®ng.ºªAboutthetalk,ºVicsaidtoDov.ªIplantoextemporize;youcanjustdisagreewithwhateverIsay.Peopleusuallydo.ºªHere'smypaper,ºMarshasaid,handingDovafolder.ªAllthepanelstodayareprettytraditionalsource-and-in¯uencethings,soIthinkI'llgetmoreoutofsomeimmersionintheculture.ºªImmersion?Onlyifyou'recareless,ºVicsaid.ªTheideaisnottofallin.ButI'llshowyou.ºISPENTthenextseveralhoursinconferencesessions.Marshahadbeenalltoocorrect:adutifulexpositionofsomeone'sin¯uenceonsomeoneelse,followedbyapaperonthesecondsomeone'ssubsequentin¯uenceon 10ÐTOKYOsomethirdsomeone,bothpresentedbyspeakerswhoseemedtoseelifesteadily,andseeitinlittlepieces;apanelonthatoldchestnut,EzraPound'smisunderstandingofChinesescript,thefailureofallpreviouscriticsevertosayanythingreallyinterestingonthistopichavinginspiredanewcropofearnestfailures;andadepressingsmatteringofbroadermethodologicalpapers,somepresentedbyfeel-goodglobal-villagerswhosawvaguehar-monieseverywhere,therestgivenbycrypto-nationalistswhoemphasizedtheincommensurabilityofEastandWestandtheimplicitsuperiorityoftheirownculturalsystemÐunless,withanoppositional¯ourish,theydem-onstratedthesuperiorityofanyculturebuttheirown.NoneofthepanelsIattendedhadanyinternalcoherence,exceptforthePoundpanel,whichhadnovariety;noneoftheconferenceroomshadanywindows;noneofthepanelsleftmorethan®veminutesforquestions;noneofthequestionswasaudible;noneofthereplieswasintelligible.Evenso,Icouldn'tdecide:wereVicandMarshashowingtheonlyrealsanityintheplacebygoingoffwindsur®ng,orwastheirescapeactjustanothersymp-tomoftheproblem?AsIemergedwearilyfrommythirdpanel,Idecidedto®ndout.Iwalkedupthestreettogetmybathingsuitfrommyhotel.Noconciergethere,andthesingledeskclerkwasabsorbedinhiscomic-booknovel,soIhailedacabonthestreet.ThedriverspokenoEnglish,andIhadforgottenthenameofthebeach.ThoughI'dmadeanefforttolearnsomebasicphrases,Ihadn'tthoughttomasteranyvocabularyconcerningbeachesandsailboards.Aftertwoorthreeminutesoffruitlessnon-communication,Iletthecabgo.ThenitoccurredtomethatImightbeabletopantomimemywishes,soIhailedanothercab.Motioningforthedrivertoopenhiswindow,Imadebroadbreast-strokeswithmyarms,pronouncingthewordsªswim,swimºandªbeach,beachºslowlyanddistinctly.Thedriverlookedatmequizzicallyovertherimsofhissunglasses.ªYouwishtogotoabeach,sir?ºheasked.ªWouldthatbeTsudanuma?ºIgotin,ignoringthelooksofthepassersbywhohadstoppedtoobservemyperformance.Ontheway,thedrivertaughtmetheJapanesetermforwindsur®ng,whichprovedtobeªwindsurfering.º HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð11Thebeachwasabroadarcofsand,boundedbyabreakwaterontherightand,ontheleft,apartiallycompletedhighwayoverpasssurroundedbyhalfadozenconstructioncranes.Iscannedthehorizonformyfriends.JapaneseadolescentsinDay-Globodysuitswerezippingbackandforthacrossthewater,fromthebreakwatertotheconstructionsiteandback,butMarshaandVicwerenotamongthem.Probablytheyhadleftsometimeago,Ire-¯ected;itwasalmost®veo'clockbynow.ThenIsawthemdownthebeachneartherentalshed,theirboardsdrawnuponthesandbesidethem.Itseemedthattheyhadforgottentobringtowels;VicwasdryingMarsha'sbackwithateeshirt.Wearingonlyaskimpyblackbathingsuit,Vicsome-howgaveamorepowerfulimpressionthanwhenclothed.Hismuscleshadthe®nebutnotbulkytoneofrunnersandÐasIcouldsee,lookingaroundÐofwindsur®ngenthusiasts.Hisdarkhair,neatlybrushedasal-waysbackfromhis®nelychiseledforehead,glistenedinthelate-afternoonsunlight.Ialmosthesitatedtodisturbthem,butasMarshaturnedherheadoverhershouldertosaysomethingtoVic,shecaughtsightofme,andwavedcordially.ªIt'sbeengreat!ºshesaid,asIcameup.ªIonlyfellinafewtimesÐIhopethereisn'tanythingtootoxicinthewateraroundhere.AndI'veevenlearnedtotack!ºªAnatural,ºVicsaidapprovingly.ªMostpeopletakefarlongertogetstarted.Caretotakeaturn,David?ºIcontentedmyselfwithaswim,thenjoinedtheothersatabeachfrontsnackbarwheretheywereeatingbowlsofnoodles.ªAndnow,whatnext?ºVicasked.ªAstrollthroughsomeexquisitegar-denbeforewetakeintheplay?ºªI'mafraidImissedmychanceonthatone,ºIsaidregretfully.ªIdidn'tfocusonitinthepreregistrationmaterials,andnowIhearit'sallsoldout.ºªSowhat?ºMarshaasked.ªMyattitude'salwaysbeen,thesebigcorpo-rate-sponsoredevents,I'llsavemymoneyforworthiercauses.ºªButMarsha,dearheart,ºVicexclaimed,ªthisisnottobemissed!HamletrevisedintoKabukiform,nowbeingre-stagedinafull-scalereproduction 12ÐTOKYOoftheGlobetheater?ÐTosaynothingofthepleasuresofthecompany,ºheadded,withasmilethatsomehowseemeddirectedonlyather.ªOh,I'mgoing,ºMarshareplied.ªIjustdon'tplantoaddtothetake.They'vealreadysoldtheseatsanyway,butthere'sboundtobeno-shows.Youcometoo,David,I'llgetusbothin.ºIfoundthishardtobelieve,giventheprecisionwithwhicheverythingseemedtobeorganizedinTokyo.Still,Ihadnootherplans,andsoIwentalonginVic'scar.WearrivedattheGlobetheater,somewhatincongru-ouslysetinaquietresidentialneighborhoodofsingle-storyhousesnestledamongcherrytreesandornamentalshrubbery.Therewasstillsometimeuntiltheshowwastobegin,soMarshahadustakeastroll.ªThetrick'sinthetiming,ºshesaidconspiratorially,aswereturnedtothetheater.ªWewaltzinthirtysecondsbeforecurtaintime.Youdohaveaticket,right,Vic?GiveithereÐjustfollowme.ºWewentinbehindMarshaasshestrodepurposefullyintothecrowdoflast-minutearrivals,whopartedbeforeus.Whenwereachedtheticket-taker,MarshabrandishedVic'sticket,tappingitsigni®cantlyonherwatchonherotherwrist.ShethenpointedatVicandmewiththeticketassheheldupthree®ngersofherotherhand,smilinggenerouslyasshedidsotoindicatethatwewouldsparetheattendanttheneedtoholdthingsuponouraccount.Theticket-takerhesitatedforhalfasecond;itwasenough.Marshasweptusinwithher,asnewpeopleengagedtheattendant'sattention.Marshacordiallywavedanusheraway,andwesettledintoahalf-emptyrowofseats.ªDoyouthinktheticket-takerreallythoughtshesawthreetickets?ºIwhispered.ªAreyoukidding?ºMarshaanswered.ªShethinksshetookourticketsandgaveusbackthestubs!Stickwithme,kiddo,andyou'lldookay.ºThiswasasideofMarshaIhadn'tknownabout.Happily,noonecametodemandourseatsandhaveusejectedfromthetheater,andIgraduallybegantorelaxandenjoytheplay.AnunusualversionofHamletindeed,writtenattheturnofthecenturybyanearlycomparatistwhohopedtoreconcileEastandWestthroughcreativedramaturgy.Ihadsomedif®culty HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð13followingtheaction,partlybecausenotranslationwasavailable,butalsobecausethesameactorplayedbothHamletandOphelia.Still,theplayreachedaforcefulclimaxwhenHamletcommittedritualsuicidebyorder-ingHoratiotocutoffhishead.Ifoundmyselfmovedbythesolemn®nalscene,inwhichthenewruler,Fortinbras,settheseveredheadonashrineinhonorofHamlet'sdeadfather.Wasthedirectormakingasubtlepoint,orsimplysavingcosts,byhavingFortinbrastoobeplayedbyHamlet-Ophelia?Asweleftthetheater,Vicproposedgoingoutforsake.Jet-lagged,Ideclined.TiredthoughIwas,Inoticedthatneitherofmycompanionsurgedmeasecondtime.ReturningalonetomymodestbusinesshotelÐafarcryfromtheFrankLloydWright±designedHiltonwhereVicwasstay-ingÐIcalledmywifeandchildrenbackinNewYork,nowstartingtheirdayasIwasendingmine.Ithenlookedaroundmyroom.Icouldalmosttouchbothsidewallsatonce,andtheroomextendedonlyayardorsobeyondtheendofthenarrowbed.Still,ingeniouscabinets,trimmedinmahogany,ranunderthebedtoholdclothes,andcompartmentsinthepaneledendwallopenedmagicallytorevealTV,VCR,CDplayer,andmini-bar.PerhapsunderVic'sin¯uence,Ifoundmyselfthinkingofmysurroundingsnotasabudgetsingleroombutassleepingquartersonatrimcruisingyawl.Throughmysmall,porthole-likewindow,Icouldseethestreamoftraf®ceddyingalongtheroadbelow.Itcouldbeallright,explor-ingthisnewculturewithmynewfriends,alwaysassumingtheycouldsparesometimeforme.Butdidwehaveenoughincommonevertogetbeyondthetransientintimacyofaconferencetrip?Couldtheconferenceitselfprovideasubstantivecounterpointtoourextracurricularactivities?IWASstillwonderingaboutthisthenextmorning,whenIarrivedforourpanelafewminutesearlyandfoundonlyDovintheroom.Hewasalreadyseatedontherostrum,scowlingslightlyashejabbedatadraft(mineorMarsha's,Ididn'treallywanttoknow)witharedfelt-tippedpen.Ahandfulofthrill-seekerswanderedinoverthenextfewminutesandsub-sidedquietlyintochairs.Theyalmostdisappearedfromview,dottedabout 14ÐTOKYOinaroommeanttoholdahundred,theirfacessuspendedinthatstrangelygarishhalf-lightpeculiartohotelconferenceroomstheworldover.IjoinedDovonthepodium,andthenwewaited.Finally,attenpastnine,incameatannedVicandasunburnedMarsha.ªSorrywe'relate,ºMarshawhisperedasshesettleddownbesideme.IgaveanoncommittalsmileandmotionedtoVic,whowenttothelectern.IcouldseeinhishandsomenotesjottedonasheetofTokyoHiltonstationery.ªHowdodisciplinesdie?ºhebegan.ªCananyhistoricalsignpostpointthewayforthemodernliteraturesastheyplunge,lemming-like,downthesteepslopeofundergraduateenrollments,asbusinessmajorsboomandliteraturefallsoffthecharts?Iproposetoyouthemelancholy,monitoryexampleofClassics,queenofthedisciplinesahundredyearsagoÐhateddominatrixofthecollegecurriculuminthestudents'eyes,tobesure,butmistressoftheirprofessors'hearts.Inthosedistantdays,thestudyoftheclassicswasthegreatsourceofmentaldisciplineandofpublicmoralityalike.NotonlycouldyounotmajorinEnglish,you'dbeluckyto®ndasinglecourseinEnglishliterature!Thiswasthenaturalorderofthings,hadbeenforthelongesttime,andnoclassicistin1875couldhaveforeseenhowswiftlythemodernrabblementwoulddethronetheirqueen.Therevolu-tiontookjustadecadeortwo,andclassicshasdeclinedfromhalfthecurric-ulumtoatinyfractionofitnow.BlamethebarbarismnaturaltoAmericancultureifyoulike,ortaketheclassiciststhemselvestotaskforcirclingtheirwagons,fortheirdefensiverelianceonthegreatnessthatwasGreeceandtheglorythatwasphilology.Yetknowthatthewritingisonourownwallstoday,itsmessageconveyedbytheveryfactthatscarcelyasoulinthisroomcanreadtheGreekinwhichitiswritten!ºRathermelodramatic,Ithought;still,hehadgottentheaudience'satten-tion.Vicwenton,leaningforwardonthelectern,speakingmorequietlynow.ªIwouldnothaveyouthinkIamheretomockClassicsorevenmostclassicists.Ifthesignpostpointedonlydownward,whatpointwouldtherebeinpausingtodecipherit?Ittooktheclassicistsalongwhiletoregroup,butregrouptheyhave,andweshouldattendtotheexamplestheyareset- HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð15tingbytheirinnovativeeffortsatoutreach.Theyarefaraheadofmostmoderndisciplinesindevelopinglivelynewgrammars,interactivedata-bases,linkstohighschoolsÐnotshrinkingevenfromrecoursetobillboardsandtogaparties:methodsnottobedespised!Therearelessonsforusallintheircurrentrecovery;andthereisapositivemessageinthelongdeclineitself,ifwecanhavethecouragetofaceit.Inmanyways,thattectonicupheavalatthe®n-de-siècleisthebestthingthateverhappenedtoClassics.Howutterlyperverseitwas,really,toenthroneclassicalcivilizationastheembodimentofnineteenth-centuryEuropeanvalues,oncetechnologybegantotriumphovertheologyandthecollegesdecidedtodistancethem-selvesfromtheirsectarianroots!Bronze-AgewarriorswithIron-Agevaluessomehowmagicallypreserving`sweetnessandlight,'inbetweenyesterday'srapeandtomorrow'sconquest?Whatwouldtheseslave-owning,paganbi-sexualshavethought,iftheyreturnedtoearthin1890andfoundthem-selvesmadeintoposterboysforthehighestaspirationsofabourgeois,Victorian,Christian,homophobic,industrialcapitalism?Horribiledictu!ªWhatarelief,really,forthecommittedclassicist,tobefreedtodayfromtheobligationto®ndsermonsundereverystoneoftheAcropolis.NoneednowtodressHomerandEuripidesinproperVictoriangarb,to®tthemintopatternstheirlimbsneverknew,bendingandfoldingthemlikepaperdollstoserveÐlet'ssay,inhonorofourhoststodayÐasthefonsetorigamiofmodernculture!Nowondertheolderclassicistslettheirspeciouscen-tralityfadeawaywithlittleregret:devoteesofthemodernliteraturesshoulddosotoo,refuseanyservitudetothepietasofstateculture,whetherthemiddlebrowmoralismoftherightorthemiddlebrowmulticulturalismoftheleft.ºVicwentoninthisveinforseveralminutesmore,intermsthatwillbesuf®cientlyfamiliarfromhisbook,especiallytheopeningpolemiconªTheFutilityofUtility.ºHearguedthatonlyinamarginalpositioncanliterarystudiesdojusticetoliterature'sparadoxicalembodimentofculturalvaluesanditsdislocationofthem,especiallyitsundercuttingofthecosyhalf-truthsinwhichsocialvaluestypicallyÐIthinkheactuallysaidªinevi-tablyºÐ®lterdownintoclassroompresentations.Onmyright,Dovwas 16ÐTOKYOshakinghisheadandwritingfuriously.Tomyleft,MarshaseemedtoberestrainingherselffrominterruptingeachtimeVicmadeadisdainfulrefer-encetopopularcultureorculturalstudies;IthoughtIevensawa¯ushspreadacrossherneck,thoughthismayonlyhavebeenanopticaleffectof¯uorescentlightingonhersunburn.Viccontinued:ªClassicscanpointthewayforthemodernliteratures,ifonlybecausethecompromisesthattemptallprofessorsinsearchofanaudiencelooksoludicrousinthecaseofantiquity.ItisamistaketomakeMiltonpopular,butitisamistakethatsomecannotresist,tryingtotradeinthepoet's`®taudience,thoughfew'foranun®taudience,butmany.Thisisscarcelyagoodbargain,dearfriends,anditisagameforwhichTheocritusandAnax-imandermakepoorpawns.ButdonotsupposethatImeantoevoketheclassicalwritersasstandard-bearersforaneliteculture!Virgilmayhavebeen,Euripidesmostemphaticallywasnot,buttheancients'values,popu-larorelite,onlysporadicallyconnecttooursinanyevent.WeshouldnotstudysuchwritersfortheirclosenesstousandouregotisticalconcernsÐtheirvalueliespreciselyintheirdistancefromus,theirforeignness.SparemetheChristianreadingofAeneasandthefeministreadingofMedeaalike!Itisnotforustoappropriatesuchmagni®cent,enigmaticcharacters,itisforthemtoappropriateus.EzraPoundhadhisreasonsforurgingusto`makeitnew,'thoughhisfamousphraselookslessprovocativenowthanhemeantittobe,moreintunewiththedemandsofagrowingconsumercapitalism.ºViccastaglanceoveratMarsha,whodidn'tlookamused.Heraisedaneyebrowironically,andwenton.ªForustoday,thechallengeisquitethereverse:tomakeitold.Wemustallowtheworkthefreedomofitsutterestrangementfromus,settingthestagefortheliberationthatcomeswhenwearetakenawhileoutofour-selves,disabusedofourpietiesandourvanities.Wereturntoourworldshaken,drainedperhapsÐsurelythepointofAristotle'smedicalanalogytocatharticpurgation.`Beold!Anew!'asJoycesobeautifullysaysinFinnegansWake:`Weareonceamoreasbabesawonteringinthatchillchildernesswhichisourtruename.'Aliteraturedepartmentmustbemorethanalittleinglenookwherewesitandtakethechilloffourmodernculture,dreaming HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð17ofanostalgicpastÐorelsefantasizingtheradicalsocialchangeouryoungchargeswillenactjustassoonasthey®nishtheirtermpapersonFanonandgraduate.Weshouldresistthesuper®cialsatisfactionsthatcomefromact-ingthepartofscholarlyJackHorners,pullinglittlesocialplumsoutofourtextualpuddings.Thedeathofliteratureasaninstitutionmaymeantherebirthofamorevitalliteraryexperience;asscholarsandteachers,itisourtasknottomournbuttocelebratethedeathofTimFinneganthesolidcitizen,toassistinhisresurrectionasashape-shifting,larger-than-life,lifeforce.ºMarshaleanedovertomeasVicsatdown.ªMindifIgonext?ºshewhispered.ªIjustcan'tletallthatgoby.ºIagreed,secretlyrelievednottohavetofollowsucharhetoricallychargedperformance.Marshawenttothelectern.ªWhatmyesteemedpanelistispeddlinghere,ºshebegan,ªistheworstsortofretrogradebullshit.ºMaybeIshouldn'tfollowMarshaeither,Ithought;maybeIshouldhavestayedinbedthatmorning.ªIfIwasindependentlywealthy,ºMarshacontinued,ªItoocouldmaybeaffordtositoutsidetheinstitutionalarena,makingfunofthestudentswhoarelookingtoliteraturetogivethemsomeguidanceintheirlives,astheystruggletomakesenseoftheraciallyandeconomicallydividedsocietyaroundthem.Asociety,afterall,whoseleaderswouldbequitehappytohaveallofusinliteraturecon®neourselvestoparsinggrammarandsyntax,toppingourprogramsoffwithalittleartisticpolishing.VicAddamsmaythinkhe'stakingastandinfavorofliterature'sloftypurity,buthe'seitherkiddinghimselforhe'skiddingyou.Whathe'sreallydoing,likeitornot,isplayingintothehandsoftheright,thepeoplewhoattackanyquestioningofthestatusquoas`politicalcorrectness.'TheideaofbasinganappealtoartisticindependenceonMiltonandVirgil!Canyouimaginetwomorepoliticallyengagedwriters?I'mhappytospareyoutheChristianreadingofVirgil,andyoucansparemetheChristianreadingofMiltontoo,asfarasthatgoes.ButIcan'timagineaviablereadingofVirgilthatdidn'tbeginfromhiscelebrationoftheRomanEmpire,orareadingofParadiseLostthat 18ÐTOKYOignoredMilton'sdespairoverthecollapseofthepeople'srepublichethoughtCromwellhadcreated.Didn'thestartthatepicrightaftertherestorationofthemonarchyhehatedsomuch?Doesn'tthathatredfuelSatan'sfuryatthe`tyrant'inheaven?ºVicwasshakinghishead;thecornersofhismouthturneddownina¯eetingsmileatthewordsªVirgil'scelebrationoftheEmpire.ºOnmyright,Dovwaswritingasfuriouslyasbefore.Icouldseeafewwords:ªPeo-ple'srepublic!MiltontheMaoist?ºMarshawenton.ªLiteraturedealsinideas;let'sfaceit,itdealsinideologies.Allartdoes,thoughyoumaynotseethissoclearlyinthemoreindirectcaseslikemusic.Withliterature,it'sasplainasthewordsonthepage.Writerstakepositionsintheirworks,andthentheirpublishersandreviewersandreadersputthemintoideologicallychargedpositionsoftheirown.It'spartofourjobascriticstolocatethosepositions,andtakeastandtowardthemourselves.Ifyouwanttopersuademeotherwise,mydearºÐMarshaturnedandad-dressedVicdirectlyЪyou'llhavetogivemesomebetterexamplesthantheonesyougavejustnow.ºSheturnedbacktotheaudience.ªThemostexcitingthinginacademicstudytodayistheexplorationofthesocialandculturalgroundingofallformsofart,popularandelite,andpartofthepointisforustoclarifyourownsituationsintheprocess.LetmegiveyouaconcretecaseofwhatImean.MyexamplewassupposedtointroducethetopicIwasgoingtopresent,beforeIwaskindofderailedbyVic'spresentation.I'vecalledmytalk`WhereintheWorldisVirginiaWoolf?'TheideawastofocusonWoolftotalkabouttheevolutionofourdiscipline.Ifallpoliticsislocal,it'sbecauseit'slocalizedintimeaswellasinplace.ThepoliticsIwanttore¯ectonisoursmorethanWoolf's,orrather,it'sthewaywekeeprecon®guringWoolf'spolitics,andhowourrecon®guringscangiveanindextoourownshiftingsituations.ºMarshapausedandputonthepairofpurple-rimmedglassesthathadbeenhangingonacordaroundherneck.Abouttobeginreading,shesetherpagesdownandcontinuedspeakingdirectlytotheaudience,nowwithahintofapologyinhervoice. HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð19ªIreallydon'tobjecttoaestheticismitselfÐwhocouldfallinlovewithWoolfandnotfeelitsattraction?Whenwereadher,wegetseducedbythatdreamylanguage,thatrollingswellofsentenceswiththeirwhitecapsofsemicolons.Wedogetcaughtupintoherworld,I'llgrantVicthat.ButIwantustorememberthatWoolfalwaysattachedherwebsofwordstotherealworldÐ`withbandsofsteel,'assheputitinARoomofOne'sOwn.ThedetachedaestheticismthatVic'sproposingmightbepossible,whoknows;it'sjustthatinactualfact,thatkindof`detachment'hasusuallyturnedouttoservethepoliticsofthestatusquo.Woolfismyexampleofthis;again,I'mnottalkingaboutherownposition,butaboutthepoliticsheraestheti-cismwasyokedupwithuntilquiterecently.ºMarshacastalookoveratVic,whoseemedtobelisteningwithinterest,animpressionnoteveryonecouldcreatewhilealsousingabentpapercliptodislodgesandfrombeneathhis®ngernails.Marshaglancedatherown®ngernails,andcontinued:ªButletmegiveyousomeoftheactualtalkyoucrossedallthosetimezonestohear.ºShepickedupherpapers,setacoupleofpagesaside,andbegantoread.ªI'msurethatmanypeoplehavebecomefeministsbyread-ingWoolf.Notme:whatdidthetrickwasreadingthearticleonWoolfintheEncyclopaediaBritannica.Thiswasinthelateseventies,whenIwasajuniorincollegeatMinnesota.I'dstarteddoingalotofliterarytheory,whichmeantstructuralism,Freud,evensomeLacanalreadyÐMinnesotawasaprettyhipplaceÐbutfeminismjustwasn'tonthemap.ThiswasstilltheLacanoffathersandphalluses,`DadsandDongs,'aswecalledthecourse.Andinmyliteratureclasses,youbarelyeverreadawomanwriter,andnever,everdidyoureadherasawoman.ªThat'sjustthewayitwas,andIwasn'tthetwenty-year-oldwho'dbesavvyenoughtoseetheproblemonherown.Ittooktheencyclopediatoteachme.IwastryingonedaytorememberthedatesofoneofHenryJames'slatenovelsandoneofWoolf'searlyonesÐIwaswonderingifshecouldhavereadTheGoldenBowl,Ithinkitwas,beforeshewrotesomesceneinTheVoyageOut.SoIcheckedintotheBritannicainthereadingroom.Thiswaswhenthey'djustcomeoutwiththeirdivisionintotwosetsof 20ÐTOKYOvolumes:the`Micropaedia,'forshortentries,andthe`Macropaedia,'forthereallymajorstuff.ªYoucanprobablyguesswherethisisheading,butbelieveme,Ididn'thaveacluein1977;afterIfoundJamesintheMacro,rightwhereheshouldbe,IinnocentlylookedforWoolftheretoo.Nothingdoing.ButtherealshockcamewhenItrackedherdownintheMicro.Itwasn'tjustthatHenryhadninetimesthecolumninchesVirginiahad:itwaswhatthoseinchessaid.EverythinginHenry'sentrywasabout`mastery'ÐIthinktheyusedthatwordaboutsixtimes,allabouthisimpactonthehistoryofthenovel,hiscross-culturalinsights,hiselegant,ornateproseÐthewholenumber.ButVirginia?Weakness,insecurity,madnessthatherlovinghusbandcouldn'tcontrol;despairandsuicideattheend,afterwhichlovingLeonardpub-lishedher®nalnovelforher.Andherwriting?Technicalexperimentswithstreamofconsciousness,inbetweenthoseboutsofmadness.EverydamnparagraphinHenry'sarticlemadeyoufeellikeanincompletehumanbeingifyoudidn'tgooutandreadsixofhisnovelsrightaway.NotonelineinVirginia'sentrywouldmakeyouthinkyoureallyneededtoreadheratall.Ever.ªIgotmad,andIstartedlookingaround.IgotmyselfovertotheFrenchdepartment,andIgotinto®lmstudies.Inbothplaces,acoupleofun-tenuredpeoplewerestartingtoteachthingsthatcouldchannelmyangerandhelpmegosomewherewithit.TherewasevenaMarxistinPhilos-ophy,thoughhewas®rednotlongafterthat,andIstartedputtingthingstogether.ºMarshaglancedatherwatch.ªIseeI'malreadyrunningoutoftime.Iwasgoingtousethislittlestorytosetupadiscussionofstagesinpostwarfeministcriticism.Asyoucansee,becauseofmyageandtheaccidentofwhereIwas,IkindofmissedtheclassicsixtiesandearlyseventiesfeminismthatwasworkingtoredressthebalancebetweenVirginiaandHenry.Iwentrightintothehightheorymodeoflate-seventiesfeminism,andthatkeptmebusyforagoodtenyears.Iwasplanningtogoontosaysomethingaboutthenewstagewe'veenterednow:lessabstractandabstruse,moreactivistandangryÐThreeGuineasasournewmodelWoolftext,notARoom HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð21ofOne'sOwn.Asmytime'saboutup,though,Ithinkit'sjustaswellifIkeepthefocusonVirginiaandHenry'sadventuresintheEncyclopaediaPatri-archica.Thesixtiesgenerationbegantosetthatbalanceright,andthatworkstillneedsdoingtoday.It'snodenigrationofthebeautythatVicandIwouldboth®ndinWoolftosaythattheoldstressonherstyle-for-style's-sakewasonewayofkeepingheroutoftheMacropaedia.ºMarshalookedoveratVic,whoputahandoverhisheartandshookhishead,asiftoassureherthathewascertainlynottryingtoexcludeWoolfhimself.Marshagaveanimpatientshakeofherheadandaddressedhimdirectly,apparentlyforgettingtheaudienceinfrontofher.ªLook,ºshesaid,ªtheoldhighaestheticlinejustisn'twearingtoowellthesedays,notevenforJames.HeandWoolfaretogetheratlastinthelatesteditionoftheBritannica,butnotbecausewe'vegottenVirginiapro-motedtotheMacro.Nosuchluck!PoorHenry'sbeendemotedtotheMicro.Ofcourse,hestillhasthreetimesthespaceVirginiadoes,atleastfornow,butwe'regoingtohaveto®ndmorecompellingwaystopresentallourfavoriteauthorsbeforetheydisappearaltogether.ºMarshalookedaround,apparentlyrememberingthatshewasstandingatalecturn;sheresumedspeakingtotheaudience.ªToreadWoolforJamestoday,weneedtodomorethanpileupmoreclosereadingsoftheirnovels,whetherthey'retheearliercelebrationsofMrs.DallowayorthemorerecentunpackingsofdeferralsandgapsinOrlandoandTheGoldenBowl.Weneedtoreadourauthorsthemselvesassocialtexts,withallthemessinessthatentails.VicAddamsiswelcometohiscatharsesandhispuri®cations,butifweleaveWoolf¯oatinginsomeexquisitestratosphere,she'suselesstoushereandnow.TheWoolfwhostruggledtomakeherwayintheworld,theWoolfwhosebooksarestillstrugglingtomaketheirway,istheWoolfwecantakeourbearingsfromtoday.ºShetookoffherglassesandsatdowntoscatteredapplause.Asshereachedherseat,sheglancedoveratVic,whogaveherasweetsmile.OrwasIinterpretinghisexpressiontoooptimistically?Couldasweetsmilereallybesweet,asamatteroffact,underthecircumstances?ProbablyProustcouldhaveuntangledthis,butProustwouldn'thavebeenona 22ÐTOKYOpodiumtobeginwith,needingtomakehisownpointinthenexttwentyminutes.CouldI®ndapositivewaytobuildonboththeearliertalks?Thiswasn'tgoingtobeeasy.AsIwenttothelectern,IdecidedtopretendIknewMarshaandVicbetterthanIreallydid,hopingmyassumptionswouldn'tbetoofaroffthemark.ªVicAddamsandMarshaDoddvichavemoreincommonthanyoumightthink,andmorethantheymayrealizethemselves,ºIbegan.ªTheywerebothpassionatereadersatanearlyage,andincollegetheygravitatedtowardthestudyofcomplex,demandingpoetsandnovelists.Bothalsobelievedinthetransformativeroleofliterature,andtheystillbelievethis,thoughtheymayenvisionthattransformationdifferently.Bothbeganfromabaseinhighlyartisticworks,moreEnglishandEuropeanthanAmerican.Eachhasbroadenedoutfromthere,andyetneitherreallyseemstohavelostthatearlyloveofauthorslikeVirgil,Milton,andWoolf.ButasMarshasays,alltheseauthorsarenowcollectivelyanendangeredspecies.Yettheproblemgoesbeyondtheissueofanygivenapproach.Ibelievetherealthreattoliterarystudydoesn'tcomefromtoomuchaestheticism,orfrompoliticizationeither,butfrombroaderchangesincontemporaryculturethatendangeranystudyofgreatworkfromthepast.ºIturnedtomytopicproper,adiscussionoftheproblemsposedtodaybythechangingculturalenvironmentinwhichourchildrenarenowgrowingup.IbeganbycitingstatisticsonthedeclineinEnglishenrollmentssincethelatesixtiesÐadropof50percent.ªNodoubttherearemanycausesforthisdecline,ºIwenton,ªfromgrimprofessionalismontheonehandtotheexcitementofnew®eldslikewomen'sstudiesontheother.Buttheculturalenvironmentthatchildrengrowupinmustbeamajorfactoraswell.Heretheusualvillainistelevision;it'softensaidthatwe'veraisedaTVgenera-tionthatsimplydoesn'tread.ªThisclaimismisguided,Ithink,fortworeasons.First,itignoresthefactthattheTVjunkiesofthe®ftiesbecameEnglishmajorsindrovesinthesixties;ifTVwassopernicious,weneverwouldhavehadthatboomtobeginwith.Second,theclaimthatkidsnolongerreadissimplyfalse.TheproblemliesexactlywithwhattheyreadÐnotwhattheywatch.Thereal HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð23culpritisadevelopmentthatmightseemlikethebestpossiblenewsforliterarystudy:thecontemporaryboominchildren'sliterature.ThisnewwaveofwritingthreatenstosqueezeearlierwritingÐandespeciallyearlierBritishwritingÐoutofourculturealtogether.ºIlookedoutatmyaudience;novisiblereaction,butatleasttheyseemedtobelistening.Icontinued.ªItwasonlyintheearlysixtiesthatwebegantoseeseriouscontemporaryAmericanliteraturebeingwrittenforchildrenandadolescents,achangethatbeganwithworkslikeMadeleineL'Engle'sNewberry-award-winningAWrinkleinTime.Thatbook,infact,hadbeenrejectedbytwentypub-lishersastoocomplexandtroublingforyoungreaders,beforeitwas®nallypublishedin1963.Untilthen,theavailableAmericanchoiceshadconsistedmostlyofcartoon-likeworksliketheHardyBoysadventures.Forricherreading,kidswouldusuallyhavetoturntoimportedBritishclassics.FromBeatrixPottertoA.A.MilneandKennethGrahame,thenontoDickensandSirWalterScott:achildwasnaturallyledintoclassicBritishliterature,givenatasteforitscadencesanditscharacters,itssettingsanditsobses-sions.ManyanEnglishmajorwasborninthisway.ªThesebooksarestillavailable,ofcourse,buttheynolongerhavetheprideofplacetheystillretainedeventhirtyyearsago,preciselybecausesomuchreallygoodchildren'sliteratureisbeingpublishedinAmericatoday.Myownchildrenshowmoreinterestinthejazzy,ironic,postmodernchil-dren'sbooksofJonScieszkathaninanyolderBritishwriter:WinniethePoohhasbeenshoulderedasidebytheStinkyCheeseMan.Scieszkaisanexcellentwriter:butheislikelytoleadhisreadersforwardtowardQuentinTarantinoratherthanbacktoHenryFieldingandJaneAusten.Childrentodayhavelessandlessneedforanythingwrittenbefore1960,especiallyforanythingwrittenoutsideAmericabefore1960.ªFurther,ºIcontinued,ªthecurrentgenerationofwritersthemselvesworkfromanewlycontemporaryandAmericanframeofreference.Made-leineL'Engle'spathbreakingworkwouldhavebeenimpossiblewithoutabroadbackgroundinolderBritishwriterslikeGeorgeMacdonaldandC.S.Lewis;JudyBlume'sworkwouldbeimpossiblewithsuchabackground. 24ÐTOKYOThisshiftisevenclearerinthelighterliteraryfarewithwhichadultsrelax.P.G.Wodehouse'sfavoritesubject,inhisBritishhighschoolinthe1890s,wasGreekversecomposition,andhecouldcomposeLatinhexametersasrapidlyasEnglishiambics.AndWodehousefoundhis®rstandlargestaudi-enceinAmerica.ReadingevenanAmericanhumoristlikeS.J.Perelmaninmidcenturywaslikedoingverbalgymnastics,keepingyourmindinshapeforreadingaJoyceoraLaurenceSterne.AhumoristtodaylikeDaveBarrydoesn'thavethesameeffectatall.HilariousasBarryis,hisjokes,andevenhisprosestyle,pointtowardJerrySeinfeldandDavidLetterman,notto-wardSwiftorNabokov.ºIconcludedmypresentationbycallingforscholarstocooperatewithteachersinelementaryandsecondaryschools,toworktogethertoachieveabetterbalanceinthebooksstudentsaregettingastheygrowup.ªIfwedon'ttakestepssoon,ºIsaiddramatically,ªwewon'thaveanystudentslefttoaestheticizeortopoliticizeinourcollegeclassrooms.ºIsatdown,relievedtobedone;IwasalsoratherpleasedtohavebeenabletobuildoutfromconcernsexpressedbybothVicandMarsha,movingthingstoabroaderplaneandawayfromthepersonalinvectivethey'dbeencourting.IjusthopedthatDovwouldusehisinternationalperspectivetocarrythediscussionfurther,andnotsimplygoontheattackagainstoneortheotherofourcopanelists.Iwashalfright.Hedidn'tbeginbyattackingthem:heattackedme.ªDamroschseemstobegropingatsomeinstitutionalperspective,ºDovbegan.ªThiscouldmaybebeinteresting,butsofarhisideasremainsuper-®cial,thankstohiswishtopleaseeverybody.IthinkthisistheproblemofAmericanliberalsgenerally.Noblameanywhere:teachersarenottakingthepathofleastresistance,theyareonlyswampedwithtoomanyexcellentnewbooks.Parentsarenowheretobeseenanddonotneedtobe.Thepoorlittlechildrenarenotignorantandlazy,theymerelyneedtohavesomeoldbooksthrownatthem.TheycanevenreadthemwhiletheywatchtheirdailydoseofsevenhoursofTV:it'sokaywithDamrosch,everythingisokaywithDamrosch!ºIde®nitelyshouldhavestayedinbedthatmorning. HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð25ªThisisreallyjustamarketingproblem,ºDovwenton,ªifpeopleusedtoreadWodehouseandnowtheyreadDaveBarry?Ihavetospendalotoftimeonairplanes,andIhavereadthisDaveBarryÐtheairlinemagazinesseemtolovehim.ThisDaveBarryisashittywriter!Thatistheproblem:anysocietythatabandonsaWodehouseforthisDaveBarryisasocietythatisgoingtohellinthe747wheretheyreadhimjusttoforgetthelifetheyhaveonlytoobrie¯yleftbehindthem.ºDovtookahandkerchiefandwipedhisbrow.Hethencontinued,morecalmlynowthathehaddisposedofme.ªWhatholdsmyinterestwhenIreadWodehousearetwothings:hismany-layeredstyleandhisvalues.Yes,Wodehousehasrealvalues,andtheygiveatruesatiricalbitetohisridicu-lousearlsandtheirshiftlessyoungersons.You®ndinhimlastingimagesoffriendship,loyalty,andresilience;wittinglyorwitlessly,hisBertieWoos-tersandhisGallyThreepwoodspuncturepomposity,undercutclasspride,andexplodehypocrisy.Thisisrealsatire.ButthisDaveBarry,sofarasIhavereadhim,neverrisesbeyondfarce.Everyone'safool,exceptDaveBarryhimself,whoonlypretendstobeafool.Inreality,DaveBarrymeanstomanipulateusasmuchasanyevilbureaucratinhislittlechamberofhorrors.There'snomoralpurchaseforareaderanywhereinhiswork.Helacksavitalstyle,hejustgivesaseriesofone-liners,astheyarecalled,withsomeminimalexcuseofathemefortheday.IsubmittoyouthatthisDaveBarryismorallyandstylisticallyrootless,Imightsayruthless,bothatonce.AndIthinkthisisnottwoproblemsbutone.ºDovclearedhisthroatandcontinued.ªIhavearelatedquarrelwithDr.Addams'spaper,too,ifIshouldthinkinthecontemporarytermsthatDamroschinvitesustouse.AddamsthinksaestheticismwillrescueusfromtheoldVictorianpieties.OscarWilde'sdreamliveson!YetIfearthattodayaestheticismhasbecomeasdebasedasliberalisminmodernculture:notevenartforart'ssakeanymore,justjokesforjokes'sake.IadmiresomethingofwhatDr.Addamssays,buthegoestoofar.Icannotagreethatarthasnonecessaryconnectiontolife,stilllessthatthegreatGreekclassicsarewhollyforeigntous.Eliotwasrightthatweknowmorethantheearlierwritersdid:fortheyarewhatweknow.There 26ÐTOKYOissuchathingastheWesterntradition,multipleandvariousthoughitis.Ifyouonlyeverlivesomewherewherepeoplegrowupinadifferenttradi-tionaltogether,youwouldseehowdeeplyinourbloodrunPlato,Sopho-cles,theBible,Milton.Todenythisistocutourselvesofffromourmoor-ings.Thisisaterm,moorings,thatIlikebetterthan`roots,'andmaybeDr.Addamswilllikeittoo,sinceheisasailor.Let'snotinsistonanorganicconnectiontopeopleandplacesthousandsofyearsormilesremovedfromus.Evenwhentheremayreallybesomeorganicrootedness,thisisamixedblessingatbestÐthetyrantswhoruleIraqandSyriatodaymayjustlypridethemselvesontheirunbrokenlinkstoancientAssyrianbutcherslikeShal-manesertheThird,whoboastedofcrossingriversonbridgesmadefromtheskullsofhisenemies.InIsraeltoo,IthinkitisadeadendtolookforGod-givenroots,toinsistthatTorahgivesthecoordinatesfortheeternaltopographyofEretzIsrael.Nevermindthepolitics:thisisshoddyscholar-ship!Sure,wecanplotouttheacreagethatGodgavetoAbraham,andIforonedonotdoubtthatGodexists.ButAbrahamneverexisted,soheisaprettyweaklinkifyouaretryingtotracethedeedtotheterritory.ºDovpaused,asiflisteningtowhathehadjustsaid.ªDeedÐanicewordinEnglish,isitnot?ºhecontinued.ªItcanmeansomethingthathappenedoritcanbeapieceofpaper.ArealHebraism!Likeourtermdavar,whichmeans,indeed,bothwordanddeed.Butthefundamentalistshaveitback-wards:yes,wordanddeedareinseparable,butthisdoesn'tmeanallthosewordsreallyre¯ectactualdeeds.Itmeansallthosedeeds,whatevertheywereorweren't,arewordsandwordsonlyforustoday.Solet'snotassumethatwe'rerootedinorbyourtexts.We'reatsea,andourtextsareatonceourvessels,ourmoorings,andtheseaitself.Ourtraditionssustainusandguideus;theyalsocandrownusunlesswehandlethemskillfully,Iwouldsaywithaskepticalpiety.Indeed,thetextasseaisatraditionalideaitself:`theseaofTalmud'isaphrasefoundalreadyinantiquity.MaybeKeatsspokeforallpoetswhenhedeclaredthathisnamewaswritinwater.ºDovpaused,andlookedoutattheaudienceoverthethickblackrimsofhisglasses. HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð27ªSo,ºhewenton.ªMycautiontoDr.Addamsisthatwehavelessfree-domthanhesuggests,inchoosingthetextsweuse,andinthewaysweusethem.ThisisafactthatIpersonallydonotregret:completefreedomisneverachieved,itisonlyapproachedbymadmenandbytyrants,butataterriblecostÐeven,Ithink,tothemselves.Now,ifIheardProfessorDodd-viccorrectly,sheendedhertalkbysayingthatshetakesher`bearings'fromVirginiaWoolf.Thisiswhatbroughtthenauticalmetaphortomind,andsoIendorseherview.Atleast,IendorsetheviewIwishshewouldhave.ButIsuspectthingsaremoresolidforProfessorDoddvicthantheyappeartome.Sheseemstobenavigatingbetween®xedpositions,theLeftandtheRight,andevenallyingherselfwithonepositionagainsttheother.Buthow®xedcantheybe,thesepointsofreference?SupposeIcometomeetProfes-sorDoddvichalfway,won'therleftbemyright,andherright,myleft?Orworseyet,supposeherlandmarksturnouttobewanderingrocks,andwearetheoneswhoarestuckinplace?Eitherway,Isenseacertain®xityinProfessorDoddvic'sposition.Thismayhinderustoseetheworkswedis-cussinafulldepthofperspective.LetussaythatwedowanttoemphasizeMilton'spolitics,forexample,howfarwillwegetifwebeginbythrowingouthisChristianity,assheseemspreparedtodo?Areweleftwithsomemodernsecularresidue,MiltontheMaoist?SoIwonderifProfessorDoddvicreallydoesneedWoolfsomuchtogetherbearings,orisshegoingtoendupgivingmarchingorderstoherauthors?ºDovpaused,lookedoveratus,gavealittleshrug.ªProbablyIhaveannoyedeveryoneenoughbynow,soIwillstop.ºHesatdown.Marshawasindeedlookingannoyed;Vicwaslookingbored,whichdidn'tseemmuchbetter.Formypart,IwasjustwishingI'dnevermentionedDaveBarry.Idecidedwe'dbettershiftthediscussionoutward.ªQuestions?ºIaskedbrightly.Nonewereforthcoming.Ofthedozenmembersoftheaudiencewhenwebegan,threehaddisappearedduringmytalk,andseveralothershadleftasDovbeganhiscommentary.Fourpeopleremained:twoofthemwerestudyingtheconferenceprogramtogether,thethirdwaseatingsomekind 28ÐTOKYOofpastry,andthe®nalpersonseemedtobeasleep.Iglancedatmywatch,andwasrelievedtoseethatourtimewasalmostupanyway.Iannouncedmyregretatthisdiscovery,andclosedthesession.THEfourofusprettymuchavoidedeachotherforthenextcoupleofdays.Didwehaveanycommongroundatall,personallyorintellectu-ally?Ithoughttherehadbeenintriguingideasineachofthepapers,butthepanelhadunfoldedinadepressinglyfamiliarpatternofmutualincompre-hensionanddisregard;thewholewasnoticeablylessthanthesumofitsparts.Wemightneverhaveresumedourdiscussionatall,hadwenotbeentrappedbyJapanesehospitalityonadaytriptoHell.Itseemedlikeagoodideaatthetime.MostofusconferenceparticipantswerenewtoJapan,andprobablyonlyVicandMarshahadyetventuredoutofdowntownTokyoatall.Alltheguidebookssaidthatthevolcanicmoun-tainsnorthofthecitywerespectacular,butitseemeddif®culttonegotiatetheminabrieftimeifonedidn'tspeakthelanguage.Sowhenourconfer-enceorganizersgaveusadayoff,andofferedusablue-chipdaytripcom-pletewithmountains,lakecruise,andadramatichilltopmuseumÐallatalowcostheavilyunderwrittenbytheconference'stwentycorporatebene-factorsÐthreehundredoftheconfereessignedon.Atthestart,allwassweetnessandlight.AsoureightplushtourbusespulledoutofourhostuniversityincentralTokyo,wesettledbackwithacollectivesigh.Whatapleasuretosurrender,foraday,our®erceindepen-dence,ourWesternindividualism,ouradulthooditselfÐtobetakencareof,eachwithalittlepinonourlapelgivingthenumberofourbus,nothingtodobutglideoutofthecitypastthepressofinboundsalarymen,sippinghighlysweetenedteawhilelisteningtonuggetsofJapanesehistoryandculturefromourresolutelycheerfultourguide.Theveryabsenceofactualcontentfromourhostess'spatterwaspartofitscharm.Afterdaysofabstruseanalyticaldiscussion,hownicetobeaskedthethorniestofquestionsonlytoreceivethesimplestofanswers!(ªDoesanyoneknowthedifferencebetweenaShintoshrineandaBuddhisttem-ple?No?TheShintoshrinesaretheoneswithavermilliongateinfront.º) HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð29Eventhe®rsthintsofacertainrigidityinthearrangementsraisednoalarm.Wewererepeatedlyadmonishedthatcoffee,andonlycoffee,wouldbeservedwithlunch;anyotherbeveragecouldonlyhavebeenorderedinadvance.EventhoughIdislikecoffeeandneverdrinkit,Ifoundmyselfidlywonderingwhyanyonewouldwantanythingotherthanwhathadbeenarrangedforus.Whatembryoinitsrightmindwouldrefuseitscompli-mentaryamniotic¯uid,andchurlishlyinsistinsteadontea,Coke,orthatbest-sellingJapanesesportsdrink,PocariSweat?IhadmetMarshaonthelinewaitingforthebuses,andwehadagreedtosittogether;wesnaggedVicwhenhestrolledupatthelastminute,andhewassittingacrosstheaislefromus.Seeinghimrollhiseyesatsomethingthetourguidesaid,Iexpressedmysurpriseat®ndinghimonatourbustobeginwith.ªFortheMOAmuseum,mydear,I'ddostrangerthingsthanthis,ºhereplied.ªTheyhavethreeNationalTreasures,youknow;butthey'resofaroutofthewaythatI'veneverbeen.ºªIunderstandthatpart,ºMarshainterjected,leaningovermetospeak.ªIt'sthetourbusIdon'tget.Whydon'tyoujustrentahelicopterorsome-thingandgodirect?ºªAndmissthesulphurspringsandthelakecruiseonthefakeMan-o'-War?NotfortheworldÐçavautlevoyagefortheethnographiccuriosityalone.ºMarshagrimaced.ªIthinkthat'saprettycondescendingwaytotalkabouttheJapanese,Vic,ºshesaid.ªTheJapanese?ºhereplied.ªIwastalkingabouttheconference-goers!WhenIwanttoseemyJapanesefriends,Idon'tcometoaconference,certainlynotoneinJapan;wemeetupinHawaiiifthesurf'sgood,inParisifitisn't.No,no,it'stheprofessorsI'mheretoobserve.AsIamnormallydeprivedofthedrearydelightsofdepartmentallife,thisismychancetoseethespeciesupclose.ºIfVicregardedtherestofusasspecimens,ourguidesviewedusasschoolchildrenonholiday,aperspectivethatbecameclearatour®rststop,anoutcroppingofsulphuroushotspringsandvolcanicventsinHakone. 30ÐTOKYOTheareawaslovely,apartfromapervasivesmelllikerotteneggsandthesomewhatuncannybelchingsoundsthattheearthperiodicallyemitted,buthereweencounteredaproblem:therewassomuchtoseeintheregionthatweweren'tgoingtobeallowedtoseeanyofit.IhadlearnedfromFodor'sthatthegreattreatinHakonewouldbetotakeaseriesofcablecarsoverthehotspringsinthevalley.This,however,wedidn'thavetimetodo,asourguideswereintentonshowingusthefamousLakeAshinoaswell,inthenextvalley.Asaresult,wehadonlyafewminutestoadmirethebelchingsulphurandwatchthecablecarsdisappearintothehaze.Ourchiefdiscov-eryatthisstop,infact,wasDov,whohadbeenononeoftheotherbusesbutnowjoinedusasweboardedourbusforthetriptothelake.There,wewerehustledontoaferry,forabriefrideonthesplendidMan-o'-War,afull-scaleneo-Portuguesemock-up,whichbroughtustoaresorttownattheotherendofthelake.There,VicpersuadedMarshaandme(Dovdeclined)tosneakawayfromlunchandrentarowboat,foradelightfulhouronthewater.Onthewaterbutnotinit,forthemanwhorentedustherowboatshadwarnedusthatthesparklinglakewasunsafeforswimming.Somelingeringrespectforauthoritymuststillhaveclungtous,forweheededhiswordseventhoughtheevidenceofourownsenses,onthishotsummerday,beliedhisexplanation:ªThewateristoocold.Youwilldie.ºSowereturnedtoourbusalive,butalsotwentyminuteslate,to®ndthatmenwithwalkie-talkieswerecombingthearealookingforthelostAmericans.Chastened,weresolvedtobebettergroupparticipantsduringtheday'sculminatingactivity,thevisittothemuseum.AlectureonNohdrama,anafter-hourstourofthemuseum'sgalleriesanditsgardens,followedbydin-nerinthemuseum:doesthissoundlikeanintroductiontopenalservitude?YetfromthemomentofourarrivalattheMOAMuseumofArt,wecouldsensethatthingsweregettingalittlebizarre.Themuseumwasbuiltbyadepartmentstoreownerwhowentontofoundanewreligion,theChurchofMessianity.Hethenturnedtoartcollectingandmuseum-buildingastheculminationofhislife'swork,andindeedthemuseumseemedtohavetakeninspirationfromeachstageofhiscareer.Perchedatopasteephill,the HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð31museumwasreachedthroughachainoflongescalatorsburiedinthehill-side.Escalatorafterescalator¯oweduptotheheightsabove,whilemulti-colored¯uorescentlightsbathedtheripplingconcreteofthetunnelwallsandceiling,andMuzakfromhiddenspeakerssoothedtheears.Weweregivencomplimentarycopiesofthemuseum'scatalogue,whichdescribestheeffectperfectly:ªThetunnel-escalatorsystemdoesnotsimplyconveyvisitorstothemainmuseumbuildingbut,throughitsenvironment,pre-paresthemfortheexperienceofviewingbeautifulartobjects....Togethertheshapeofthearchandtheformofthestairsproducethebestacousticsandlessenanyfearavisitormayhavewhenlookingdownthestairwayfromabove.Thebeautyoftherhythmic,continuousrippleswhichconvergeateachlanding,createsthefantasyofadifferentworldforthevisitor.ºAdif-ferentworldindeed,orratheranamalgamofusuallyseparateearthlyele-ments:departmentstore,temple,andairportterminalallrolledintoone?Ametrostationthatjustwouldn'tquit?Dovescalatedupbesideme,scowling.Ourjourneyculminatedina®nalmultimediablitzintheCircularHall,acavewithmarble¯oorandsprayed-concreteceilingstuddedwithwoofers,tweeters,andlasermachines,whichtreatedustoahalf-hoursound-and-lightshow.Thuspreparedfortheviewingofbeautifulobjects,wewereusheredupsome®nalescalatorstothemuseumproper.Hereourtroublesbeganinearnest.ThefourofussoontiredofthelectureonNohDramaÐmostofusknewtoolittletogetmuchoutofit;VicknewtoomuchÐandsowetriedtogoofftothegalleries.Everywayweturned,however,mu-seumguardspolitelybut®rmlyescortedusbacktothelecturehall.Noimpedimentstoodbetweenusandthegalleries,sofaraswecouldtell,butourscheduleitself:itwasn'tyettimeforustoseetheart.Finallywewerereleasedtothegalleries,wherewewouldatlasthavetimeaplenty.WewereslatedtospendafullfourhoursatthemuseumbeforeourbuseswouldtakeusdowntothebullettrainforTokyo.Thisnewlyrelaxedpacewasarelief,buttherewasaproblem:themuseumhadhardlyanyartatallondisplay.Halfadozenhugegalleriesweresparselydottedwithlonelylookingceramicsandscreens,whileacoupleofsmallerroomsheld 32ÐTOKYOarandomcollectionofEuropeanpaintings.TwoofthethreeNationalTreasureswereinfragilecondition,andwerenotevenondisplay;thethird,asmalltea-storagejarofconsiderabletechnicalinteresttoceramicists,quicklyexhausteditsappealfortheuninitiated.Iftherewasn'talottodoindoors,atleastitwasalovelylateafternoonoutside,andourthoughtssoonturnedtotheverdantgroundsstretchingofftowardbambooandpinegrovesonbothsidesofthehill,lookingoutonaseasideresorttownbelow.Goingoutside,DovandIstrolledofftotheleftdownacurvingdirtpath.This,however,provedtohavebeenintendedonlyasavisualeffect:withinafewyardswewerebroughtupshortbyachain-linkfencetoppedbybarbedwire,barringourwaytothebamboogrove.WereturnedtothemuseumandencounteredVicandMarsha,whohadmetthesamefateinseekingtheforestofpinesofftotheright.Therewasnothingforitbuttoleavethegroundsaltogether,andgoforawalkinthetown.Sowetooktheplungedowntheescalatorstothede-sertedCircularHall,whichwasnowmurmuringaMozartdivertimentotoitselfinadimpinklight.EnchantedattheprospectoffreedomÐtheout-sidedoorsweredimlyvisibleinthedepthsbelow,andnotasingleguardcouldbeseenblockingourretreatÐMarshaandVicpausedforanim-promptuwaltzaroundtheCircularHall.Wethencompletedourdescenttotheexit,buttherewasonedetailwehadnotconsidered.Wewerespecialguests,viewingthemuseumafterclosing,andthedoorstotheoutsidehadbeenlocked.Therewasnowayout.Whenweagainreachedthetopofthepurgatorialstairway,wefoundthatourfellowconference-goershadallarrivedatthesameconclusion.Littleclustersofcomparatistssurgedweaklybackandforth,acrossthelawn,upthesteps,intothegalleries,andbackoutagain.Thetourorganizerswerenowheretobefound.Whatcouldwedo?Wetriedafewsalliesofpointedirony(ªSowhendowegetourcomplimentaryhandcuffs?º),buteventhesewitticismsbegantowearthinafteranhourorso,asthesunbegantosetandmosquitos(delicate,elegantJapaneseones)begantocomeout.Resigningourselvestooursituation,thefourofussatonaledgeandbegantalking. HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð33ªDoesn'tthismuseumgiveyoupause,Dov?ºMarshaasked.ªIdon'treallyobjectonprincipletoyourtalkoftradition,butlookaroundyou.Thepo-moescalatorridewasgreat,butwhynotjustcomeoutonthisincredibleview?Dowereallyneedthismonumentalmausoleumupheretoo?Arthasapiouseffecthere,allright,butit'sthepietyofaninventedreligion.Theeffectistotrapus,nottoguideourwanderingfeet.ºªLook,ºDovreplied,ªIdislikethearchitecturemyself.Yetthemanwhobuiltthismuseumdevotedyearstocollectinggreatart.Itisasignofourownimmaturityifwecannotlookattwentyremarkableobjectsformorethantwentysecondseach.Oneofthesegreatworksaloneshouldsuf®ceusforourentirevisithere,ifweweretrulyasculturedasthecuratorsexpectustobe.Perhapstheytreatuslikechildrenintheprocess,butwedonotneedtoprovethemrightbyactingthepart.Weshouldslowdown,lookaround,absorbthebeautyofafewobjects.Orsimplysitherewithpleasureandrespectaswecontemplatethismagni®centview.ºThiswasanewideatome,anditalsosuggestedmorecultural¯exibilitythanI'drealizedDovpossessed.ªWhatyou'resayingremindsmeofapas-sageinBarthes'sEmpireofSigns,ºIremarked.ªIt'swhenhe'sdiscoursingontheJapaneseloveofpackaging.IfIrememberthepassage,itgoessome-thinglikethis:`Byitsveryperfection,theenvelope,oftenrepeatedÐyoucanbeunwrappingapackageforeverÐpostponesthediscoveryoftheob-jectitcontains.Theobjectitselfisofteninsigni®cant,foritispreciselyaspecialtyoftheJapanesepackagethatthetrivialityofthethingisdispropor-tionatetotheluxuryoftheenvelope.Itisasiftheobjectofthegiftwerethebox,notwhatitcontains:hordesofschoolboys,onaday'souting,bringbackasplendidpackagecontainingnooneknowswhat,asiftheyhadgoneveryfarawayandthiswasanoccasionforthemtodevotethemselvesintroopstotheecstasyofthepackage.'ºªWhatamemory,ºMarsharemarked.ªYou'dmakesuchagoodhostage!ºªFunnyyoushouldthinkofthatanalogyhere,ºVicinterjected,ªaswecontemplateDov'smagni®centviewacrossthebarbedwirethatkeepsustrappeduphere.º 34ÐTOKYOªButisentrapmentreallytherightidea?ºIasked.ªIsn'tBarthes's`ecstasyofthepackage'moretothepoint?TheJapanTravelBureausimplycouldn'timagineagreaterpleasureforusthantoconcludeourtourcon-templatinganenormouspackage.Isn'tthemuseumitselfitsownchiefexhibit?ºªThehellwithBarthes!ºDovcried.ªThisisnottheBeaubourgÐphysicalembodimentofBarthes'sownproseonanoffday,aseriesofself-referentialgesturesweenjoyforitsownsakeevenifthecontentmaybehardto®nd.Iinsistthereisarealspiritualdimensionhere,notonlysomekindofself-display.ItisdifferentfromBarthes'spackages:themuseum'slayersofwrappingsdonotmakeupforsomelackinwhattheyenclose.Theytestifytoitstranscendentvalue,andthisvaluewouldbedecreasedbyraw,nakedviewing.Atopten¯ightsofescalators,insidethisgiganticsand-stoneshrine,inanearlyemptygallerytenmetershighandtwentymeterslong,withinacentraldisplaycase,therereststhesoleNationalTreasurewemayseeÐanemptyvasethirtycentimeterstall.Themuseumdoesnotdis-playitsartworks,aswewouldthinkofdisplay:itenfoldsthem.MostpotentofallarethehiddenNationalTreasures.Thesearetrulyenshrined,thusenhancingtheirinvisiblebutradiantpower.TheyaremeanttosharethegloryoftheemperorhiddenwithintheImperialPalaceintheheartofTokyo.ºªAndwe'resupposedtothinkofourselvesthesameway,ºIadded.ªNotastruantadolescents,butasvaluedguestsinacountrythattrulyhonorsscholars.ThinkofthefactthattheCrownPrinceopenedourconference,whichwouldn'thaveattractedthenoticeofaDeputyMayorinNewYork.Nowthey'regivingustheultimateprivilege:tobewrappedupinthismag-ni®centpackage.Weourselvesaretheexhibitsforafewhours,freetocontemplateourownenclosurebothinspaceandintime.IhavetoadmitI'vebeenthinkingofthisasadaytriptohell,butinourhosts'eyesitwassupposedtobeavoyagetoanearthlyparadise,perfectlyexpressedinthefounder'saestheticmysticism.Ishouldn'thavebeenremindedofDante'sInfernoÐwherethere'scertainlymorethanenoughtodo.Thisismorelike HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð35Dante'sParadise,wherecirclesofsaintscontemplatetheendlessson-et-lumièreofthepulsatingCelestialRose.ºEvenViccouldn'thaveturnedabetterphrase,Ithoughttomyself.ªIfyouaskme,David,ºMarshasaid,ªIthinkyou'restartingtohyperven-tilatealittle.Forme,thekitschyeffectsneutralizetheart,theyjustmakeitsafetoconsume.Busloadsofof®ceworkersgetsentheretogetacontrolleddoseoftranscendence,alittlehitofaestheticopium.ºªPlease,Marsha!ºVicinterjected.ªWouldtheworldbeabetterplaceiftheseworksofartwereinstoragesomewhereandeachclerkinthefellow'sdepartmentstoreshadanextratwentyyenaweektospendplayingpa-chinko?DonotmisunderstandmeÐIfavoranethicsofliberationasmuchasyoudo,it'sjustthatwedifferastowhatthathappyresultwouldbe.YourkindofliberationÐforgiveme,dearheartÐissodreary!So...plodding,evenifitwerepossible,amostdebatableidea.Abright-eyed,bushy-tailed,all-encompassingRespectforEveryone'sPersonalValuesÐwhocoulddis-agreewithsuchaprogram,really,ifonlyitwerepossible,orevenifitisn't?Andyet,Marsha,suchasanitizedsetofvirtues!FineforSundaySchool,Isuppose,butwhybotherwithartifalittlepoliticalsermonettewilldoaswell?Artasthevehicleofsocialprogress,artasaforkliftformoralfreightÐyou'rejustsoAmerican,Marsha!ºªOh,really?I'mtheimmigrants'kid,andyourproperBostonianback-groundmaybemakesyoulessAmericanthanme?ºªButofcourse,andnotonlyifwecompareyourassimilationistparentstomyloyallyBelgianmother,nottomentionhernobleLuxembourgianancestry.IamwhatIhavemademyself:acitizenoftheworldofart!ºMarshabridled,startedtospeak,thencheckedherselfforamoment.Shebeganagain,softly.ªVic,dearheart,Ihavetotellyou,thatkindofpompos-itymakesmepuke.ºViccastherasharpglance;lookeddown,tookamomenttoexaminethecreaseinhislefttrouserleg;repliedwithgrowingintensity.ªImagineachildhoodonBeaconHillinthe®fties,rattlingaroundinabighousewithawarbridemotherwhohad,asamatteroffact,noreason 36ÐTOKYOwhatsoevertoliveinAmericaexceptforanaccidentalhusbandwithwhomshehadnothingwhateverincommon.Imagine,too,afatherwhoknewit,whohimselfhadbeenemotionallyabandonedbyafatherwhosefootstepshenonethelessfollowedintolaw.Whofoundsuccessturntoashesinhishands;whotooktomusicasothermenmighttaketodrink.TheoperaºÐVicgesturedexpansively,asthoughwewerenowseatedinanoperahouseЪwasmyparents'onlycommonground,andtheretheycouldwit-ness,somehowshare,themostexaltedpassionswhilealsoÐbestofallÐremainingsilent,utterlyalonetogetherintheirbox.Noneedtosayawordtooneanotherforhoursonend:Mozart,myfather'sfavorite,Puccinimymother's,buttheynevermissedWagnerthoughneithercaredmuchforhim.ºªWhyWagner?ºIasked.ªLength,ºVicreplied,suddenlysubdued.Dovbrokein.ªIhaverightheremyviolin,Vic,ºhesaid,ªandIwouldbehappytoserenadeyouifyoulike,butcanweshiftthisawayalittlefromthedeprivationsofyournotsoverydeprivedchildhood?Orisordinaryun-happinesstheonlygroundyougiveforyourallegiancetoart?Maybeyoujustneedagoodtherapist?ºVicsmiled.ªDon'tgetmestartedontherapists,Dov,thoughsometimeImighttellyouthetaleofthecardiologistwhobrokemyheart:notasfarfromthepointasyoumightthink.Butyou'reright,ofcourse,thatIwouldbethelasttorestmycaseonsomeinsipidtherapeuticviewofartÐalltooclose,tomymind,toareligiousperspective,allverywellforarabbimanquélikeFreudorforanordainedministerlikeNorthropFrye,hardlyforme.MyonlypointaboutmyupbringingwasthatIwasneverdrawnintotheAmericanworshipofpro®t,gain,utility:whenIlookoutatthissunsetIdon'tseepenniesbutpeoniesinheaven.Themostuselessbeautyisthebestofall!ºªSothenyourartendsinnatureafterall?ºDovasked.ªIthoughtIheardyouopposingtheminyourtalk.ºªOnlyananalogy,Dovdear.Anddon'tsupposethatasunsetisjustonething.Tothepsalmist,itisthevoiceofnatureechoingthevoiceofGodÐ HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð37`caelienarrantgloriamDei.'Tothescientist,anopticaleffectoflightstrik-ingatmosphericdust.TothedivineOscar,itisasecond-rateTurner,apaleimitationofthebetterbeautiesofart:apolemicalexaggeration,ofcourse,butanexaggerationintherightdirection.ºªIdon'tknow,Vic,ºIsaid.ªWildehimselfcouldn'tpulloffanentirelyasocialart.Wouldyoureallywishhe'd®nallyfoundsomerefugebeyondgoodandevil?ThinkofMishima,endlesslycontemplatingthecoldbeau-tiesofthecratersofthemoon.Evensunsets:doyourecallthatpassageinSpringSnow?ºªOh,myGod!ºDovexclaimed.ªAnotherofDamrosch'slittletouch-stonesÐIcanseeitcoming!ºªIthinkit'skindofsweetDavidmemorizespassages,ºMarshasaid.ªIt'ssoliterary.ºªIhappentothinkithelpstokeepasmuchpoetryandproseinmindaspossible,ºIretorted.ªButIshallspareyoutheactualMishimaquotation,ºIwenton,puttingalittleasperityinmytonetocoverasinkingfeelingthatIreallycouldn'trememberthepassageafterall.ªThegististhatsomeofMishima'scharactersareviewingagorgeoussunset,butthenoneofthemre¯ectsthatthebeautytheyareseeinghasnomeaning,nohumancontent,novitalconnectiontolifeatall.Mishima'ssunsetisanythingbuttheguidetolifethatArnoldwantedhistouchstonestobe.It'smorelikeaninvitationtosuicide,andtomeit'sachillingreminderofthenihilismtooeasilyen-tailedintheworshipofbeautyforitsownasocialsake.Isthatwhatyou'readvocating,Vic?ºªYou'redoublywrong,David,ºVicreplied.ªTherewasn'tanasocialboneinMishima'swell-tonedbody,andmyproblemwithhisworkisn'tthelackofasocialmeaningbutquitethecontrary.Hemakesasweepingbidtouniversalizeanauthoritariansocialorder,allthemoreperverseanenter-priseasheknowsperfectlywellit'sanillusioninthemodernworld,andyethewon'tforgivesocietyforgivingitupevenso.Art,forMishima,isaformofmasochism,aviolent®ctiontowhichhebindshimselfwithouteventheexcuseofbelief.ºªYouseeallthatinhissunset?ºMarshaasked. 38ÐTOKYOªAllthatandmore,sincehe'splayingonathousandyears'worthofsymbolicalclouds.YouknowIalwaysseetheancientsubtextwhenIlookatanythingmodern,andMishima'ssubtextsaren'tfartoseekinSpringSnow,beginningwithhisprogrammaticrewritingofTheTaleofGenji.Re-call,myfriends,theoldwoodcutsreproducedinSeidensticker'sGenjitranslationÐyouknowit,don'tyou?Ðwherecloudscarryadoublevalence,bothmetaphysicalandpolitical.Theysuggestthetransienceofthe¯oatingworldandalsothedivineelevationoftheEmperor,theSonofHeaven,alwaysshroudedfromourviewbyradiantclouds.Mishima'ssuicidalnihil-ismhaseverythingtodowiththemoderndiscoverythattheSonofHeavenisn'tbehindthosecloudsafterall.Notanecessarycauseofgrief,tomeacauseforcelebrationeven,butforMishimathebitterparadoxbehindhisinsistencethatweshouldsetbackupthepre-Meijiauthoritarianismthattheoldmetaphysicshadjusti®ed,eventhoughwenowseethatwholeworld-viewforthe®ctionitwas.MishimaresemblesnoonesomuchastheBarondeCharlus,inProustÐalsoechoedinSpringSnowÐwhoknowsthattheboyshehirestowhiphimareinnocentyoungthingsbutwhorequiresthemtoactthepartofviciousthugs,hopingtherebyto¯oghimself,sotosay,intoabeliefinhisownsordidplay.Mishima'ssunsethasnothingtodowithnature,everythingtodowithatwistedideaofculturethatIreject.ºªAndso,ºMarshaasked,ªwhataresunsetstoyou?ºªTheyarenothing,literallynothingbutaplayoflightondustandvaporÐandtheyarebreathtaking.Theyareanemanationofbeauty,some-whatasSuzanneLangerde®nedart,butonadifferentscale,inadifferentorderofbeing:moreephemeralthanart,alsovaster,moresecurelyperma-nentintheirrecurrencethananyworkofartwilleverbe:asummons,areproach,adespair:atestimonytoourowntransience,amockeryofourwilltoimposemeaningonravishingbeauty(isthatoneaduck?abunny?),anaffronttoeveryideaofartasthepatlittlepatterningofsocialdatawithintheartist'ssoul:arevelationthatartneednotbeegotismonlybutanescapefromegotism,adissolutionthatsomehowweexperienceasfreedom.Whatcouldbemoreliberating,whatcanbelessneatlyattachedtosomeprogramofself-improvementorsocialchange?º HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð39Marshashookherhead,butdidn'treply.Thesunhadset;itwasgrowingchilly,andtheelegantmosquitoeswerenowoutinforce.Weallgotupandwentbackintothemuseum,wheredinnerwasnowbeingservedinanemptygallery.ISAWlittleofmyfriendsintheremainingfewdaysoftheconfer-ence.Ihopedwemighthavesomefurtherconversationoncethesessionsended;perversely,perhaps,Iwasreluctanttogiveuponourdiscussionsjustwhenthedeepfaultlinesbetweenourviewshadcometolight.Asitturnedout,though,Dovleftimmediatelyupontheconclusionoftheconference,¯yingwestwardsoastostopoffandseehissonsinIsraelenroutebacktoCalifornia.MarshaandVicstayedoninJapanbutwentofftoNaraontheirown,notthinkingÐorwishing?Ðtoinvitemealong.Atlooseends,Ijoinedupwithadozenconference-goersandwenttoKyoto.Thoughtheywerecongenialenoughcompanions,theyalwaysseemedtowanttorushfromoneimportantsitetothenext,justwhenIwasreadytosettleinforawhile.HadIlearnedthespirituallessonofthemu-seumincarceration,orwasIsimplyfallingintoaclassicpost-conferencedaze,the¯ipsideofmycompanions'manicenergy?Conversationsamongthisgrouposcillatedbetweenguidebookrecitationsandwell-wornaca-demicshoptalk,andwewereseeingsomuchthatwewerehardlyseeinganything.Hadwereallycomeseventhousandmilestostandbeforeareclin-ingBuddhaandgossipaboutHaroldBloom?True,therewasacertainsimilarity,butthequalityofthegossipwashardlycommensuratewiththequalityofthecarving.Breakingawayfromthegroup,IfoundmyselfalmostaloneattheRyoanjitempleatdusk.Inthetemplerockgarden,miniaturemountainsofblackstonerosefromthecarefullyrakedwavesofwhitegravellappingtheirshores.Ihad®rstheardofthisrockgardenearlyinmycareer,whenIwasanoutsideexaminerforadissertationdefenseinEastAsian.Barely®nishedwithmydissertationmyself,Ihadshudderedinwardlyatthetwo-hourgrill-ingthecandidatereceivedfromhisownsponsor.TheRyoanjigardenhadprovidedoneofthemorememorablemomentsinthisordeal.ªNow, 40ÐTOKYOMr.Konrad,ºthesponsorhadinquired,pointingaslender®ngeratthepagebeforehimandshootingapenetratingglanceatthehaplesscandidate;ªyousayonpagethreehundredthatthereareseveralrocksinthegardenatRyoanji.Thereare,ofcourse,®fteenrocksatRyoanji.Wouldyoureallycallthatseveral?ºSweatbrokeoutonthecandidate'supperlip;Idon'trecallhisreply.Seatedinthetwilitgarden,Inowsawthatthemountain-rockswerear-rangedinthreerhythmicclusters,ofseven,®ve,andthreerocks;clearlyasigni®cantordering,asortofvisualhaiku.Therockswerecarefullyplacedsothatsomewouldalwaysbehiddenfromanygivenvantagepointonthewoodenviewingbalcony.HadBashwrittenhistributetoKyotointhisgarden?Atthecuckoo'scryÐwheninKyotoIlongforKyoto.GratefulthoughIwasforthismomentofre¯ectivesolitude,IfoundmyselfthenextmorningmissingVicandMarshawhenIwasstruckbytheenormousdifferencebetweentheelegantgoldenshrineofKinkakuji,madeforaristocraticcontemplation,andthemessy,noisy,vibrantlypopulistKiyomizudera,whereateveryturnonecouldringabell,decorateastatue,orbuyanamuletguaranteeinggoodresultsonone'sexaminations.Marshawouldhavehadinterestingobservationsontheclassissues,andViccouldhavetoldusmorethantheguidebooksdidaboutthetemplearchitecture.HeandMarshamightevenhavefoundcommongroundindiscussingthetwoshrines'verydifferentbutequallycreativemodesofrelatingtotheirlandscapesettings.Ican'tsaythatImissedDovassuchÐorDovansich,asIthoughtofhimÐthoughIhadasuddenwishforanargumentaboutMiddleEasternpoliticswhenIboughtasportsdrinkatavendingmachineindowntownKyoto.ThiswasthesummerjustafterthewaragainstSaddamHussein.The®ghtinginKuwaithadendedonlyweeksearlier,butatthisvendingmachineIfoundacanofsodaprintedinabattle-fatiguepattern.Itsname, HowDoDisciplinesDie?Ð41givenbothinEnglishandJapanese,wasªDesertStorm:TheCarbonatedBeverageforActivePeoplewithFightingSpirit.ºNotadrinktoencounteronone'sown.IntimidatingthoughmythreeTokyocompanionswere,Iwantedtoseemoreofthem.Afullyearwentby,however,inwhichweonlyhadsporadiccontactbye-mail.Clearly,wewouldnevergettogetheragainunlessImadeadeliberateeffort.ItoccurredtomethattheannualmeetingoftheAmeri-canComparativeLiteratureAssociationwouldprovideagoodoccasion,andsointhefallof1992Iwrotetotheothers,proposingapanelforthenextconvention,tobeheldatIndianaUniversitythefollowingMarch.IwaspleasantlysurprisedwhentheyeachacceptedmyinvitationtojoinmeinBloomington.OurtopicwastobeªTheLimitsofTheory,ºandIhopedforalivelydiscussion.Iwasalltoocorrect. 2BLOOMINGTONTravelingTheoryComesHomeTheidealconferencesettingprovidesforavarietyofoutdooractivitiesÐwalking,swimming,skiing,tennis,tabletennisÐsuitableforvariousde-greesofathleticenthusiasm....Ifnorelevantcontrapuntalactivitiesareprovidedfor,variousinappropriateanddestructivethingsmayhappen,asafewmembersofthegroupthinkuppranks,engageinpracticaljokes,oremotionsthatcouldeasilyhavebeenchanneledintosomecatharticandsatisfyingform...becomediffuseandproduceasenseofmalaiseanddysphoria.MargaretMead,ªConferenceArrangementsºCYRIL(cominginthroughtheopenwindowfromtheterrace):MydearVivian,don'tcoopyourselfupalldayinthelibrary.Itisaperfectlylovelyafter-noon.Theairisexquisite.Thereisamistuponthewoods,likethepurplebloomuponaplum....Youneednotlookatthelandscape.Youcanlieonthegrassandsmokeandtalk.VIVIAN:Butnatureissouncomfortable.Grassishardandlumpyanddamp,andfullofdreadfulblackinsects....youhadbettergobacktoyourweari-someuncomfortableNature,andleavemetocorrectmyproofs.OscarWilde,TheDecayofLyingMYINTRODUCTIONtoIndianawasnotauspicious.Along,drearylimou-sineridefromIndianapolisdowntoBloomington,throughlong,drearyvistasof¯at®elds,emptycrossroads,andmore¯at®elds,stillbrowninmid-Marchafteracoldwinter;sittingwedgedinamongseveralauctioneersenroutetotheirownconvention:alloverweight,greatkiddersall,retellingstoriesfrompastconventionsthatmightpossiblyhavebeenfunnyifyou'dactuallybeentherebuthadcertainlygainednothingintheretelling.DavidLodge,Ifeltsure,hadneverbeentoaconferencelikethis.We'dhadafewLodgemomentsinTokyo,nodoubt,butamoretypicalconferencescene TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ43wasabouttounfoldinBloomington.Thisisthetruththosesatiricalnovelsrepress,Ire¯ected:thejet-settingtheoristonlyrarelygetstoexploreun-usualfoods,strangeruins,unfamiliarbodiesinsomeexoticlocaleinIsraelorItaly.Inreallife,thelocationsaremostlyfarmoreordinary,asaretheinteractionsthemselves,tosaynothingofthefood.Whatwouldittaketoraiseourdiscussionsabovethelevelofthecuisine?IhaddoneeverythingIcouldtoseetoitthatmyownpanel,atanyrate,wouldhavesomerealcoherence;Ihopedthatitwouldchallengethepartic-ipantsandtheaudiencealike.Iwasnearingcompletionofmybookonscholarship,andI'dcometofeelthatthealienationandaggressionbuiltintoacademiclifearenowherebetterre¯ectedthaninthesadparodiesofcollaborativeworkthatconferenceshavebecome.OurownTokyopanelhadexempli®edtheproblemsofisolatedproductionandindifferentrecep-tionsocommoninconferencesettings,andsoIhaddeterminedtotakesomepreliminarystepstopromoteinteractionamongthepaneliststhistimearound.Thedeepdivisionsamongthefourofuswereclearlytoogreattobeleaptoverinasinglebound,butIwantedatleasttomoveinthedirectionofrealcollaboration.Ihadproposedthateachofusshouldhavea®rstdraftcompletedamonthinadvanceoftheconference;Iwouldsendthesedraftsaroundforcomments,andwecouldallreviseourpapersbeforethepresentation.Thisproposalmetwithsomesuccess.MarshaandIactu-allydidproducedraftsonschedule;Dovatleastsentmealetteroutlininghisargument.Icirculatedthesematerials,leavingoutapostcardI'dre-ceivedfromtheSeychelles,myonlycommunicationfromVic.Thepicturewaspretty,andhedidproposeasubtitleforhistalk,butthegeneraleffectseemedtodetractfromtheseriousnessofthecollaborativeprocessIwastryingtoinspire.Inallhonesty,ImustaddthattheresultswererathermoremodestthanI'dhoped,consistingmostlyofseveralchangesinphrasingthatMarshaandIpromptedineachother'srespectiveaccountsofSlavojtižekandRolandBarthes.MarshasentDovalongandthoughtfulcritiqueofhistopicasoutlinedinhisletter,towhichherepliedthatshehadn'tunderstoodhimandwouldseewhathemeantwhensheheardthefullpaper.Dovinturn 44ÐBLOOMINGTONwrotemeonlythathelikedmypaper,somewhatgratuitouslyaddingthathedidn'tknowÐorcareÐenoughabout®lmtheorytocommentonMarsha'spaper.IheardnothingatallfromVicinresponsetoourdrafts.Astohispostcard,Iwasinsomethingofaquandaryconcerninghisnewsubtitle,forwhichIfeltsomeresponsibility.Ihadaskedhimifhecouldexpandonhistitle(ªTheAfterlifeofMechthildvonMagdeburgº),hopingthathe'drevealsomethingabouthissubject,thoughIdidn'tadmitinsomanywordsthatI'dneverheardofher.Asaresult,Vicdidn'tgetmyhint,andthesubtitlehesubmittedЪFromthePlatitudesofPietytotheFollyoftheFemi-nistsºÐseemedlikelytoproducemoreheatthanlight.Ineverquitegotaroundtosendinginthesubtitletotheconferenceorganizers.Allinall,though,I'ddonewhatIcouldinadvance,andmyspiritsbegantoriseaswenearedBloomington.Thebleak®eldsgavewaytorolling,woodedhills,withtheshrubberyshowingthe®rstsignsofgreen,andIbreathedeasieroncetheauctioneerspiledoutofthecarataMarriottontheedgeoftown.Ireceivedapleasantsurprisewhenthelimousinereachedthecampus:nottheblandbrickfunctionalismI'dsomehowbeenexpecting,butanimposingsetofoldstonestructures,quasi-Gothicinstyle,setonaspa-ciouscampuscrossedwithwindingpathsandstreamsborderedwithdaffo-dils.Lookingdownalittlelaterfromtheleadedglasswindowofmytowerroominthecampushotel-and-conferencecomplex,IconcludedthatwewouldcertainlygetmoredoneherethanamidthedistractionsofTokyo,andwemightevenhaveanenjoyablestayaswell.Ihadn'tcountedonthefactthatmyfriends'liveswereall,invaryingdegrees,fallingapart.Thisbegantobecomeapparentattheopeningrecep-tionthatevening.The®rstthingInoticedwhenIcameintotheroomwasMarsha,talkingwithamutualfriend,SusanSuleiman;the®rstthingIheard,asIapproached,wasSusanexclaiming,ªThat'soutrageous!Howcantheydothattoyou?ºItemergedthatMarshahadbeenturneddownfortenureatBennington;thetrusteeshadoverruledtheunanimousrecom-mendationsinMarsha'sfavorbytheliteraturedepartmentandthefacultypersonnelcommittee. TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ45ªIdidn'thavethehearttotellyouwhenIsentyoumypaper,ºMarshatoldme.ªIjustcouldn'tbelievethetrusteeswouldturndownmyappeal.Ishouldhaveknownbetter,thoughÐthey'reinthepresident'spocket.Alltheydidwasoffermenextyearonpaidleave,soI'dshutupandgetout.ºªButwhy'dthishappen?ºSusanasked.ªThisnewpresidentcomesin,ElizabethColeman,withallthistalkaboutcollegiality,usingour®nancialproblemsasaninspirationtonewthinking,weshouldallworktogethertorestructureandreturntoourinno-vativeroots.Turnsoutshemeantcorporatedownsizingpureandsimple,and`workingtogether'meantagreeingwithherfromstartto®nish.Abunchofusmadethemistakeofspeakingupinthefall,andnowshe's®ringjustaboutallofus.ºªRememberwhensisterhoodwaspower?ºSusanasked.ªAndpowerwouldpromotesisterhood?ºªThat'swhatgetsme,ºMarshareplied.ªColemantalksthetalk,thenshestabsyouintheback.SortofacrossbetweenMotherTheresaandPolPot.ºªSowhatareyourplansnow?ºIasked.ªEverything'supintheair,andjustwhenthingswereallcomingto-gethersowell.Mypartner,Tom,hasgottenhisorganictoolcataloguebusinessofftheground,andCassie'sgoingintopreschoolinthefall.Iwas®nallygoingtohaveachanceto®nishmy®lmbook.NowI'vegottospendallthistimejobhunting,andit'sgoingtobetoughwithonlyafewarticlesout.Benningtonjustisn'taplacewhereyougetmuchtimeawayfromthestudents.Andnowourlackof`productivity'isbeingshovedinourfacesastheexcuseforcanninganybodywithanyindependenceofthought.Produc-tivity,forChrist'ssake!ºªIsupposeTomisn'twildaboutamovetosomebigcity,either,ºIcom-mented.ªThatisn'tthehalfofit,ºMarshareplied.ªHe'sgottenintotheVermontclimateinabigway,doingallthisinnovativestuffwithcoldframesonrails,hemovesthemacrossthe®eld,differentcropsallwinterlong.Masstransitforveggies!He'stherealorganicintellectualinthefamily,andhejust 46ÐBLOOMINGTONdoesn'twanttoleaveNewEngland.IkindofenjoyedhelpingwiththecatalogueкªIt'sdarling,ºSusaninterrupted;ªhaveyouseenit?Thoseliteraryhead-ingsÐ`MulchAdoaboutNothing,'`TheRake'sProgress'....ºªItwasfun,ºMarshawenton,ªbutthat'sTom'sbusiness,notmine.Andtheworstofitis,hisname'sColeman.Norelation,ofcourseÐatleast,he'dbetternotbeÐbutI'mgoingtoberemindedofMissCollegialityeverytimeIhaveto®llin`CassandraColeman-Doddvic'onsomeschoolpermissionslip.ºªWhere'sKafkawhenyouneedhim?ºSusanasked.ªSpeakofthedevil,ºsheadded,wavingtotheKafkascholarStanleyCorngold,whohadjustenteredtheroom.Hecameover.ªSusan,hownicetoseeyou,ºhesaid,givingherakissoneachcheek.ªAndlittleMarsha!ºhecontinued.ªHowareyou,mydear?Andwho'syourfriend?ºheasked,lookingatmewithanurbanesmile.Wehadactuallymettwicebefore;wasInotimportantenoughtoremember,orwasCorngoldmerelysufferingfromadegenerativememorydisease?Ihopedthelatter.Marshaintroducedme,adding,ªbutheisn'tmy`friend'anymorethanyouare,Stanley.ºªButwe'reallfriendshere,Ihope!ºCorngoldexclaimedgenially.ªOfcourse,allexceptingthatdreadfulfellowBathmat,I'msorrytoseehe'shere.NowIshallhavetoavoidhim.ºIhadnoideawhoCorngoldmeant,untilSusancorrectedhim.ªYoumeanBathtöi,Isuppose?ºªYes,that'sthefellow'sname,isn'tit,ºCorngoldreplied.ªYouknow,Stanley,ºMarshasaid,ªthoseofuswithunusualnamesgetprettytiredofjokeymispronunciationsàlaLetterman.ºªButyoumustn'ttakeitpersonally,Marsha,ºCorngoldreplied.ªItisn'tboorishhumoratall,it'spureFreudianslippage.Yousee,BathtubandIgowayback,toofarback,andhewrotethemostoutrageousreviewofabookofmineafewyearsago,allmyfriendscalledmeupimmediatelytotellmeaboutit.Ihadtowriteanovelabouthimtotakemyrevenge.Icalledhim`Bahdaf®,thetheoryeraserhead,'andIfeltbetterimmediately.I'mper- TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ47fectlyserenearoundBathyspherenow.Ijusthaven'tforgivenmyso-called`friends'fortellingmeaboutthereviewinthe®rstplace.ºWhatwithCorngold'sfriendsandBennington'sadministration,Ithought,maybeIshouldstopwritingmybookonscholarship.Withcol-leagueslikethese,whoneedscollegiality?Turningthesethoughtsoverinmymind,IrealizedwhatIneededformyself:aglassofwine.Iwentovertothebar,whereIencounteredDov,deepinconversationwithtwoyoungwomen.HegreetedmeÐsomewhatreluctantly,Ithought.Thewomendriftedovertowhatseemedtobeaknotoffellowgraduatestudents,andIaskedDovhowhewas.ªShitty,ºhereplied.ªCaliforniaisreallygettingtome.Itookatwo-yearleavefromGenevatocometoIrvine,andthesecondyearisendingnow.IhavetotellGenevaifIwillcomeback,andIdon'tknowwhattodo.WeinEuropehaveakindoffantasyaboutCaliforniaÐwhatdidLeoSpitzercallit,theItalyofAmerica?Ðbutthefantasywearsthinonceyoumovein.Eventheroadswearthin!IusedtothinkthestreetsofCaliforniawerepavedwith...pavement,butthecitiesareallshortforcash.Therearepotholesevery-where.Crowds,pollution,®res,earthquakes,racialunrest,talkradioplay-inginthestores....ItisenoughtomakeonelongfortheboredomofGeneva.ºªSowhydon'tyoujustgoback?ºIasked.ªMywife.SheteachesatUCLA.ºªIthoughtyourwifeandkidswereinIsrael,ºIcommented.ªOtherwife.Ex-wife,Ishouldsay.ThebigadvantageofGeneva,itisnotsofarfromTelAviv,thoughmyboysthere,theywantmetostayinCalifor-niasotheycancomeforthesummers.AndAmylikesUCLA,sheispreg-nantalso,sothereweare.ºªCongratulations!ºIsaid.ªSure,thanks,ºDovreplied,andturnedtoorderanotherdrinkfromthebar.Afunerealmoodwassettlingoverthereceptionasawhole.Perhapsthisconferencewasn'tgoingtobetheunrestrainedorgyofintellectualex-changethatI'dbeenhopingfor.Butthingswouldprobablybrightenup 48ÐBLOOMINGTONonceVicarrived.ThenInoticedhimsettlingintoachair,rubbinghisbrow.Somethingmustbewrong,Ithought:hehadactuallycomeinquietly.Iwentoverandgreetedhim.ªForgivemeifIstayseated,David,ºhesaid.ªIhavethemostterribleheadache,andIamsimplyexhausted.Ican'tseemtogetusedtoit.ºªTowhat?ºIasked.ªI'vebeenhomelessforthepastsixmonths.ºThissoundedalarming,butfurtherinquirydampenedmysympathies.ItturnedoutthatVicwashavinghistownhouserenovatedandhadquicklyfoundthathecouldn'ttakethedust.ªSotheVineyardandVenicebetweenthemwon'tdo?ºIaskedÐalittleregretting,evenasIsaidit,theironicedgeI'dallowedinmytone.Vicdidn'tnotice,however;henoddedwearily.ªTheVineyardisunspeakablydrearyinMarch,youknow,andtheplaceIhavethereisastonishinglydrafty.Promiseme,David,ºheadded,inthesorrowfultonesofonewhowishedtocommunicateahard-wonwisdom:ªpromisemeyouwillneverbuildasummercottageofsteelandconcrete,withwallsofglassfacingnorth,however®netheview!ºThiswasoneoftheeasierpromisesI'vehadtomake.ªButVic,there'salwaystheapartmentinVenice,ºIadded,notquitebelievingIwashavingthisconversation.ªDon'tmentionthatdisaster,ºhereplied.ªThecityfathersdredgedthecanallastfallÐnotthecityfathersinperson,ofcourse,buttheirbrothers-in-law.A®neideaintheory,buttheyshouldhaveknownbetterinfact:thebrothers-in-lawremovedtheprotectivelayersofsiltthatwerekeepingeveryone'sfoundationswhole.Thepalazzohasbeenleakingallwinter,andthewallalongthecanalissettling;themostamazingcrackshaveopenedupeverywhere.Wecan'tgetanyonetoacceptanyresponsibility,andIcan'tevengetmyapartmentrepaired.There'sanendlesswaitinglistforthegoodcontractorsÐallthelocalfamiliesgottothem®rst.ºViclookedsomiserablethatmyinitialSchadenfreudewasshort-lived,andIrepressedaremarkaboutdeconstructioninaction.Itemerged,more-over,thatanelementofgenuinedistressunderlaythefaçadeofVic'scon-cernforhisfaçades.WhenIaskedwherehewasactuallystaying,hereplied TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ49thathe'dmovedinwithhismother,whohadremainedintheoldfamilyhouseafterhisfather'sdeath.ªIlovemymotherdearly,ºhesaid.ªButIloveherbetterwhenwe'reafewblocksapart.It'salittleawkward,really.Yousee,I®nallycameouttoherthiswinter,andIthinkitrathertookherabackÐit'sclearfromthewayshe'sbeingsonobleaboutitall,sodeliberatelyunobservantaboutmycom-ingsandgoings.Iamstartingtotiptoeinandoutofthehouse,howevermundanemypurpose,asthoughIwereindulginginamad¯ingwhenIgoouttoreadthenewspaperoveracappuccino.Worstofallarethetactfulsilences.Thiskindofthingjustwasn'ttalkedaboutinmother'sBelgianCatholicfamily,andallthoseavoidancemechanismswereonlyreinforcedaftershecametoBostonin'46.Theystillworkwellenoughforhernow,Isuppose,butherskinhastakenonatranslucentqualityasshe'saged:youcanalmostseetheregretaboutgrandchildrenpassacrossherfaceonitswaytobeingdeep-sixedinherunconscious.Ifshehasanunconscious,ºheadded;thenshookhimself.ªIshouldn'tsaythat.Yousee,closequartersdon'tbringoutthebestinme.AndIcertainlyshouldn'tboreyouwithallthistrivia.Weshouldbetalkingaboutsomethingofmoregeneralinterest,likeProust'stheoryofmetaphor.ButprobablyallanyoneherewantstodoisgossipaboutPierreBourdieu'slovelife.Ifhehasalovelife.ºIwasstillabsorbingwhatI'djustlearned.VichadansweredaninchoatequestionthatI'dneverformulatedexplicitlytomyself;thentoo,I'dgottenaratherdifferentimpressioninJapan.Inanycase,Istilldidn'tknowVicverywell,andheneverseemedtowanttotalkdirectlyabouthimselfÐorrather,hetalkedmostlyabouthimself,butrarelyonanytrulypersonallevelÐsoIwaspleasedthathewouldcon®dethismuchinme,andIdidn'twanthimtoregrethavingvoicedsuchªtrivia.ºªLovelivesaside,ºIsaid,ªitcan'tbedeniedthere'susuallysomedeeplinkbetweenone'sscholarshipandone'slife.Givenwhatyou'retellingmeaboutyourstayatyourmother's,Iexpecttheremaybearealaf®nitybetweenyourtalkandDov's.He'scallingit`TravelingTheoryComesHome.'ºFarfromputtingVicatease,however,myremarkonlyirri-tatedhim. 50ÐBLOOMINGTONªPlease,David,ºhereplied,ªsparemethepsychobiography!Itisnocon-cernofmineifDovchoosestothrowhimselfbodilyintohistopic,thoughImustsayIfearalittleforthesafetyofthepoortopic.MyownlifeisutterlyirrelevanttomytalkÐandlifeandtalkalikearethebetterforit.Solet'sleavemyprivateconcernsoutofit,shallwe?ºSomewhatataloss,Ilookedaround.Nevernumerous,thecrowdwasnowthinningout.IsaidsomethingaboutlookingforwardtoseeingVicatourpanelthenextday,andleft.Ifelta¯eetingdesiretotakeacabovertotheMarriottandlookupmyauctioneerfriends,allofwhomhadpressedtheircardsonme;bynow,they'dbeontheirthirdroundofdrinksandtheir®fthroundofwarstories,doubtlesshavingabettertimethananyoneatourreception.Iresistedthisimpulse,andwentforawalkinthegatheringgloom.ForthisI'dleftmywifebackhometodealwithourthreesmallchildrenatahectictimeofyear?Notatotalchange,tobesure,ifIweretocomparemychildrentomyfellowpanelists,sayinpointofself-absorption;butatleastmykidsusuallyseemedgenuinelygladtoseeme,whichwasmorethanIcouldsaywithanycon®dencehere.WhatwasIdoinginthisprofessionatall?Whyhadn'tIjusttakentheofferfromtheForeignSer-viceÐIwouldstillhavebeendealingwithstrangecharacters,butinmoreinterestingplacesÐortakenthefellowshipforthetrialyearindivinityschool?MaybeIshouldn'thavetossedacointodecidebetweenseminaryandgraduateschoolafterall;orIshouldhaverecognizedthatmywilling-nesstotreatchanceasdivineprovidencemeantthatIbelongedindivinityschoolhoweverthecoincameup.WheneverIstarttoslideintoadeeplymaudlinmood,IthinkoftheCarteradministration.Truetoform,mythoughtsturnedthatwaynow,andIfeltagainthesenseoffutilityI'dlivedwithinthelateseventies:strug-glingwithanintractabledissertation,renovatingacrampedlittlehouseinarun-downneighborhoodonCapitolHill;tryingtogettheplasterdustoffmysuitasIwenttomyWhiteHousespeechwritingjob,workingforCar-ter'sfecklesshealthadviser;thereliefwhenhehadtoresignafterforgingaprescriptionforQuaaludesforoneofmycoworkers;thedepressionwhen TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ51itsankinthatthelossofthejobleftmenoexcusebutto®nishtherenova-tionandthedissertation.Dissertation,job,book,tenure;adozenyearsofteaching,gradingpa-pers,writingrecommendations:allsoIcouldcometoIndiana,tobejostledbyauctioneers,forgottenbyCorngold,andrebuffedbyAddams?Andweremyfriendsheredoinganybetter,ifªfriendsºwasn'ttoostrongatermtouseforanyofthem?Iwanderedintotownforasolitarydinner,thenreturnedtomysolitaryroom,campingoutunhappilyamidaconferenceofunhappycampers.THANKStoeveryone'sfoulmoods,however,ourpanelwentsur-prisinglywell.OurtopiconªTheLimitsofTheoryºhadanaturallycriticalbent,andthespeakers'edginessseemedtosharpenthefocusandforceoftheiranalyses.Dovsetthetoneatthestartbyattackingourconference'slocation.ªItisappropriate,ºhebegan,ªthatIshouldtakeupthetopicofhome-cominghereinthemiddleofAmerica.IwasevengreetedattheairportinIndianapolisbyabillboardwelcomingmeto`TheGatewaytoAmerica'sHeartland.'Okay,thisbillboardwantstoconveyareassuringtruthÐevenI,anewcomertothiscountry,knowthattheconceptof`heartland'referslesstoalocationthantoahistory,aregionalmythology,andawholesetofattendingvaluestheheartlanderspridethemselveson.Yetananxietyunderliesthisbillboard'swould-bebanality.Evenifweacceptthemeta-phorofacountryasabody,heartandall,howarewetooverlookthedesperateboosterismoftheclaimthatitisIndianapolis,ofallplaces,thatshouldserveasitsgateway?ChicagoandDenver,theyshouldshutdowntheirairports,St.Louisshoulddismantleitstriumphalarch?Ontheotherhand,thebillboardcouldmeanjusttheopposite:maybeChicago,Denver,St.Louisaretheheartland,Indianapolisisn't,itisn'tanythingatallitself,justagatewayoragetaway,apointoftransitortransition,aplaceyoucomehomethrough,notto,aswedidourselvesincomingtothisconference.ºDovpausedforasipofwater. 52ÐBLOOMINGTONªIdonotmeantojokearoundhere,ºhecontinued,ªbuttosensitizeyoutotheinstabilityofthosealwaysmetaphoricalterms`Travel'and`Home,'asIgotoapplythem,onlyalittlemoremetaphorically,toourscholarlywork.Ifouracademichomeiswheretheheartlandis,weacademicsknowwhatitshouldconsistof,thisheartland:the`®elds'we`cultivate'inourscholarshipandourteaching.Foragenerationnow,themainalternativetostayingathomeinouracademic®eldhasbeentotakearideontravelingtheory,tousethetermcoinedbyEdwardSaid.As®eldshavemultipliedandsubdivided,itistheorythathaspromisedtocross-fertilize,blowingwhereitwillacrosstheboundariesofournarrowplotsofscholarlyturf.Byextension,ithasbeenthetheoristinpersonwhohasbecometheconfer-ence-hoppingjet-setterparexcellence.Itwas,ofcourse,atheoristwhosecolleaguescoinedthesaying,`WhatisthedifferencebetweenGodandourcolleague?Godiseverywhere;sheiseverywherebuthere.'ªSotheorytravelsabroad,butwhatwillhappenifitshouldonedayreachadestination?Thisismythemetoday:tosuggestthatitistimefortheorytooutgrowitstranscendentalhomelessnessÐtoparaphraseLukácsonthenovelÐandaccepttheresponsibilitiesthatcomewithaknownaddress.AsGeraldGraffarguesinProfessingLiterature,scholarstoogladlyseethem-selvesassomekindofexiles,maybeinternalexilesfromtheirownculture.Tothisweshouldaddthattheoristsespeciallyhaveoftenbeenactualemigrés.Thisisnocoincidence:experiencingtheclashofcultures,thedif-feringdynamicsofdisparateliterarytraditions,they®ndthemselvesstimu-latedtotheoreticalre¯ection.Littlewonder,then,thatintheiressaystheseemigrétheoristshaveoftenpersoni®edtheoryitselfasafellowtraveler,a®gureofliberationfromlocalcon®nement.Indeed,inoneofhisseminalarticlesontravelingtheory,EdwardSaidseemsalmosttospeakofhimselfwhenheconcludesthat`thepointoftheoryistotravel,alwaystomovebeyonditscon®nements,toemigrate,toremaininasenseinexile.'ªNowuptoapoint,allthistravelisalltothegood.ItwasthebestthingtohappentomeÐandprobablytomycolleaguesinTelAvivÐwhenIgotoutofIsrael,andmyticketoutwasnotmybiblicalstudiesbutsemiotics.Yetweshouldnotrestsatis®edwithanuncriticalexaltationoftheoryas¯oating TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ53foreverabovetimeandspaceÐatendencyoftenseenintheworkoftheo-ristslessthoughtfulthanSaid.Alltooeasily,theimageofthetheoristasarchetypalexilecandegenerate.Itgetsromanticized,chargedwithacovertsentimentalitydisguisedasworld-wearyrigor.Theproblemhereisnotsomuchthefeedingofthescholar'svanity;vanitywillalways®ndwaystonourishitself,Ithink.TheproblemcomeswhenthetheoristuseshisexilictheoryasadiplomaticpassportwithwhichtoavoidallscholarlyDuties,allthemundaneCustomstowhichmoreordinarymortalsmustattend.ªThishasalwaysbeenatemptation;itismoreandmoreaproblemtoday.ErichAuerbachwrotehisgreatbookMimesisinexileinIstanbulduringtheWar,andinhisepilogueheconfesseswithopenreliefthathelackedagoodscholarlylibrary.Hegoessofarastosay,andIquote,that`itisquitepossiblethatthisbookowesitsexistencetojustthislackofarichandspecializedlibrary.Ifithadbeenpossibleformetoacquaintmyselfwithalltheworkthathasbeendoneonsomanysubjects,Imightneverhavereachedthepointofwriting.'YetAuerbach'sexilewasanexcusenottoread,notacompellingnecessity:surelythereweresomescholarlybooksinIstanbul,butheavoidedthem.Whatismore,heonlypublishedthebookafterthewar,whenhecouldhavegonebackintoaresearchlibrarytoverifyandcorrecthisobservations.Yethechosenotto.ªMaybeAuerbachdidnotlosesomuch.Hisownideaswereoriginalandprofound,andtheoftennarrowlypositivisticscholarshipofthethirtiesandfortieswouldhavehadlittletoaddtohistopic.Butisthisstillthecasetoday?Therehasbeenanexplosionofscholarshipinrecentdecades.Few®eldsifanyareunchartedterritorynow,andtheheroicexplorer-exilewilllosemorethanhegainsifhissolesustenancewillbethefreeze-driedtheo-rieshebringsalonginhisknapsack.ºMyeyefellonthebrownbriefcaseleaningquietlyagainstthelegsofDov'schair.Squat,scuffed,over®lled,ithadcometoresembleDovhimself.ª...togiveyouanexample,ºDovwassaying,ªfrommyownterritoryofsemiotics.Afewyearsago,TzvetanTodorovpublishedLaConquêtedel'Amérique,inwhichheproposedtoaccountfortheSpaniards'successbyusingtheperspectiveofaculturalsemiotics.AccordingtoTodorov,Cortés 54ÐBLOOMINGTONwasabettermasterofsignsthanMontezuma,andsoheoutwittedthehap-lessnativesandtheirgods.TodorovisnotaspecialistinNewWorldcul-turesoreveninRenaissanceSpain,butheadvancestwoquali®cationsforhistask:histheoreticalsophistication,andhispersonalsensitivity,asanexile,toissuesofdisplacementandtheclashofcultures.Neartheendofhisbook,hedisplaystheidealofexileinitsmostambitiousform.Hecreatesalittlegenealogytolinkhimself,throughSaid,backtoAuerbachandevenbeyond,tomedievalotherworldliness.Hereiswhathesays:`Itistheexiledpersontodaywhobestincarnates,thoughwarpingitfromitsoriginalmeaning,theidealofHughofSt.Victor,whoformulateditthiswayinthetwelfthcentury:ªThemanwho®ndshiscountrysweetisonlyarawbegin-ner;themanforwhomeachcountryisashisownisalreadystrong;butonlythemanforwhomthewholeworldisasaforeigncountryisperfect.º(Imyself,aBulgarianlivinginFrance,borrowthisquotationfromEdwardSaid,aPalestinianlivingintheUnitedStates,whohimselffounditinErichAuerbach,aGermanexiledinTurkey.)'ªTodorovisentirelysincereinacknowledginghisdebtshere.YetImy-self,anIsraelilivinginSwitzerlandandinCalifornia,amnotimpressedbythiseloquentpassage.Whynot?Becauseinthisbook,TodorovreadstheoldsourcesabouttheconquestofAmericawithonlyminimalreferencetothescholarshipofMesoamericanists.Auerbach'sexiledidmakeitdif®cult,atleast,tocarryonhisresearch,farfromtheexcellentGermanresearchlibraries:Todorov'sexile,onthecontrary,broughthimfromSo®atoParis,withitsgreatwealthofscholarlyresources.Inlovewithhisownexile,how-ever,Todorovshunsthelibraryshelveswheretheworksofmerespecialistsaretobefound.Hegoesaloneintothedarkcontinentoftheprimarysources,andcomesoutwithtendentiousmisreadingsandoversimpli®ca-tionsthatcouldreadilyhavebeenavoided,asIhavelearnedfromcorre-spondencewithmyfellowpanelistDr.Addams.ºDovgesturedtowardVic,thencontinued.ªAscholarofanoldergenerationcouldmaybegetawaywiththis,toroverestlesslyaroundtheworldofprimarysources,asonginhisheartandatheoreticalskeletonkeyinhispockettoopenthegatetoeveryscholarly TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ55®eld.Lévi-Strauss,forexample,actuallyboastsabouthisself-indulgenceinTristesTropiques:`Ihaveaneolithickindofintelligence,'hesays.`Likena-tivebush®res,itsometimessetsunexploredareasalight;itmayfertilizethemandsnatchafewcropsfromthem,andthenitmoveson,leavingscorchedearthinitswake.'Thetravelingtheorist,Ithink,cannolongeraffordsuchprimitivebehavior.Thescholarlyeconomyistoohighlydevel-oped,thereareno`unexploredareas'leftto`setalight'ÐaphrasewhoseambiguitynoteveryoneisabletoappreciateasfullyaswasLévi-Strauss.Idonotmeanthatwemustallburyourselvesinwhateverlocalacademic®eldwe®rstbegintocultivate.Iforonecertainlyhavenoplanstodoso,anymorethantosettlebackagaininIsrael.Butlikethecontemporaryanthro-pologist,wemustrecognizethatwhenwecarryourtheoriesintosomedistantscholarlyterritory,thatterritoryisalreadysomeoneelse'shome.Wehaveasmuchtolearnfromthespecialistswhocultivatethe®eldswevisitaswehavetobestowupontheminturn.ºDovsatdown.Iwasintriguedbyhisargument,butevenmorebythenewsthathehadactuallybeencorrespondingwithVic.Perhapstherewassomechanceafterallthatwecouldlearnfromeachother,eventhoughneitherDovnorVichadbotheredtocluemeinontheirexchange.Comingtothepodium,Iopenedthe¯oorforquestions.Severalslowsecondspassed,theaudiencestillinthegripofthatruminativeorstupe®edpassivitythatevengoodconferencepapersusuallyengender.Ialwaysfeelpersonallyresponsiblefortheseawkwardsilences,evenwhenthepaperisnotmyownÐevenwhenIamsimplyamemberoftheaudience,infactÐandIfoundmypalmsturningclammy.Fortunately,Vicraisedhishandbe-sideme.ªWhileIadmirethegeneraltendencyofDov'sremarks,ºhebegan,ªIamconcernedlestweminimizethenecessaryindependenceofthecreativescholar.Itwouldbeamistaketoover-stressthepietiesofprofessionalcour-tesytothelocalspecialists;theymayknowmoreaboutthematerial,yettheirthoughtsalsoruninestablishedpathsÐwecouldsay,intherutstheirmentalplowshavedugovertheyearsastheyhavecultivatedthose®eldsoftheirs.IwonderwhetherDovisnottakinganextremecase,andthen 56ÐBLOOMINGTONpresentingitinanexaggeratedfashion.IwouldnotwantyoutothinkthatTodorovwassimplywrong,abrashinterloperwhoshouldhavekeptquietandlistenedtotheexperts.Quitethecontrary:thefaultliesmorewiththeexpertswhodismisshisbookinafootnote,blindtothefactthatheoffersanovelperspectivefromwhichtheycouldlearn.ºViclookedoveratme,asiftoaskwhetherhecouldcontinue;Iwavedhimon.ªYousee,Todorovreallywasontosomething:theretrulywasasemiot-icsofwarfare,andtheAztecsdidfailtocontrolit.NotbecauseCortésmasteredit,however,butbecausehewasslashinghiswaythroughadelicateecosystemandthecomplexcivilizationitsupported.AndCortéscarednotatallifhisdepredationswreakedhavocbothwithestablishedcustomsandwiththeenvironment.Bypurechance,forexample,heattackedTenoch-titlánatharvesttime.MoctezumaÐtogivehisnamemoreaccuratelythanTodorovdoesÐwouldneverexpectaseriousattackinthatseason.Theriskofstarvationthenextyearwouldbetoogreat,fortheaggressorsasmuchasfortheirvictims.ThiswasnocannycalculationbyaprescientCortés;itwassheerluck,theproductofblindnessandignorance.Thespecialistshavethiskindofinformation,andtheyaretheoneswhocouldmakeTodorov'sargu-mentreallywork.Itistheirownself-protectivededicationtothevaluesoftheirlittlein-groupthathasledthemtoturntheirbacksonagenuinelynewwayoflookingattheirowndata.ºªPerhapsyouareexpectingtoomuchfromhumannature,ºDovreplied.ªIfTodorovignorestheMesoamericanists,dismissestheirlives'workinafewparagraphs,isitsosurprisingiftheydonotrushtoaccommodatehim?Todorovisaguestintheirhouse,sotosay.Ifhecomesinandshitsinthehallway,shouldtheygivethanksforthegiftoffertilizerfortheirkitchengarden?ºIspokeupnow.ªSurelywecanmovebeyondtheeither/orchoicesthetwoofyouseemtobeassuming,ºIremarked.ªWouldn'tanongoingdia-logueserveeveryonebetterthanendless®ghtingoverspecializeddepthversustheoreticalbreadth?ºDovandVicbothshrugged.WasIhopelesslynaive,promotingaccommodationistviewsthatcouldonlyproduceblandandwatered-downresults?OrwereDovandVicbothsoweddedtoan TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ57aggressiveandconfrontationalmodeofworkthatnorealdialoguewouldeverdevelopinanyevent?Ratherthandwellonthesequestions,Iturnedbacktotheaudience.HymitBathtöi'shandwasnowup,andIcalledonhim.ªToProfessorMidrash'spenetratingobservations,ºhesaid,ªIwouldliketoaddthatalreadyAuerbachwasexaggeratinghisexileinIstanbulÐandpoorlyrequitingmyowninstitution'shospitalityduringthewar,Imaysay.Hewasnottrappedinsometentontheedgeofadesert,afterall.Hehadachairatamajoruniversity,locatedinanancientandcosmopolitanworldcity.Morethanthat:hisgoodfriendLeoSpitzerhadprecededhimtherebyseveralyearsandhadestablishedprogramsofresearchandpublication.AuerbachhimselfdeignedtopublishinourseriesonRomancephilology.Wouldnothisstudyof`therepresentationofrealityinWesternliterature'havegainedanewdimensionifhehadtakenabroaderviewof`theWest'?AncientIsraelandancientGreece®gureinhisaccount,butnotmodernGreeceorPalestine,stilllesstheswiftlyWesternizinglandofKemalAta-turk.HowironicitisthatevenasweshelteredhimfromtheNazis,Auer-bachreinforcedanidealofEuropeanethnicpuritywhoseabsurdityshouldhavebeenvisibleeverytimehewalkedfromhishometohisof®ce.Perhapstheideaofexileshouldbeinverted:thosewhofeelthemselvesathomearetheonesmostthreatenedbytherepressedunheimlich,asFreudpointedoutlongago.Conversely,theself-declaredexilemayalwaysalreadybeonlytoosettledinahomeawayfromhome.Thankyou.ºTimewasmovingon,andsoItooktheopportunitytouseHymit'sob-servationasawayintomyowntalk.Isaidthat,inthespiritofhiscomment,IwouldpresenttheconverseofDov'sthesis:toarguethatoppositionalculturaltheoriststendtobemorecloselyrootedintheirownculturesthantheymightcaretoadmit.Iorganizedmypresentationaroundacaseinpoint,RolandBarthes'ssavageattackinhisbookMythologiesonatravelingphotoexhibition,ªTheFamilyofMan,ºanambitiousmontageofhundredsofimagesofdailylifearoundtheworld.Inhisintroductiontotheexhibi-tion,EdwardSteichenhaddescribeditasªamirroroftheuniversalele-mentsandemotionsintheeverydaynessoflife,ºrevealingªbasichuman 58ÐBLOOMINGTONconsciousnessratherthansocialconsciousness.ºViewingtheexhibitionwhenitcametoParisin1955,Bartheswouldhavenoneofthiscozyuniver-salism,whichhesawasratifyingarepressivestatusquo.Ashesaysinhisessay,ªthisisthereignofgnomictruths,themeetingofalltheagesofhumanityatthemostneutralpointoftheirnature....Everythinghere...aimstosuppressthedeterminingweightofHistory:weareheldbackatthesurfaceofanidentity,preventedpreciselybysentimentalityfrompene-tratingintothisulteriorzoneofhumanbehaviorswherehistoricalaliena-tionintroducessome`differences'whichweshallherequitesimplycall`injustices.'ºIwentontosayhowpersuasiveIhadalwaysfoundBarthes'seloquentargumentÐuntilIchanceduponthepublishedbookversionofTheFamilyofMan.BartheshadrespondedtoSteichen'streaclyframe-tale,buthehadmissedtherealdramaoftheexhibit,whichdevolvedintoanopenadvocacyofthesocialconsciousnessthatSteichenhadclaimedtorenounce.Fromthemiddleofthevolumeonward,pageafterpagejuxtaposesscenesinAmericawithscenesinSouthAfrica,EasternEurope,andAsia,endorsingliteracy,votingrights,andhumanrightsgenerally.Farfromacceptingarepressivestatusquointhenameofuniversalvalues,theexhibitwasactuallydoingtheopposite:promotinganactivistagendaofsocialchange,aimedsquarelyagainstforcesofpoliticalandeconomicoppressionaroundtheworld.Barthesmayhavehadhis®llatthestartandwalkedoutwithoutevenseeingtheseroomsintheexhibit;orhesaw,butfailedtocomprehendtheirpoliticalpoint.Ofcourse,theheartfeltliberalismoftheexhibit'spolemicswouldnothaveimpressedhimverypositivelyeither,ifhehadabsorbedit,andhemightwellhavewrittenanessaycondemningthebaldattempttoexportbourgeoisAmericanvaluesundertheguiseofuniversalism;butthiswouldatleasthavebeenamoreaccurateaccountofwhattheexhibitwasreallydoing.Further,Iargued,Barthesclearlyhadnointerestinunder-standingtheexhibit'sstrategytowarditsprimaryandoriginalaudience:theisolationistAmericanpublicoftheearly®fties.ByinsistingthatªAllPeopleAreCreatedEqualºÐasloganthatonephotoshowedpaintedontheside TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ59ofabusinIndonesiaÐtheexhibitforcefullysupportedliberaleffortstochannelbillionsofdollarsintoforeignaid,humanitarianassistance,andthefundingoftheUnitedNations.TheNormanRockwellframingoftheex-hibitwasacalculatedploy,intendedtotugtheAmericans'heartstringsstronglyenoughtopulltheirwalletsrightoutoftheirpockets,andtheexhibitprobablyhadmorerealpoliticaleffectthananysarcasticessaywrit-tenbyanopenlyactivistculturalcriticinthesameyears.Barthes,travelingtheoristparexcellenceinDov'sterms,missedthis;hefailedtoseewhatwasbeforehiseyes,becausehefailedtolookacrosstheAtlanticandconsidertheAmericanculturalpoliticswithinandforwhichtheexhibithadbeencreated.AtthispointIpaused.Ordinarily,Iwouldhavefeltsatis®edtohavedonethismuchinaconferencepaper,andthiswasallIhadbroughttoBloom-ington.EversinceI'd®nishedmydraft,though,I'dhadafeelingthatIhadn'treallyseenfarenoughintothetopic,andknowingthatIwouldbeonstagewithmyhigh-poweredfriends,I'dhadtroublesleepingthenightbefore.Finally,aroundmidnight,apassagefromthe®nalessayinMytholo-gieshadcometome,andIrealizedthatIcouldnowconcludemyargument.Isatboltuprightinbed,thenina¯uidseriesofmotionsIswitchedonthelight,dugmycopyofMythologiesoutofmybriefcase,andtookapadandpenfromthenighttable.AsIwrote,theheadboardbehindmebegantoshake.At®rstIthoughtthiswasfrommyownenergeticwriting;Ithenheardmuf¯edsoundscomingthroughthewall,andrealizedthatwhoeverwassharingtheroomnexttominewasengagedinpassionateactivityofaratherdifferentsortthanmine.Asmybedwasoneofthosecost-cuttingconference-hotelitemsdesignedwiththeheadboardfastenedtothewallratherthantothebedframe,thevibrationscamedirectlythroughtomyspine.Well,theymighthaveeachother,butIhadanidea.Iwroteforanhour,thenswitchedoffthelight,settlingcontentedlybackinmybed.AsIdidso,IrealizedwithsomesurprisethatIhadn'tevennoticedwhentheheadboardhadonceagainbecomemotionless.Inthemorningmyjottings,whilebarelylegible,stillseemedtomakesense,andsoIwasnowabletopresentthefruitsofmymidnightinspira- 60ÐBLOOMINGTONtion.ThisinvolvedreversingmyownperspectiveonBarthes'limitedper-spectiveonTheFamilyofMan.Barthes,afterall,wasn'tseeingtheexhibitasanAmericaninAmerica,butasaFrenchmaninParis.Thereasontheex-hibit'sprogressivepoliticalpurposesfailedtoregisterwithhimwasproba-blythatthefeel-gooduniversalistframewasalreadybeingusedtoverydifferenteffectbytheFrenchgovernment,whichwastryingtoholdontoitscolonialpossessionsinthenameofªuniversalºvalues.BarthesbringsforwardthisuseofuniversalisminMythologies'longconcludingessay,ªMythToday.ºHebeginstheessaywiththepassageIhadrecalledatmid-night.Inthispassage,hedescribesavisittohisbarbershop,whereheseesacopyofParis-Match:Onthecover,ayoungNegroinaFrenchuniformissaluting,withhiseyesup-lifted...Allthisisthemeaningofthepicture.But,whethernaivelyornot,Iseeverywellwhatitsigni®estome:thatFranceisagreatEmpire,thatallhersons,withoutanycolourdiscrimination,faithfullyserveunderher¯ag,andthatthereisnobetteranswertothedetractorsofanallegedcolonialismthanthezealshownbythisNegroinservinghisso-calledoppressors.Barthes,Iconcluded,wasprobablyquiterightafteralltoreadtheexhibitinthewayhedid,insofarashewasperceivingtheimpacttheexhibitwouldlikelyhaveonanaudienceinFrance.Hismistakewastopresenthisreadingasthewholetruthandnothingbutthetruth,asthoughtheexhibithadanessence,aninherentmeaningthatpersistedunchangedasitmovedfromonecultural-politicalsphereintoanotherandverydifferentarenaacrosstheAtlantic.ThusBartheshimselfuniversalizedtheexhibit'snatureandmeaningasmuchastheexhibit'sownorganizersweredoingÐanironicresult,inviewofhisongoingeffortstodeconstructessentialistanduniver-salizingapproachestoculturalartifacts,andawarningtousallthatthetravelingtheoristmay®ndithardertoleavehomethanwemightthink.Isatdown;Dovactuallynoddedinmydirectionwithsomethingap-proachingapproval,anewexperienceforme.Vicnowwenttothelectern.Ashebegantospeak,Irealizedthatwehadn'tstoppedforquestionsaftermypaper.WouldVic'sdoubtlessmore TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ61dramaticperformanceputmytalkoutofmindbythetimetherewasan-otherbreakforquestions?Iwascorrectaboutthis.ªIoriginallytitledmypaper`TheAfterlifeofMechthildvonMagde-burg,'ºVicbegan.ªMorerecently,Ialsoproposedasubtitle,`FromthePlatitudesofPietytotheFollyoftheFeminists,'butthisdoesnotappearontheprogram.IshallprefertoblamethevagariesofthePaci®cmailserviceratherthanattributeanypusillanimitytoourpanel'sorganizerºÐViccastabarelynoticeableglancemywayЪandyetmytopicwouldbeaptlyillustratedifmytitlehadindeedbeencensoredintheinterestsofscholarlydecorum.Formythemeisthedif®cultyweallhaveinresistingourownwilltopoweroverourmaterial,whetherweareinterpreting,edit-ing,translatingÐormerelyorganizingaconferencepanel.Itisallverywelltosaythateverygenerationreinventsitspast,inacreativeinterplayofoldandnew.Whatthismeansinpractice,sadtosay,isthateachgenerationvisitsitsownspecialpatternofabuseuponthedefenselesstextsinitspos-session.Evernewrepressionsanddistortionsaremarshaledtoavoidfacingtheradicalothernessofthepast.ºVicpaused,andcamearoundthelecternwithahandout.ªIhavechosentoexplorethisproblem,ºhesaidashereturnedtothelectern,ªwithawriteryouhaveprobablyneverheardof.MechthildvonMagdeburgisoneofthegreatmysticalwritersofthethirteenthcentury.Agloriouswriter,andatroubledsoul!Yetherhauntingprose-poetryhaslongbeenknownonlytospecialistsÐandbarelyknowneventomostofthemuntilrecently,whenfeministscholarsbegantheirintensivearchivaleffortsinsearchofsilencedvoices.ImyselfwouldneverhavehadthepleasureofencounteringherworkbutforabraceofBelgianfeminists,EmilieZumBrunnandGeorgetteEpiney-Burgard.In1988theypublishedananthol-ogycalledFemmestroubadoursdeDieu.AproperlypoetictitleforalyricalscholarlyendeavorofrecoveryandcelebrationÐtoneddown,Iregrettosay,fortheearnestAmericanaudienceundertheploddingtitleofWomenMysticsinMedievalEurope.Letusgranttheeditorsthepassionoftheirproject,andweareverymuchintheirdebt.Evenso,dearfriends,weshouldnotcongratulateourselvestooquicklyonhavingovercometherepressive 62ÐBLOOMINGTONdistortionsofanearlierera.Infact,theprocessofdistortioncontinuesunabatedtodayÐanditdoesitsdismalworkmoreeffectivelythaneverinthecaseofobscure®gureslikeMechthild.AtleastwithaShakespeareoraGeorgeEliot,readerscanassessanewinterpretationinlightoftheknowl-edgetheyalreadypossessoftheauthorandthework.ButfewwhoreadthebrightnewtranslationsofMechthildcanhaveanyideahowdifferentlysheisbeingdressedtodayforpresentconsumptionÐandIuse`dressed'intheculinarysense.ºVicgavealittlelaugh,moretohimselfthantotheaudi-ence;hewasalwayspleasedtohituponabonmotinmid-¯ight.ªMechthildprovidesagoodcaseinpointforotherreasonsaswell,ºhecontinued.ªSheisatrulystrangewriter,andsheoffersstarkchallengestothepatriarchalorderwithinwhichshehadtomakeherselfheardÐandtothenewfeministorderthatnowwishestoventriloquizeitsownconcernsthroughhervoice.Theoriginalofherbook,moreover,islost.Allwehavearelatertranslations,beginningwithearlyversionsinLatinandinaGer-mandialectcalledAllemanic,andmorerecentlycarryingonwithtransla-tionsintomodernGerman,EnglishandFrench.Thuswearedeniedthesuper®cialassuranceofreturningtotheoriginalMiddleLowGermantextthatMechthildherselfwrote.Ifshewroteitatall;shemayhavedictatedittoherconfessor,acertainBrotherHeinrich,who®rsteditedandarrangedherpoemsandvisionaryaccountsÐwithwhatadditionsandalterationsofhisown,wecanneverknow.ºVicpickeduphishandout.ªIwillspareyou,ºhecontinued,ªthetangledtaleoftheincestuousri-valrybetweentheearlyLatinandAllemanictranslations;mypointabout`thelimitsoftheory'canbemadesuf®cientlyifwejustlookattwomoderntranslations:apious1953EnglishversionbyoneLucyMenzies,andthenthevividFrenchrenderingbyZumBrunnandEpiney-Burgard,translatedintoEnglishwithinayearofitspublicationin1988.Backinthedarkdaysofthe®fties,whatdidMenziesdo?Programmatically,unabashedly,sheassimilatedMechthildtothepatriarchaltradition.SheintroducesMech-thild,forexample,asanexemplarof`theatmosphereoftheMiddleAges'Ð`the'MiddleAgesbeingauni®edhistoricalspacewithasingleatmosphere,youunderstandÐandshepresentsMechthildpurelyandsimplyasworking TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ63inthethetraditionofBernardofClairvauxandofearlyGermanmysticism,both`pointingbacktotheNeo-Platonismofthefourthcentury.'ªSomuchforhereditorialperspective;hertranslationsmakethesamechoices.Everywhereshecan,shetonesdownMechthild'soppositiontothemalehierarchyaroundher,andshesystematicallyevisceratesMechthild'sstarksexuallanguage.Totakeoneinstance,MechthildhastheVirginMarywrestlewithGoduntilhe`erupts'suddenlyintoherwomb;thisistoohotforMenziestohandle,andsothisrousingpassagebecomesachasteperiphrasis:Love,thoudidstwrestlelongyearsWiththeHolyTrinityTilltheover¯owfellonceforallInMary'shumblelap!ªWhenChristbringsMechthildtothebedofloveandaskshertoundress,Menziesmovesthebedoutofthetextaltogetherandreplacesitwithanellipsis.Next,Christ'scommandtoMechthildtotakeherclothesoffÐirsoentúchusziehenÐbecomes`ThySELFmustgo!'ºVicgaveseveralmoreexamplesalongsimilarlines,butIhadtroublefollowingthedetails,partlybecauseofthefragmentsofarchaiclanguagesthatkeptcroppingup,partlybecauseofthedif®cultyIalwayshaveincon-centratingonaspeakerwheneverI'vejustgivenapaperofmyown.MyattentionreturnedwhenVicreadtherivetinglineswithwhichthenewBelgiantranslatorsbegintheirselectionsfromMechthild:IhavebeenwarnedaboutthisbookAndthisiswhatIhavebeentold:ThatunlessIhaditburiedItwouldbecomepreyto®re!Andso,ashadbeenmywontsincechildhood,Beingsad,Ibegantopray.IaddressedmyselftomyBelovedAndsaidtohim:ªAh,Lord,beholdmeaf¯icted 64ÐBLOOMINGTONForthesakeofYourhonor.Willyouleavemewithoutconsolation?ForitisYouWhohaveledmehere,YouWhoorderedmetowritethisbook.ºªThestageisstarklysetintheselines,ºViccommented,ªintermsdrawnfromcourtlyromance:Mechthildissurroundedbyhostilemen,enemieswhowanttoburnherbook.Sosheseekssuccorfromherlover,Christhimself.Hecomesthroughforher,adivinityinshiningarmor,carryingherbookÐtheverybookwe'renowreadingÐlikeasword:Then,withoutdelay,GodshowedHimselftomysaddenedsoul,CarryingthebookinHisrighthand.Hesaid:`MyBeloved,donotdespairlikethat,NobodycanburntheTruth.HewhowishestotakethisbookfromMyhandMustbestrongerthanIam.'ºVicreadtheselinesinrousingtones,thenwenton:ªThusChristwarnsthementhattheycanonlygetatMechthildoverhisownÐhah!Ðrisenbody.HeproceedstoproclaimthatMechthild'sfeminineweaknessisthetruesourceofherstrength,forshehasnotfallenintothesinfulpridethatgripsthepowerfulmenwhowouldsuppressherbook.Astirringopeningscene!ºVicpausedforeffect,thenwenton,a®ngerraisedinadmonition.ªButthisisnottheopeningtoMechthild'sbook.Inanthologizingselec-tionsfromherwork,ourBelgianfriendsbeginwithapassage®ftypagesin;theythendoublebackandgiveearlierscenes.Yettheystillpassoverthebook'sopeningscene!ThisisadramaticdialoguebetweenthefeminineSoulandLadyLove,inwhichitisLadyLove,andnotanyman,whohasberefttheSoulofallearthlypleasure.Evenbeforethatscene,moreover,wehavealongprefacebytheawestruckBrotherHeinrich.HetellsusthatChristappearedtohimandorderedhimtocopydownMechthild'ssayings,urgingeveryonetoreadthemninetimes.HowshouldweunderstandthegoodBrother'spreface?Isthepatriarchyalreadyco-optingMechthild's TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ65work,orissheplayingherconfessorlikealuteinordertowinanaudienceforherradicalvisions,enlistingChristHimselfasherpublicist?Iinclinetowardthelatterview.Yeteitherwaythebook'smultipleopeningsuggestalessconfrontationalÐandmorecomplexÐpoliticsofgenderthanourpiousBelgiansallowtheirreaderstosee.ºAsVicwenton,IfeltakickinmyshinfromMarshanexttome.Ilookedover;withoutmakingeyecontactsheangledtowardmehernotepad,onwhichshehadwritten,ªPious,myass!They'rerockingtheoldboys'boat!ºªAswithediting,ºVicwassaying,ªsowithtranslation.LikeMenziesbeforethem,thenewtranslatorsconsistentlymakechoicesthat®ttheirownviewoftheworldÐwhetherwe'retalkingmoreaboutthemedievalorthemodernworld,Ileaveittoyoutosay.WhenMechthildhasthesoulcometotheheavenlycourt,shedescribesthesoulaswiseundwolgezogen.Menziestranslatedthisin1953as`discreetandmodest';thefeministsnowtranslatetheverysamewordsas`wiseandcourtly.'Inthesameparagraph,thesoulyearnsforChrist,and`desireshispraise,'gertunmesseklichsineslobes,astheAllemanictextputsit.Butwhoisthesubjectandwhoistheobjectinthisphrase?Bynow,youshouldnotbesurprisedtolearnthateachtranslatormakesthechoicethat®tstheirpetMechthild,orthatkeepsMechthildtheirpet:in1953,Mechthild'ssoul`longsaboveeverythingtopraiseHim,'butby1988,thesoulisnow`intenselylongingthatHeshouldpraiseher.'ºItookapenandputacheckmarkonMarsha'spad,followedbythreedotsandaquestionmark,toaskwhethershedidn'tthinkVicwasontosomething.Shetappedherindex®ngerseveraltimes®rmlyonthepad,indicatingthatVichadapointbutneedn'tbesoinsufferableaboutit.Victhengaveseveralmoreexamples,thenconcluded:ªFromthe'53translation,onewouldscarcelyknowthatMechthildwasawoman;fromthe'88translation,onewouldscarcelyknowshewasaChristian.Thisisnotmuchofanimprovement,myfriends,andIthinkwecandobetter.Wemustcombatournarcissistictendencytofalsifyourtextstosuitourneeds.Mechthildwasnomoreatwentieth-centuryfeministthanshewasafourth-centuryPlatonist.WewilldohermorejusticeÐand 66ÐBLOOMINGTONlearnmorefromherÐifweallowherthespaceofherirreducibledifferencefromus.ºVicreturnedtohisplaceonmyleft.Icouldhardlybackupnowforquestionsonmyowntalk,butatleastIcoulddenyVicaquestionperiodofhisown.IgotupandintroducedMarsha,whotookthepodium.ªIt'seasytobesmuginhindsight,ºshebegan.ªEspeciallyifit'sakindofshort-sightedhindsight,talkingaboutquiterecentworkthat'sgottenunderyourskin.SuretheBelgiansareusingMechthildselectively,andprobablyfurtherfeministworkwilldeepenthepictureinwayswe'dallliketosee.Buttheyareontorealissues,thingswomenreallydidfaceboththenandnow.Ican'tclaimanydetailedmedievalknowledge,butIlookedMechthildupwhenIgotwordofVic'stopic.EvenfromtheoldMenziestranslationthatIgotholdof,IseethingsalittlelessstarklythanVicdoes.IdoacceptthefactthatMechthildwasn'tatwentieth-centuryfeministÐandyetIalsogetthefeelingshewasathirteenth-centuryfeminist.SoIdon'thaveaproblemwithforegroundingtheaspectofherworkthat'smostsigni®cantforustoday.Iwouldn'tcallthis`falsifying'herwritingatall,it'smoreamatterofhighlightingwhatreallyisinthetextthatspeakstousnow.What'smore,Ithinkthingshaveimprovedsincefortyyearsago,whenevenawomantranslatorcouldn'tseeMechthild'sgenderatall.SoIcan'tgoalongwiththeeasycynicismofVic'spositionthatourdistortionsareasbadasever.ºªNotaneasycynicism,ºVicwhisperedtome;ªahard-woncynicism.ºª...isatleastpartlyright,ºMarshawascontinuing.ªSomeofhispointscouldbeillustrated,inamoderncontext,inthecreativelibertiesthatfemi-nistshavebeentakingwitholderpatriarchaltheoristslikeMarx,Freud,andLacan.Thisactuallybringsmetomytopictoday,`TheHoleTruth:FilmTheoryfromPtoZ,'PbeingConstancePenley,ZbeingSlavojtižek.BothofthemdominantvoicesinLacanian®lmcriticismÐstartingtwentyyearsago,inPenley'scase,andmorerecentlywithtižek.ºMarshaputonherglassesandpickedupabookshehadbroughttothelectern.ªThethingthatconcernsme,ºshewenton,ªisthestatusofEuropeantheoryinthediscourseofcriticswhowanttotalkaboutHollywood®lm. TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ67Whatarethelimitsoftheforeignsystem,whatarethewaysyouhavetowarpthetheoryinordertogetattherealities?Tome,thestoryofthepasttwentyyearshasalottodowithagradualmovefromafairlyliteralisticuseofthetheory-modeltoamoreconstructiviststance.Youcouldcallthisamovefromamodernistkindoftheorizingtoapost-modernistone.NotthatmodernistandtotalizingsystematicityhavelostallfavorÐyoucanstillseeaninsistenceontheoreticalrigorinanumberofpeopleactivetoday.Penley,forinstance.Sheintroducesher'88collectionFeminismandFilmTheorybystressingtheneedtomaintainanunyieldingLacanianline.ºMarshaopenedherbooktoapagetaggedwithapurplePost-it,ranher®ngerdowntothelinesshewaslookingfor,andbeganreading:ª`Toputitbluntly,noneoftheseessaysbelongstowhatcouldbecalledtheªwhatifºschooloffeministcriticism:WhatifwomenhadanElectracomplextocomplementthemale'sOedipalcomplex?Whatifthecrucialpsychicalre-lationwerenottothephallusasasymbolicorganbuttotherealofthemother'sbody?Whatiftherewerenosuchthingaspenisenvybut,rather,ªwombenvyº?...Theseªwhatif'sºarenomorethanthesignsmarkingthewell-worndissidentpathsofreductivebiologism,sociologism,ormysti-cismofthefeminine;akindofthinking,notsolelycon®nedtofeminism,whichsidestepsordismissesyearsofreasoninganddebateontheprob-lematicstatusoftheseªalternatives.º'ºMarshashookherhead.ªThispassagemakesmybloodturncoldÐfortworeasons.First,becauseIthinkwhatI'mhearinghereisthevoiceofthePatriarchyitself,rearingitsbluntheadwhereIleastwanttoseeit.Second,becausethismakesmerecallhowheavilyIwasinvestedintalkingjustthisway,tenyearsago,whenIwasworkingonmydissertation.`Thewell-worndissidentpaths'Ðisn'tthisthelanguageTrotskyusedtousewhenhewassavagingtheFormalists?Isn'tPenleyherselfdoingtheverythingshemocks,sidesteppingyearsofdebateontheproblematicsofherowntermsaswellasofthetermssherejects?HertermsstarttolooklikemasculinityitselfinpatriarchalsocietyÐtheygettobewhat's`unmarked,'linguisticallyspeaking,what'soutsidethedebate,asifonlythe`dissident'argumentsagainsthernormativeviewsweresomehowatissue. 68ÐBLOOMINGTONªAsIsay,Iprettymuchstartedoutkeepingstepwiththiskindofrheto-ric,asyou'dseeitintheearlyworkofLauraMulvey,Penleyherself,andsomeoftheotherswhocreatedsuchexcitementaroundthenew®eldoffeminist®lmtheoryintheseventies.IwroteaLacanian-feministdisserta-tiononthefetishisticgazeinBusterKeaton's®lms,andI'mnotgoingtosaytherewasn'tsomethingthere,evenanabsencethere,agap,the`holetruth'thatLacanledustolookforÐbutgendered,liketheburntholeinthetablecloththatframesBuster'ssweetheart'sfaceinTheGeneral.Butwastheholetruthreallythewholetruth,eveninaguylikeKeaton,antagonistictowomenthoughhewas,andashookedashewasintotheHollywoodsystemhehelpedtobuild?ºMarshasetPenleydownandopenedasecondbook.ªThisiswhat'srefreshing,ºshecontinued,ªintheworkofSlavojtižekandhisSloveniansidekicks.HeadmitsLacan'sworkisakindofsublimeorridiculous®ction,thenhegoesaheadandplaysitforallit'sworth.Here'stižekintheintroductiontohisnewcollectionEverythingYouAlwaysWantedtoKnowaboutLacan(ButWereAfraidtoAskHitchcock),justpub-lishedbyVerso:`If,then,thepleasureofthemodernistinterpretationcon-sistsintheeffectofrecognitionwhichªgentri®esºthedisquietinguncanni-nessofitsobject(ªAha,nowIseethepointofthisapparentmess!º),theaimofthepostmodernisttreatmentistoestrangeitsveryinitialhomeliness:ªYouthinkwhatyouseeisasimplemelodramaevenyoursenilegrannywouldhavenodif®cultiesinfollowing?Yetwithouttakingintoaccount...thedifferencebetweensymptomandsinthom;thestructureoftheBorro-meanknot;thefactthatWomanisoneoftheNames-of-the-Father,etc.,etc.,you'vetotallymissedthepoint!º'ªThefunnyreversalintižek'stitlesaysitall,ºMarshawenton.ªNow,studyingHitchcockisgoingtotelluseverythingwealwayswantedtoknowaboutLacan.Histheoryistherealobjectofdesire,notjustatoolforreveal-ingthesublimeorsublimatedWholeTruthaboutHitchcock.Inaway,theproblemwithtižekandcompanyisalmostthereverseofVic'stheme:theirLacanseemsalltoogroundedinhistimeandplace.AlltooEuropean,alltoocomfortablymasculinist,eventhoughthecurrentrecyclerwillusuallymake TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ69somegesturetowardafeministperspective.ProbablywestillneedahealthydoseofPenley'sinsistenceontruth.ItdoesdriveherandherfriendsatleasttoprobeandreviseLacan'sterms,eveniftheystillinsistonstayingwithintheoverallframework.Atthesametime,Iwanttohangontotižek'ssenseofplay.Itcanhelpusmovebeyondtheanxiousworryingaboutwhethertheideologicalapparatusof®lmitselfissototallymasculinethatwomenreallydon'thaveachanceto®ndthemselves,asspectatorsorevenas®lmmakers.Foracaseinpoint,I'dliketoofferoneofmyfavoriterecent®lms,VirginMachine,byMonikaTreut.ºMarshanowpassedoutsomehandouts,showingseveral®lmstills.ªInterestinglyenough,ºshesaidonreturningtothelectern,ªwhatbroughtthis®lmtomindwasVic'sheroineMechthild.WhenIstartedreadingherbook,InearlyfelloutofmychairwhenIcametothe®rstscene,thedialogueVicmentionedbetweenLadyLoveandMechthild'sownSoul.TheSoulaccusesLadyLoveofrobbingherofeverydelight,andLoverepliesbytellingaboutthehigherpleasuresthatawaitherinunionwithChrist.Thereasonthisscene¯ooredmeisbecauseTreutusesit,wordforword,nearthestartofVirginMachine.The®lmstartsoutinGermany,wheretheheroineiscaughtinanunhappymarriage.She'salsobeenhavinganaffair,offandon,withherhalf-brother.Sosheandthishalf-brothersetupalittlepuppettheaterandstagethisveryscene,withtheheroineplayingtheSoulandthehalf-brotherplayingLadyLove.Thisbringsthegirl'sunhappinesstoahead.ShemakesabreakandheadsofftoAmericaÐCalifornia,you'llbegladtohear,DovÐleavinghusbandandboyfriend-brotherbehind.There,shegraduallycomestoawarenessofherselfasalesbian,andthe®lmendswithagreatperformanceinwhichshetakesthestageinawomen'sbar,dressedasaman,moustacheandallÐlookingnowalotlikeherbrotherÐanddoesatriumphantstrip-tease.ºMarshawentontodiscussthe®lminsomedetail.Sheconcluded:ªMymainpointisthatLacaniantheorywasinvaluableformeasItriedtounder-standTreut's®lmÐinvaluable,butalsoinsuf®cient.TreutisplayingthepatriarchalnormsoftheHollywood®lmasskillfullyasMechthildusedtoplaythepatriarchsofthemedievalchurch.Atthesametime,she'smoving 70ÐBLOOMINGTONbeyondtheLacanianobsessionwithliteralandmetaphoricphallusesalike,andreinventingthegazeitselfonherownterms.ºMarsha'spaper,withitseffectivelinkstoVic'sprecedingdiscussion,pro-vokedalivelydiscussion.MarshaandViceachreceivedaspateofquestions,whichMarshahandledwithherusualthoughtfulnessandVicwithhiscus-tomaryaplomb.Theyevenseemedenergizedbytheirdisagreements,andeachfoundopportunitiestoneedletheotherinachargedmodeofaffec-tionatepolemicthatbothseemedtoenjoy.Thediscussionspilledbeyondthetimeallottedtooursession,withmanyquestionstobothofthemevenifnonetome;I®nallyhadtoushereveryoneout,sothatthenextpanelcouldbegin.ASthesessionended,HymitBathtöicameupandengagedVicinananimateddiscussion;theylefttheroomtogether,stilltalking.DovturnedtoMarshaandme.ªSowhatistodointhisBloomington?ºheasked.ªIt'sabeautifulday,ºIreplied;ªwhydon'twetakeawalk?ºªSurething!ºMarshareplied.Dovshrugged.ªIhavebeenoutdoors,ºhesaid.ªLastnight?ºIasked.ªNo,itwastenyearsago,ºDovanswered.ªWhenImovedtoSwitzer-land,mywifewouldnottoleratemeanylongerandshestayedinIsrael.Sowhenmyboyswerehavingtheir®rstvisit,IthoughtIshould®ndsomeAlpsforthem.Itwassortofadisaster.Benwasonlyfouryearsold,hecouldn'twalktoofaruphillwithoutbeingcarried.HisbrotherAriwassix,hedidalittlebetter,butalltheyreallywantedwastogobacktoKonstanzandwatchTV.Ofcourse,theydidnotknowGermanorFrenchthen,butthatwasokay,theycouldseealltheirfavoriteAmericancartoonsanyway.ButwhyamItellingyouthis?ºªIthinkthequestionhadtodowithtakingawalkaroundcampus,ºIreplied.ªItlooksprettynice.ºªBesides,ºMarshaadded,ªifyoucomealong,Icangiveyouahardtimeaboutyourtalk.º TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ71Dovsmiled.ªNowyouaretalking.Talking,walking,`diereimtsich,'asKleist'sAmazonPenthesileasaysaboutkissingandbiting,justaphonemeapartinGerman:iftheysoundalike,theygowelltogether.Nominalisthumor!ºªIdon'tthinkeverything'sjustwordsforKleist,ºMarshasaid.ªI'vetaughtthatplayinmy`ViolentFemmes'course,anddoesn'tPenthesileasayit'struelovethatmakespeopleconfusekissingandbiting?ºªThatisso,ºDovreplied.ª`WerrechtvonHerzenliebt,kannschondaseinefürdasandregreifen.'Iallowthatthereistruthtotheequationofkissingandbiting.Especiallyinmarriage.ButIthinkthetruenominalistalwayslocatespassioninlanguageaboveall.WhydoyouthinkPenthesileashootsAchillesinthethroat,hisorganofspeech?ºªSoyoureallythinkAchilles'throatisjusthisthroat?ºMarshaasked.ªIsn'tthisatextbookcaseofadisplacementupwards?LikeFreudsaid,remember,whenhegotDoratostop®ngeringthatreticuleofhersallthetime,andshecamedownwiththesorethroat?ºDovandMarshabegandiscussingcastrationaswestrolledoutintoabeautifulspringafternoon.Onlyhalf-listeningaswewalked,IfoundmyselfthinkingdreamilyofDora'sreticule.ComingoutofthisreveryÐandfeel-inggladthatmycompanionscouldn'treadmymindÐItookadvantageofamomentarylullinthetheoreticaldiscussion.ªIt'ssurprising,ºIsaid,ªto®ndsuchclassiccampusarchitecturehere,afterdrivingthroughallthosemilesof®elds.ºªItisokay,thiscampus,ºDovremarked.ªMostlythebigMidwesternstateschoolslookmorelikethedrabBritishred-brickuniversities,factoriesforthelowermiddleclass.Here,theymusthaveimitatedChicago'simita-tionofOxford.IliketoseetheboldnesswithwhichthecampusassertsitsconnectiontoEuropeanhumanisttradition.ºªThat'sjustwhat'ssoirritatingaboutit,ºMarshareturned.ªIt'sallfakeÐlikehumanismitself!Whoaretheykidding?Really,Dov,yousur-priseme.Weren'tyoujustgoingonabouttheneedtorelateoldideastotheirnewsettings?Evengrantingthatuniversitiesdopartlyexisttotrans- 72ÐBLOOMINGTONmitoldertraditions,don'tyouthinktheycouldhavecomeupwithsome-thingalittlemorecreativethanthisMasterpieceTheaterstageset?ItmightbetoomuchtoexpectthemtohireFrankLloydWright,butcouldn'ttheyhavefoundawayatleasttogesturetowardtheGreatPlains?Thelandscape,thehistory?ºªBut,Marsha,ºIremarked,ªsurelyanarti®cialsettingcanhavearealeffect.DovmentionedtheUniversityofChicago.IhaveproblemswithAllanBloom'sideasoneducation,butthebestmomentinTheClosingoftheAmericanMindiswhenhedescribeshisarrivaloncampus,animmigrants'childencounteringthegrandculturalambitionofAmericanhighereduca-tion.Heaskswhyhefellinlovewithlearning,soinstantlyandirrevocably,whenhestartedhisfreshmanyearatChicago:`ItmusthavebeenthefakeGothicarchitecture,'hesays.Evenlaterinlife,knowingitwasfake,hestillattestedtoitsrealpower.ºªIfAllanBloomisthebestyoucanofferindefenseofthisstyle,Irestmycase,ºMarsharepliedacidly.ªI'mgladatleasttohearthatyou`haveprob-lems'withBloom,whichisprobablymorethanDovwouldsay.ºMarshaseemeduncharacteristicallytesty.WouldDovtakeoffense,orwouldhemakeallowanceforthestraincausedbyheruncertainjobsitua-tion?Hedidneither,butsimplytookupherchallenge.ªImyselfhavelittlegoodtosayofBloom,ºDovreplied.ªHisideaoftheclassicaltraditionissolimited,andevenhisloveaffairwiththearchitectureisabsurd.HeisjustthesortofpersonIargueagainstwhenIrejectthemetaphorof`roots.'Yousee,heboughtintotheempty®ctionofrootednessthattheChicagosystemmeanttoinstillthroughbuildingsandcurriculumalike.Perversionofanobleideal!JustasthesecularhumanistswhobuiltChicagointended,Bloomacceptedthesenewrootsatthecostoftearinguphisown.Lookathisdiscussionof`theWesterntradition,'allPlatoandnoHebrewBible.Lookathisuniversity,`aseculartemple,'hecallsit,notbattinganeyelashatthecontradictioninterms.WhathappenedtohisJudaismÐhisJewishculturalheritage,letalonereligion?Heapostatizesfromhisowntraditionandrentsanewone,likethearrivisteinGilbertandSullivanwhobuystheoldmanorhouse,chapelandall,andinsiststhoseare TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ73nowhisancestorsinthecrypt,sincehe'sboughtandpaidforthem.Thisisnotmygoal!ºªIdon'tgetit,ºMarshasaid.ªYouwerejustadmiringthearchitecturehere,andnowyou'rebashingtheverysamestyleupatChicago.ºªIlikethesettingbetterhere,ºDovreplied.ªDonotthinkthatbricksandmortarconveysomeessentialtruthwherevertheyare:evenconcreteispartlyabstract.Wehavetolookattheentiresemioticsystemwithinwhichthesearchitecturalelementsfunction.IadmittheUniversityofChicagoisabêtenoireforme,becausetheyreallyhadachancetocreatesomethinginnovativeandtheyfellbackonaprefabricatedpast.Abêteaccompli!Iamaloveroftradition,andsoIamoutragedifitisdomesticated,tamed,emas-culatedlikeourfriendAchillesinyourreadingofKleist.Buthowcouldithavebeenotherwise?TheculturalgestureofaRockefellerimbuedwithboththehighestandthelowestaspirationsofProtestantcapitalismÐaspirationsonlytoofullysharedbyRobertMaynardHutchins,whogaveChicagoandtheworldhisderacinated`GreatIdeas'Ðcounterfeitculturalcapitalforthemanagerialclass!Theymadetheirbêteandnowtheylieaboutit,claimingitmadethem!IfWilliamRandolphHearsthadbuiltaSanSimeonUniversity,theeffectcouldnothavebeenworse.Actually,itwouldhavebeenbetter,atleasthewouldhaveincludedazoo.Itwouldhavebeenamore®ttingembodimentoftheidealsheandRockefellershared.Betterapetbêtethanamanagerialmenagerie!ºDov'svoicewasraised,andhisfacewasperspiring;hisglasseswerestart-ingtosteamup.Agreeingwithhimwouldonlyaddfueltothe®re,soIdecidedtotrytheoppositetack.ªButisn'tBloomingtonjustasbad?ºIasked.ªIsn'titevenstranger,afterall,toplunkdowntheseGothicbuildingsinalandscapeofcorn®elds?ºªThatisjustwhatisbetter,ºDovreplied,morecalmly.ªIndowntownChicago,thedangerisalwaysthatthe®ctiongetsnaturalized,takenliter-ally:thecampusceasestobeanalternaterealityatall,itisjustafancierversionofthebanksandapartmenthousesliningLakeMichigan.ButhereismorelikeLasVegas,afantasyamidaculturalwasteland,inasettingthatrevealsthefantasyateveryturn.ºHepointedtothefootballstadiumthat 74ÐBLOOMINGTONloomedinfrontofus.ªJustlookatthishugeplazadetorosinthemiddleofthecampus.Thearchitectswerenotfoolinganyoneintothinkingthiscam-pusisamedievalcloister,theydidnoteventry.Willynilly,theysetupanirreducibletensionofstyles,eras,continents.IsubmitthatthearchetypalChicagostudentismeanttocomefromhisslumandbestrippedofhisidentity,rebuilt,andinstalledasacoginthemanagerialmachinery,nevertoreturnhome;theBloomingtonstudents,Ithink,aresupposedtoreturntotheirlittlehometown,getmarried,teachschoolandrunthelocalbank.Atruereturntotheirroots,butenrichedwithanewperspective,anen-largedculturalawarenessandanabidingloveoftheschoolteams.IfIhadtochoose,IshouldratherteachherethanatChicago.ºªIjustdon'tseeitthatway,ºMarshasaid.ªYou'retryingtomakeIndianaUniversityintosomekindofLacanianImaginary,butIreallycan'tbuyit.Idon'tthinkit'sarealImaginaryatall,it'smorelikeanimaginaryImagi-nary,theworstkindofDeleuziansimulacrum.ºMyownseculartempleswerebeginningtothrob.Didn'tthesepeopleeverrelax?CouldIcontributeanythingtothisconversation?Fortunately,therewasnoneedforthis,asDovandMarshaseemedtohaveforgottenmyexistenceentirely.ªFuckDeleuze,ºDovwassuggesting.ªWhatdoesheknowabouttheGreatPlains?WeneedratheraVenturitowriteaLearningfromlasVegasdeBloomington.ºªOh,great,ºMarshareplied,withanimpatientshakeofherhead.ªLet'sgetahigh-toned¯akforcorporateAmericatocometoIU,sohecangushabouthowgreatitistohaveacampussobigstudentshavetodrivejusttogetfromoneclasstothenext.Andwhatareyouexpectingthesekidstotakehomeaftergraduation,whentheydrivebackdownstatetodepositthem-selvesinthatlocalbank?SomevagueassociationbetweenfootballandtheIliad?Nodoubtacommittedteachercandooppositionalworkevenhere,butonlybyworkingagainstthesurroundings,not®ttingcomfortablyintothem.Idon'tseeIndiana'sallthatdifferentfromChicagoinpracticeÐandatleastinChicagothere'sthecounter-storyofferedbythepoorneighbor- TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ75hoodsrightaroundthecampus.Herethere'sonly®elds,norealalternativetotheof®cialstoryatall,whichisprobablythesamephallocraticRepubli-canbullshitinbothplacesanyway.Foucaultwouldknowwhattomakeofacampusthat'scalledEyeYou,don'tyouthink?ºªIthinkitdoesnotstrengthenyouranalysisifyouseethesamephallogo-centrismundereveryGeorgeBush,ºDovreplied.ªThiswastheproblemwith®rst-generationdeconstruction:Derrida,Lacan,FoucaultwereallsozealoustocombattheenemythattheyconstruedorconstructedPanopti-conseverywhere.Phallocentrism-centrism!Philo-phallism!Ithinkyouyourselfmeantogetawayfromthis,orthatishowIunderstoodyourcritiqueofPenley,butitseemstomeyoushouldreadtheseinstitutionallandscapeswithmorecare.ThestadiumhereisshapedlikeFoucault'sfa-voriteprison,buthereyoushouldsoonerthinkofpentathlonsthanPanop-ticons.Chicagoisadifferentmatter,Michiganwouldbedifferentagain.Weshouldattendalwaystosigni®cantvariationbetweenthesedifferingsystems.ºªIworryabouttheresult,ºMarshareplied.ªToomuchattentiontoteas-ingoutexquisitevariationsandyoucangetlostinthepleasuresofyourownclosereading.We'rebacktoNewCriticism,aNewCriticismofinstitu-tions,debatingtheinteriordecoratingwhenweshouldbetearingdownthewalls.Nietzschewasright:sometimesyouhavetophilosophizewithahammer.ºªIrememberthatNietzschesaidthat,ºDovreplied.ªYetthesameNietzschealsosaidIchbineineNuance,andIthinkhedidhisowndecon-structiveworkbetterinhisnuancedgenealogiesÐhisgenealogiesofnu-anceÐthanwhenhephilosophizedwiththejackhammeroftheWillezurMacht.ºDovandMarshabeganarguingaboutLeniRiefenstahlasweleftthecampusgroundsandwalkedthroughdowntownBloomington.Aheadofuswasamovietheater,whichwasplayingtherecentlyreleasedPulpFiction.ªYouspeakofviolenceand®lminthethirties,Marsha,ºDovremarked.ªButwhatofthisTarantino?His®lmbringstomindmyquestionabout 76ÐBLOOMINGTONyourpaper.AllthiscolonizationofHitchcockbytižekandhisfriends,thisis®newithme,Ithinkpostmodernpsychologicaltheorywasalwaysatheoryaboutmodernistarttobeginwith.HitchcockhimselfmaynotbesofarintemperamentfromaKafkaoraCéline.ButIwonderabouttoday.IdeasthatLacanformulatedinthe®fties,basedonhisownexperienceinthethirtiesandthefortiesÐIadmirehispolemicsinthecontextofthetimeandtheplaceinwhichhewasadvancingthem,butmustwedraghimdi-rectlyintothecontemporaryworld?ºªNowyou'reechoingDavid'spointaboutBarthes,ºMarshareplied.ªAsalocalobservationhisargumentwas®ne,butifyoucarryittoanextreme,you'releftwithnothing,justsomeantiquarianfussingoverBarthes'sorLacan'splaceinthehistoryofideas.Ireallydon'tcarethatmuchaboutParisianpoliticsinthe®fties.IloveLacanbecauseIcanusehimhereandnow,evenÐorespeciallyÐwhenIapplyhisideastoculturalmaterialhewouldn'thavegivenashitabout.Ishouldn'tevensay`apply':whatIreallylikeissettingupsurprisingjuxtapositionsandseeingwheretheylead.It'swhatmyoldBenningtonheroKennethBurkecalled`perspectivethroughincongruity,'andit'sawholedifferentballgamefromthekindofappropri-ationDavidwastalkingabout.ºIwasgettingtheuncomfortablefeelingthatDovandMarshaweredis-cussingmypaperasthoughImyselfhadrecededintothedistantpast.IdecidedtospeakupbeforeIdisappearedaltogether.ªIknowwhatyoumean,Dov,ºIsaid;ªIcanalreadyseethedissertationchaptersbeingwrittenabout`themirrorstageinTarantino'smiddleperiod.'Butcan'twe®ndsomecommongroundinbetweenthebandwagonismyou'reobjectingtoandthequietismthatMarsharejectsinapurelyhistoricalapproachtoFrenchtheory?ºªPerhapswecan,ºDovsaid,ªbutwhatdowegainifwedo?Willoneofthosedissertationstellusonenewthingaboutpopularculture,orpolitics,ortheAmericanpsyche?Hitchcockhimselfalreadyconfessedhisloveofbuilding®lmsaroundameaninglessobject,hisMcGuf®n,sonowtižekpatsHitchcockontheheadandrevealsthattheMcGuf®nis`really'Lacan's TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ77objetpetita.Sowhat?Supposeitwas,®ftyyearsago;whoneedsaMcGuf®nnowintheageoftheMcMuf®n?LetusgrantthatTarantinoisanartistforourtimes;whyshouldweneedtopeerathimthroughlensesgroundoutbyLacan?ºªI'mnotsurewereallydisagree,ºMarshasaid.ªI'mnotinterestedinLacanasanAuthority,butheshouldbemorethanamuseumpiece.Myself,I'mnotabouttodooneofthosenumbersonLacanandTarantino,becauseIdon'tseethateitherofthemreallyputsmuchpressureontheother.LacanandalesbianexperimentalistlikeMonikaTreut,now,Lacanandtheporno-theoristAnnieSprinkleÐthat'sthesortofencounterIlike.tižekishalfright:weneedtoseethegameweplaybybringingLacanintoaforeignculturalsituation.IjustthinkwehavetogoallthewayandputLacanfullyintoplaywitheverythingthatresistshiswork.ºªIsupposeyouron-lineFanzinewouldbeanexampleofthis,ºIcommented.ªOh,you'veseenit?ºMarshaasked,pleased.ªAvitalRonellandIstarteditonalark,wereallydidn'texpectittogetmanyhitsatall.Buthereweareonoureighth`issue,'ifIcanusethattermforsucha¯uidformat.ºªAFanzinedevotedtoLacaniantheory?ºDovasked.ªNotLacaniantheory:Lacanhimself.OrLacaniantheorythroughLacan'sownbody.The'Zine'scalledJacquesbaby,youreachitontheWebatwww.jacquesbaby.com.ºªIt'sprettyfunny,ºIsaid.ªAndIlikethecollaborativeinteractioninthechatforum,`Dial-a-critic.'ButIcan'thelpwondering:canyoureallydoseriousworkonLacanin'Zineformat?Imean,those`JacquesonJacques'S-and-Mfantasyscenariosarefranklysoweird,Ijustcan'tseehowtheyadvanceourunderstandingofLacanorDerrida.ºªIdon'tknowifI'dtrywritingsomethinglikethatmyself,ºMarshare-plied.ªIcan'tspeakabouttheintentionsoftheauthorofthatseries,who-evershereallyis;`OrchidV.Saddam'hastobeapseudonym,probablyforsomebodywhohasn'tgottentenureyet.Still,IthinkyoucouldmakeacaseforarealcritiquedevelopinginthatepisodewhereLacan'sfeedingfrancs 78ÐBLOOMINGTONintoatelescopeontheEiffelTowerobservationdeck,spyingdownonDerridahavingroughsexwithastudentinanalleybehindParisIV.ºªItsoundsalittlederivativetome,ºDovsaid.ªMywifeAmybroughthomeamagazineofthiskindnotlongagothatherstudentswerereadingatUCLA.TheentireissuehadtodowithimaginarysexscenesbetweenCaptainKirkandMr.SpockfromtheStarTrek.ºªThat'sthepoint,ºMarshareplied.ªOrchid'sscenariosparodythosestories,ortheydon'tsomuchparodythemasappropriatethem.There'sactuallyasequeltotheEiffelTowerepisodewheretheJacquestwinsarecalledinasconsultantsforaTVmoviethat'sbeingmadeabouttheirca-reers.StarringLeonardNimoyasLacanandWilliamShatnerasDerrida.ºªIcanseetheresemblance,ºIremarked.ªButwhat'sthepoint,really?ºªThepointistohavefun!ºMarshareplied.Doesn'titstrikeyouasweirdthatsomanyLacanianshavenosenseofhumorwhatever?How'dtheygethookedonLacantobeginwith,forChrist'ssake?Lacan'sthe®rstgreatperformanceartist,hespenthisentirecareersendinguphisaudiences,hissettings,hiscareeritselfÐandmostpeoplenevergotthejoke!It'sashame,becauseLacan'sjokeswerealwaysserious,buttheyreallyonlyworkifyoukeepthetensionalivebetweentheirseriousnessandtheirjokiness.Mostofhisdisciplesjustsuckuptheseriousness,goingaroundwiththesticky®n-gersandthelongsvisagesLacannevertiredofmockingamongtheorthodoxpsychoanalystshewasdeconstructing.ºªProbablythepointgoesfartherthanfun,ºDovadded.ªWhatyourOr-chidisdoing,ifshedoesitwell,shouldbetooverlayParisandHollywoodinanuncannyway,shakeupourresponsetoboth.ThiscouldcarryonLacan'sworkmoreeffectivelythanyetanotherscholasticdisquisitionre®n-inghisconceptualsystem.Imustlogontothismagazineofyours.ºMarshasmiled.ªSinceyou'rebeingsonice,Dov,ºshesaid,ªmaybeIshouldlightenupalittleaboutthecampushere.IguessI'mjustupsetaboutnotknowingifI'llhaveanyacademichomeofmyowncomenextyear.AndmaybeI'malsoreplayingmyambivalenceaboutmyMidwesternback-ground.Chicago'ssortofasorepointÐmyparentswerebothraisedthere,poor,andnowayweretheygoingtomakeittotheUniversity.Growingup TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ79inFlint,Iwasheadingstraightintounionorganizinglikemydad.He®nallypersuadedmetogotocollege,butIwasdamnedifIwasgoingtotakehisadviceandgotoChicagoorevenAnnArbor.IconvincedmyselfI'dbemakingsomeprogressivestatementbypickingalesstonyplacelikeMinne-sota.ThenIgotthere,onlyto®ndMinnesotawasdoingitsbesttobecomethenextBerkeley.Ontheotherhand,atleastthatmeanttheywerehiringtheIvyLeaguetypeswhointroducedmetoLacan.ºWewerebackatthecampus.Myheadachehadgottenworse,andIde-cidedtogobacktomyroomtocatchuponthesleepI'dmissedthenightbefore.MarshawavedcheerilyasIleft;thewalkandthetalkhadclearlydonehergood.DovwasinthemidstofdevelopinganinsightaboutHegel,andthoughhedidn'tsaygoodbyeinsomanywords,aslightmodulationinhistoneaccompaniedMarsha'sgesturetowardme.Betterthannothing,Isupposed;thenIcaughtmyselfthinkingthis,andwonderedwhyIwassoconcernedtoimpressthem.Itwasn'tasthoughIwaslongingtotoptheirHegelanalysiswithaHeideggergambit,notthatIcouldinanyevent.ButIcouldn'tfoolmyselfthatmyincapacitygavemeanyrealmoralsuperiority,asneitherDovnorMarshashowedanywishtoplaygamesofacademicone-upmanship.Theyweren'tevenperformingforthepurepleasureoftheperformance,asVicwoulddo.No,itwasworse:theyreallylivedªthelifeofthemindºÐaclichéformostofusmostofthetime,atbestanintermittentexperience,hardtoanticipate,impossibletosustain:thosechargedmo-mentsthatsometimesoccurinaseminardiscussion,orinaconversationwithfriendsdissectingamovieoverdrinksafterward;thosemomentswhenknowledge,lifeexperience,andpersonalinteractionsuddenly,electrically,mesh.AsIwasgettingtoknowDovbetter,Ionlyfoundhimmoreintimidating,butatleasthewasmanifestlyunhappyÐacomfortingrealization,asitsug-gestedthathisintellectualattainmentscameatacostnotonlytohiswivesbuteventohimself.Marsha,bothhappierandjustnicerthanDov,posedagreaterchallenge.Somehow,everythingseemedprofoundlyintegratedforher:theorganiclifecompanionandel®ndaughter,theinterwovenfeministtheoryandsubstantiveknowledgeof®lmÐanartformwitharealconnec- 80ÐBLOOMINGTONtiontothecontemporarycultureshewishedtoin¯uence.ProbablyIwasromanticizingherholisticapproachtoherlifeandwork,betrayingmysu-per®cialliberalismbyfallingbackonthestereotypeofwoman-as-organic-intellectual;butevenifMarsha'slifewasn'tasholisticasitappeared,myownwascertainlyhalf-isticbycomparison,splitbetweenimpulsestowardrootednessandrestlessness:ononehand,twentyyearsofonemarriage,anentirecareeratasingleinstitution,butontheotherhand,alwaysanotherlanguagetostudyandnotquitelearn,anotherdisciplinetotryandassimi-late,anothershelf'sworthofbookstobuyandmeantoreadoneday.Backattheconferencecenter,Itooktheelevatoruptomy¯oor.Proba-blyIwasjustprojectingmyownambivalencesontobothMarshaandDov,exaggeratinginbothdirections,failingtoseetherealcon¯ictsinMarsha'slifeandthecontinuitiesinDov's.WhowasItofeelsodowncastbythesecomparisons?Marsha,losingherjob;Dov,tornbetweentwojobs,threecontinents,anynumberoflives:itwasn'tsobad,afterall,tohaveasinglesecurejob,ahappyfamily,anof®cefullofnewbookstoreadandoldfavoritesalljumbledtogether.Andwasn'tIreactingperverselytotheverysuccessofourpanelthatday?We'dsucceededinreversingtheconditionsthathadbeensoannoyinginTokyo:insteadofisolatedpresentationstoanindifferentaudience,herewe'dgivencoordinatedtalkstoagoodaudience,withpertinentquestionsatthesessionandnowananimatedandsubstantiveconversationduringourwalk.WasIjustupsetbecauseIcouldn'tquitekeepup?AtleastI'dengineeredourreunioninthe®rstplace,andorganizedittoachievethegoodeffectsitwashaving;wasmyvanitymerelywoundedbecausetheothersdidn'tseemappreciativeofmyeffortsorbowledoverbymytalk?Butthen,theydidn'twastetimecomplimentingeachother,either;theysimplytookitforgrantedthatweweremeetingoncommonground,andhighgroundatthat,thenwentonfromthere.Whycouldn'tIdolike-wise?IfI'dhadalesslonelychildhood,wouldIhaveoutgrownthisneedforconstantapproval?Thenagain,ifI'dbeenmoresociableatanearlyage,wouldIeverhavedevelopedtheintensivereadinghabitsthathavebeenthefoundationformywholecareer,suchasitis? TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ81Iamperfectlycapableofgoingroundincirclesofthissortforhoursatatime.Fortunately,asIwalkeddownthecorridortomyroom,fateintervened,towelinhand,intheformofStuartMcDougal.Professorofliteratureand®lmattheUniversityofMichiganandpresidentofourassociationthatyear,McDougalwascomingoutofhisroomasIpassedby.ªDavid!ºheexclaimed,beamingdownatme.ªHaveyouseenBreakingAway?ºªNo,ºIreplied;ªisitplaying?ºªIdon'tmeanweshouldseethe®lm;Iwanttoseethereality.ItwasshotaroundBloomington,youknow.Rememberthosesceneswheretheygoswimminginthequarries?IwanttogoswimmingintheEmpireStateBuildingÐtheydugthelimestoneforitaroundheresomeplace.I'mmeet-ingEmilyApterandHymitBathtöiinthelobby.Wanttocomealong?ºThiswasanofferIcouldn'tresist.I'dmetEmilywhenshegaveanim-pressivetalkatColumbiaafewyearsbefore,seamlesslymeldingFreudiantheoriesoffetishism,theimageoftheprostituteinBaudelaire,andanattackontheReaganadministration,andIlookedforwardtogettingtoknowherbetter.WhileHymitandIhadnevergottenalongwhenwewereingradu-ateschooltogether,I'dbeenimpressedbyhiscogentcommentsattheses-sionearlierintheday.Lookingbackonthehothouseenvironmentofcom-parativeliteratureatYaleintheseventies,Ire¯ectedthatitprobablyhadn'tbeeneasybeingtheonlygenuineyoungTurkinaprogramcrowdedwithwould-beyoungTurks.Igotmybathingsuitandcamedowntothelobby.HymithadbroughtVicalongaswell;theyhadgoneoutforcoffeewhileIwaswalkingwithMarshaandDov.TheselattercameupjustaswewerepilingintoStuart'sbeat-upVolvo.StuartandEmilygreetedMarshawarmly,havingknownherfrom®lmandfetishismcircles,respectively.ªGrabyoursuitsandjoinus!ºStuarturged.ªArewenottoomanyforyourcar?ºDovasked.ªNeverfear!ºVicsaid.ªIhaverentedapowerfulroadster,asmychild- 82ÐBLOOMINGTONhoodheroineNancyDrewwouldsay.HymitandIcanfollowtherestofyou.ºWeheadedoff.Aswedrove,Iremarkedthatwe'dforgottentostopforDovandMarshatogettheirbathingsuits.ªItisnomatterforme,ºDovsaid;ªIshallprefertositandsmoke.ºªBathingsuits?ºMarshaasked.ªIteachatBennington,remember?Atleast,I'vebeenteachingthere....Anyway,oldhabitsdiehard.Weusuallywearclothestoclass,butthat'saboutit.ºStuarthadgottendirectionsfromafriendoncampus.Wedrove®rstonbackroadsandthendownarutteddirtlanethatendedataclearingstrewnwithbeercans.Wegotoutandwalkedthroughthewoods,noquarryinsight,untilsuddenlywefoundourselves,atthecrestofalowrise,lookingdownthirtyfeettothesurfaceofalargepond,itswallsrisingsheeronthreesides,withagrassyinclineonthefourthsideofftoourleft.Lookingatthedark,stillwaterbelowmyfeet,Ifeltasenseofvertigo,asthoughIwerereallygazingintothenegativeimageoftheEmpireStateBuilding,awater-®lledshaftplummetingahundredandtenstoriesstraightdownintotheearth,oursilhouettedheads¯oatingfarbeneathus.Weclamberedaroundtothegrassyslope.Intheend,mostofusdis-pensedwiththebathingsuits,butourswimwasextremelybrief.ThoughtheairwaswarmforanIndianaMarch,thewaterwasstillunbelievablycold,andIhadonlyafewminutestoadmireVic'swell-tonedmusclesandwintertan,whichgaveaverydifferenteffectfromMarsha'sslenderform,herpaleskinsetoffbyherlong,reddish-brownhairandthebrightgreenofhernails.InotedaswellthatStuart'sangularbodygavetheimpressionthathewasstillwearingabowtieevenwhennaked.HeandHymitweretheonlyoneswhoseemeduntroubledbythetem-perature,andtheywerestilloutdoinglapswhentherestofuswerebackonthegrass,shiveringanddryingoffourhair.Dovwassmokinghispipe;helookedlikehewasthinkingaboutHusserl.Idecidedtotryandinaugurateamorerelaxingconversationbeforehe'dbemovedtospeak.ªIwasinterestedinyourmiddlename,Vic,ºIsaid,ªwhenIsawitonthe TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ83résuméyousentmewithyourpapertopic.Whatkindofnameisd'Ohr,anyway?ºªAhybrid,ºVicreplied,ªafrancophonicversionofaGermanicoriginal.YouknowthatmymotherisBelgian.Herownmother'sfamilywerevonOhrs,fromLuxembourg.TheyalteredthenameaftertheymovedtoBel-gium,soasnottoappearoverlyGermanicduringtheFirstWorldWar.TheywereacadetbranchofthegreatvonOhrfamily,hereditarylordsoftheeponymousvillageanditsenvirons.Ifyoudon'tknowOhr,it'sjustnorthofEsch,neartheGermanborder.ºªIdidnotthinkanytowninLuxembourgisexactlyfarfromtheborder,ºDovremarked.ªComeon,Dov,ºEmilysaid.ªI'dthinkanIsraelilikeyouwouldstayawayfromsmall-countryjokes.ºªIcovermyselfwithashes!ºDovexclaimed.ªIbowbeforethisnewentryinthevictimsweepstakesÐtinycountries!GodforbidweshouldadmitthatLuxembourgisbarelyabeautyspotonthecheekofBelgium,herselfapoorstep-sistertothegreatcultureofFrance!ºªButDov,ºIinterjected,ªsurelyyouwouldn'tspeaksoslightinglyofyourownnativecountry,withitsimmenseculturalandhistoricalimportance.ºªAndsowhydoyouthinkIleft?ºDovreplied.ªAtinycountrythathaspersuadeditself,andtriestopersuadetheworld,thatitisthecenteroftheuniverse!ThischauvinismIcandowithout,andIamalittledisappointedtohearVicboastofhismagni®centLuxembourgianfamilyconnections.ºªYouseemtohavemissedtheironywithwhichIin¯ectthegreatnessofmylineage,ºVicrepliedwithasmile.ªYetmygrandmotherspokeofherfamily'slonghistorywithoutirony,andshemadeapointofpassingherprideontomymother.Callitidentitypoliticsifyoulike,butthispridehelpedmymotheragooddealasshestruggledtokeepherbearingsamidthedisorientationsoftheWarandherlatermovetoBoston.Eventoday,whenmotherwishestoinsistonkeepingupsomecustomfromtheoldcountryÐattendingMassinmid-week,say,orcookingwithglutinous 84ÐBLOOMINGTONsyrupsÐshedefendsherselfwiththeLuxembourgiannationalmotto,MirWellenBleiwenMatMirSin:`WeWanttoStayAsWeAre.'Itisnodiscredittomother'sfaithinthepowerofthissayingthatmostofthecustomsinquestionareBelgianinactualfact,andIhaveoftendrawnsolacefromthemottomyself.Especiallythe`sin'part.ºMarshalookedupfromdryinghertoestocometoVic'sdefense.ªIdon'tgetit,Dov,ºshesaid.ªWeren'tyoujustdoingthiswholenumberwithDavidandmeabouttheimportanceoftraditionandhowAllanBloomshouldn'thavegivenitup?ºªYoumustkeepinmind,ºDovreplied,ªthatIdespiseallessentialism.Familypride,nationalpride,theybothsupposesomeorganiccontinuityacrosstime.ThisIreject.Youmustworkwiththetraditionyourculturegivesyou,butyoumustbrewyourowntraditionfromthesenot-so-rawmaterialsÐweighing,measuring,recombiningtheingredientsthathavebeenhandeddowntoyou.Youcanandshouldtakeprideintheresult,ifyoudoitwell.Yettoooften,nationalpride,familypride,theyserveasanexcusenottodothisworktobeginwith.ºªIwonder,ºIremarked.ªWhatyou'reproposingsoundssomuchlikescholarlyresearch.Don'tyouruntheriskofreplacingnationalismwithsomekindofacademicism?I'venoticedthatyoualwayshaveyourdoctoraldegreelistedonconferenceprograms,almostasthoughit'spartofyourname.Isn'tthistakingtheprideofstudyalittletoofar?ºªIdonotweartheD.C.A.asabadgeofhonor,'Dovanswered.ªItismorelikeawarwound.Orperhapsitisthebadgethatitselfwoundsthewearer.ºªIcanseewhyyouweredrawntodeconstruction,ºEmilycommented.ªButwhoevenknowswhatyourdegreeis?Wedon'thavea`D.C.A.'inthiscountry;what'sitstandfor?ºªDoctorateinCriticalAlterity,ºDovreplied.ªTelAviv'sprideandjoy.ThemostrigoroustheoreticalprogramintheLevant,maybeintheworld.ºªWhatmakesitsospecial,praytell?ºVicasked.ªItnolongerexists,actuallyÐitself-destructedafewyearsago.Thiswasprobablyinevitableinaprogramthathadthegoaltocarrytoanewlevelthe TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ85progressivealienationinherentingraduateschoollife,buttoorarelyem-bodiedsystematicallyandmadeintellectuallyvaluableinsteadofmerelyemotionallydestructive.ºªSohowdiditwork?ºªIwillgiveasanexamplethewayastudentwouldcompletethedegree.WedidnotdefendourdissertationsinCriticalAlterity:weattackedthem.Therewouldbeatwo-hourmeetingwiththesponsorsinwhichthecandi-datehimselfÐnottoomanywomenenteredthisprogram,forsomerea-sonÐthecandidatehimself,Isay,wouldbeginbyexposingeverymajorweaknessinhisownargument,hismethods,hisevidence,placingparticularstressonproblemshecouldlaydirectlyathissponsors'feet.Thesponsorswouldthendefendthemselves,®rstbycounter-attackingthecandidate'sownintelligenceandcompetence,thenbyshiftingtheblameontotheirownteachersinturn.ThemostsuccessfulsessionswouldusuallyendwithbothpartiesagreeingtoblameeithertheLikudortheLaborparty,whicheverwasinpoweratthetime.ºªThewholethingsoundsprettyharrowing,ºIremarked.ªStill,Isupposethesurvivorscameoutwithanexceptionallyacutecriticalintelligence.ºªActually,onlythosewhofailedreallybene®tedfromtheprogram,ºDovreplied.ªThisiswhyithasbeencloseddown:itishardtosupportapro-gramsolelybypointingtoyourdrop-outs.Severalofthemwentontoimportantpositionsinpolitics,investigativejournalism,militaryintelli-gence.Thefewwhoactuallygotthroughtheprogramweremostlygoodfornothing,exceptmaybefortwoorthreeofus,allofwhomleftthecountryassoonaswecould.Still,Idonotregrettheexperience.Icanevensaythatmyreactionagainsttheprogramhasbeenthebasisofmylaterwork.ºIcouldn'thelpfeelingthatDovwasexaggeratingthedistinctivenessofhisprogramÐitsoundedagooddeallikemyownyearsatYaleÐbutatleasttheconversationalicehadbeenbroken.Peoplebegantradingwarstoriesoftheirowngraduateyears,emphasizingtheindifferenceandegomaniaoftheirdissertationsponsors,alwaysadelightfultopicunlessoneisoverhear-ingone'sownstudents.StuartandHymithadcomeoutofthewaterand 86ÐBLOOMINGTONdriedoffwhileDovwastalking,andStuartjoinedintheconversation.Atowelaroundhiswaist,Hymittookoutaminiaturesilvercombandmirrorandbegancombinghishandlebarmoustachewithcare.Thesunwasnearingthetreetops,andthetenuouswarmthoftheearlyspringdaywasfadingrapidly.Weleft.Theconversationaswedrovebackwasrelaxedandlivelyatthesametime,andthegoodfeelingpersistedwhenweallwentoutfordinneratanItalianrestaurantindowntownBlooming-ton.Viccommandeeredtheextensivewinelist,refusingeithertomoderatethe¯owortoletuspay.Asweateanddrank,DovtalkedatlengthwithEmily,askingheradviceaboutlong-distancecommuting,ashewascon-templatingmakingapermanentdualarrangementwithIrvineandGeneva.EmilyhadtaughtforanumberofyearsatWilliamswhileherhusbandwasteachingatPrinceton;theyhadrecentlymovedtogethertoUCLA,andDovwassoundingEmilyoutonhowshethoughthiswife(andhernewcolleague)Amymightreacttothearrangement.Emilygaveanupbeatas-sessmentoftheviabilityofcommutingandofAmy'sabilitytohandleit.IonlyheardsnatchesofaconversationbetweenMarshaandStuart,anextendedtechnicaldiscussionabouttheprocessofmultipleexposuresthatenabledBusterKeatontoplayallthepartsinhisshort®lmThePlayhouse.ThisendedwhenVicandHymitdrewthemintotheirownconversation;theywereplottingtheestablishmentofanewinterestgroupwithintheAmericanComparativeLiteratureAssociation,theACLA/AACorAquaticActivitiesCaucus.Theyseemedtobequiteseriousaboutthis,andHymitwaxedeloquentaboutªthemutualreinforcementofmentationandnata-tion.ºByacclamation,StuartwaselectedBeachChairofthecaucus.IwasgiventhetitleofNavigator,dutiestobedeterminedbywatchingtheKeaton®lmofthatname,andVicwasputinchargeofour¯oatingmem-bership.Heacceptedthisresponsibilitywitha®fteen-minuteorationinwhich,notevenseemingtopauseforbreath,hewovetogetherreferencestogymnosophistphilosophy,Aztecwatergardens,¯oatingsigni®ers,Her-manMelville,swim-uppalapabars,thebodily-¯uidphotographsofAndresSerrano,andtherelativemeritsofconferencefacilitiesinBermudaandGuadeloupe. TravelingTheoryComesHomeÐ87AsI®nishedmythirdorfourthglassofwine,ItriedtorememberwhyI'dfeltdiscouragedearlierintheday.Thepanelreallyhadgonewell,andIsurveyedmyfellowpanelistswithgenuineaffection.Pig-headed,yes;fullofthemselves,mostly,butperhapsdeservedly;fundamentallyatoddsonal-mosteveryquestion,tobesure,yetcapableofgenuineinteraction;theyevenseemedtobemodifyingsomeoftheirviewsintheprocess.Ifagroupasdisparateasthiscouldgetalongsowell,theremightbehopefortheprofessionafterall.Ifeltasenseofoptimismandanticipation;wehadlaidafoundationonwhichwecouldsurelybuild.Ifmyownrolewouldprimar-ilybethatoffacilitator,itwasn'tafterallaninsigni®cantaccomplishmenttobringtogetheragrouplikethisandfosterproductivediscussionsamongthem.Aswegatheredourselvesupandwoveourwayouttothestreet,Ibegancastingaboutinmymindforgoodlocales,goodtopics.Perhapsitwastimetoconfrontourdifferenceshead-on.Apanelonthepoliticsofculturalstudies?IhadnoideawhatamistakeIwasmaking. 3CHICAGOThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesTheMLAAnnualConventionwillbeheldinChicagoÐavibrant,world-classcitylocatedinthecenteroftheUnitedStatesontheshoreofLakeMichigan.Chicagoboastsnearly®ftymuseumsÐsuchastheArtInstituteofChicago....Well-knownshoppingdistricts,eachwithadistinctstyle,featurefamousdepartmentstoresandspecialtyboutiques....Therewillbe247divisionmeetings,44discussiongroupmeetings,267specialses-sions,214alliedandaf®liateorganizationmeetings,anddozensofsocialevents.JoinyourfriendsandcolleaguesattheMLAAnnualConventionÐandenjoyChicago!ModernLanguageAssociationmailingQ.Butifacademicscherishtheirisolationasmuchasyousay,howcouldyouhopeevertochangethings?A.Academicsareoftentremendouslyambivalentaboutªthepleasuresofisolationºthattheycultivate.Whyelsehaveacademicconferencesandsymposiabecomesopervasiveifitisn'tthattheyanswertoalongingforcommunitythatisn'tbeingsatis®edbytheirhomecampuses?Youcansensethislonginginthehyperexcitedatmosphereatsuchevents....Equallypatheticistheabyssoflocalsilenceandindifferenceintowhichweacademicssendourpublications....whenyougotoaconference,yourpublicationbecomesareferencepoint,buttomakeitareferencepointonyourhomecampuswouldbelikemakingoneoutofyoursexlife,oryourreligion.GeraldGraff,ªSelf-InterviewºTHEREWEREonlythreeproblemswithmyideaforournextpanel,Ilatertoldmyself:thetiming,thetopic,andthetemperamentsinvolved.GiventhegoodfeelingattheendofourmeetinginBloomington,Iprobablycouldhavegottensomewherewiththetopicandthetemperamentsifonlywe'dbeenabletoreconvenefairlysoon.Withthelead-timeformostcon-ferenceproposalsatsixmonthsormore,Iwaspressingmyluckunderthe ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ89bestofcircumstances.Asitturnedout,theincreasinginstabilityofmyfriends'livesmadeitimpossibletogettogetheragainevenwithintwoyears,asMarshastruggledwithtemporaryappointments,Dovbeganhistrans-Atlanticcommute,andVicpursuedanendlesslytime-consumingnewin-terestincompetitivecatamaraning,anavocationÐalmostavocationÐthatalwaysseemedtobetakinghimtoTortolaortheAzoresatjustthewrongtime.Strugglingoverscheduling,Ifailedtoconsiderthedeeperproblemofthepotentiallyexplosivemixofpersonalities,eventhoughImighthaveknownthatatopiconthepoliticsofculturalstudieswouldbringoutthesharpestdifferencesamongourgroup.Wewouldbediscussingworkinanarea,moreover,inwhichinvectiveismorethenormthantheexception.Isomehowthoughtwewouldalloffertrenchantcommentariesonotherpeo-ple'spolemicswhileremaininguninfectedbythepolemicalspiritourselves.Attheveryleast,IassumedÐinretrospect,naivelyÐthatwewouldtreatoneanotherwithbasiccivility.Ishouldhavetakenthehintfromfatewhen,having®nallysecuredevery-one'sparticipationinaspecialsessionforthe1995MLA,Isubmittedtheproposalonlytohaveitturneddown.Doggedlyrefusingtoleavewellenoughalone,Itriedtopersuadeeachofmyfriendsthattheyshouldnottaketherejectionpersonally,thoughDov's®rstreactionwasthatthecul-turalstudiescabalwouldneverallowsomeonelikehimtospeakiftheycouldhelpit,Marshafearedthatacredentialistandtextualistbiashadweighedagainstsomeonewithatemporaryappointmentandaslenderpublicationrecord,andVicspokedismissivelyoftheeunuchsintheharemoflanguagewhocouldneverabidebeautifulprose.Icounteredeachre-actionwithmyownenthusiasmfortheirabstracts,andtriedtosuggestthatmyownoverallproposalmustsomehowhavefallenshortÐaninterpreta-tionwithwhichallthreeagreedrathermorequicklythanImighthavewished.Therewasonepositivesign,orsoIchosetotakeit.Thoughnoneofthethreeexpressedanydeepregretatthecollapseofourpanel,theywereallstillplanningtocometoChicago:Marsha,tointerviewforjobs;Dov,so 90ÐCHICAGOthatGenevawouldpayforhiswintertripbacktotheUnitedStates;Vic,forunspeci®edpersonalreasons.Isecuredtheiragreementthatthoseofuswhodidpresentatsomesessionwouldatleastattendeachothers'papers;wecouldthenmeetandtalkamongourselves.Intheend,allofthemdidgivepapers,Marshaatasessiononecofeminism,Viconapanelonthemodern-istnovelistDjunaBarnes,andDovinalargesessionorganizedbysomemembersoftheNationalAssociationofScholars,calledªReading:TheEssentialGesture.ºItbegantolookasthoughonlyIwouldhavenoocca-siontogo,untilIreceivedaninvitationfromafriendofmine,JenniferWicke,tospeakinasessiononªGlobalTheoryintheWorld-WideWeb,ºHomiBhabhahavingcanceledoutafterthesessionhadbeenscheduled.Iwasn'treallysurewhatthetopicmeant,butI®guredIcouldusethepaperI'dplannedtogiveatmyownsession.Iwas¯attered,too,byJennifer'sassurancethatshe'dbeentornallalongbetweeninvitingBhabhaormeandwasseizingtheopportunitytoinvitemenow.IarrivedinChicagomorethanreadyforsomecongenialintellectualexchange.Likemanyothers,myuniversityhadbeenundergoingdown-sizingforseveralyears.Ouradministrationwasnotprovinganymoreadeptthanmostathandlingthistransition,andmycolleaguesreactedbadlyinturnasournumberseroded,unitingonlyindespisingtheadministration,spendingmostoftheirtimemewlingandpukingatandononeanotherastheyfoughtoverthetoughquestionofwhich®eldswouldsufferthemost.Iknewenoughnottobesurprisedatthisphenomenon.I'dpublishedmybookonscholarlyworkthatspring,andIthoughtoftenofanarticleI'dcitedbyCynthiaHardyandseveralcolleaguesatMcGill,whohadstudiedthesteady3±4percentannualgrowthinincomeandenrollmentstheirin-stitutionhadenjoyedallthroughthecentury.Theyhadcalledthisgrowthrateªtherangeofostensiblecollegiality,ºthelevelofincreaseneededtosupportnewinitiativeswithoutthesortsofhardchoicesthatcouldonlybemadewellifthereweregenuinelycollegialdiscussionandcompromise.Nowtheostensibilitywasmeltingawayeverywhereasbudgetsshrank,andtheunderlyingcultureofalienationandaggressionwascomingevermorestronglytothefore. ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ91Mybook,ofcourse,wasgoingtostemthetide.Amidallthepolemics,minewouldbeareasonedcontributionÐhistoricallygrounded,sociologi-callyinformed,andpsychologicallyacute,offeringafreshperspectiveandsomeconcretestepsthatcumulativelycouldbegintomakearealdifference.BythetimeIarrivedinChicago,WeScholarshadbeenoutforsixmonths,andwhileIcouldhardlyexpectawholesalechangeintheatmosphereasyet,Ilookedforwardtogaugingpeople'sreactions.IhadinmybriefcasetheonereviewI'dseensofar,whichmyin-lawshadfaxedtomeaftertheycameacrossitintheWashingtonPost.OnlyinoneofthePost'soccasionalEduca-tionsupplements,tobesure,essentiallyanadvertisingvehicleforcontinu-ing-educationprograms,butitwasstillanicereview,andIwantedtogiveittomyeditorincasehe'dmissedit.Icheckedinatthehotel,alittledisappointedto®ndthatmyªlake-viewºroomallowedaviewonlytocon-tortionistswithnofearofheights,neitherofwhichquali®cationsIpos-sessed.Iclosedtheshadesandwentdowntothehotel'sfountain-bar-and-mini-mallarea.ThelobbyhadbeendesignedasasortofBabylonianthemepark,twentystorieshigh,withhangingplantscascadingdownfrombrass-trimmedmar-blebalconies.Glass-walledelevatorscreptlikesnailsupthemoistwalls.Theeffectwasofbeingenclosedinagiantterrarium.Hundredsofanxiousgraduatestudents,earnestassistantprofessors,andworld-wearytenuredfacultymingledtogether,plasticcupsofwineinhand.Thenetworkingwasinfullswing,somethingIdespiseandavoidwheneverpossible;IstayedjustlongenoughtocatchupwithacoupleoffriendsfromtheWestCoast,introduceastudentofminetoanacquaintanceataschoolwithajobopen-ing,andlookaroundformyeditor.Notseeinghim,Idecidedtoleave.AsIapproachedthedoor,IobservedMarshainconversationwithsomeonewhosegrizzledfaceIseemedtoknowfromdustjackets.Iwentup,andMarshaintroducedmetoherfriend,whoprovedtobeGeraldGraff.Graff'sbookshadstronglyin¯uencedmyownworkonscholarship,andsoIwaspleasedwhenherecognizedmynameandbegantellingmehowmuchhe'dlikedmybook.ªThemainthing,ºheadded,ªis,don'tbelievethereviews.TakeHowardLamarintheYaleReviewÐsowhatifhe'spresident 92ÐCHICAGOofYale?Hewassoobviouslydefensivethatnobodywillthinkanythingofthosecheapshotsofhis.ºªAndanyway,Lamar'sjusttheactingкIwasbeginningtoreply,whenabeepcamefrominsideGraff'sjacketpocket.ªMycellphone,ºhesaid,withahalf-embarrassedduckofthehead.ªEx-cuseme;I'vegottotakethis.ºHetookoutthephone.ªSkip?Yeah,Jerry,ºhesaid,turningawayfromus.IaskedMarshahowthejobsearchwasgoing.ªIt'sdepressingashell,ºshereplied.ªEverybodyknowswhatadisasterit'sbeenatBennington,buttheystilllookatmefunnywhentheyhearIonlygotaone-yearreplacementgigatVermontlastyear.That'sevenbe-foreIhavetosayI'monlydoingsomeadjunctingatacoupleofplacesthisyear.Itdoesn'tevenseemtohelpthatmy®lmbook'soutnow,itjustletspeopleoffthehookforlookingatmeforassistantprofessorships,forwhichI'm`obviouslyoverquali®ed,'butitisn'tenoughtoputmeinthecategoryofHotYoungTheoristwithSexySecondBookJustOutfromRoutledgeWhomWe'dBetterGrabbeforeDukeDoes.ºMarshashookherhead.ªButIshouldn'tcomplaintoomuch,atleastI'vegotacoupleofinterviews,Amherst,whichwouldbe®newithmypartnerTom,andNYU,whichistrickierforhimbutwecouldmaybelivekindoffaroutinNewJerseysomewhere.AndIhaveafriendin®lmthere,BobStam,who'sbeenkeep-ingmynamealive,sowe'llsee.ºMarshaseemedalittlewoundup.Thiswasunderstandableenough,es-peciallyasshewasgivinghertalkthenextmorningandhadn'tyet®nisheditÐamatterofconcern,sheindicated,astherewasachancethatsomepeoplefromAmherstandNYUwouldattendinordertoassessherperfor-mance.Graffconcludedhiscallandthetwoofthemheadedofftoapub-lisher'sparty.IputonmycoatandwalkedoutintothefrigidChicagoair,arefreshingchangefromthehumidanxietycloudingtheatmosphereinthehotellobby.IARRIVEDatMarsha'ssessionearlythenextmorningandfoundtheroomcrowded;clearly,thepeopleworkingonfeministecologywere ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ93committedtoit.Dovwasstandingalongasidewall,andIjoinedhim;Vicneverappeared.Marshaneedn'thaveworriedaboutherpaper.Intwentyminutes,shegaveabrilliantcritiqueofwhatshedescribedasªtechno-amateurismºinAndrewRoss'srecentbookStrangeWeather,whichshecontrastedtothemorechallengingªpost-masculinistscientismºinDonnaHaraway'secocriticalworkafterherCyborgManifesto.Theacuityandgood-humoredpolemicofhertalkstoodoutparticularlystronglyagainstacoupleoftheotherpapersinthepanel.ªThePrison-HouseofLandscapeºsoundedpromising,butinfactitprovedlargelytobeanobsessivelyclosereadingofGramsci'spassingreferencestoneo-feudallandtenurepoliciesinSicily.Amoreinterestingpaper,ontransgressiveperformativityinfem-inizedspaces,wasdeliveredinahushedmonotonebyayoungassistantprofessorwhoneverlookedupfromherpage.Allinall,IthoughtMarsha'spaperwasarealstand-out.IcongratulatedMarshaattheend,expectinghertobepleasedandre-lieved;shewasn't.ªDidyouseetheguyfromAmherst?ºsheasked.ªHeactuallycame,andhe'sthechairtherenow.Didyounoticehowheleftrightaftermytalk?Hedidn'taskaquestionoranything.ºªIdon'tknowwhathelookslike,ºIsaid.ªWherewashe?ºªHewassittingrightbywherethetwoofyouwerestanding,ºMarshareplied.ªOlderguy,youknow?ºªOh,theonewhowasnoddingoffattheend?ºIasked,realizingtoolatethatthiswasprobablynotthebestwaytoidentifyhim.ªItwasreallyearly,ºIhastilyadded,ªsoI'msureitdidn'tmeananything.ºªYeah,right,ºMarsharespondedinadiscouragedtone.ªIwonderifNYUpeoplewerehere,whattheythoughtofyourattackonRoss,ºDovsaid.ªThatwasboldtodo.ºDov'stonewascomplimentary,butMarsha¯ushed.ªThanks,Dov,ºshesaid.ªJusthelpDavidhereputmeatease.Ireallydidn'twantmytalktocomeoutthatway.Imean,IlikeAndrew,andIlikealotofhiswork,evenStrangeWeatherhassomereallygoodstuffinit,butIdidn'tgetthatacross.It'ssofrustrating!Ididn'twanttomakehimthefallguyforHaraway,butIjustdidn'thavetimetopullitalltogether.IfonlyCassiehadn'tbeensick 94ÐCHICAGOlastweek,ifIevenhadn'tgoneoutdancinglastnight,butbythetimeIgotdowntowrappingupmyargument,itwassometimeaftertwo,Ithoughtitwouldhavetodo.Youheardthathostileinterventioninthequestionpe-riod,IthinkitwasfromafriendofAndrew's,andhereI'vegottogointer-viewwiththemthisafternoon.ºIassuredMarshathatRosscouldcertainlytakesomecriticisminstride,andwouldprobablyevenwelcomeheranalysisifheheardaboutit.ªPerhapsso,ºDovsaid,ªthoughIdoubtthewillingnessofpeoplelikeRossreallytoentertaindivergentviews.Thisyouwillseefrommypaperthisafternoon.ºThiscommentwashardlylikelytocheerMarshaup.WasDovneedlingher,orwashisfocusonhisownupcomingpresentationmerelyover-ridinghisinterpersonalsensitivity,whattherewasofit?IcastaglanceatMarsha,rollingmyeyestoconveythefeelingthatIcertainlydidn'tcon-doneDov'stactlessnessbuthopedshewouldn'ttakehisself-absorptionpersonally.Marshapursedherlipsinreplyinsuchawayastoindicatethatshe'doverlookthecommentthistimeformysakebutthatIshouldn'texpecthertoletDovtryherpatienceinde®nitely.Onthisuncertainnote,weparted.GIVENthetensionbetweenMarshaandDov,Iwaspleasantlysur-prisedtoseeherintheaudienceatDov'ssessionthatafternoon.Vichadneverappearedthatmorning,andIcouldn'tdetecthimnow,thoughitwashardtobesureamidthecrowd®llingtheballroom.RogerShattuck,thepanel'sorganizer,beganwithabriefdiatribeagainstfeminismandgaystud-iesforreplacingliteraryvalueswithasocialagenda.AsomewhatsurprisingpairoftargetsforaProustscholar,Ithought;apparentlyProustwasn'tsupposedtoactuallyseeanythingthroughthefamedªopticalinstrumentºofhisnovel.Inanyevent,Shattuckthenturnedthe¯oorovertoHelenVend-ler,whoofferedamorenuancedargumentthattheoppositionbetweenliteraryanalysisandculturalstudieswasafalseone,asclosereadingofliteraturehadalwaysprovidedaprivilegedaccessintoaculture'sself- ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ95understanding;sheillustratedthiswithanilluminatingdiscussionofpoemsbyWallaceStevensandSeamusHeaney.RichardRortythenwentbackontheattack,arguingthattheculturalstudiesmovementwasnotatallcon-cernedwiththestudyofcultureassuchbutwaspromotingthedecon-structionofculture,adebunkingofidealismandindividualcreativityinthenameofatiredcollectivismdressedupinanexaggeratedepistemologicalskepticism.ªHistoryis`therecordoftheindividualthinking,'ºhecon-cluded,ªasHaroldBloomputsitinTheWesternCanon.Ihopeyouwon'tletthenay-sayerstakeoverinliterarystudiesthewaytheyhaveinphiloso-phy.Weneedskepticism,butwealsoneedinspiration,too,ifwewanttoenvisionarealfuture,notjustdebunkthepast.Soweneedtohearthevoicesoftheinspiringgeniuseswhoshapeaculture'saspirations.ºHesatdowntosustainedapplause.Dovwasnext.ªIguessyouknowapersonbythecompanytheykeep,ºMarshamuttered,butDovbeganhisowncritiqueofculturalstudiesbytakingissuewiththeotherpanelists.ªIcannotagreewithmyrespectedcolleagues,ºDovbegan,ªthattheworkcurrentlycalledculturalstudiesmusttoethelineoftraditionalschol-arship,orelsemustbeindefensibleinsofarasitdiffersfromit.Tothecontrary,Iamimpatientwiththenewculturalstudiespreciselybecauseittoomuchresemblesbusinessasusual.UnlikeProfessorRorty,Iseealltoolittleseriousdeconstruction,ratherthanalltoomuch,atplayinthiswork,oratworkinthisplay.Mywishwouldbeforaculturalstudiesthatwouldgenuinelyofferanalternativetothescholarlypracticesithopestodisplace.IshouldsayIhavelittlehopethatmywishwillbegranted.Butperhapswewillgainsomeunderstandingofoursituationifweexploreboththediffer-enceIcouldwishtoseeandthereasonswhyweareunlikelyevertoseeit.ºDovgrowledsoftly,andcontinued.ªTomyeye,neitherthefocusonmassculturenortheleftistpoliticalorientationpersedifferentiateculturalstudiessuf®cientlyfromtheolderliberalhumanism.Toooften,thereisonlyamodestdifferenceinde-gree,nottheradicaldeparturethatbothitsenthusiastsanditsdetractors 96ÐCHICAGOperceive.LetmetakeProfessorRorty'sleadandsaythatthekeyissueisthequestionofhistoryastherecordof`theindividualthinking,'aboveallthegreatindividual,letussaythepoetorthephilosopher.ThisispreciselytheviewIwishtheculturalstudiesscholarswouldabandon.Atleastasthedominantmodeofwork,thoughIhopewewillalwaysleaveroomforanindividualreaderasperceptiveasProfessorVendlertothinksodeeplyaboutherfavoritepoets.ProfessorRortywishestoreturntoindividualism.I,however,wishtomovebeyonditÐIwouldevensay,movebackbeyondittoamorecollectivesocialexperience.Theculturalstudentsmeantodosomethinglikethis,yetasregardstheirownmovementtheyretainalltoomuchreverencefortheheroicindividual.ºDovpausedforasipofwater,thenwenton.ªLetmegiveanexampletoshowwhatImean.Iwilltaketheprogram-maticintroductiontoabookthatLinguaFrancarecentlycalledtheleadingcompendiumofculturalstudieswork.ThisisthebigcollectionentitledCulturalStudieseditedbyGrossberg,Nelson,andTreichler,publishedbyRoutledgenotlongago.Youwillnotetheambitionimpliedbytheabsenceofasubtitleoranymodifyingadjective:thisbookdoesreallymeantopre-senttotheworldculturalstudiestoutcourt,ifonecanusethisphraseofabookthatissixhundredthousandwordslong.`Adetailedandauthorita-tivemap,'asthecovertellsus,`capturingculturalstudiesinallitsrichdiversity.'Inkeepingwiththisambition,theeditors'synopticintroductionendeavorstode®neÐevenpoliceÐthe®eld.Theymeantoweedoutinade-quatede®nitionsandinauthenticwork,tooutlinethehistoryoftruecul-turalstudies,tosuggestthemaindirectionsforthefuturethatareimpliedbythecurrentworktheyanthologize.The`specialintellectualpromise'ofculturalstudies,theeditorsbegin,liesinthefactthat`itexplicitlyattemptstocutacrossdiversesocialandpoliticalinterests,'interestswhich`cancombineandbearticulatedinalltheirdazzlingplurality.'Thissocialreachrequires,andinspires,anintellectualandaninstitutionaldiversityaswell.Culturalstudies,wearetold,isresolutelyinterdisciplinary,andÐrelatedlyÐitishighlycollaborative,qualitiesthattheeditorscelebratein ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ97outliningthehistoryofthefoundationalprograminculturalstudies,theCentreforContemporaryStudiesatBirminghaminEngland.ºDovlookedoveratRorty,andsmiled.ªIusetheword`foundational'advisedlyinthepresentcompany,ºhecontinued.ªThoughIwillnotcriticizeNelson,Grossberg,andTreichlerfortheirfailuretoabandonfoundationalism,aquixoticeffortatbest,inmyopinion.WhatI®ndironicisthepersistenceofthisfoundationalisminthemidstoftheirclaimtoeschewtheoldessentialismsingeneralandtheGreatManviewofhistoryinparticular.Notonlyisthisalogicalcontradiction,itmeanstheycanavoidexaminingandre®ningthisongoingforceintheirmidst.Woventightlyintotheeditors'rhetoricofdazzlingvarietyandrichdiversitytherecanbefoundacounter-rhetoricofcentralityandofideolog-icalpurity:itis`thenewpoliticsofdifference'Ðnotethesingularformula-tionÐwhose`dazzlingplurality'willbeembodiedbyculturalstudies.Cul-turalstudies,itseems,hasasmuchtodowithenforcingitsownnorms,patrollingitsownborders,aswithwidersocialchange.`Culturalstudiesrequiresus';`culturalstudiesmustconstantlyinterrogate';`culturalstudieswouldagree';`culturalstudiescannotbeused':alltheseformulationsap-pearinthespaceofjusttwoparagraphs,andtheyhavemanyequivalentsthroughouttheintroduction.Indeed,thesocialhealingpromisedbycul-turalstudiesseemsattimessecondarytothemorepressingtaskofunitingtheleftitself.Itis,astheeditors'openingparagraphtellus,`withinthefragmentedinstitutionalcon®gurationoftheacademicleft'thatculturalstudies`holdsspecialpromisebecauseitexplicitlyattemptstocutacrossdiversesocialandpoliticalinterests.'Dovraisedanironiceyebrowoverthedarkframeofhisglasses.ªYouknowtheetymologyofsupercilious?ºMarshawhisperedtome,butDovwasalreadycontinuing.ªThisisinteresting,ºhesaid.ªTotheoutsider,afterall,itmightseemthatculturalstudiesisproblematictotheextentthatitembodiesasinglepoliticaloutlookÐdenyingadmission,forexample,tostudentsofculturewhomightvoteRepublican,orwhoprefercapitalismtosocialism.Tothe 98ÐCHICAGOinsiders,however,itisthefragmentationandcon¯ictwithintheirownmovementthatareparamount,whilethewidersocietyoutsidethemove-mentisoftendescribedinstrikinglymonolithicterms,inphrasessuchas`globalimperialism'or`latecapitalism.'ºDovpaused,runninghistongueprobinglyaroundtheinsideofhislowerlipasheturnedaphraseoverinhismind.ªLatecapitalism!ºheexclaimed.ªHowthehelldothesewritersknowifitislateornot?MaybewelivenowintheageofearlymiddlecapitalismÐwhocansay?Howabsurdthathistor-icalmaterialists,ofallpeople,canthinktostandoutsidehistoryitself,pro-claiminginadvancethesenescenceoftheeconomicsystemtheyhopetodefeatbyendlessexegesisoftheminorworksofMarx!ºHesmiledgenially.ªIlikeendlessexegesismyself,andItoohopeitwillmakeadifferenceintheworld.Yettomakethisdifference,ouranalysismustbeatoncerigorousandmodest.Modestinnotoverstatingourclaims;rigorousinrecognizingthecomplexityofthesituationwewouldunder-stand.Intheconservativeattacksonculturalstudiesandintheculturalists'self-defensesaswell,eachsideisrighttoseethediversityitrecognizesasitsown,andwrongtoreduceitsopponentstoasingleentity.Inthis,theedi-torsofthisanthologyseemtometoreproduceoneoftheleastattractivefeaturesofthe`Reagan-Bushright'thattheybelievetobeeverywherearoundthem.ButIdonotexactlyacceptthecritiqueofleftistsandrightiststhatDavidBromwichadvancesinhisrecentbookPoliticsbyOtherMeans,inwhichheclaimsthatleftandrightalikefavorthecollectiveoverthesover-eignindividual.Theproblemisjustthereverse:`progressives'and`conser-vatives'aliketoooftenholdtoasentimentalnostalgiafortheheroicindi-vidual.AswereadonintheintroductiontoCulturalStudies,forinstance,we®ndinfull¯owertheoldfoundationalistemphasisonthefewseminalthinkers,inthiscasethefoundersoftheBirminghamprogram.EvenamongtheBirminghamgroup,oureditorssingleouttwosuper-heroes,RaymondWilliamsandStuartHall,who®gureoneverypageoftheintro-duction.Insixteenpages,Williams'snameappearssixteentimesandHall'sname,nofewerthantwenty-onetimes.Thisistheproblem,toputitin ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ99deconstructiveterms:culturalstudies'oppositionalfoundersÐoriginatorsofthemovement'smostpowerfulinsightsÐhavebredakindofblindnessintheirfollowersthroughtheverystrengthoftheirexample,perpetuatingtheindividualismtheycritiqueinothers.ºDovtookoffhisglassesandrubbedhisnoseinameditativeway.Hereplacedhisglassesandcontinued.ªOkay,ºhesaid.ªSowhatdowedonowthatwehavehadourlittledeconstructiveinsight?Ifweopposethetendentioustrivialityofourmod-ernacademicandcommercialculturesalike,wehavetheintellectualandethicalresponsibilityto®ndsomebetterbasisforourownwork.Thisbasismayactuallybepossibleto®ndwithinculturalstudiesitself,ifwecanlookfurtherintothemovement.Wereculturalstudiessubjecttoasingleorsimpleblindness,therewouldbelittlemoretosay.Ibelieve,howeverthatculturalstudiesinfactstruggleswithadoubleblindness,andthisisamoreinterestingsituation:ablindnessnotonlytotheirlingeringindividualismbutequally,percontra,totheunderlyingbasisoftheirgenuinelycommunalactivity.Whatbecomesrepressed,Ibelieve,isawarenessofthedeepconti-nuitybetweentheirmovementanditsclosestsocialequivalent:notapoliti-calparty,notatradeunion,butareligiouscommunity.ªIwouldsaythatreligiouscommunityistherepressedOtherofculturalstudies:toleratedperhapsinthecaseofcertainminorities,caricaturedwhenitisnotignoredoutrightinthewidersociety.IntheCulturalStudiesvolumeitself,infact,CornelWestpleadsforculturalstudiestotakereligiousor-ganizationsseriouslyasvenuesforsocialchange,notsimplytowritereli-gionoffastheplaygroundofconservativefundamentalists.Hisisalonevoice,however.ThecollectionasawholeregularlyillustratesthecasualdismissalofreligionthatWesttriestocombat.ThusConstancePenley,forexample,criticizesanti-addictionandself-helpgroups,`whichseemtoen-couragereligiousandhighlyindividualisticwaysofthinkingthatleadtosocialandpoliticaldisempowerment.'ºDovtookoffhisglassesagain,thoughtfullybitoneoftheearpieces,thenleanedforwardandspokedirectlytotheaudience.ªDoyouseewhat 100ÐCHICAGOconcernsmehere?IfIreadPenley'sappositioncorrectly,sheappearstoequatereligionwithindividualism,andbothinturnwithsocialdisempow-erment.Secularacademicsoftenmakethismistake,andnotonlyleftists:IthinkofHaroldBloom,towhommyfellowpanelistProfessorRortyjustalluded.Bloom'snewbook,TheAmericanReligion,suffersfromitsheavilyindividualisticorientation,hisinattentiontocongregationallife.Trulytocomprehendreligiousexperience,wemustdomorethanmerelyreadasect'sscriptures.ºDovpaused.ªOkay,ºhecontinued,puttinghisglassesbackon,ªIreturntomyownsermon.ºHeresumedreadingfromhistext.ªDeeplyweddedtotheindividualistbiastheybelievethemselvestohaverejected,theculturalstudentshonortheirpantheonofinspiringleadersjustasProfessorRortywouldhavethemdo.Buttrulycollectiveworkremainsstuntedinmuchcultural-studiespractice;thisiswhyinterdisciplinarityreceivesmorelipservicethanrealattention,ifbyseriousinterdisciplinaryworkwemeancollaborationbetweenpeopleofdifferentdisciplinaryexpertise.Itisrareevento®ndacoauthoredessayintheCultureStudiesvolume,andIseenoinstanceinwhichapairofauthorsdeveloptheirtopicbyconfrontinggenu-inelydifferentdisciplinaryperspectives,letalonedifferingideologicalpre-suppositions.ªSoIthink,ºDovconcluded,ªthatculturalstudiesshouldpayseriousattentiontoreligiousexperience:bothforitsownsakeandforthesakeofthegoalsithopestoaccomplish.ReligiousorganizationsaretheonlytruealternativeinAmericatothelook-alikeDemocraticandRepublicanparties,apartfromtheimpossibledreamofaleftistpoliticalmovementwinningamajorityattheballot-box.Butmorethanthis,ifculturalstudiesistocarryoutits®rsttask,astheRoutledgecollection'seditorsde®neitÐtohealthedivisionswithinthemovementitselfÐitwoulddowelltoattendtothestructuralhomologybetweenitsownpracticesandthoseofreligioussects.Now,manysectsinhistoryhavearisenonlytofail,ortosurviveinaweakandmarginalposition;othershaveprosperedonlybysellingtheirsouls;averyfewsectshavereallyachievedsomethingnewinsociety,andcultural ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ101studiesshoulddevoteanintensivestudytothosesuccessesifitisevertoweanitselfofitsowncoterieorcultstatus.Itishardtocreateamovementexnihilo,unwiseeventotry:bettertobuildonsomeexistingbase.IfonewishestobeginfromabettermodelthansomeMaoistdaydream,orsomeStalinistnightmare,thebestreal-lifemodelsofcollectiveactionwillbefoundamongreligiousorganizations.ºDovsatdown.Allthespeakershadrunovertheirallottedtime,andnotimeremainedforquestions,soShattuckbroughtthesessiontoaclose.ªSOwhatdidyouthink?ºDovaskedMarshaandme,aswelefttheballroomtogether.ªVeryinteresting,ºIsaid.ªTotalbullshit,ºMarshasaid.ªCulturalstudiesisn'tacult!ºªIt'sanintriguinganalogy,though,ºIadded.ªAnalogy,myass!ºMarsharetorted.ªDovmeansitliterally.Don'tyou,Dov?ºNotwaitingforareply,shewenton.ªIthinkyou'retheonewho'sbeingcontradictoryhere.FirstyouclaimweworshipWilliamsandHall,soyoucantellustogivethemupbecausehero-worship'sbadÐandthenyoutellustostartgoingtochurchagain!Apparentlyit'sbettertoworshipsomefantasticHolyTrinitythandrawinspirationfromtwoorthreerealpeople.It'senoughtomakeChristweep,asmymotherwouldsay.ºªDidIspeakofanyHolyTrinity?ºDovasked,aswecrossedthehotellobby.ªWhereareyourmulticulturalsensitivities,mydearMarsha?Dotheyapplyonlytoashortlistoftelegenicallyoppressedminorities?ºMarshabristled,butnowitwasDovwhocontinuedwithoutpausingforareply.ªLook,IamJewish.TheonlyHolyTrinityIrecognizeareThesis,An-tithesis,andSynthesis,andIhaveevendoubtsaboutSynthesis.Tome,Jesuswasagreatrabbi,nothinglessbutnothingmore.Afterhisdeath,hisdisciplesdidjustwhatyouinculturalstudiesareindangertodo.Youdeifytheseminalthinker,hispronouncementsbecomearticlesoffaith,andsoyoublunttheedgeofyourcriticalfaculty.º 102ÐCHICAGOªSoorthodoxJewsdon'tdojustthat,inspades?ºMarshaasked.ªAny-thingMoseshandeddownonSinai,youstilldothousandsofyearslater,andyoulecturemeaboutmycriticalfaculty?ºªFirstly,IamnotOrthodox,ºDovreplied,withanexasperatedpatience.ªThisyoucouldhavededucedsimplyfromthemealswehavetakento-gether.Secondly,youdonotknowwhatyouaretalkingaboutinanyevent.Yes,IacceptthefundamentalsofJewishtradition,butthisistheexpressionofthelifeofawholepeopleovercenturiesÐinmainstreamJudaism,wedonotworshipanyoneindividual.Thisisallthemoretrueforthoseofuswhotakeseriouslythe®ndingsofbiblicalscholarship.Mosesisa®ction!Asub-lime®ction,Iwouldsay,a®ctionthatconveystruth,preciselybecausealreadyinantiquityhisnamebecameaplace-holder,anopensiteinwhichnewmaterialcouldbeinsertedandendlesslyreinterpreted.Realpeopletoo,evenmajor®gureslikeAkibaandHillel,didnotspeakontheirownauthority:theywereconsciouslypartofatradition,evenastheyengagedinshiftingelementsofthattradition.WhenyouChristianswerewritingyourgospelstodeifyyourfounderÐnevermindthatyoucouldn'tevenagreeonastraightstoryÐtherabbiswerecollectingthePirkeAvot,`Say-ingsoftheFathers.'Amuchmoremodestdocument,moredialoguethanhagiography.ºªOkay,okay,ºMarshareplied.ªI'llmakeallowanceforyourJudaism,justaslongasyoudon'tmakemeouttobeaChristian.It'smymotherwho'sanIrishCatholic,notme.MydadwasaTrotskyite,andeventhat'stoomuchbeliefforme.Ijustdon'tthinkanythingreligiousisgoingoninculturalstudies,andifitis,Idon'twantanypartofit.IleftthechurchforgoodwhenIwassixteen,allright?ºThisconversationdidn'tseemtobegoinganywhere,oratleastnotany-whereIwantedtogo,soIwasrelievedasweemergedfromthehoteltoseeVicstandingonthesidewalkjustaheadofus,studyingtheconventionprogram.ªGreetings,all!ºheexclaimed.ªSorryImissedyourtalk,Marsha,butreally,Iwillneverunderstandwhytheyschedulesessionsbeforenoon.Andwhendoyouenthrallyourgratefulpublic,Dov?º ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ103Dovdidn'tdeigntoreply.Iindicatedthatthesessionhadjustended.ªWhatapity,ºVicsaid.ªI'mfamished,ºhecontinued,andgesturedto-wardacoffeeshopacrossthestreet.ªShallwegointhere?ºIglancedatmywatch.Threeo'clock;Icertainlyfeltaneedforcaffeine.Marshawasamenableaswell.Dovlookedasthoughhewantedtobeelse-where,butthenhewashailedfromacrossthestreetbyaGenevacolleague,WladGodzich,whowasalsoabouttoenterthecoffeeshop.ªComeonin,Dov,ºWladcalledover;ªI'mmeetingafriend,andIknowhewantstomeetyou.ºWecrossedthestreet.ªSoyou'regoingtogetsomelunch?ºIaskedVicasweallwentin.ªBreakfast,ºhereplied.ItturnedoutthatWlad'sfriendwasLindsayWaters,theeditorofmyscholarshipbook;they'dbecomeclosefriendswhenWladwasatMinnesotaandLindsaywasrunningthepressthere.Lindsaywasalreadyseated;hegreetedus,oratleastWlad,warmly,hisincisivemoustachecuttingtheairashespoke.GladthatIhappenedtohavemygoodreviewwithme,Igaveittohim.ªVerynice,David,ºhesaid,scanningitrapidly.ªThismighthelpmakeupforthathatchetjobintheLondonTimes.ºªOh?ºIasked,butLindsaywascontinuingwithhistrainofthought,asusualspeakingatdoublespeed.ªAndwhy'dtheTimesevengiveittothatOxfordguytoreview?Sohe'seminent!Atleasthecouldhavethegoodgracetoadmithedoesn'tknowbakedbeansabouttheAmericansystem.Andthatsnottydonnishdismis-siveness!`Vacuity,'forcryingoutloud!Don'tgiveitanotherthought,David.ºªWell,ºIcommented,butLindsayhadalreadyturnedhisattentiontoDov.ªFinallywemeet,ºhesaid.ªSowhenareyougoingtodoabookwithus?ºAsthetablesinthecoffeeshopweresmall,DovsatdownwithGodzichatLindsay'stable;Vic,Marsha,andIsatdownnearby.ªDon'tworryaboutthosereviews,ºMarsharemarked;ªyou'llneverpleaseeverybody.ºªDon'tinsultthepoorboywithplatitudes,Marsha,ºVicinterjected. 104ÐCHICAGOªYoutalkaboutcollaboration,David,workingacrossdifferentviewpoints.Itwillneverhappen,mydear!Andifiteverdoes,don'tworryaboutnotpleasingeveryoneÐyou'llneverpleaseanyone!ºHadVicforgottenourownplantoworkupourdiscussionsforpublica-tion?Orwashehintingatwithdrawingfromtheproject?Ihesitatedtoask,notsureIwantedtolearntheanswer.Fortunately,Marshakepttheconver-sationgoing.ªComeon,Vic,ºshesaid.ªAren'tyouatleastgoingtolearnsomethingfromtheotherspeakersonyourDjunaBarnespanel?ºªBeh,ºVicreplied.ªTheotherpaperssoundworthless.The®rstpersonisgoingtobenatteringonabout`crypto-racism'inBarnes'sportrayalofJewsandblacks.Crypto,myfoot!Djunawasasracistasthedayislong,andasnobtoboot,andherwork'sthebetterforit!Asfortheothertwopapers,Ifearweareinforabraceofdisquisitionsonapparitionallesbianism.Itwasbadenoughintheolddays,whencriticswouldbelittleBarnesforbeingaSapphist.Nowtheyattackherfornotbeingenoughofone!ºªWell,itisalittleweirdthatshe'dneveropenlyadmittoherbasicorien-tation,ºIsaid.ªItisn'tweirdatall,ºMarshasaid.ªShewasstrugglingtomakeherwayasaseriouswriter,nottomentionasahumanbeing.It'skindofpatronizingtolookbackandexpecthernottohavefelttheweightofeverythingthepatriarchywassendingdownonher.ºªIsn'tthatlinealittleshop-wornbynow?ºVicasked.ªIthinkyou'repatronizingBarnesyourself,ifyouinsistonseeingherconcernforherownprivacysimplyintermsofpatriarchaloppression.Iwouldcallittact!ºIwasafraidanotherargumentwasbrewing,soItriedtodivertVicontohisfavoritesubject,himself.ªEveniftheirownpapersaren'tsogood,ºIasked,ªdon'tyouexpectyourfellowspeakersaregoingtolearnsomethingfromyou?Otherwise,whycomeatall?ºVicfrowned.ªWhyindeed?Mostly,I'vecometoChicagotoseeafriend....Aformerfriend,Ishouldsay.Notahappysituation,actually,andsoIsupposeIimaginedtheconferencewouldprovidecomicrelief.As ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ105forlearninganything,youcanhardlyexpectthespeakersthemselvestocastasidetheirdeeplyheldviewsandembraceanincompatibleperspective.Imayreachapersonortwointheaudience,ifwegetanaudience,butIhavenoillusionsthatmyfellowspeakerswillgivea®gforwhatIhavetosay.WhethertheypraiseDjunaorcondemnher,allthreeofmyhonoredco-panelistsarecommittedtoheavilybiographicalapproachestoDjuna'sTragicLifeandHerTriumphinArt.Mypaperrunsdirectlycontrarytothissortofbilge:IinsistitisDjuna'sastonishingcommandofmetaphorthatmakesheragreatwriter.Herthemesareofsecondaryimportanceatbest,andherlifeisutterlyirrelevanttothemesandstylealike.ºªMaybetoyou,ºMarshasaid.ªButalotofusreallyrespondtoherpor-trayalsofmarginalized®gures,andshecertainlydrewonherlifeincreatingthem.I'devensayherluxuriouslanguageitselfexpressestheunstoppableenergyofhercharacters,astheystruggleagainstthedeadhandofthede-cayingaristocraticorderaroundthem.ºªSentimentalism,mydearMarsha!ºVicexclaimed.ªTheoneviceinwhichDjunaneverindulged!Nightwoodisagalleryofgrotesques:Robin,thepassive-aggressivesomnambulist;JennyPetheridgetheharpy;MatthewO'ConnorthealcoholickleptomaniacÐtospeakonlyofDjuna'smajorcharacters,leavingasideNikkatheNiggerandhistattooedpenis!Doyoureallymeanustotaketheseparalyzedmelancholiacsasrolemodels?ºªButNikka'squiteaposкMarshainterjected,butVicwascontinuingwithoutpayingattention.ªPerhapsBarnesmoldedherownlifeonhercharacters,ºhewenton.ªButwhatwastheresult?Fortyyearsasawine-soakedrecluse!`Theysaythatlifeisnasty,brutish,andshort,'shetoldoneofherfewvisitorsinthoselateyears;`butminehasonlybeennastyandbrutish.'Barnesmadeherartfromthewreckageofherlife,Igrantyou,butthewreckageassuchcancommandonlyourpity.Itisherartthatcompelsouradmirationandmeritsanalysis.ºMarshalookedasthoughshewasabouttomakeasharpreply,butItappedherkneewithafore®ngerandraisedaneyebrowtosuggestthatsheshouldn'ttakeumbrageatVic'sangrytone,assomethingpersonalwas 106ÐCHICAGOclearlybotheringhim.Marshapickedupaspoon,examineditbrie¯y,andputitdecisivelydownonthetable,signifyingherwillingnesstodropthesubjectifwecouldleavethecoffeeshopwithoutfurtherado.Thiswedid,eachheadingoffinadifferentdirectionforseparateappointments.Vic'spanelwasscheduledfortheshoulderperiodstartingat7:30thatevening,neverapopulartime.Thesessionwassparselyattended,andeventhespeakers,Vicincluded,seemedlistless.Firstcameahigh-mindedandyetoddlytepidcritiqueofBarnes'sracialviews.ThiswasfollowedbyapaperonBarnes'srepressedlesbianismÐnottheattackthatVichadex-pected,butapainfullysincerecelebrationthatwassomehowmoredepress-ingthananattackwouldhavebeen.Thethirdspeakergaveanextendedaccountofherownadolescentyearsasacircusacrobat;thoughthiswasinteresting,ImissedapayoffintermsofnewinsightsintoBarnes'swriting.EvenVic'spaperfailedtoliveuptothepromiseofitstitle,ª`AsCommonasWhale-shitontheBottomoftheSea':Nightwood'sMetaphoricWorld.ºHeclearlyhadn'tdonethedetailedworkthatwouldhavebeenneededtoelucidatetheobscurelogicofBarnes'sprosestyle,andhismindseemedelsewhereashespokeinanuncharacteristically¯atdelivery.Acoupleofperfunctoryquestionswereasked,acoupleofperfunctoryanswersweregiven,andeveryone®ledout.THEideahadbeentohaveafestivedinneraftertheday'ssessions.Noonewaslookingtoofestivewhenwereassembled,though,anditoc-curredtomethatsomemusicmighthelp.IbegantosingthepraisesofabluesplaceI'dheardabout:notoneofthetouristicallyfamousspots,but(thetourist'sperennialdream)anundiscoveredlittlehideaway,knownonlytothoseintheknow.Iignoredmyfriends'hintsthattheyweretired,whetheroftheconventionorofeachotherIdidn'twantto®ndout;indeed,justbecauseIfearedtheworst,Iwasbentonprovidingasocialsituationthatmightimpeleveryonetorelax,loosenup,becomecivilagain.Thismightactuallyhaveworked,ifonlyI'dgottentheaddressright,anditdidn'thelpmattersthatIcompoundedtheerrorbymisunderstandingthe ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ107directions.Asitwas,IpromisedeveryoneashortwalktoanaddressonGrantPark,whenIshouldhavebeenarrangingforacabridetoGrandStreet,somedistanceaway.Soweallsetoffbyfootfromthehotelathalfpastninethatnight.MarshaandIwalkedtogether,withDovandVicgrad-uallyfallingalittledistancebehindus.Marshawasnotinagoodmood.ªIfIhearabout`imbrication'onemoretime,I'mgoingtoimplode!ºsheremarked,asweheadeddownMichiganAvenuetowardGrantPark.ªButIalwaysusedtothinkyouatethatkindofvocabularyforbreakfast,ºIreplied.ªMaybethat'swhyitbugsmesomuch.I've®nallyoutgrownthatcom-pulsiontocomeacrossasmorescienti®cthanthescientists,aucouranterthantheFrench,orshowthatmysyntaxisbiggerthanthebigboys'is.WhenIhearotherpeopledoingit,itdrivesmeupthewall.ºªButit's®newhenit'sdonewell,ºIsaid.ªIrememberthatgreatarticleyouhadseveralyearsagoon`TheSpecularJouissanceofªDickºDead-eye'ÐLacanwouldhavebeenproud!ºIwasstretchingthepointalittle,sinceinfactithadonlybeenthetitlethatI'denjoyed;Ihadn'tbeenabletomakeheadsortailsofMarsha'sactualargumentaboutGilbertandSullivan.ªLacanwouldhavebeenproudÐthat'sjustmypoint!ºMarshareplied.ªWhyonearthshouldwebewritingnowjusttopleasesomedeadFrenchfather?That'snotusinghistheory,it'sbeingusedbyit!ThisiswhatImeantbeforeaboutmissingthewholegameifyoutakeLacanstraight.Youcandeconstructlenomdupèrewithouthavingtoturnyourownsignatureintothenomdeplumedupère!ºªSohowaretheinterviewsgoing?ºIasked,searchingforamoreconge-nialsubject.Thiswasn'tit.ªTheywent.Atleastthey'reover.TheAmherstoneÐwhatadisaster!Theyhadabouteightpeoplethereinthisstuffyroom,twoorthreeyounghotshotsthey'vehiredrecently,thenalltheseoldguyswhogottheirde-greesatHarvardinthe®fties.Theywereallniceenough,butIkeptfeelingIhadtoapologizetotheoldguysforbeingsotheoretical.ThenIhadto 108ÐCHICAGO®eldpotshotsfromthehotshots,whoobviouslydidn'tthinkI'mtheoreticalenoughforthem.ºªHowaboutNYU?ºIasked.ªWell,itwasallright,Andrewwas®ne,hekindofteasedmeaboutmytalk,whichofcoursehe'dheardallabout.Butevenwiththat,Icouldn'thelpwonderingifhe'dhavetakenmeondirectlyifI'dbeenaguy,andnotjustteasedme.Itcouldhaveclearedtheairsome.ºMarshapaused.ªButI'mbeingunfairtoAndrewÐit'sjusttheparanoiayougetintowhenyou'reinthisweirdsituation.Really,theinterviewwentokay,BobStamwasaskinglotsoffriendlyquestions,buthetookmeasideafterwardtowarnmethere'saninsidecandidate.AvisitingprofessorfromHongKong,CompLit'seagertolandhimtoo,theycanmaybegetthelinetobeincrementaliftheydoajointappointment.ºªButdidn'ttheyspecify®lmtheoryintheirad?ºIasked.ªOh,theguy'saLacanian,ºMarshareplied.ªHalftheChinesecompara-tistsarethesedays,andofcoursethere'sthewholewide-open®eldofChi-nesecinema,BeijingandTaiwanaswellastheHongKongscene.Some-bodywhoreallyknowsthestuffcanprobablymakequiteasplash.ºShesighed.ªItlookslikeanotheryearofadjuncting,andit'sreallyget-tingmedown.Youknowwhattheycallus,`freeway¯iers'?ButinVermont,there'shardlyanyfreewaysto¯yon,justicystateroadstoslideoffofasIracebackandforthacrossthestate.Ilikethestudents®ne,especiallytheonesatUofV,butlet'sjustsaythesalary'scommensuratewiththeprestigeofthegigs.Andthebene®ts?MaybeI'llbecomeaunionorganizerafterall.ºIturnedupmycollaragainstachillingbreezethathadbeguntoblowoffLakeMichigan.WewerenearingGrantParknow,andIhopedwe'dcometotheclubsoon,butallIcouldseewerebanksandsportsparaphernaliastores.ªAtleastwecanrelaxalittleoncewegettothisclub,ºIremarked.ªIsupposeso,ºMarshareplied.ªI'dliketo®ndoutwhat'seatingVic,butI'vegottotellyou,Dov'scharmiswearingprettythin.ºªIdidn'tthinkhistalkwasallthatunreasonable,ºIsaid. ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ109ªItisn'tjustthat!It'sthewholecontext,notthathe'dsayanythingaboutitopenly,ofcourse,butwhatdoyouthinkthislineaboutapeople'scollec-tivetraditionsmeansinIsrael?Don'tyouseehowitgoeshandinhandwithsuppressingtheculturallifeofthePalestinians,nottomentiontheirpoliticalrights?IoverheardhimatthatcoffeeshoptalkingMideastpoliticswithLindsayandWlad.Thedirtisn'tdryonRabin'sgraveandDov'sdancingonit!Hewassayinghe'llbegoingtoIsraeljusttovoteforthatjerkNe-tanyahu,whentheyhavetheelectioninthespring.Thelittleprick!ºSuddenlyIheardVic'svoicejustbehindus:ªMarsha,ºhesaidwarningly.HeandDovhadcaughtuptouswithoutournoticing.Therewasamo-ment'sawkwardsilence,andthenDovspoke.ªLeavingmygenitaliatooneside,ºhesaidslowly,ªIwouldaskyoutotry,ifyoucan,tomodulatealittleyourstereotypicalthinking.NoteveryLikudnikisintentuponsuppressingPalestinianculture,andasamatteroffactImyselfamdeeplyconcernedaboutthexenophobicelementsintheparty.IvoteLikuddespitethisxenophobia,notbecauseofit.Intherealworld,oratleastintherealityoftheMiddleEast,therearenochoicesthataresimplygood.ºªRight,ºMarshaanswered,unabashed.ªSoyoureallythinkthisguyNe-tanyahu'sthebesthopeforpeace?ºªNo,Netanyahuisnotthebesthopeforpeace,butIshallvoteforhimallthesame.ThisisbecauseIdonotbelievethereisanyhopeforpeaceinIsraelÐormoreprecisely,suchhopeasthereisseemstomepurefantasy.Look,mybrotherArifoughtinthe'67war,andIthinkhedidhavesomeromanticideathathewas`®ghtingforpeace.'Likefuckingforvirginity!Whenhewaskilled,mysisterandIwerequiteyoung,adolescentsreally.Ari'sdeathaffectedusprofoundly,butverydifferently.Shereactedbyjoin-ingthePeaceNowmovement.IjoinedLikud.Myparentswereshocked,butIwaslookingforsomemiddlewayinbetweentheirEuropeansocialistvisionofuniversalharmony,andtheold,chthonicLevantinedreamofre-gionaldominationbythestrongesttribe.SomeinLikudmayactuallywantjustthat,Iadmit.YettheOttomanEmpireisforevergone,howevermuch 110ÐCHICAGOitismournedbytheArafatsandtheArielSharonswhoimaginetheywouldbecomePashaifitcouldreturn.Sopeaceisnottheissue,inmyview.Itisaquestionofmanaginganendlesscon¯ict.Betterthatitshouldonlysimmerandnotboilover,andIthinkNetanyahumaybethebestonenowtokeepthelidfromblowingoffaltogether.MaybeIamaLidnik,notaLikudnik.ºMarshasaidnothinginreply.Vicspokeupnext:ªAndsowhereisthislittleboîteofyours,David?Thechillisstartingtosinkin.ºDepartmentstores,fashionableshoeshops,moresportsoutlets;notabluesclubinsight,andthefewpeoplewepassedwerehurryingalong,muf¯edinscarves,theircollarsturnedupandtheirhatspulledlowagainstthewind.Wewalkedon.ªI'vebeeninVermontsolongIactuallylikecoldweatherbynow,ºMarsharemarked.ªTheair'ssolucid.ButIcanimagine,Vic,you'dratherbebackinBostonbyawarm®re.ºªNotjustnow,ºVicreplied.ªToomuchdisruptionfromtheplasterersandpaperhangers.ºªNotreally?ºMarshaasked.ªYouweregripingabouttherenovationtwoyearsback,andit'sstillgoingon?ºªOh,thatwas®nishedalongtimeago,ºVicreplied.ªButIdecidedthisfallthattheparlor¯oorreallywasn'tworkingforme,soI'mhavingitredone.ºªGoodGod!ºMarshamuttered,thoughVicapparentlydidn'thearthis.ªIt'snothinglikethedisruptionIhadtwoyearsago,tobesure.AndIcanalwaysusethesittingroomupontheguest¯oorкªForChrist'ssake!ºMarshaburstout.ªHomelesspeoplearefreezingonthestreetsofBoston,andyou'reredecoratingagain?Doestheterm`con-spicuousconsumption'meananythingtoyou,Vic?ºªMostcertainlyitdoes,ºhereplied,drawinghimselfup.ªMyfavoriteoperaheroinesusuallydiequiteconspicuouslyofconsumption,theirvocalcapacitiesstrangelyenhancedbythedisease.º ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ111ªDon'tbeanasshole,Vic,ºMarshasaidpleadingly.ªYouknowperfectlywellwhatImeanÐandthat'sevenbeforewesayanythingaboutyournewtoys.ºªBut,Marsha!ºVicreplied.ªCatamaransareecologicallycorrect!ºªThat'salaughandahalf!ºsheretorted.ªYouspendaquartermilliondollarsononeofthosethings,withGodknowshowmanytoxiccompoundsinthe®berglassandthevarnishes,thenyouhavesomefreighterburnashitloadoffossilfueltoshipthedamnthinghalfwayaroundtheworldtosomeatollsomewhereÐjustsoyouandyourlittlebuddiescanracebackandforthanddegradethecoralreefs!Andyouhavethegalltosaythistoyofyoursis`ecologicallycorrect,'asyouputit,justbecauseitdoesn'tuseamotor?ºªItdoeshaveamotor,actuallyapairofmotors,ºVicreplied.ªSowecanmakeourmooringswithoutdamagingthosepreciousreefsofyours.Wouldithelpifwerantheenginesonethanol?ºMarshawasclearlyabouttomakeanangryretort,butshecheckedher-self,andspokequietly.ªYouknow,Iactuallyusedtolikeyou,Vic,ºshesaid.ªIusedtolikemyself,ºheresponded,unexpectedlysubduedinturn.ªIknowI'mgettingmoreandmorerestless,jumpyeven.I'mnotgoingtotryandjustifythecatamaran,either,unlessperhapsastherapy.Poortherapyatthat.NosoonerdoImanagetoprojectmyselfintotheexperiencethantheboatbecomesanalterego,andit'salltoosimilartotheoriginalme:®nicky,high-strung,alwaysthreateningtocapsizewhenthewind'sup,thengettingbecalmedwhenthings...diedown.ºHegavespecialemphasistothewordªdie.ºLesstactfulthantherestofus,Dovremarkedonthis.ªAlwaysthereaderofin¯ections,ºVicreplied.ªIwouldprefertospareyouthewholesadstory,andI'msureyou'dprefertobesparedaswell.I'lljustsaythatthisiswhyI'mherethisweek.AhospitalvisitI'vebeenputtingoffforsometimenow.Ayearago,thingswerelookingratherdifferent.Iwas®nallyinaseriousrelationship,I'devenbroughtBilltoBostontomeet 112ÐCHICAGOmymother;theygotalongsplendidly.Hisarchitecturalpracticeishere,andIwasactuallycontemplatingamove.Thenhegotsick.Iblamemyself,Iblamehim,itdoesn'tevenhelpifIsaynoone'stoblame,butthingsfellapart.ºªAnarchitect?ºIremarked.ªInterestingthatyou'dreactbyredoingyourhouse.ºªSuchinsight!ºVicexclaimed.ªHaveyouthoughtofbecomingatalkshowhost?Butplease,David,don'tpatronizemebycallingmyreaction`interesting.'Seeitforwhatitis,afutileexerciseinsympatheticmagic.AsBill'shealthworsened,myinteriorsbegantooppressme.Inthelastrenova-tion,I'dplayedupthefrontparlorasaVictorianfantasia,thewallshand-stenciled,vasesof¯owers....OdettedeCrécycouldhardlyhavedonebetter.Thenyou'dcomeintotheart-nouveaumusicroomÐbutyouweretherelastwinter,David,youknowhowitwas.ºªIhopeyou'rekeepingthediningroomintact,ºIsaid.ªIt'snotoftenyougetsuchcomfortoutofastrikingvisualeffect.ºªNo,theplushvelvetbarber'schairsaregoingtoo,ºVicreplied.ªTheylookedlovelyaroundthecarvedoaktable,butitwasjusttoomuch.NowIwanteverythinguncluttered,spare,alittlehard-edged.Ieventhoughtofgivingupthetablealtogether,asIhardlyfeelinthemoodforlargedinnerpartiesthesedays.Perhapsjusthaveafewdentist'schairshereandthere;one'splatecouldgoonthatlittletraythatswingsaroundfromtheside,andthelittletoolswouldworksowellforlobster.Intheend,Irejectedtheideaassomehowratherassaultive....ButIwon'tboreyouwiththedetails,andreally,thisisirrelevanttoourdiscussionshere.ApartfromthefactthatitmayexplainwhyI'mnotallherejustnow.ºªVic,I'msorry,ºMarshasaid.ªAndI'msorryIgaveyousuchahardtimebeforeaboutyourreadingofDjunaBarnes.Ifhermetaphoricworldgivesyourefuge,I'mglad,andatleastitdoesn'ttakealotoffossilfueltogetyouthere.ºªSowherearewe?ºDovasked.We'dcertainlycomefartherthanweshouldhave,andnobluesbarwasinsight.Wesawacabcruisingby,andhailedit.Fortunately,thedriverwasabletountanglemygarbledversionof ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ113thenameandaddress,andtookusthere.Joe'sBe-BopCaféwaspacked,®lledwithsmokeandthesmellofbeer;thecrowdwashotandboisterous;aone-armedharmonicaplayerwentonforhours,backedbywhatMarshacalledªakillerband.ºItwasjustwhatweallneeded.ITwaslongpastmidnightwhenIreturnedtomyroom,andI'dgottenaheadachefromthesmokeandthenoise.Isleptpoorlyandwokeverylate,realizingwithaguiltystartthatIhadneglectedtocallhomethenightbefore;nowmywifewouldbeontheroadwiththekids,headingtoBethesdatovisitherfamily.Itookalongshower;notfeelinglikeseeinganyone,IorderedsomebreakfastfromroomserviceandspentacoupleofhourstryingtounravelRichardandSallyPrice'sEnigmaVariations,thenjustout.Anintriguingblendoffactand®ctionbyapairofanthropologistsonthethemeoforiginalityandforgery,andquiteeffectiveindetailingtheinteractionsbetweenthemselvesÐortheir®ctionalizedselvesÐandMon-sieurLafontaine,theirmysteriousart-forginginterlocutor.Oddly,theonlyscenethatdidn'tseemtoworkwastheoneclosesttohome,afacultysemi-naratPrincetonÐwhydidn'tthePricesjustgivetheirresearchstraightandcutoutthemiddlemen?Andtheycouldn'tresistgivingastagilystiltedmannerofspeechtoavisitingGermanprofessor;buthereIshutthebook.Nodoubttheproblemwaswithme.MyheadwasstillachingandmymoodwastootestytoreadasactivelyasthePrices'experimentalformrequired.Whattodo?Ilookedwithdistasteatthetelephone-book-sizedconfer-enceprogramlyingonthenighttable.Sevenhundredsessions,andIcouldn'trecallhavingnoticedanyI'dwanttoattendthatafternoon.Chat-ter,chattereverywhere,andnaryathoughttothink!...Wasitjustmyfoggybraintoday,orweremywitticismsalwayssowitless?AtleastIwasalone,soIwouldn'thavetoputupwithVic'spointedlypretendingnottohearit.Butafterall,Icouldn'tjusthideoutalldayinmyroom.Iheavedmyselfoffmybedandwentdowntothelobby.Iwasinluck:rightawayIstumbledonmypanel'sorganizer,JenniferWicke,inconversationwithoneofourfellow-panelists,BruceRobbins.Theyseemedsurprisedtoseeme,butIgreetedthemwarmly. 114ÐCHICAGOªI'mreallylookingforwardtooursessiontomorrow,ºIadded.ªIactuallythinkSaturdaymorningisoneofthebesttimestodrawanaudience.ºªButDavid,ºJennifersaid,ªtodayisSaturday.Youreallyforgot?ºIblanched.Notforthe®rsttime,IhadfallenintothatblurringofdayssocommoninLasVegascasinosandMLAconventions.Thiswas,how-ever,the®rsttimethatI'devermissedmyowntalk.Ide®nitelyshouldhavegottenoutofbedthatmorning;ifonlyI'dgonedownstairsforbreakfast,someconversationorsomenewspaperwouldhavecluedmein.Astheses-sionhadn'tevenbegununtileleven,Jenniferobviouslyhadreasontodoubtmyexplanation,andIcertainlylookedlikeafoolinanyevent.Seeingmydiscomfort,Brucekindlyintervened.ªNottoworry,David,ºhesaid.ªTherestofushadlotstosay.Andeventhoughtheroomwascrowdedwehadquitealivelydiscussionafterward.Asitwas,theyhadtoshoousoutjustnow,sothenextsessioncouldbegin.ºªThat'sright,ºJenniferadded,ªandactuallyHomiwasintheaudience.Itwassotremendousofhimtocome.Hecertainlydidn'tneedtofeelguilty,youknowÐMLAmadehimdropourpanelbecausehealreadyhadtwoothershewasdoing.SoItooktheopportunitytoaskhimtofollowuponsomeofBruce'scommentsÐyou'llhavetoreadBruce'spaper,it'scalled`VirtualIntellectuals,'reallycutting-edgepolitics-of-the-Internetstuff.Well,youknowhowmesmerizingHomicanbe,evenwhenyoucan'tquitefollowwhathe'ssaying,andhewassocomplimentary,too,you'llhavetoadmit,Bruce.ºBrucegaveamodestsmile.ªWhatIreallyliked,Jen,ºhereplied,ªwasthewayJudyButlertiedyourworkinwithBourdieu's.Prettyheadystuff!I'menvious,ofcourse,particularlynowshe'sinvitingyoutoBellagio,butthatwastheleastshecoulddoafterthatbravuraperformanceofyours.ºHowmanyMLApanelshadIattendedovertheyearsatwhichIwasinÐorwasaddressingÐalistlessaudienceoftwelve?AndthiswastheoneIhadtomiss.Itdidn'tevenhelpthatJenniferwassorelaxedaboutmyabsence,thoughIdecidedtochalkthisuptohergenerousgoodnature.Imadesomeexcusetodeclinetheirinvitationtojointhemforalatelunch,andleftthehotel. ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ115Notknowingwhattodo,ItookacabdowntotheOrientalInstituteattheUniversityofChicago,tovisittheirfamedEgyptiangalleries,hopingthatImightfeelenlivenedbycontrast.There,IranintoDovandVicÐthe®rsttimeI'dseenthemoutandabouttogetheroftheirownvolition.Greet-ingthem,IremarkedthatitwasnosurprisetoseeDovinthiswingofthemuseum,butIhadn'tknownofVic'sinterestinsuchart.ªSarcophagiandIgowayback,ºVicsaid.ªTotheMFA,actually,youknow,inBoston.TheEgyptiancuratorthere,KellySimpson,wasafriendofmyfather's;IthinktheymetthroughconcertcircleswhenmyfatherwasontheBostonSymphony'sboard.IalwayswantedtobelikeKellywhenIgrewup:aWorldWarII¯yingaceturnedEgyptologist,Ikidyounot.Hedidliterature,art,archaeology,curatedhiscollectionandtaughtatYale,too.ArealintellectualandamanoftheworldÐandahandsome,handsomemanatthat.Iwaseveninspiredtostudyhieroglyphicsincollegeforawhile,andhereIamtoday.Justlookatthepurityoflineonthenakedgoddessinsidethiscof®nlidÐwhatwashername,now,Ma'at?No,Nût;hasanyoneeverdonedeathwithsuchpanache?ºªCertainlytheEgyptiansweretheleastmorbidofallpeople,ºDovre-marked,ªthoughthepopularconceptionoftheirculturemayfailtograspthis.Theycouldnotimaginethatlifeastheyknewitcouldeverend,evenbeyondthegrave.Onemightsay,indeed,thattheyhadtheleastsenseofdeathofanymajorancientculture.TheBabyloniansarefarmoreinterest-ingondeath,fortheytookitseriously.DoyourecallthechillingsceneinTheDescentofInanna,whenInannadarestogovisithersisterEreshkigal,queenoftheunderworld,andEreshkigalhasherstrippednakedandhungfromahook?ºªTome,dearDov,ºVicreplied,ªthatsceneseemsalltoolifelike,al-togethertooclosetoearlyD.H.Lawrence.ItistheEgyptianswhoreallyfeltthetranscendentothernessofeternityandmoldedtheirartinitsimage.Theyevensucceededinholdingtheirartalmostconstantfortwoandahalfmillennia.JustlookatthatseatedscribeoverthereÐunlessyoustudiedhimclosely,couldyoureallysaywhetherhewasdoneintheSixthDynastyortheTwenty-sixth?º 116ÐCHICAGOSomeculture,Ifeltsure,musthaveaparadiseinwhichIcouldknowmorethanmyfriendsdid,atleastaboutsomething,thoughofcoursethiswouldbehellforthem;hereonearth,Iresignedmyselftotouringthegallerieswiththem.Ifoundmyselfgraduallydrawnin,atoncesoothedbytheserenityofthecarvingsandstimulatedbymycompanions'commen-tary.Itwassixo'clockwhenthemuseumclosedandweemerged,havingseenonlyhalfoftheEgyptiangalleries.Weweresupposedtohavedinnerlateron,andIpreparedtopeelawayonmyownfortheinterveninghour,butVicÐwhetheroutofgenuinefriendship,orsimplyfromtheloveofanattentiveaudienceÐurgedbothofustojoinhiminmeetingMarshaforapredinnerdrink.ªShewantsjob-huntingadvice,ºhesaid,ªandthreehead-hunterswillbebetterthanone.Thenwecanhavethedinnerhourclearforloftierthings.ºWewentwithhimtothebarwhereheandMarshahadagreedtomeet,acozy,dimlylitestablishmentmercifullyfreeofsportsTV.Awayfromthebar,thereweresomeconversationalgroupingsofarmchairs;whenMarshaarrived,weoccupiedasetoftheseandsettledinforsomeseriousjobdiscus-sion.Itsoonemerged,however,thatwehadlittlesubstantiveadviceforMarsha,givenheranomaloussituationandthewaythatherwritinghadlargelybeenhaltedduringheryearsofimmersioninBennington'steach-ing-intensiveculture.IwasrelievedwhenMarshaherselfgaveamoregen-eralturntoourdiscussionofincompatibleacademiccultures.ªWhatisculture,anyway?ºMarshaasked.ªHerewearetalkingaboutacademiccultures,culturalstudies,interveningintheculture,butIdon'tthinkweknowwhatwemeanbythetermitself.Evenifwemaketheobvi-ousdistinctionbetweencultureasasetofsocialpractices,andcultureasakindofartisticsensitivityandre®nement,it'sstillaprettyopenquestionhowweasculturalcriticsaresupposedtomediatebetweenthesedifferentkindsofculture.ºªCulture,ºVicsaid,ªisavastimage-repertoire,andcriticismnowshareswithartitselfthetaskofbringingtheseimagestolife.Sometimes(I'llgrantyou,Marsha)forsocialpurposes,sometimesforthepurepleasureofit,stimulatingustoconsciousnessoftheplayitself.That'swhatIsolovein ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ117Barthes,hisplayfulnesswithhistexts,hismockeryofhisownmaniaforsystems.`Myuniverseincrumbs,'ashesayssoaptlywhenhelooksbackonhiscareerinRolandBarthesparRolandBarthes.ºªThat'sjustwhatI®ndhardtotakeinBarthes,ºMarsharemarked.ªHemakesgesturestowardaliberatingmodeofwritingorreading,butwhat'shisliberationconsistof?`Cruising'thetext?`Afaintplication'ofthepage?Isn'tthatalittletoocute,alittlepat?WalterBenjaminreallymeantsome-thingseriouswhenhespokeof`brushinghistoryagainstthegrain'ÐI'lltakethatoverBarthes'faintplicationsanyday,andyoucankeephiscrumbstoo.Culture'smorethancake.ºªNotcake,ºVicreplied.ªCouscous.ºHereachedintoasidepocketofhiscamel-hairblazerandtookoutabook.ªI'vebeenrereadingSade,Fourier,LoyolaÐdelightfulconferencereading,allaboutdiscipline,entrapment,multiplesessions....BarthesreadsSadeasthoughhewereSaintIgnatius,andreadsLoyolaasthoughhewerethewickedMarquis,buthisrealheroistheanarcho-communalistFourier.HebeginshisFourierchapterbyana-lyzinghisdiscomfortatbeingasked,inMorocco,toeatcouscouspreparedwithrancidbutteraccordingtolocalpeasantcustom.I'llspareyouthewaythisincidentillustratesFourier,butBarthesaddsadelightfulfootnote,whichIwillsharewithyou:`Fourierwould,Iamsure,havebeenenrap-turedatmyfriendAbdelKebir'sentryintothecouscoustournament,indefenseoftheRancidside,inaletterIreceivedfromhim.'Hethengivesustheletter,inwhichthisfellowelKebirclaims,andIquote,that`theappar-entinstabilityoftheMoroccanpeasant'sculinarysystemproceeds,dearfriend,fromthefactthatrancidbutterismadeinastrangeundergroundhearthattheintersectionofcosmictimeandthetimeofconsumption.Rancidbutterisakindofdecomposedproperty,pleasingtointeriormono-logue.Dugoutinhandfuls,rancidbutterisworkedinthefollowingcircularrite:ahugeandmagni®centballofcouscousisejaculatedintothethroattosuchanextentthattherancidityisneutralized.Fourierwouldcallitadouble-focusellipse.'OldAbdgoesoninthisveinforawhilemore,thencloseshisletterwitha®ne¯ourish:`ThehighpriceputoncouscousÐatrulyenigmaticmaterialÐobligesmetosignoffandtosendyoumy 118ÐCHICAGOfriendlywishes.'Now,Dov,couldyouaskforabetterimageofculture,amorepleasingillustrationofculturalanalysis?ºªIcannotgivecouscousthatmuchcredit,ºDovanswered.ªMaybeI'vehadtoomuchofitinmylife.Barthes'spoeticfriendisbitingoffmorethanI,forone,amwillingtoswallow.Orperhapsless:culturalactivityshouldbemorethanaparableforhomosexualsex.ºªNoQueerTheoristworthhisorhersaltwouldrestcontentwithsuchanobviousreading,ºVicretorted.ªIwillbedisappointedifyoupersistinsuchareadingyourself,oldchum,asyourhomophobiaispreventingyoufromseeingtherealpoint.WhatBarthesmeansbyprintingelKebir'sletteristoevokeanimageofcultureasfriendship,asmutualunderstand-ing,asanendlesscirculationofpleasure.CertainlyinpartthepleasureoforalsexÐthoughIwouldhardlyhavethoughtthatwasagayprerogativealoneÐbutaboveallthepleasureofthemind'splayovertheworld'ssensu-ousimmediacy.ºªFine,ºMarshainterjected.ªButhowmuchsensuousplaycanmostpeo-pleafford?Andanyway,isn'tthereanundercurrentofintoleranceinBarthes,withallhishaughtysend-upsofthebourgeoisie,nottomentionhisblanking-outofworking-classculturewheneverhecan'tpoeticizeit?Ithinkit'sthepeasantswhoseemrancidtoBarthes.He'sintolerantofsocietyasitisÐandofanyonewho'dbesocrassastotrytomakethingsbetter.ºªIshouldn'thaveallowedmyself,ºVicsaid,ªtobepushedbyDov'spre-scriptivecommentsonsexualityintounderstatingthesexualchargeinthepassageIreadyou.EvenIwouldagreethatrunningthroughBarthes'sworkthereisaslylyunderstatedthemeoftransgressivesexualityasapoliticalforceÐsomethingIshouldneverhaveexpectedyou,ofallpeople,Marsha,todeny.ºMarshawasstudiouslyexaminingher®ngernails(purpletoday,Ino-ticed),anddidn'treply.Vicpressedon,withanedgeinhisvoice.ªInNara,forexampleкªOh,shutup!ºMarshasaid.ªCanit!ºAnawkwardsilenceensued.Presently,Dovspokeupagain,fromtheoverstuffedarmchairinthecornerwherehe'ddrawninonhimself,crossing ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ119hisstockylegsbeneathhim,sittinglostinthought.ªIthinkbothofyouarefartoooptimisticaboutculture,orIwouldsayaboutourpositionincul-ture.BarthesandBenjaminwerebothwrong.Cultureisnotapliablefabricwecanbrushorfold,it'snotsotractableasthatÐandwedonotsitaboveit,brushinhand:weareinit.ºHeleanedforward,elbowsonhisknees,speakingwithgrowingurgency.ªWhatisculture?Cultureisaturbulentstreaminwhichwearesub-merged,like®sh.Nowandagainsomeonesucceedstoswim,brie¯y,againstthecurrentÐwecalltheseswimmersprophets,artistsÐandsometimestheymayevenengendersomethingnew,likesalmonwhohavefoughttheirwayupstream.Buttheirproductswillmostlybesweptawayagain,aswilltheythemselves,andbedashedtodeathagainstrocksoragainsteachother.Afewbitsof¯otsammayeddyaroundforawhileinsomebackwaterortidepool,sayauniversity,thenallbutaveryfewpassoutintothesea,wheretheyvanish.ªAsforgainingaviewpointoutside?Tosticktheheadabovewatermeans,indeed,tobreatheapurer,freerformofoxygenÐliterallyfreer,itislooselyboundwithnitrogen,nottightlyboundwithhydrogenasitisbelowthesurface.Buttobreathethispurer,freerairforanylengthoftimemeans,simply,deathtotheunhappy®shwhobeachesuponashoal:adeathonlyslowerandmoretantalizingthanthedeathawaitingthoseunfortu-nateswhogetsnatchedoutofthestreambysomedeadlyFisherKing.Whydoyouthink`TheWasteLand'gotsopopular?Notforitsbleakness,foritsoptimism!Eliotthinkshe'stheFisherKing,wewanttothinksotoo,butwe'rereallythe®sh.ºVicnoddedslowly,andtappedhis®ngersagainsthispursedlips.Imighthavereplied,butIfoundmyselfthinkingaboutasmall¯ounderI'dcaughtasaboy,onesummerafternooninMaine,afterithadeludedmyhookforsometime;howIbeatitsheadagainstthedockasifitdeservedtobepunished;howremorsefulIfeltonceitwasdead.ItwasMarshawhotookissuewithDov.ªIhavetosay,Dov,ºshesaid,hesitantly,ªIthinkyourviewshavebeenskewedbytheHolocaust.Ormaybeevenearlier,bythecollapseofyour 120ÐCHICAGOgrandfather'sfaiththattheCzar'sregimewouldbefollowedbysomethingbetter,byyourparents'sufferingunderStalinÐallreinforcedthesedaysbyyourowndisillusionmentwithIsrael.Aren'tyoudrawinguniversalconclu-sionsfromasetofworst-casescenarios?ºªAdornodid,andwithgoodreason,ºIputin,hopingtotakethepersonaledgeoffMarsha'sremarks.ButDovshookhishead.ªAdornowenttoofar,blamingtheEnlightenmentfortheHolocaust,savaginghisowntraditionwhileatthesametimeshrinkinginhorrorfromthemassculturethatwouldeatitup.Itakeyourpoint,Marsha,butthenImustchangemymetaphor.Whatallthosefailedrevolutionstellmeisthattheriverdoesn't¯owturbulentlyonwardatall:it'sfrozensolid.Art'sbestchance,asKafkasaidsowell,istobetheaxethatwetaketoourfrozenhearts.ºªKafka'sicysoulisalittletoointeriorformytastes,ºMarshaputin.ªTooself-oriented.I'drathertakeWoolf'sfrozenriver.Doyourememberthebum-boatwomaninOrlando,frozendeepintheiceoftheThames?Thekingandhiscourtgooutskating,theylookdownatherassomekindofcuriosityandthenforgether.ButWoolfknowswe'llrememberthatweirdimageofthecommonwomanwiththenoblemenskatingoverherhead.ºªTrustyoutozeroinonaclass-and-gendersetpiece,ºVicsaid,ªbutIthinkWoolf'sonly®tfullyinterestedintheclassangle.Ifthereisanyhopeforsocialchange,she'llusuallycastitinverypersonalterms.TheonlytimeIrecalltheiceactuallygettingcutinthatnovel,ormeltedabit,iswhenOrlandomakesloveoutdoorswiththeRussiannoblewomanSasha,andtheheatoftheirbodiesbeginstomeltthefrozenlakebeneaththem.ºªButthat'snotall,either,ºIadded.ªWoolfhasawholegalleryoficyscenes,andwheredotheyalllead?Itsureisn'tahappysituationwhentheicyriverbeginstobreakupandmotionisrestored.Whatwegetistheterrifyingsceneoftheice-¯oesÐawholesocietyswepttowarddestructiononlittleraftsofice,eachpeopledbyanarguingcoupleorclutteredwithabitofcultural¯otsam.ShecouldhavewrittenthatsceneforDov.ºªButit'sonlyonepossiblechoice,andmaybeanarbitraryone,totakethatsceneasthekeytothewholestory,ºMarsharejoined.ªIt'stheworst ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ121sortofmimeticself-indulgencetoidentifywithasinglecharacterorasinglesceneandthinkitgivestheauthor's`message,'especiallywithawriterasshiftyasWoolf.Itbugsthehelloutofmewhenleftistcriticsdoit,andit'sevenhardertoforgiveinaliberallikeyourself,who'ssupposedtomakeapointofseeingeverysideofeveryquestion.WhenWoolfwroteOrlandoin'28,shewasstartingthedeconstructionofthepatriarchyshecompletedinThreeGuineas,whichisaboutasstrongacultural-politicalinterventionasyoucouldaskfor.ºªWasnotthattenyearslater,Marsha?ºDovasked.ªNowitseemstomeitisyouwhoseeonemoraleverywhere.ºªThethingthatpuzzlesme,ºMarshareplied,ªishowaBiblescholarlikeyoucanbesoblindtopoliticalquestions.Isn'tthewholeBibleahugeblueprintfornation-building?Aren'tthoseprophetsofyourstherealpio-neersofanengagedpublicpoetry?ºªSure,sure,ºDovanswered,ªandtheyalsowovethe®rsthairshirtfortheculturalcriticasalienatedoutsiderÐamantleneitherAdornonorWoolfcouldresistdonning.Buthowmuchpositiveisthereintheirmes-sage?Whathopedotheyholdoutshortofwholesaledivineintervention?Sagesbeforethem,inThebes,inBabylon,hadplayedtheconstructivecritic,condemningevilkings,praisingvirtue,standingupfortheever-popularwidowandorphan;buttheHebrewprophetsarethe®rstinhistorywhocanclaimthecredittohatetheirentireculture!ºªComeon,Dov,ºIsaid.ªThat'saridiculousexaggeration.ºDovshrugged.ª`Myheritagehasbecometomelikealionintheforest,'Jeremiahsays;`myheritageistomelikeaspeckledbirdofprey:thereforeIhateher!'Seewhat®netouchstonesyoupickupontheplaygroundofagoodschoolinthesuburbsofTelAviv?Eventheseveralwriterswhobe-camethatcomposite®gure`Isaiah'displayadeepdisgustwiththeirculture,evenastheyelaboratetheirapocalyptichopes.Theprophets'hatredofcultureisn'tmyideaanyway,it'sSchneidau'spointinSacredDiscontent.Butlet'snotspeakonlyofhatred.Callitaperversekindofoptimism:theyreallythoughtthatmaybe,justmaybe,thewholeculturecouldbetransformedbyGod'smightyarm,rootandbranch,sothateveryonewouldturntoGod 122ÐCHICAGOandforsakehumanways.ShowmetheEgyptiansagewhothoughtthat:notAmen-em-ope,certainlynotthedepressiveKhakheperre-sonbe.Com-paredtotheprophets,theEgyptiansagesareallfatalists.Theyexhorttheirlistenerstoliveuptotheirculture'sstandards,tobesure,butthosestan-dardsareeternallygiven,nottobequestioned,unjustandoppressivethoughtheymaybe.Ofcourse,theprophetstoohavetheirownspecialfatalism:thatthesocietycanchangeitsverynaturebutitneverwill.That'sthejokeonJonahÐthatallNinevehmightactuallyputonsackclothandashesjustbecausehetellsthemto,andnooneismoreastonishedthanJonahwhenthishappens.EarlyJewishhumor!Butitneverdidhappen,notinreality;itwasjustajokeafterall.ThetruthiswhatGodtellsJeremiah,earlyon:`Youshallspeakallthesewordstothem,buttheywillnotlistentoyou.Youshallcallthem,buttheywillnotansweryou.'ªTheEgyptiansage'smessagemaybemorelimited,butheexpectstobeheardandobeyed,andnotonlybecausehebelongstotherulingclasshim-self.Hespeaksfromthathiddenplacedeepwithinhisculturewherethewillofthegodssustainsthefatalcourseofhistory.TheHebrewprophetspeaksfromoutsidehisculture,fromthedesert,wherehepraysforthedestructionofcitiesashesweetenshislocustswithwildhoney.ºªAren'tyouextrapolatingagainfromaperiodoftrauma?ºIasked.ªLittlewondertheprophetsfeelanedgeofdespairasthecountrybeginstofalltooutsiders,asthey'retakenofftoexileinBabylon.Youcouldn'tmakethesamepointwiththegreatnarrativesfromthetimeofnation-building.ºªTryme,ºDovreplied.ªTheTorahisagalleryofmis®ts,outsidersÐAbraham,Joseph,Moses,strangersinastrangeland,nevermorealienthanwhenthelandistheirown.EveninEden!LookatwhattheJahwistsmadeoftheplantofimmortalitytheyfoundintheirMesopotamiansources,theonetheserpentstolefromGilgamesh.TheJahwistscopiedwholetab-letsfromthatgreatepicwhentheyweremakingtheirownversionofpri-mevaltimes,buttheyweren'tcontentwiththeBabylonianserpent'ssingleplant.Theysplititintwo:thetreeoflifeÐcallitcultureÐandthedeath-dealingtreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevilÐcallitthecriticalspirit,at ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ123®rstnomadic,thenprophetic,®nallyscholarlyintheageofTalmudandmidrash.ºªIsitacoincidence,ºVicasked,ªthatyourlittleculturehistorymakesyou,Mr.Midrash,theheroofyourowntale?ºªMaybeIamÐaswhoisnot?ÐbutIhaveonlyamodestsenseofmychancesasaculturehero.Clingingtothebranchesofthetreeofknowl-edge,theculturalcriticcanlookdownhisbeakatthegarishproductionsofthetreeoflife.Butwhopaysanyattentionontheothertree?Andarenotthefruitsofthetreeofknowledgealittle...bitter?Istherenotacertainlonginginthecritic'smockinggaze?ÐButlook,alreadyIrepeattheerrorofBenjaminandhisclothes-brush.Italkasifwehavesomeindependentpurchaseorperch,asthoughwecould¯ybackandforthatwillbetweenthetwotrees,orgosomewhereelsealtogether.No!Midrashmaystandformidrash,®ne,butDovisnotadove.Wedon'tgettoeatthefruitofeithertree:wearethefruit.Whereverwehappentobe,ourfateisthesame:wegrowonourlittlebranch;weripeninthesun;thenwefall,intothewaitingjawsofDeath.ºSilenceensued.Midrashceased,andsatapart,indistinctandsilent,intheposeofameditatingBuddha.Nobodymovedforatime,untilVicsaid,ªAllthistalkoffruit....ºWithoutfurtherado,weallgotupandwentofftodinner.IHADmadeusareservationataquietVietnameserestaurant,goodforrelaxingandtalking,thoughinourpresentmooditwasunclearwhetherwecouldtakeadvantageofthecongenialatmosphere;itsverycongeniality,indeed,seemedalmosttoexacerbatethegeneralfeelingofmalaise.Atleastwehadmovedbeyondtheconfrontationalmodeofthepreviousevening,butweseemedunableto®ndany®rmgroundonwhichtotakeourconver-sationinamorepositivedirection.Everyonelookeddepressed,andDov'slastspeechclearlystillweighedonallofus.Asweordered,Itriedtobreaktheicebypurposefullydecidingagainstordering®sh;noonesmiled,andMarshaactuallywinced. 124ÐCHICAGOWeateinsilenceforsometime,untilMarshalookedupfromherBud-dha'sDelightandaddressedDov.ªOkay,Dov,ºshesaid.ªLet'stalkthisonethrough.Iunderstandyourskepticismabouttheutopianoptimismsomanyofusontheleftsecretlyoropenlycherish.Butmaybecriticsarelikemostpeople,weneedsomebeliefinabetterfuture,justtogetthroughthepresent.Otherwise,aren'tyouleftwithnihilismatworst,orsomedoggedpositivismatbest,youknow,I'lljustplugalongonmylittlestudiesofthese®lmshere,hopingagainsthopethatmystudents'studentswillsomedaymakeabetterworldoutofallofthis?Takehopeasanecessary®ction,ifyoulike.I'mnotgoingtowastemybreathtryingtopersuadeyouthatsomethingsinourcultureareactuallygettingbetter,asanythinkingwoman,atleast,inthiscountrymustknow,justlookingatthejobopportunitieswehavenow.ºMyeyebrowsinvoluntarilyroseinsurprise;Marshagaveanironicgrim-aceinreply,acknowledgingherownprecariousemploymentsituation.ªWell,somepeoplehavejobopportunitiesnow,ºshewenton.ªAndmorewomenwould,ifthiswinner-take-alleconomywasn'tmakingthingsworseforthree-quartersofthepopulationofbothgenders.Justbecausethingsshouldbebetterthantheyare,it'scriticallyimportantthatwelaythegroundworkforabetterwayofthinking,living,interacting.Butyourviewissofatalistic,Dov,what'sthepointoftryingtodoanything?ºªOftenIfearthatInolongerknow,ºDovreplied.ªAllmyemphasisontraditioncomestonothingifthetraditionissocorruptedthatitisnolongerviable.Orwasitalwaysalreadythiscorrupt?Ilookatmysons,andIwonder.ºªYoumeanthey'reabandoningJudaism?ºIasked.ªAri,yes,heisatuniversitynow,onesemesterhewantstobeacomputergenius,thenextsemesterhewouldbearockstar.Heisonlydriftingfromonethingtothenext,andneverdoeshecareforanythingmorethantwoyearsold.Butokay,thisisadolescence,whatcanoneexpect?HisbrotherBenistheonewhoworriesmemore.Hehassuddenlybecomealmostafanatic.Hegetsupat®veinthemorningtostudyTalmud,heneglectshisclasseseventhoughhehashisentranceexaminationsforuniversityinthe ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ125fall.Well,itishischoice,buthearguesconstantlywithmeaboutevery-thingI'veeverwrittenontheBibleÐIshouldtakethewholeTorahliter-ally!Hecondescendstomeontherareoccasionshecanspareafewminutesfromhisstudiestocometothetelephone.Evenhismother,whoisOrtho-doxandproudofhiscommitment,saysheiswithdrawn,hardtotalkto.HisonlysociallifeconsistsofarguingSabbath-lawinterpretationswiththreeorfourequallyself-righteousyoungexegetes.Thisismyson?Thisismytradition?ºThethoughtcrossedmymindthathissons'divergentadolescentdif®-cultiesmighthavelesstodowithtraditionthanwithDov'sownshortcom-ingsasalong-distancefatherÐanincreasinglyperipateticoneatthat,andnowwithatwo-year-olddaughterbyhisnewAmericanwife.Idismissedthisexplanationimmediatelyasunkind,andbeliedinanycasebyDov'spalpabledistress.ªOfcourse,ºDovcontinued,ªIblamemyself®rstandforemost.WhatkindoffatherhaveIbeen?EvenwhenIwasstilllivinginthehousehold,wasInotwithdrawnintomybooksmuchasBenisnow?WasInotalwaysmakingupforlosttimeasIdrifted,likeAri,fromone®eldofstudyintoanother?Strangejustice,topunishmeformyderelictionsbyvisitingmyownpersonalityuponmychildren!Andthen,too,theboys'problemshavebeenredoubledbymymigrantlifethesepastdozenyears,tosaynothingofthesuddenappearanceoftheirnewAmericansemi-sibling....ºªIadmireyourself-awareness,ºIcommented.ªItmustbepainfulper-sonally,butatleastitmeansyoudon'tneedtobesohardonyourculturaltraditions.ºªWhythehellnot?ºDovaskedinannoyance.ªThewholepointofatraditionshouldbetoserveasacheckonourhumanfailings,tomitigatethegriefsthatfamiliesandothernaturaldisastersregularlybringuponus.MyboysshouldbegladtheyhavenothadaworsefatherÐmanydo.Sowhyhasourtraditionnothelpedthemtoputupwithmebetter?ºMarshagaveasoftsnortofexasperation.ªApersonwouldhavetobeasainttolivewithyou,Dov,ºshesaid,ªandyouguysdon'tevenhavesaints.º 126ÐCHICAGOªIformypartcanlivewithouttheCatholicone-upmanship,ºDovtestilyreplied,ªespeciallyfromsomeonewhopridesherselfonherownapostasy.ºªComeon,Dov,ºMarshasaid;ªIwasjusttryingtolightenthingsup.ButIthinkyou'reaskingtoomuchfromyourtraditionanyway.Ormaybetoolittle,ifyou'rejustusingitassomekindofavoidancemechanism.SupposethewholeJudaeo-ChristianthinghashaditsdayÐlet'sletitgo.Wedon'tneedsomehopelessholdingaction,weneedtoinventnewwaystoorientourselvestowardtheworld.YoushouldreallyreadHaraway,she'scom-pletelybeyondthefalsedichotomyof`human'versus`animal,'`culture'versus`nature.'Shemighthelpyoutakeseriouslyyourowncomparisonofpeopleto®shÐwehavetoseeculturalprocessesinthebroadercontextofnaturalprocess.ºªSure,sure,ºDovsaid,ashepushedawayhishalf-emptyplateofcaramelbeef.ªAllmyproblemswillbesolvedifIonlyreadthemanifestosofthelatesttrendyin-group!Myonenesswithbugs!ºªGoodgrief!ºMarshaexclaimed.ªYou'veasmuchasadmittedyou'restuckinarutwithyourheadupyourass,andyoujustwanttositthereenjoyingtheview?Ecocriticism'snew,still®ndingitsfeet,butitoffersabroadvisionoflifeandourplaceinnature.Itcouldhelpyououtofthebindyou'reinnow,caughtinsideaself-enclosedde®nitionofculturethatonlymirrorsyourownobnoxiouslittleself-regardingangst-riddenegomaniacalcrypto-smugness!ºEngagedin®llinghispipe,DovbarelyacknowledgedMarsha'scom-ments;hemerelycastasharpglanceather,whethercrypticallyorcrypto-smuglyIcouldn'tdecide,asheslowlyputpinchesoftobaccointothebowlofhispipe.Vicnowspokeup.ªLife?ºheasked,anedgeinhisvoice.ªOurplaceinnature?Lookhere,Marshadear,andIwillshowyouwhatlifeis.ºHedrewhisdatebookfromaninsidepocketofhisblazer,openedittotheday'spage,andpointedtothe®nalentry:ªDinner,wholesickcrew.SaigonLagoon.ºªNowlook.ºHetookouthisMontBlancfountainpenandunderlinedthephrase.ªWatchasImakethislineunderourdinnerdatehere,howtheinkcatchesthelightforafewseconds,thenfades.Untilitdries,thatislife: ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ127wet,easilysmudged,shiningbrie¯y.Whenitdries,itdies,butitalsoachievesakindof,shallwesay,contingentpermanence:thatisart,andthatisthebestwehave.GiveuptheNew-Ageycosmicharmonyofalllife!Cultureisarefugefromlifeinnature,notapartofit,andart'spurpose®nallyisnottoreconcileourselvestolifebuttodeath.Death,afterall,isthedominantterm.YouwishDovtomovebeyondhisself-regardinganthro-pocentrism?Verywell:butletusalsomovebeyondthelargervanityofzoocentrism.Imaginelookingdownattheworldfromacosmosmadeofemptyspacedottedwithdarkmatter,mostlyfrozengasseswithafewclumpsoficyrock.Theneveryfewmillionlightyearsaglowingastralfurnace¯oatsby,itsveryheatrenderingitevenmoreinhospitabletolifethanthebitterlycoldsurfacesofthemostisolatedcomets.ºªButwhyshouldarthaveanythingtodowithsuchdesolation?ºIasked.ªDesolationisintheeyeofthebeholder,ºVicreplied.ªSupposethegoalofartisnotcreaturecomfortbutbeauty,simplybeauty.Lifelesstheuni-versemayessentiallybe,yetitsbeautyisundeniable,asweregardthespin-ningdanceofplanetsandwholegalaxies.Onearthitself,wecanreconstructthemajesticebband¯owofmagmaandtectonicplatesovertheeons.Onamicrocosmicscale,wecaneventracetherandomlyorderedoscillationsofprotonsandelectronsineveryatomofrock.Whyshouldartnotaspiretothisintricate,impersonalharmony,ratherthanmerelymirrortheconfusedstruggleofcon¯ictanddecaythatwecall`life'?IftheGodwhohasmadethisuniverselooksdownatourblue-greenearth,whatdoeshe,she,oritsee?Perhapsallouranimatelifeisnothingmorethanthemoldontherindofanorange,anunwantedby-productthatthefarmerpolishesoffathar-vest-time.Letuscelebratethewholeearth,asMarshaproposes.Yetletusdosointheawarenessthattheearth,inallitsmassivesublimity,islifelessfromitsmoltencoretoitsoutercrust,andthislifeofoursmaybenomorethanamomentaryextrusionÐlate-appearing,soonevanescing,utterlybe-sidethepoint.ºVicputthecaponhispenandreplaceditinhisjacketpocketalongwithhisdatebook.Dovlithispipe.Marshausedherchopstickstonudgeafewlastgrainsofricearoundherplate.Asshedidso,Itriedtocometogrips 128ÐCHICAGOwiththedepressingturntheconversationhadtaken.IwouldhavebeenhardputtosaywhichIfoundmoredisturbingÐDov'ssenseoffutility,Vic'svisionofuniversallifelessness,orthesheereloquencewithwhichtheybothexpressedthemselves.WheneverIgotthatdepressedmyself,thebestIcoulddowasthinkabouttheCarteradministration,andnonetooelo-quentlyatthat.Nordidmydiscomfortendthere.Iwas,afterall,servinginsomesenseasthehostforthisgathering;andnohostcanfeeltrulyateasewhenhisguestsarefallingonebyoneintoseeminglysuicidaldespair.IdecidedtopressDovonhisfatalism.ªComeon,Dov,ºIsaid.ªYouhavetobelieveinsomekindofprogress,howeverironic.Afterall,Hegel'syourlife!ºªHegelismylife?ºDovrepliedmorosely.ªIhaveHegelinsteadofalife!OrIhavesomanylivesIhavenoneatall:onefamilyinIsrael,anotherinCalifornia,andagirlfriendinGenevaºÐthiswasnewstome;IglancedatMarsha,whowasglancingatVicЪisthisanywaytolive?MaybeIamonthecuttingedgeofsomepoststructuralistcollapsingofcategories:Iambreakingdownthedifferencebetweenmarriageanddivorce.Profession-allyaswell,Ihaveachievedfameformyworkonthehermeneuticsofmean-inglessness,andthisresearchhasgainedmenotonebuttwoprestigiouschairsatonce.YetwhathaveIachievedbymyconstantcommutingacrossninetimezones?Ihavebroughtonmyselfacollapseofthedistinctionbe-tweennightandday,betweentenureandjoblessnessÐbetweenfreedomandentrapmentontheveryairplanesthataretheagentsofescapeÐbetweenthoughtitselfandacoma:Ireadalmostnothingnowbutairlinemagazines!ºDaveBarry'srevenge,Ithoughttomyselfwitha¯ashofsatisfaction;thenshamecameovermeasIrealizedthatIwasstillsmartingfromDov'sdis-missalofmypaperatour®rstmeeting,fouryearsearlier.Shame,butnotremorse.WastherenowayIcouldexpressmyconcernforDov'sveryrealproblemsandalsowringthepompouslittlebastard'sthickneck?RealizingwhatIwasthinking,Iwassurprisedbytheviolenceofmyreaction.Iamrarely,exceptinfacultymeetings,overcomewithhomicidalimpulses;yethere,talkingquietlywithmyfriendsattheendofagooddinner,Icould ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ129notmanagetomusteranyrealsympathywithDovÐorwithMr.Universe,asIfoundmyselfthinkingofVic,whowasdrumminghis®ngersonthetable,clearlyhopingthecheckwouldarrivesoonandreleasehimfromourcompany.ItwasMarshawhorosetotheoccasion.ªLook,guys,ºshesaid.ªI'mnotalicensedradiotherapistoranything,butIthinkyoumightfeelalittlebetteraboutcriticism'splaceinthecosmosifyou'dtakealittleinitiativeinyourownlives.Here'smyunasked-fortwobitsofadvice,andIwon'tevenchargeyouthetwobits:Dov,eitherstartmakingthemostofyourtwojobsorgivemeoneofthem,whichever,butthemainthingÐwhateveryoudoaboutyourlovelifeÐis,youshouldgetyourboystocomespendthesum-merwithyouinCalifornia.Itmaygowelloritmaygobadly,atleastyou'llbeintheretrying,andIthinkthey'llappreciatethat.Vic,dear,we'vebeeninChicagothreeorfourdaysnow,andIhaven'theardyou'vebeentothehospitalyet;isn'titabouttime?AndDavid,stoplookingsogoddamglum!Soyouforgotyoursessiontodayandnobodymissedyou....º(WasthattheimpressionI'dgivenher?Wasthatthecorrectimpressionforhertohavegotten?)ªThethingis,you'reinatypicalpost-bookslump,youshouldstopobsessingaboutthereviews,justgetyouracttogethertostartanewproject,forChrist'ssake!ºNeitherDovnorVichadregisteredanyreactionatMarsha'scommentstothem,buttheyimmediatelywarmedtotheideaoftellingmewhattodonext.ªSomethingonGilbertandSullivan,perhaps,ºVicsuggested.ªIthinkyoumighthaveanaf®nityforthatsortoflightsatire.ºThissoundedalittleinsulting,andIwasabouttoreplysharply,whenDovspokeup.ªImyselfhavewrittenonthesplittingoftheegoinseveraloftheiroper-ettas,ºhesaid.ªTheirtoneisalwayslight,tobesure,butthesubstanceisthere.Pooh-Bahisofcoursethemostelaboratecase,thoughmypersonalfavoriteistheKingofUtopia,whoruleshiscountrybydayandwritestheoppositionnewspaperbynight:`Abadkingbutagoodsubject,'hecallshimself.Allinall,IbelievethatGilberthelpedtopavethewayforFreud,andcertainlyforthewarmEnglishresponsetoFreud.Ihavejustcompleted 130ÐCHICAGOamonographonthereceptionofFreudintheMiddleEastÐTotemandTabouleh,Iamcallingit.ThereIdiscusstheEnglishconnectionfortheintroductionofFreudinEgyptandPalestine.Inmy®rstchapterкªYoumayhavesomethingthereaboutGilbert,ºVicinterrupted.ªItoohavebeendrawntoG&S,thoughIwouldlinkthemsoonertoWildethantoFreud.DoyouknowSullivan'searlyoperetta,CoxandBoxÐplease,don'tdragFreudbackintointerpretthosenamesÐinwhichtworoommatesshareasinglebed,oneworkingatnightandsleepingbyday,theotherviceversa?Myinterestintheoperettashasalwaysbeenmoreinthemusicthaninthelyrics;IhavethoughtagooddealaboutSullivan'swittyself-revisionsduringtheyearsofhisdevelopingcollaborationwithGilbert.FindingthathenevercouldescapefromMendelssohn'sin¯uence,hetrumpedhisownlimitationsbyperfectingaformofself-plagiarism.Ifyouwantmodelsofcollaborativework,David,youmightdowelltolookthere.Onhisown,Sullivancouldrarely¯oatfreelyontheheightsoffrivolity.Alltoooften,heploddedonwardwithhisChristianSoldiersalongthebroadhighwayofHighSeriousness.Ibelieveitwasthein¯uenceofGilbert'spersonalitythatbroughtSullivan,inspiteofhimself,todohisbestwork.I'vebeenmeaningtowritethisupforsometimenow.ºTakingVic'scollaborativeclue,andrecallingMarsha'searlyessayonPinafore,Iproposedthatwemightactuallydoabookofessaystogether.ªItcouldbeacademicallyseriousandalsoreachouttoabroaderaudience,ºIremarked;ªthere'squiteagrass-rootsG&Spublicallaroundthecountry.Myfatherusedtodirecttheoperettasinhisparishes,ashisfatherdidbeforehim.Mygreat-grandfatherFrankandhisbrotherWalter,infactкªIdoubtthatanypublisherswouldbeveryinterestedinyourlittlefamilyhistory,David,ºVicinterrupted,rathergratuitously.ªTheywillwanttoknowwhowouldreallybuythebook.Yourcontributionwouldprobablybesomethingliterary-historical.Mythemewouldmostlyinterestmusicolo-gists,Dov'sarticlewouldbemuchmoretheoretical,andMarsha'sratherbrilliantoldessayisalmostaperiodpiece;itwouldhardlydonow.ºªMaybeifmylifesettlesdownabitIcoulddosomethingnew,ºMarshasaid.ªThoughit'shardtomakeanycommitmentsatthispoint.º ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ131ªMoreover,David,ºDovsaid,ªfromyourbookIthinkyouwouldwantmorethansomedisconnectedjeuxd'esprit.Itwouldtakeaconcertedefforttomakesomethingcoherent.ThiswouldremoveVic'sobjection.Butreallyforthefourofustowriteabooktogether,disparateasweallareinperson-alityandapproach....ºHisvoicetrailedskepticallyoff.ªLet's®rstseeifanythingevercomesofDamrosch'soldideaofwritingupourconferencediscussions,ºVicinterjected.ªIcan'tsaythatourtrackrecordtodateisanytooinspiring,asweapproachtheendofanotherofourinconclusivedeliberations.ºThiswasprettydiscouraging.I'dgonetoagooddealofefforttomakethesemeetingshappen,andIdidhaveareamofnotesbynow,shovedintoseveralfoldersbackhome;Ihadmadesomescatteredjottingsduringthecurrentconferenceaswell.YetitwasevidentthattherealworkofshapinganeventualwrittenproductwouldfallheavilyonmyshouldersÐweclearlyweren'tyetatapointofreadinessforfullycollaborativework.Wouldweeverbe?Inprinciple,Icouldenvisionarangeofprojectsthatwecouldtackle,multifacetedtopicstoooftentreatedinalimitedfashionfromoneoranothersingleperspective.UnlikeDov,apparently,Ihadbecomeincreas-inglycon®dentthatthediversityofourperspectiveswasarealstrength,andontheotherhandtheunexpectedconjunctionofourinterestsinGilbertandSullivansuggestedthatwedidactuallyhavemoreincommonthanweourselvesmightexpect.Dov'scommentaboutourpersonalitiesbotheredmemore,andthisdoubtwasunderscoredbyVic'spalpablerestlessnessÐheseemedreadytoboltfromChicagoonthenextplanetoTahiti.EvenMarshacouldhardlybeencouragedbyourcompanions'mutualtendencytolectureheraboutthenaivetyofanypositiveoutlookonthesocialvalueofcriticism.Ifwecouldn't®nallyconnectatabasiclevelofsympatheticmutualinterest,letaloneunderstanding,itwashardtofeelthatwecouldeverbuildworkingrelationshipsstrongenoughtoholdourdeepdisagreementsinastateofproductivetension.Lookingatthecrumplednapkinbeforeme,Idecidedthatwe'dallhadenough.ªShouldwejuststopmeeting?ºIasked. 132ÐCHICAGOThissuggestionwasgreetedwithashockedsilence.Marshalookedstricken;Dovlookedalittleembarrassed;Viclookedannoyed.ªJustholdon,now,ºMarshasaid.ªI'vegotenoughinstabilityinmylifewithoutlosingtheonlyfree-¯oatinggroupIcancountonseeingfromtimetotime,withnospecialpressuresorsetagendas.Youknow,IloveTomdearlyÐexceptwhenhe'swithhismiddlebrother,Sterno,wecallhimthatbecausehe'sinthecampingsupplybusiness,bigbucks,he'smuchmorecommerciallymindedthaneitherTomortheirbigbrotherEliot,wherewasI?Yes,but,youknow,TomandIhavetointeractsomuchaboutdailylife,andit'snotlikeyoucanhavereallyscholarlyconversationsabouttoma-toes.Ofcourse,Cassie'saswonderfulasshecouldbe,butstillshe'sonly®veandahalf.Idon'treallyhaveregularcolleaguesthesedays,either,mostfull-timefacultytreatadjunctsintheirmidstkindoflikeectoplasmÐtheyjustsortoflookthroughyou.Thenthere'stheoldBenningtoncrowd,butit'salittlefunerealgettingtogetherwiththem,evenwhenwearen'tstrate-gizingaboutourlawsuitagainstthetrustees.SoI'vegottosayI'dratherwemetalittlemoreoften,notless.ºªFormypart,ºDovsaid,ªIfeelthatIoweallofyouanapologyforimposingmyself-in¯ictedproblemsonyou,andIfearthatIhavebeenlessattentivetotherestofyouthanMarshakindlysupposes.Ishalltrytodobetter.ºªI'mnotquitereadyforalittlelove-festhere,ºVicsaid,ªbutIcertainlydon'twantyoutowimpoutonusnow,Damrosch.Buckup,man!Don'tforget,you'rethedulyelectedNavigatoroftheAquaticActivitiesCaucus:whereareyoutakingusnext?ºªI'mnotreallyкIbegan,but,asoften,Vicwasalreadyansweringhisownquestion.ªButplease,David,notIndianaagain!Whycan'tyoupersuadethecom-paratiststotrysomethingalittlemoreimaginative?Europe?Butwehavetoconsidercostsforthegraduatestudents.TheproblemwiththeCarib-beanisthatthebestresortsontheislandsaretooexclusiveforalargegroup.Therestaretheworstsortoftouristtrap.NowMexico,though....Aca-pulco?No,overbuilt.Manzanilla?Alreadypassé.Ah,butPuertoVallarta: ThePoliticsofCulturalStudiesÐ133youcouldprobablygettheACLAtothinkofgoingthere.True,itwouldbealotofworkforyou,twistingarmsandmakingalltheplans,butthat'swhatyou'resogoodat.Lovelycolonialtown,somesurprisinglygoodres-taurants;dramaticbayringedwithmountains;fabulousparasailing,goodairconnectionsforourfar-¯ungcolleagues,NightoftheIguanaconnectionforMarsha:yes,Ithinkthat'stheticket,don'tyou?ºªWell....ºIbegan.ªGood,that'ssettled,ºVicwenton.ªAndhere'sourcheck,don'tbesilly,IoweittoMarshaforthepsychologicalcounselingalone,nottomentiontoDovforthepsychopathology.AndasforDavidÐwell,weareeternallyinhisdebt,speakingprospectively,forPuertoVallarta,arewenot?Fare-well,all:seeyouattheswim-uppalapabar!º 4PUERTOVALLARTACriticalConfessionsIhavewantedtospeaktoyouofmydesiretobe®nishedwith,andtosomehowterminate,aseriesofresearchesthathavebeenourconcernforsomefouror®veyearsnow....Theyareinthe®nalanalysisjustfrag-ments,anditisuptoyouormetoseewhatwecanmakeofthem.Formypart,ithasstruckmethatImighthaveseemedabitlikeawhalethatleapstothesurfaceofthewater,disturbingitmomentarilywithatinyjetofspray,andletsitbebelieved,orpretendstobelieve,orhimselfdoesinfactbelieve,thatdowninthedepthswherenooneseeshimanymore,whereheisnolongerwitnessedorcontrolledbyanyone,hefollowsamorepro-found,coherentandreasonedtrajectory.Well,anyway,thatwasmoreorlesshowIatleastconceivedthesituation;itcouldbethatyouperceiveditdifferently.MichelFoucault,lectureattheCollègedeFrance,7January1976Whocansayhowmanypseudostylicshamiana,howfewormanyofthemostveneratedpublicimpostures,howverymanypiouslyforgedpalimp-sestsslippedinthe®rstplacebythismorbidprocessfromhispelagiaristpen?...andnow,forsooth,anoggeramongtheblankardsofthisdas-tardcentury,youhavebecomeoftwosometwiminds...anarch,egoarch,hiresiarch,youhaverearedyourdisunitedkingdomonthevacuumofyourownmostintenselydoubtfulsoul.JamesJoyce,FinnegansWake1.7UNTILITTURNEDintoanightmare,arrangingtoholdaconventioninMexicoprovedtobesurprisinglyeasy.Ithelpedconsiderablythattheup-comingComparativeLiteratureAssociationmeetinginMarchwasinfactscheduledtotakeplaceinIndiana,forthesecondtimeinfouryearsÐnotbyanyplan,butsimplybecauseourratherfecklessorganizationwouldmeetwhereversomeonehappenedtobewillingtohaveus.NotreDamewasof CriticalConfessionsÐ135courseaverydifferentlocalefromIndianaUniversity,asthegiantmosaicofJesusblessingthefootball®eldcouldattest,butevensoI'dheardanum-berofpeopleexpressawishtotrysomethingdifferentinkind.ThetimewascertainlyrighttoexploreVic'sidea.IwasthenontheACLAboard,andknewthatnolocationhadyetbeenarrangedforthefollowingyear,1997.EugeneEoyang,nowthegroup'spresident,wasenthusiasticatthesugges-tionofMexico,possiblybecausehehimselfhadbeenteachingatIndianafortwentyyearsormore.ImadeinquiriesintheweekfollowingtheChicagoMLA,andmanagedtohookupwithTuscawillaTravel,aFloridaagencyrunbyanacademicturnedconference-travelagent.Wesoonhaddraftcontractsfromthreelikelypossibilities.EoyangandhiswifegenerouslyagreedtospendaFeb-ruaryweekendinspectingthesites,andreturnedwithastrongendorsementofPuertoVallartaЪdeterminedlycobblestoned,ºasEugeneputit.Wesettledonaluxuryhotelthatbilleditselfasªthecrownofthecoastline,ºorwordstothateffect,andourboardgratefullyapprovedtheideaatourmeet-inginSouthBend.Thebestofallpossibleworlds,wethought:aplacejustthesizeforourgroupofthreehundred;elegantaccommodationsmadeaffordablebyagoodexchangerate;andalavishbrochurethatstressedtheecologicalsensitivitywithwhichthehotel'sdesignershadsitedandbuiltthehotelanditsthreeswimmingpools,severaltenniscourts,restaurant,bar,anddisco.Thewholecomplexevenlookedoutonthebeautifulbayfea-turedinTheNightoftheIguana,andmorerecently,asmygraduatestudentsinformedme,givenrenewedfameasthebackdropforTheLoveBoat.Someofourmembershipthoughtthatthewholeideaseemedsomehowunserious,butIhadbeentoseveralofmywife'slegalconventionsinplaceslikeHawaiiandtheVirginIslands,andthey'dalwaysseemedtogetasmuchworkdoneasweeverdidinNewJerseyorIndiana.Wereliteraryscholarssecretlyuncomfortableatbeingpaidtoworkonbooksthatgivesuchplea-sure,andwasitthereforeimportanttomeetinasmundanealocationaspossible,lestweactuallyenjoyourwork?HowelsetoaccountfortheMLA'spenchantfordisruptingeveryone'sholidayseasoninordertomeetattheendofDecemberinonesnowboundnortherncityafteranother? 136ÐPUERTOVALLARTALessinterestedthanVicinwatersports,infactqueasyattheveryideaofparasailing,IlikedPuertoVallartaforpragmaticreasons.Isuspectedthatwewouldgetmorepeopleforourmeetingifwechosealocationtowhichpeoplemightactuallywanttocome;wedid,infact,receivearecordnumberofabstractsinresponsetoourcallforpapers,andwehadaminimaldrop-outratefromthepeopleweaccepted.Evenso,Iworriedthatthesettingwouldbetoodistractingoncepeoplearrived.Istewedoverthisforsometime,and®nallycalledVictoexpressmyconcern.ªHavenofear!ºhereplied.ªAttendanceatsessionswillsurelybehigh.Consider,dearboy:howmuchfuncanacademicsstandtohave?Iusetheword`fun'advisedly,tosuggestsomethingdifferentfromhigh-tonedcul-turalenrichment.Putprofessorsinamajorcity,repletewithmuseums,plays,andsecond-handbookstores,andyoumayneverseethemagainaftertheirownsessionisover.Buthowmanyofourcolleaguescanreallybearabeachformorethanhalfanhouraday?Theyarefartoocompulsivejusttoliethere;theyhavetobringabook.Andofcoursenothingresembling`beachreading,'heavenforbid!ProbablyalateHenryJamesnovelorsomesparklinglittlepotpourriofessaysonKafka.They'llbebackindoorswithinthehour,lookingforasessiontoattend.ºOnlypartlyreassuredbythis,Ideterminedtostructuretheconferenceinsuchawayastoengendersomerealwork,whilealsoclusteringtheworktimeinthe®rsthalfoftheday.Hopingtoavoidthecommonconventionpathologyofdisconnecteddriftingfromsessiontosession,Iarrangedforallthepaperstobegroupedintwelve-personseminars,withfourpaperstobepresentedeachmorningforthethreemorningsoftheconference.Thenwe'dhaveaplenarysessionortwo,andturnpeoplefreebyearlyafternoon.Theseminarstructurewouldhavethefurtheradvantagethateveryoneat-tendingtheconferencecouldbeapresenter.Marshapraisedthisplanforbreakingdowntheinvidiousdistinctionbetweenstarperformerandple-beianattender;pleasedatherapproval,Ididn'tmentionthatmymainideahadbeentoenablemorepeopletohavetheirdeanspayforthetrip.Iworkedwithseveralcolleaguesthroughthefallof1996toselectandgroupthepapers,andbyJanuaryof1997wewereabletosendoutaverysatisfac- CriticalConfessionsÐ137toryprogram.ThiswaslaterthanI'dintendedÐI'dbeentalkedintochair-ingmydepartment,whichwouldhavebeenaheavytimecommitmenteveninacordialanduni®eddepartmentÐbutatlasttheconferencewas®nallyset.Ibreathedasighofrelief,andlookedforwardtoafewweeksofrelativecalmbeforetheconferenceitself.Thencamethenightmare.ªTheCrownoftheCoastlineºÐIprefernottorecalltheiractualnameÐsentmeabrieffaxexpressingtheirregretthattheyhadjustsoldhalfourroomstoanotherconvention.Theywould,how-ever,®ndcomparableaccommodationselsewhereforourdisplacedpersonsandwouldbusthembackforthesessions.Knowingthatthehoteloccupiedanisolatedbeachmilesawayfromthecity,Iwashorri®edatthedisruptionthatourcommunalexperiencewouldsuffer,andIwashardlycon®dentthattheªcomparableºaccommodationswouldcomparefavorablytotheroomsthatwerebeingtakenfromus.Iinsistedthatourcontractshouldbehon-ored,aresponsewhichseemedtohurtthehotelpeople'sfeelings:didn'tIunderstandthattheyweredoingtheirbesttohelpusoutinthisdif®cultsituation?Theyindicatedthatagovernmentagencyhadactuallyorderedthemtoreselltherooms,andsotheirhandsweretied.TuscawillaTravelswungintoaction,andsoonletterswerebeingfaxedinseveraldirections.Welearnedthatthecon¯icthadarisenwhenanasso-ciationoftravelagentshadaskedforthespace;theprospectoffuturebusi-nessseemedtobemoretheissuethangovernmentalintervention.Ibegantoseetheadvantageofmeetinginlocationsnooneelsewouldwanttogoto.Weengagedalawyer,andafterseveralnail-bitingweeks,we®nallysucceededingettingthehoteltorelinquishourentiregroupandforwardourdepositontotheSheraton,theonlyhotelintownthathappenedstilltohaveenoughroomsforallourpeople.Disasterhadbeenaverted,butwewouldbeinaplacewehadn'tseen;Icrossedmy®ngersandhopedforthebest.Ihopedaswellthatthingsmightbeimprovingformyfriends.IknewthatatleastMarsha'ssituationhadtakenanotableturnforthebetter.Inthespringof1996,Ihadrunintoanacquaintanceofmine,PeterSellersÐnotthedirectorofmuchthesamename,andofcoursenotthedeceased 138ÐPUERTOVALLARTAactor,butamathematicianattheUniversityofPennsylvania.Hehadorigi-nallycontactedmeafterIhadpublishedanarticlehelikedonP.G.Wode-house;atruedevotee,SellershadthedistinctionofowningtwocompletesetsofWodehouse'sninety-eightnovels.HekeptonesetathomeinPhila-delphia,theotherathissummerplaceonMountDesertIslandinMaine,wherehehadbecomeinvolvedwiththeCollegeoftheAtlanticÐayoung,innovativecollegethatwasmakingitsmarkbyemphasizingmarinebiologyandcoastalstudies.IranintoPeterattheColumbiafacultyclub,wherehewaslunchingwithachemistwithwhomheregularlywrotepapersÐthesortofcollaborationthathumanists®ndsofraughtbutthatseemstobenaturalinthenaturalsciences.Hementionedthathewasaboutto¯yuptoBarHarborforatrustees'meetingattheCollegeoftheAtlantic.DidIknowanyoneinliterature,heaskedinpassing,whoseinterestscoulddovetailwiththecollege'secologicalmission?They'dhadasearchunderwayforsometime,buttheirfavoritecandidateshadbothendedupacceptingoffersfromlargerschoolsinlessisolatedlocations.WhatI'dseenofMarsha'srecentworkmadeforanobviousmatch,par-ticularlygivenherownruralpreferences.Sellersfolloweduponmyrecom-mendationthenextday,Marshavisitedthecampusthenextweek,andshehadthejobsewnupbeforehervisitended.SheandherfamilymovedtoMountDesertinthesummer,andshesentmehappye-mailsduringthefallandwinter.(ªWeevenfoundaplacetorentonEchoLake,that'sreallyitsname,ºshewrote.ªOfcourseI'mplantingnarcissusallalongtheshore.WegotCassieher®rstcamera,too,andshe'stakingamazingpicturesofre¯ec-tions.AndtheCOAkidsareatriptoteach,eveniftheydocometoclasssmellinglikekelp.º)Iwaslookingforwardtoa®rsthandreportinPuertoVallarta.NeitherDovnorVichadgivenmemuchinthewayofpersonalnewssinceChicago,butatleasttheywerepromptinrespondingtoe-mailsandactiveinhelpingtore®netheplanforourworktogetherinPuertoVallarta.After¯oatingvariousideas,wesettledonconfessionalcriticismasthetopicforourseminar.Memoirshadbecomethedarlingsofthebest-sellerlistsandofbookreviews,andeveninacademiascholarswerestartingtospeak CriticalConfessionsÐ139openlyabouttheirlivesÐtheirbackgrounds,theirprejudicesandpredispo-sitions,eventheiryouthfulsexualexperiences,ifanyÐasawayoflocatingtheircriticalperspectivesandorientingtheirreaders.Howtosortoutthemostusefultendenciesinworkthatcouldreadilyfallintotriviality,anec-dotalism,narcissisticself-display?Wedividedupourwork.Dovdecidedtotakeahistoricalview,lookingatself-revelationandconcealmentin(puzzlingly,Ithought)MatthewAr-nold.Iagreedtobringthediscussionforwardbytakinguptheworkofamajortwentieth-centurycritic,FrankKermode,whohadjustpublishedahighlyregardedmemoir.Marshaproposedtolookatrecentfeministcon-fessionalcriticism,andVicsurprisedmebyrenouncinghisusualstylisticapproachanddecidingtotalkaboutAIDSliteratureanditscriticism.Isucceededin®ndinganumberofotherproposalsthatseemedlikelytoworkwellwithours,includingsubmissionsfromourfriendsSusanSuleimanandHymitBathtöi,andourseminarwasset.Iwascurious,andalittleapprehensive,toseehowitwouldunfold.WhileIhadn'tmentionedthistotheothers,myownmotivationforendorsingthetopichadbeenmycontinuinguneasinessaboutthepersonaldisparitiesamongthefourofus.InChicagoourrecurringincompatibilitieshadnearlyledourgrouptocollapse,andIfeltthatweneededtoworkthroughthewholeissueofpersonalityifwewereevertooperateeffectivelytogether.PerhapsIshouldhavebeenchastenedbyourdif®cultiesincomingtoagreementinourpreviousdiscussionsoncultureandculturalstudies,butthoseverydif®cultiesgavenewurgencytothequestionofpersonality.Itwastimeforadecisivemoveforward,ifwewereevertogobeyondapatternofsporadicconversationswithnoconcreteresults.PuertoVallartawouldbeanewbeginningÐoralasthurrah.THEtripdownwasuneventful,thoughallthewayfromTexastheairplane¯ewthroughthickandoftenturbulentclouds.Someonewhocom-binedDov'sanalyticalbentwithmyfearsmighthaveenjoyedtheinterest-ingmixofclaustrophobiaandacrophobiaIexperienced.ThecloudsbegantobreakonlyasweapproachedPuertoVallarta,sporadicallyrevealing 140ÐPUERTOVALLARTAjaggedmountaintopsthatappearedandvanishednearerandnearertothewindows.Finally,theplanebankedsharplybetweentwopeaksÐallthefunofparasailing,IthoughtgrimlyÐandlanded.MypulsehadreturnedtonormalwellbeforeIarrivedattheSheraton,whereIwasgreetedbyIra-semaCampos,thehotel'sresolutelycompetentconferencecoordinator.Shewouldbeubiquitousduringthefollowingdays,walkie-talkieinhand.Sheorderedmetorelaxandleaveeverythingtoher,whichIdid.TheSheratonturnedouttobealucky®nd,opulentbycomparisonwiththedormitory-styleaccommodationstowhichwewereusuallytreatedbyourtypicaluniversityhosts.Asthedaywenton,Isawvariousknotsofcomparatistswanderingaround,looksofguiltypleasureontheirfaces.TheSheraton'sonlyproblemwasthatitdidn'thaveasmanyconferenceroomsasweneededforourmanyseminars,andsomegroupshadtousepatiosandotheroddcorners.StillÐapartfromafewiratepeoplewhohadnevergot-tenwordofthechangeofvenueandhadtrekkeddowntotheCrownoftheCoastlinebymistakeÐpeopleseemedpreparedtomakedowithsomedis-ruptionstonormalacademicroutine.Givenmyhighhopesforthismeeting,the®rsteveningwasalittleanti-climactic.Nothappeninguponanyofmyusualconferencecompanions,Iendedupgoingouttodinnerwithoneofthosevague,adhocgroupingsofpeoplewithnothingelsetodoandnooneelsetodoitwith.Everyonewasinthatslightlymanicstart-of-conferencephase:wantingtorelaxbutstillkeyedupafterthestruggletobreakfreefromcampusandgettotheairport;wantingtofeeluniversallysociable,butalittleregretfulnottohavehookedupyetwithsomeoldfriendsÐorwithsomeoneimportantwhowouldbeapleasuretogettoknow,orseemtoknow,inthemodeoftemporaryequal-itythatconferencesfoster,aslongastheimportantpeoplehaven'tyetman-agedtohookupandheadoffwithstillmoreimportantpeople.Throwntogetheraswewere,wemadethemistakeoffollowingthecon-cierge'sadvicetogotoanearbyrestaurant,forwhichhegaveusdiscountticketsforafreedrinkÐneveragoodsign,butweweredrawnbyourowninertiaandthelureofªcomidatípicaméxicana.ºInawayitwas,downtothecannedpeasinthesalad,butthetortillasweresoggy,thebeerwasluke- CriticalConfessionsÐ141warm,andthesalsawaswatereddowntothepresumedtasteofthetouristswho®lledtheplace.Atleastthemusicwastooloudtoallowanytalking;we'dhadenoughforcedheartinessjustonthewalktotherestaurant.Myroom,however,waslargeandquietwhenIgotbacktoit,highabovethebeachandwithaplateglasswindowgivingapanoramicviewofthePaci®c.AsIlookedout,alargepelicanswoopedbyjustateyelevel.Orwasitanalbatross?Timewouldtell,Idecided,andwenttobed.ISAWMarshaandVicatthebreakfastbuffetthenextmorning.Theyhadarrivedadaybeforeme,andhadspentthewholepreviousdaysailing,withpausestosnorkelthroughcoralreefs.ªOnourreturn,weendedupatthemostcharminglittlerestaurantover-lookingtheCatedral,ºVicadded,ªMexicannouvellecuisine,notacontra-dictionintermsatallÐthechefwasutterlybrilliant,amasterofsubtlecombinationsofexoticspices.Andthewinelist:superb.What'sthematter,David?ºIdecidedtoaskhowweshouldproceedinourseminar.Ihadbeenawak-enedthatmorningbyagravellycallfromDov.Hehadarrivedthepreviousnight,feverishandwithabadsorethroat,madeworsebythestaleairontheplane.Hehadbeenslatedtogo®rst,buthopedthatsomeonecouldtakehisplace,sonowIsoundedouttheothers.ªIwouldn'thavemindedleadingoff,ºIsaidapologetically,ªbutIstillneedanhourto®nishmypresentation.ºªAndIneedanhourtostartmine,ºVicputinbrightly.ªOkay,guys,I'mon,ºMarshasaid.ªOfcourseI'msorryaboutDov'sthroat,butit'skindofniceifwedon'tstartbygenu¯ectingtoMatthewArnoldassomegrandprogenitor.TheBestthatHasBeenThoughtandSaid,forChrist'ssake!Givemeabreak!ºOnthewhole,IwasjustasgladthatDovhadn'tcomedowntobreakfast.OurgroupgraduallyassembledatourpatiolocationÐfortunately,atthisearlyhournoonewasyetusingthenearbyvolleyballnetÐandMarshaledoffoursessionwithapapershehadtitledªProfessorsasConfessors:TheProseandtheCons.º 142ÐPUERTOVALLARTAªIt'sagreattimetobemiserable,ºshebegan.ªOrbetter,tohavehadamiserablechildhood,anoppressiveadolescence,andadysfunctionaladult-hood.Youusedtohavetopayatherapisttohearaboutallthisstuff;now,peoplewillpayyoutoreadallaboutit.Andacademicscanjumprightonin.Wecanshelvethathalf-writtenmonographonJoyceanddelveintoour-selves,maybeeveninterestageneralpublicwiththeenticingtacticsofself-display.It'sAmericanasWhitman'sªSongofMyself.ºWhat'smore,womenhaveanequalshareofthestageforthe®rsttimeindog'syears.Asamatteroffact,thewholeemphasisonthepersonalthesedayscomesoutoftheconsciousness-raisingsessionsoflate-sixtiesfeminism,workinginsynergywiththecivilrightsmovement'srecoveryoftheoldertestimonialsbyAfrican-Americanwomenandmenalikefromthedaysofthestruggleagainstslavery.ªForacademics,oneoftheprosofthisformisthatwearepros,aswritersandanalysts.Somanymemoiristsarereallyamateurs:wehavethewriterlyskillsandtheintellectualresourcestocapitalizeonourinvestmentinourownlives.Iwanttocelebratethisnewopenness,butIalsowanttolookcarefullyatitsconsequences.Mytitlealludestotheprosofthepersonalvoicebutalsothecons,oneofwhichisthatanyself-recordingisboundtobeacongameofasort.Iwanttoseehowwecandealproductivelywiththisproblem.Ifwecan't,wemightaswellretreatintothesaferpseudo-objectiv-ityoffacelesscommentarythatliterarycriticismhasusuallytakenasitsspeciallittlebailiwick.ªIwasputinmindofthecongameaspectbyasharparticlebyLindaKauffmancalled`TheLongGoodbye:AgainstPersonalTestimony,orAnInfantGrifterGrowsUp.'Inthatessayshecomparesmemoirstotheshadysalespitchessheusedtohelpputacrossasachild,goingdoortodoorwithhertraveling-salesmandad.Havingallowedthat`ourintellectualworkasfeministsisclearlyrelatedtoourpersonalhistories,'Kauffmangoesontoask:`Sowhat'smybeef?'SheanswersherownquestionÐasmemoiristsalwaysgettodo,bythewayÐbywarningthattoooftenthepersonalap-proachislikeagrifter'sspiel,puttingsomethingoveronpeoplewhohavenowayofjudgingthetruthofthematter.AsKauffmannicelyputsit,`My CriticalConfessionsÐ143checkeredpastistooeasytotransformintoaNixonianCheckersspeechofbathos.Byinsistingontheauthorityofmypersonalexperience,Ieffectivelymuzzledissentandmuf¯eyourinvestigationintomymotives.'ºMarshapausedandthoughtforafewseconds,thensmiled.ªAndyouseewhatherownlanguagedoeshere?She'susinghermetaphorstogiveusasubrosasalespitchagainstthememoirists'manipulations:memoirreadersaremuzzled,likeCheckershimself,andwe'remuf¯edtoboot,liketheever-loyalPatinher`Republicanclothcoat.'KindofinterestingÐmaybeaseeminglystraight-aheadanalysisstylecanclosethesalejustassmoothlyasasobstorycan?Let'sagreewithKauffmanthatsubjectivity'snoguaranteeofauthenticity,butit'snotlikethe`objective'mode'sapieceofcakeeither.Eitherway,afterdeconstructionwe'reontoourowngamesmorethanwewere,andweacademicsmaybeabletonegotiatethetreacherousshoalsoffalsehoodandself-deceptionbetterthanlesscriticallyawarememoiristsmaybe.ªButfalsehoodisn'tKauffman'sonlygripe.Shealsoarguesthatfeministtestimonyismostlyamatterofpreachingtothechoir,retellingversionsofthesameconversionnarrativetoanaudienceoffellowconverts.HeressayisakindofchallengetothebookinwhichitappearsÐawholevolumeoffeministtestimonialseditedbyGayleGreeneandCoppéliaKahn,calledChangingSubjects:TheMakingofFeministLiteraryCriticism,recentlyoutfromRoutledge.Thisvolumeis®lledwithessaysby®fty-somethingfemi-nists,manyofwhomtracesimilartrajectoriesthroughsixtiesNewLeftpolitics,the®rstfailedmarriage,andtheconversiontofeminism.AsKauffmanasks,`Areªweºfeministscholarssolipsisticallytalkingonlytoourselves?'ªInonesense,that'sjustthepoint:tobuildsisterlysolidaritythroughafundofcommonexperiences.AsElizabethErmarthsaysinheressayinthesamevolume,thegreatrevelationofthoseearlyconsciousness-raisinggroupswasthatshewasn'talone:`Wehadin®nitevariationstotellbutitwasalwaysthesamestory.Whatarelief,whatamutuallyenablingmomentitwas.'InherimportantbookBeyondFeministAesthetics,RitaFelskiseesthisasafundamentaldifferencebetweenmen'sandwomen'sautobiography.In 144ÐPUERTOVALLARTAcontrasttotheuniquestoryoftheclassicGreatMan,shesays,feministmemoirbuildson`thefeministrecognitionthatitistherepresentativeas-pectsoftheauthor'sexperienceratherthanheruniqueindividualitywhichareimportant.'ªForFelski,infact,ºMarshawenton,ªthedeceptionsofindividualitythatbugKauffmanmeanthatthebestmemoirsshouldn'treallybeindivid-ualatall.Instead,they'resortofsociologywritsmall,anodeormeeting-pointforreaderstonegotiatetheirownexperience.FelskiisdeadsetagainstbourgeoisindividualismaltogetherÐthesortthatmen'sautobiog-raphiesbankon.`Thecurrentfascinationwithintimacyandself-discovery,'shesays,`engendersanevermorefranticpursuitofakernelofauthenticselfwhichcontinuallyeludesone'sgrasp.'ForFelski,theassertionofindividualsubjectpositionsisjustausefulphasethatmembersofanoppressedgroupcanpassthroughasthey®ndtheirwayintowriting.ºMarshaglancedoverhershoulder;animpromptuvolleyballgamewasformingatthenetthirtyfeetaway.Shereturnedtohertalk.ªAlltoooften,Felski'srightthatmemoirstendtoheightenindividualityandmuteanysolidarity.CertainlythisistrueforabooklikeFrankMc-Court'sAngela'sAshes,nowinitssixthstraightmonthontopofthebest-sellerlistsintheU.S.ItsboyheromakeshiswayupandoutofIreland,enroutetoafreshstartinAmerica,andhedoesthisallonhisown.Andnotjustonhisown:hehastorejecttheevilin¯uencesofpoliticsandreligion,whichjoinforcestooppresstheLimerickpoor,workinghandinglovetokeeppeopleintheirplacesÐfrozeninmysticalpietyorinimpotentnostal-giaforthedaysofthestruggleforindependence.Allweseeisthehard-heartednessoftheSaintVincentdePaulSociety,makingFrank'spoormomwaitinthecoldforherpittance,justastheIrishpoliticalclubturnsawayhisdadasanalcoholicgood-for-nothing,notworththeircoppers.ªButisMcCourtreallybeingfairtoeithergroup?Inasituationofgrind-ingpoverty,withIrelandnotyetabletoreapthebene®tsofitsindepen-dencethankstotheworldwidecrisisofcapitalismcalledtheDepression,churchgroupsliketheSaintVincentdePaulSocietyweredoingtheirlevel CriticalConfessionsÐ145besttoprovidethesafetynetthatthegovernmentcouldn'torwouldn'tgive.AndtheyandtheoldFeniansalikemixedmoralismandrealismintryingtokeeptheirscarceresourcesfrombeingpissedawaybyFrank'sdrunkendad.Betweenthem,theFeniansandtheChurchweretheonlyrealforcesbothforsolidarityandformoraltransformationgoinginLimerick.McCourtwouldhavenoneofit,andintellinghistalehemirrorshisdad'sstubbornness,rejectinganygroupwhosepriceofadmissionwouldinvolvelivinguptosomecollectivenormsandvalues.Littlewonderhe'drathermakeitinanAmericawherehecould®ndhimselfÐorfantasizehimselfÐfreeofallattachments,allcommitments.ºMarshasmoothedherpapers,whichwerebeingruf¯edbyagustofwind,andcontinued.ªOkay,ºshesaid,ªwecanseethedangershere,andÐinherthirdbeefwithmostwomen'smemoirsÐKauffmanhasgoodreasonsforwantingfeministstogiveupthewholenovelistic`Ms.HoratioAlger'plot,asshecallsit:thedeceptivecoherenceofatriumphantmarchfrom®ftiesrepres-siontosixtiesliberation,institutionalin®ltrationintheseventies,andten-ureintheeighties.Thequestioniswhetherautobiographicalcriticismcan®ndaviablealternativetothisalltoocozyplot.ªDavidSimpson'sdubious.InhisnewbookTheAcademicPostmodernandtheRuleofLiterature:AReportonHalf-Knowledge,hehasa®elddaywithwhathecalls`thevirtualstampedeintoautobiographyonthepartofliterarycritics.'Simpsonarguesthat`thegestureofmakingpresent,ofbringingtolife,tendstofunction...asanalternativetomethodologicaldoubt,andasacelebrationoflivingwithoutdoubt.'Hetellsuslateronthat`thenowmonotonousreiterationofwhooneisandwhereoneiscomingfromisaccompaniedbyanalmostaudiblesighofrelief,asifoneistherebyexoner-atedfromresponsibilityorculpability.'ªAsifthisweren'tbadenough,thiskindofself-justi®cationisjustthetipoftheautobiographicaliceberg.Simpsonseesthisnewwaveofpersonalcriticismaspartofalargerproblem,aturningawayfromrealattentiontobroadhistoricalpatternsandforces.Even`newhistoricists'likeSteve 146ÐPUERTOVALLARTAGreenblatt,hesays,havesubstitutedanecdotesandreportsofconversationsforgenuinehistoricalanalysis.Thisisaseriousissue,especiallyforthoseofuswhoareinvolvedincollaborativework.Isthereanywayaconferencelikethisone,forexample,canyieldsomethingmorethantheseparatelittlepapersweallwrotebeforecominghereÐorwhilecominghere?Wouldn'twereallylearnmoreifwejuststayedhomeandspentevenacoupleofhoursinthelibraryÐletaloneseveralwholedays?Shouldn'twegiveupthecha-radeofcommunicationandjustgojointhatvolleyballgameoverthere?ºIlookedaroundthetable.Everyoneseemeduncomfortable,probablybecauseseveralofourgrouphad,infact,beenlookingratherlonginglyattheenviablytannedandminimallycladvolleyballplayersnotfaraway.De-spiteDov's¯u,ontheotherhand,hewastheonlypersontohavecometothepatiowearinganecktie.Hewasvisiblyperspiring,anditwasclearthathewouldhavepreferredtobecurledupinbedwithsomebackissuesoftheInternationalJournalofPhenomenology.ªThepeopleI'vebeenquotingareallprettydownonconfessionalcriti-cism,ºMarshawenton.ªButtheydon'tseemtoagreeonthenatureoftheunderlyingproblem.Infact,theyhavetwoquiteoppositeviews:sowehaveanimpassewrappedinacontradiction.ºThiscaughtDov'sattention;heloosenedhistieandleanedforward,scratchinghisbeardthoughtfully.ªForSimpson,ºMarshacontinued,ªtheproblemiswhatheannouncesbyhistitle:`theacademicpostmodern'hasgivenuponcoherenceandtele-ologyalike,soithastocontentitselfwith`half-knowledge.'ThepersonalbecomesthepathologyofleastresistanceºÐVicsmiledatthisЪandbyresistanceImeanpoliticalresistancetothestatusquo.Atomized,ironicanecdotesreplaceanycommongroundforprogressiveaction.ButifSimp-sonseestoomuchpostmodernism,bothKauffmanandFelskiseelittleornone.It'snaiverealism,notself-consumingirony,thatKauffmancom-plainsabout.What'smore,tocontinueinKauffman'svein,whenthetrium-phant,linearviewofprogressisthwarted,asinmanywaysitbegantobeintheReagan-Bushyears,thecriticisleft¯oundering,withnostalgiathemain CriticalConfessionsÐ147reactiontothecollapseofthestraight-aheadmarchofhistory.SeveraloftheessaysintheChangingSubjectsvolumecouldillustratethisalltoowell,asamatteroffact.ªNow,postmodernismaroseasawayofcomingtotermswiththedefer-ralsandambiguitiesofhistoricalprocess,butFelskidoesn'tseepostmod-ernismasanavailablemodeforwomentoday.Inherview,modernismwasalwaysamostlymaleploytoretaincriticaldominanceoverpopularandwomen'swriting.`Itisdif®culttoseehowthelinguisticexperimentsofmaleavant-gardeartistsbearanydirectorindirectrelationshiptotheliberationofwomen,howeverbroadlyconceived,'shetellsus,andyou'llnotetheabso-lutesI'veemphasizedinreadingthisquote.ªSoeveryoneagreeswe'reatanimpasse,butapparentlyforoppositereasons:dowehavetoomuchpostmodernism,ornoneatall?Ispersonaltestimonyacompellingwaytorecoverhistoryafterthecollapseofthoseoppressiveoldgrandnarratives,orisitjustasymptomofthecollapse?IsthecriticalconfessionjustanotherexpressionofChristopherLasch's`cul-tureofnarcissism,'asFelskifears?Oristheproblemnotsolipsismatall,butatooeasygroupsolidaritywithnorealstayingpowerinthefaceofopposi-tion?Finally,cantheproblemswithautobiographicalcriticismbesolvedsimplybyabandoningthewholegenre,ordotheyinhereinanysortofhistoricalworktoday?Forallhisadmirablecommitmenttorigoroushis-toricizing,DavidSimpsondoesn'tseemtoosureit'llleadhimanywhereanymoreeither.Ashetellsusinhisconcludingchapter,`WhathasbeenlostÐoratleastIhavelostitÐisany®rmfaiththat,inthewordsofonebeliever,ªhistoricalknowledgesºareªnecessaryforthesocialstruggleagainstop-pression,ºorthattheªstruggleovertheoryºwillproduceªemancipatoryknowledges.ºIcertainlyhopethatthismightbethecase,butIhavenosolidconvictionthatitis.'ºMarshaglanceddownatherfeet,whichhadjustbeenbumpedfrombehindbyastrayvolleyballthathadrolledupbetweenthelegsofherchair.Hardlypausing,shegavetheballaswiftrearwardkickandcontinuedherpresentation. 148ÐPUERTOVALLARTAªLet'sassumethatSimpsonisdeliberatelybeingironicherewhenhemakestheverymovehespendshisbookcritiquingÐadvancinghisper-sonallossoffaithasanecdotalemblemofauniversalloss.Thislossisig-noredonlybya`believer'hereandtherewhomaystillhopethathistoricalknowledgecanhelpusmaketheworldabetterplace.It'snoaccident,Ithink,thatthedeludedbelieverhereisafeminist,TeresaEbert.He'squot-ingherarticleon`LudicFeminism.'It'skindofoddthathemakesherhisstrawgirl,sinceshe'sashardonanecdotalismasheis.She'sdeeplycon-cernedthatfeministshavebeenhavingtoomuchfundoingpo-moriffsondesirewhenweshouldbestrugglingagainstworkers'oppression.Ithinkwehavetoacknowledgethatthenewvoicesintheroomhavebroughttheirbodieswiththem,andwehavetoworkthroughallthisandnotshrinkfromit:we'lldobettertogothroughthepersonal,notaroundit,towardbroaderanalysisandlargerformsofcollectiveunderstanding.ªIt'safalseoppositiontosayweshouldstopwastingourtimeonanec-dotesandgetbacktoanalyzingtexts.Anygiventextisakindofanecdotewithinthebroadnarrativeofliteraryhistory,andaninterpretationisastorywetellaboutthatstory.Wecanagreethatapoemismorecomplexthanyourtypicalpersonalanecdote.Butevenso,it'sadifferenceindegree,notoneinkind,aswithpopularartgenerally.What'smore,anecdotesreallyneverreachprintassuch,exceptintheminimalformofanewspaper'sgossipcolumn.Academics'anecdotesoughttobearmoreweightthanthat,justasthetextsweusetoexemplifysometrendneedtobeframedwithinadevelopedanalysis.Acomplexunderstandingofasimpleanecdotemaybeworthalotmorethanasimplisticinterpretationofagreatbook.That'swhyIlikeThePsychopathologyofEverydayLifebetterthanFreud'sone-dimensionalreadingsofOedipusRex.ªMaybeneitherSimpsonnorFelskihaslookedcloselyenoughatwhat'sreallygoingoninfeministpersonalcriticism.Theybothconcentratesostronglyongivingabroadoverviewthatneitherofthemgoesintoanyparticulartextinanydetail.Now,grantingthat90percentofpersonalcrit-icismisprettyforgettableÐthiscompareswithabout98percentofcriti-cismingeneralÐtherealquestionishowthingsworkinthe10percentof CriticalConfessionsÐ149reallygoodstuff.I'dliketotakeoneshortautobiographicaltextasacaseinpoint:my`anecdote,'ifyoulike,whichtomeexempli®esthekindsofreallyinterestingconfessionalwritingthatwestartedtoseeoncefeminismbegantobreakoutofitsheavilymiddle-classseventiesmode.I'lldeliberatelygobackabit,totheearlyeighties,beforepersonalcriticismbecamethe¯avorofthemonthandwasstillaveryriskythingtotry,atleastinprint.Itwasaspeciallytrickymatterifyouweregoingtochallengetheassumptionsofthewhite,bourgeoiscommonalityofmainstreamfeminism.The®rstgreatsalvointhisdebatewasa1981collection,ThisBridgeCalledMyBack:Writ-ingsbyRadicalWomenofColor,editedbyCherríeMoragaandGloriaAn-zaldúa.Theeditorsandtheircontributorstriedallsortsofthings,fromhistoricalanalysistoprosepoetry.Theindividualpiecesarewildlyhetero-geneous,youcouldsayuneven,butthevolumeasawholehadatremendousimpact,anditsmessagewascarriedasmuchinhoweveryonewroteasinthespeci®cargumentstheyputforth.ªHereI'lljusttalkaboutoneoftheessaysinthatvolume,GloriaAnzal-dúa's`SpeakinginTongues:ALetterto3rdWorldWomenWriters.'ThispieceshowsthemajorfeaturesoffeministconfessionalwritingthatFelskiidenti®es.Forinstance,Anzaldúachampionsthespeakingvoiceoveradis-tancedprosestyle,rejectingabstracttheorizingandinsteadusingthegenreofthelettertoemphasizedirectnessofaddresstoanaudienceshewantstogetasclosetoasshecan.Here'showshebeginsherpiece:`21mayo80.Dearmujeresdecolor,companionsinwritingÐIsitherenakedinthesun,typewriteragainstmykneetryingtovisualizeyou.Blackwomanhuddlesoveradeskinthe®fth¯oorofsomeNewYorktenement.SittingonaporchinsouthTexas,aChicanafanningawaymosquitosinthehotair,tryingtoarousethesmoulderingembersofwriting.Indianwomanwalkingtoschoolorworklamentingthelackoftimetoweavewritingintoyourlife.AsianAmerican,lesbian,singlemother,tuggedinalldirectionsbychildren,loverorex-husband,andthewriting.'ªAsyoucansee,Anzaldúawantsherownexperiencetorelatestructurallytoworking-classminoritywomen'sexperienceingeneral.Butshedoesthisbylayingherindividualbodyontheline.Shedescribesthesocialbarriers 150ÐPUERTOVALLARTAtomakinghervoiceheard,asamultiplymarginalizedworking-classChi-canalesbian,andshealsoemphasizestheverypersonalresistancesshehastosurmountbeforeshecanwrite:`Theproblemistofocus,toconcentrate.Thebodydistracts,sabotageswithahundredruses,acupofcoffee,pencilstosharpen.'Exampleslikethosearegeneralanddecorousenough;butshegoesfarther,intoa`ludic'feminismthatbothassertsheruniqueindividual-ityandsendsitup:`Eatingismymaindistraction.Gettinguptoeatanappledanish.ThatI'vebeenoffsugarforthreeyearsisnotadeterrentnorthatIhavetoputonacoat,®ndthekeysandgooutintotheSanFranciscofogtogetit....anythingjusttoputoffthewriting.'ºInoticedVicrollinghiseyesatthis;sodidMarsha,butshegrinned.ªThiswriting'sout-and-outembarrassing,isn'tit?ºshewenton.ªButthat'sjustthepoint:atoneandthesametime,Anzaldúadrawsusinandholdsusoffbythisstarkpersonalism,adynamicshereinforceslinguisticallybyfreelymixingSpanishintoherEnglish.Throughoutheressay,sheshiftsbackandforthbetweenthegeneralandthepersonal.Sheresistsatotalizinglinearnarrative,andyetshereallyisn'tFelski'shelplesspostmodernsearcherforanever-vanishingcoreofself.Shedisplaysherverypalpableselfforus,nakedbeforehertypewriter,forcingustovisualizeherasshetriestovisualizeus.She'svividlyindividualandalsosociallyconstructed,separatedfrommanypeopleanddeeplylinkedtoothersthroughthedeter-minantsofclass,gender,ethnicity,andsexualpreference,andherbodyitselfisasocialpresenceasmuchasasomaticone.`Yourskinmustbesensitiveenoughforthelightestkiss,'shesays,`andthickenoughtowardoffthesneers.'AsElizabethErmarthhasputit,`Thepersonalvoiceisnotde®nableasone,essentialthing;itismorelikeapowertovarybetweenwhatisuniquelyindividualandwhatisgeneralandpublic;itisapowercrucialtosociality,andapowerthatmustbelearned.'ºMarshaglancedatherwatch,clearedherthroat,andresumed.ªAnzaldúahasfoundhervoice,andharnesseditspower,intwoways:bytalkingwithhercommunityoffriends,andbyreading.It'sinterestingthatherwritingowesalot,infact,tothegreatmodernisttraditionofWoolf, CriticalConfessionsÐ151Joyce,andProust.I'llgiveyoutheexampleofProust,inthedenouementofAnzaldúa'sappledanishquest.`ReturningafterI'vestuffedmyself,'shewrites.`Writingparagraphsonpiecesofpaper,addingtothepuzzleonthe¯oor,totheconfusiononmydeskmakingcompletionfarawayandper-fectionimpossible.'Sofar,thislookslikeFelski'srecedingself:theappledanishhasn'tdoneanythingforAnzaldúa.It'snomadeleine,herpastre-mainsinaccessibletohereventhoughshecoversher¯oorwithfragmentslikeProust'sMarceldoesashestrugglestowritetheRecherche:`Icutandpasteandlinethe¯oorwithmybitsofpaper,'Anzaldúagoeson:`Mylifestrewnonthe¯oorinbitsandpiecesandItrytomakesomeorderoutofitworkingagainsttime,psychingmyselfupwithdecaffeinatedcoffee,try-ingto®llinthegaps.'LikeMarcel,Gloriastrugglesagainstencroachingtime,andsheevenforti®esherselfwithcoffee,thoughhersisdecaf,alesspotentbrewthanhisfamouscaféaulait.ªThestorydoesn'tendhere,though:asinProust,asocialinterventionmakestheworkcohere.Butnow,theembodimentofthissocialnexusisn'taProustianservant,buta®gureoffeminineequality:`Leslie,myhouse-mate,comesin.Getsonhandsandkneestoreadmyfragmentsonthe¯oorandsays,ªIt'sgood,Gloria.º'Leslie'saf®rmationtriggerstheinvoluntaryrecollectiontheappledanishhadfailedtoproduce,andAnzaldúais¯oodedwithherpastevenasshe'sfreedfromit:`AndIthink:Idon'thavetogobacktoTexas,tomyfamilyofland,mesquites,cactus,rattlesnakesandroadrunners.Myfamily,thiscommunityofwriters.HowcouldIhavelivedandsurvivedsolongwithoutit.AndIremembertheisolation,re-livethepainagain.ªToassessthedamageisadangerousact,ºwritesCherríeMoraga.Tostopthereisevenmoredangerous.º'ºMarshatookoffherglasses,lettingthemhangfromherneckbytheircord,andlookedaroundthetable.ªDidyounoticetheinterplaybetweenspeechandwritinghere?ºsheasked.ªTherecollectionofTexasisframedbyLeslie'sspeechandMoraga'sessay,withwhichAnzaldúaisindialogue,andwithwhomshe'shavingconversationsthatwillresultintheirworktogetheronthecollectioninwhichthisessaynowappears.`Thisbookwill 152ÐPUERTOVALLARTAchangeyourlife,'Moragatellsher,asthebook'sprefacetellsusinturn.YoucanseethatAnzaldúa'sessaygoesfarbeyondtheparalyzingdichoto-miesofsolipsismversusgroupidentity,anecdoteversushistory,personalspeechversustheoreticalanalysis,realismversuspostmodernism.Andshedoesallthisinjustninepages!I'llstophere,butasAnzaldúasays,it'sdangeroustostopwithanalysisalone.ThepointistoseehowwecanuseourlivesÐandourlifehistoriesÐtobuildamorevitalsocialandintellec-tualcommunity.Anzaldúashowsitcanbedone:thechallengeforusistoseeifwecandoaswellourselves.ºThemembersofourgroupstraightenedupandlookedaround,comingoutofthevarioushunchedpostureseachpersonhadunconsciouslyadoptedwhilelisteningcloselytoMarsha'stalk.Therewasevenalittleburstofapplausefromsomepeoplestandingnearby,thoughthisprovedtobedirectedatthewinningvolleyballteam,thegamehavingjustended.HymitBathtöispoke®rst.ªAsplendidpaper,Marsha,ºhesaid.ªPerhapsthereisonefurtherdichotomythatwemightdeconstructalittleÐtheoneyoucitefromRitaFelskionthedifferencebetweenmen'striumphalistau-tobiographyandwomen'slessego-ladenwriting.YoushowedsowellhowAnzaldúausedProust'sautobiographicalmasterpiece.TheRechercheiscer-tainlyaself-consciouslygreatwork;andyet,thinkhowtentativelyProustinscribeshisownnameintoit.Hisclearlyautobiographicalheroremainsunnamedforafulltwothousandpages,andthenonly¯eetinglyishere-ferredtoas`Marcel,'andthatinthemostambiguousofways.Doyourecall?Albertinewakesfromsleep,seesthenarratorinbedbesideher,suppressesafrownofannoyance,andthenaddresseshimbyhis`nomdebaptême'Ð`cequi,endonnantaunarrateurlemêmeprénomqu'àl'auteurdecelivre,eûtfaitªmonMarcel,monchériMarcel.º'AmericancriticsoftenmissthepointandmerelycallthenarratorMarcelÐyouarefarfromaloneinthisÐbutnotethepastconditionaltense:`which,togivethenarratorthesamenameasthatoftheauthorofthisbook,wouldhavebeenMarcel.'Areanyidentities,maleorfemale,soverystableinProust?Doesthishegemonicmalenarrativereallyexist?º CriticalConfessionsÐ153ªIdon'tknowifthat'ssuchacompellingexceptiontothedynamicFelskiidenti®es,ºMarshareplied.ªCertainlyAnzaldúawantstoallyherselfwitharangeofmarginalizedgroupswhosegender,class,orethnicitysetsthemaskewfrommainstreamvalues.Idon'tthinkheruseofProustisrandomatallhere:he'sinspiringtoherpreciselybecauseheshookupthenormsofnineteenth-centuryrealism.Wasn'theledtodothispartlybecauseÐgayormostlygay,half-Jewish,¯oatinginbetweenthearistocracyandthebour-geoisieÐProustdidn't®tintothemainstreameither?ºBathtöiskepticallystrokedhislongmoustacheswithathumbandindex®nger;ashedid,Ihadaninvoluntaryrecollectionofmyown.ªLook,Hymit,ºIblurtedout,ªIrememberyoucomingoutofaseminarwewereintogetheringraduateschool,onrealism.WewerereadingOldMortalityÐyouremember,WalterScott.Aswecameout,youstrokedyourmoustacheandsaidsadly,`Butitisn'tProust.'Weren'tyoureactingagainstScott'suseoftherealistmodehehelpedcreate,whichProustbrokewithandwhichhasmoreandmorebrokendownsince?Hasn'titbrokendownmostdramati-callyforwomenandothergroupswhowereneverfullyincludedinittobeginwith?ºIstopped,alittlesurprisedtohavespokensoforcefully,anduncomfort-ableathavingmadesuchapointofatwenty-year-oldanecdote.Afterall,IonlystillrememberedtheepisodebecauseoftheembarrassmentI'dfeltatthetimeatneverhavingreadProust.WhenI®nallydidreadtheRecherchethefollowingfall,itwastoolatetoworkupsomesharprejoindertoBathtöi,whoinanyeventhadstoppedtalkingbythentoanyonelesstheoreticallysophisticatedthanhimself.Happily,hehadmellowed,orhisstandardshadlowered,since1977.Hesmiledgenially.ªDidIsaythat?ºheasked.ªHowchildishwewerethen!Now,ofcourse,IseethatProustwastellingusasmuchabout®n-de-siècleParisasabouttherhetoricsofreadingthatourhonoredprofessordeManlovedtodecon-struct.Conversely,too,hadInotbeensoyoungandbrashIwouldhavere¯ectedonScott'sownresistancetothe®xitiesofauthorialidentity.Why 154ÐPUERTOVALLARTAelsedidhewriteanonymouslyforsomanyyears,strewinghisprefaceswithslymockeriesoftheattempttounravelthe`true'identityof`theAuthorofWaverley'?Inthatbookyourecallusasreading,OldMortalityhimselfloseshisownname,gaininghisdeathlynicknamefromhisceaselessquesttocountertheerasuresoftime,ashetravelsfromgraveyardtograveyard,re-cuttingthenamesthattimehasblurredontombstones!WasProustper-hapsthinkingofthatverybookwhenhedescribedhisnovelasacemeteryinwhichtherealnamesonthetombstoneshavebeeneffaced?ºMarshawasundauntedbythisrapidsequenceofthought.ªItseemstome,Hymit,ºshereplied,ªnowyou'reimplyingScottwasProustÐearly,proto-Proust.It'skindofaniceidea,butifyoujustcheckoutsomeofthecostumedramaslikeRobRoythatHollywood'sbeenputtingoutlately,you'dseehowreadilyScottcanberecuperatedforaprettylinearhistory.I'mwillingtoallowthereisn'tanyabsolutedifferencebetweenmen'shisto-riographyandwomen's,butI'dstillwanttosaythere'susuallybeenacon-siderabledifferenceindegree.Agreed?ºWeallagreed.Imentionedthattimewasgettingonandsoweshouldmovetoournextspeaker.Twoexcellentpapersfollowed,onebyDart-mouth'sMarianneHirschontheambiguitiesofHolocausttestimonialandonebyLoisZamora,ofHouston,onthesuppressionofdialogueinEliza-bethBurgos-Debray'srecordingofthelifestoryofRigobertaMenchú.Finally,MaartenvanDeldengaveanilluminatingpaperthatusedthecriti-calwritingsofCarlosFuentestochallengeBenedictAnderson'sconceptofªimaginarycommunities.ºInhispaper,calledªImaginaryDisunities,ºvanDeldenemphasizedtheeffectsoftheearlysplitinFuentes'slife,dividedbetweenyearsintheUnitedStatesandinMexico.Mexicannationalrealityitself,heargued,wasfarmoredividedthanAnderson'smodelwouldsug-gest,andprintculturewasasmuchacentrifugalforceinMexicoasacohe-siveone.VanDeldenconcludedwithafewwryremarkstyinghistopicintohisownlife:asaDutchcitizenworkinginAmerica,nowonthepointofmovingwithhisKoreanwifefromNYUtoRiceUniversityinHouston,hewasprobablysecretlyhopingtodoaswellasFuentesinmanagingpersonalandprofessionaldislocations. CriticalConfessionsÐ155Allthreepapersproducedsomegooddiscussion,thoughthepresenta-tionshadnotcoheredaswellasIhadexpectedfromtheabstracts.Every-one'stone,moreover,wasalittletentative.Timewouldtellwhetherthingswouldjellfurtherastheconferenceproceeded.THEafternoon,however,wasreservedforrelaxation.Marsha,Dov,andIallneededtogointotownto®ndpresentstotakehometoourchildren,andVicwaseagertoaddtohiscollectionofMexicanmasks.WewalkedintocentralPuertoVallartaafterlunch,butthecobblestonesseemeddeterminedonlytoleaduspastresort-wearshops,agenciasdeviaje,andjewelryestablishmentstoofarupthescalefortheaverageacademic,evenwiththefavorableexchangerate.Wedideventually®ndsomeade-quatetoysformykidsandforDov'sandMarsha'sdaughters,butbeyondthatweweredisappointed.Dovwantedto®ndsomeparticularlyimpressivehand-carvedchesssettogivetohissons,butwedidn'tseeanyworthasecondlook.Wedidencounterafewmasksinanartesanía,butVicdis-missedthemasªairportart.ºªWhatIwant,ºhesaid,distastefullysettingdownacutelyscowlingtigermask,ªistherealthing.Genuinemasksarenevermadetohangonawall,andtheirbeautyhasnothingtodowithconventional`prettiness.'They'reusedindances,butthistigreheredoesn'tevenhaveeyeholesforawearertolookthrough.Inpreconquesttimes,warriorsdressedasjaguarsdancedinthetemplecourtyardsbeforetheywentouttotheslaughter.Returninghome,theywoulddancethroughthestreets,wearingthe¯ayedskinofoneoftheiropponents:thetrueDanceofDeath,nowdistantlyrememberedintheChristianfestivaloftheDíadelosMuertos.Evenintheirpresentform,theIndians'dancesgobacktoearlycolonialtimes,withthemesliketheexpulsionoftheMoorsfromSpainÐamostinterestingtranspo-sitionoftheirowncon¯ictsofSpaniardagainstIndian,isitnot?AndtheystillmakesplendidmasksofDeath;IhavesomechillingonesfromOaxacaandsomerathercomiconesfromGuerrero.Theyarestrangelyinvigorating.ºªYoudon'tsay?ºMarshacommented.ªIfitwasn'tyoutalking,Vic,I'd 156ÐPUERTOVALLARTAthinkyourinterestlayasmuchinthemasks'usevalueasintheirartisticdesigns.ºªIshallnotdenytheeffectsofyourcorruptingin¯uence,ºVicrepliedwithasmile.ªOfcourse,formetherewardremainsaesthetic.Usealonecannotconsecrateamediocredesign,andinfactmostofthepeoplewhousethemasksindancestodayprobablycaremoreaboutacomfortable®tthanaboutsubtletiesofcarving.Evenso,themasks'`usevalue,'asyoucallit,doesfocusavillage'spassiononthem,thusprovidingthesocialconditionswithinwhichthetrueartistsamongcarverscancreateextraordinarythings.NotonemaskinahundredpresentsthecombinationIseek:exceptionaltechnicalskill,originalityintheuseofformulaicmotifs,andaunifyingsensibilityofmordantirony.Thecasuallyknocked-offspecimensinthisshopshownothingofthis.ButperhapslaPatronaknowswherewemightlook.ºVicwenttothefrontofthestoreandhadarapid-®reconversationwiththeshopkeeper.ªBueno,ºhesaid,returningtous.ªLaPatronahasacousin,dngelbyname,whogetsmasksfromIndiansinthebackcountry.Averydistantcousin,sheinsistsÐIsuspectheisamestizo,theyareusuallythemiddlemeninsuchtransactionsÐbutshegavemehisaddress.Justacrossfromtheroaduptoabeergardeninthehills,afewmilessouthoftown.Soundsintriguing;shallwe?ºWehailedataxi.Thedriversaidheknewdngel,thoughhewarnedusthathemightormightnotbeathome;ifnot,wemight®ndhimhavingabeerupatthecervecería.Findingnooneatthehouse,wefollowedthesignacrosstheroadthatpointedthewaytoElJardíndeEden,astheplacewascalled,akilometer'swalkupadirtroadwindingintothewoodedmountainsringingBanderasBay.Theafternoonwashotandsunny,butvine-coveredtreesgaveshade,andarushingstreamcouldbeheardintheunderbrushofftoourrightasweclimbedupthroughthenarrowvalley.Dovactuallytookoffhistie,andprofessedtobefeelingbetter.ªMythroatwillnotyetletmesmoke,however,ºhecommented,ªandsoweshouldtalk.IwassurprisedbyyourdiscussionofAngela'sAshes,Marsha:IwouldnothaveexpectedyoutodefendthatmiserableSaintVincentde CriticalConfessionsÐ157PaulSociety.IshouldratherhavethoughtyouwouldidentifywithMc-Court'srejectionoftheChurchandallitsworks.ªªYouknow,Dov,ºMarshaanswered,ªI'vebeenthinkingsomeaboutmyattitudestowardreligionsincewetalkedinChicago,I'mtryingtocatchmyselfwhenIfallintosomepostureofsimplisticdismissiveness.Imean,forgetthebeliefsystem,butstill,asasocialphenomenonthere'sanawfullotgoingonwithreligion.Awhileback,IwouldhavechuckledalongwithallofMcCourt'slittledigsatreligionandjustgottenannoyedbyhisreduc-tivenessaboutpolitics,actuallythatwasmyreactionforaboutthe®rsthalfofthebook.ButthenIbegantonoticehowsimilarthetwotopicsareinhisaccount,andIstartedaskingmyselfwhat'sreallybehindallthatanti-Catholicism.He'sevengottowheeloutakill-joyCatholicpriestintheverylastscene,remember?Oncehe'slandedinAmericaandisabouttoscrewoneofthatgroupofboredhousewiveswhoarelookingforalittleanony-moussex,sotheycanactouttheirfrustrationatbeingtrappedindead-endmarriages.It'sacuteendinginaway,hegivesthepadretheslipandgetsthegirlwho's,you'dhavetosaythrusting,herselfonhim,butit'sbeenthemoralofhisstoryallalong.Everyoneforthemselvesalone.It'snotenoughtosaythepriestdoesn'twantanyonetohaveanyfunÐhealsorepresentstheforcesofsocialcohesionthataretryingtosupportfamilies,buildcom-munity,lessenthewarofallagainstall.McCourtmakesthiskindofmoveallthroughthebook.ºªIsupposeIshouldbepleasedthatyougivereligionsomesortofcredit,ºDovsaid,ªifonlyasasocialserviceagency.ºªIt'smorethanthat,ºMarshasaid.ªOrbothmoreandless.There'sal-wayssomeweirdsetofcon¯ictingagendasinachurchgroup,atleasttherealwayswasinmymother'sparish,thewholethingkeptdegeneratingintobickering,andtheresourceswereprettysmallpotatoes.Imean,Momandherfriendswouldspendmonthsplanningsomebakesaletobene®ttheIRA,intheendthey'dmayberaise®vehundredbucks.Butitmeantalottoallofthem,anditwashardcashtheyraised.Idon'tknowthatmydad'sMarxistdiscussiongroupeveraccomplishedasmuch.Maybeintheearlydays,buttheykindofimplodedovertheinvasionofHungaryin'56and 158ÐPUERTOVALLARTAneverreallyrecoveredafterthat.AtleasttheygotmetoMexicoonce,itwasin'61,aftertheBayofPigs.TheywantedtodosomethinginsolidarityÐtheyfeltthey'dbecometootheoretical,toodistantfromtheactualscenesofstruggle.Theycouldn'tgotoCuba,sothey®nallycharteredabusandcamedowntoMexicoCity,familiesandall.WehadapilgrimagetoTrotsky'sfavoritecafé.Iguesspoliticsandreligionwerealwaysmixedupinmyhousehold.ºWepassedasign:JardíndeEden:1km.ªFunny,ºVicremarked.ªBackatthebottomoftheroadthesignsaidthesamething.Aren'twegettinganywhere?ºTheroadwassteepanddusty,thesunwasnowbeatingdownonusasweclimbedhigher,andeachbendintheroadlookedmuchlikethelast.Wetrudgedoninsilenceforanothertenminutesorso,whereuponwecametoanothersign:JardíndeEden:1km.Thiswasgettingdiscouraging.Dovwantedtoturnback,pleadingthathisthroatwasbeginningtobotherhimagain.ªComeon,Dov,ºMarshareplied;ªjustlistentothestream,itsoundslikewe'regettingtowardsomerapids,maybeawaterfall.Wemustbealmostthere,andwehaven'tpassedanyonethewholewayup.WecouldbetheonlypeopleinEden!ºWetrudgedon,andafterahundredyardsorsowesuddenlycametoalargeclearing,markedbyafadedsign:ElJardíndeEden.Anewersignnexttoitproclaimedthatthishadbeenthesettingforscenesinthe1988action®lmPredator.Infrontofuswesawasmallwaterfallplungingdownintoalargepool;ashedstoodalongoneside,ornamentedwitharustyCoca-Colasign.Therewasacementpatio,wheretwoorthreepairsoftouristswereseatedonwhiteplasticchairs,drinkingbeers,fanningthemselves,andstar-ingvaguelyatthewaterfall.Theyhadriddenupbyanotherpath,onseverallistless-lookingponiesthatwerenowcroppingsuchgrassastheycould®ndinthedustyclearing.AcoupleofMexicanguideswererelaxingintheshadeonthefarsideoftheclearing,waitingforthetouriststo®nishtheirbeers.Inquiriesattheshedrevealedthatdngelhadbeenthereearlierintheafternoon,buthadleft.Weboughtbottlesofbeerbeneathasignedpublic-itystillofArnoldSchwarzenegger. CriticalConfessionsÐ159ªSothisisEden,ºDovsaid,aswestoodoutonthecementpatio.ªImighthaveknown.EtinArcadiaSchwarzenegger!ºªAppropriatelyenough,ºVicremarked.ªIt'sDeathwhoistheegoinAr-cadiaintheRenaissancetag,andtheTerminatorisonlyhismodernguise.ºªMorelikehispost-modernguise,ºMarshaadded.ªArnoldisn'ttheheavyinthisoneanyway.ThePredator'sthisweirdteenagemutantGod-zillacyborg.AwalkingA-bomb,too,withaDarthVaderheadpieceÐhe'sreallyananthologyofmoviemonsterhistory.Andtodefeathim,Arnoldhastodoaback-to-natureTarzanthing,plasteredinmudÐbowsandar-rows,noless.ºªDon'ttellmeyouthinkthere'ssomelittleeco-moralhere!ºVicex-claimed.ªMr.SteroidsHugsaTree?ºªYouneverknowwithSchwarzenegger,ºMarshareplied.ªIt'salwayssomeunstablemixofparody,self-parody,andstraightaction.Buttheeco-logicalgesturesinPredatorarejustsilly.Theonlyrealpoliticalmessageissocial.ArnoldbringsthiswholeMissionImpossibleteamwithhimÐhislong-timecollaborators.WhentheCIApigwho'shiredthemdismisseshiscrewas`expendableunits,'wegetArnold'slongestspeechinthewhole¯ick.`Mymenarenotexpendableunits,'hegrowls.Eloquent,huh?Ofcourse,thePredatoroffsthemonebyoneanyway.ºªHealwaysdoes,ºVicsaidsoberly.Stillthinkingaboutdeath,Ire¯ected.I'dhopedVic'smoodhadim-provedsinceChicago.Ithoughtofaskinghowhisfriendtherewasdoing,butdecidedthattheconnectionmightbetooobvious.ªStillthinkingaboutdeath?ºMarshaaskedsoftly.Vicsmiled.ªMorethanthat,dearMarsha,ºhereplied:ªIhavecometoseedeathasaresearchopportunity!ItwasmyformerloverBillwhogavemetheidea,indirectly.WhenIwenttoseehiminthehospital,IfoundhimreadingtheDuinoElegiesÐRilkewasalwaysacommonpassionofours.Henowcreditstheelegiesasmuchasthemedicationsforseeinghimthroughthatdif®cultperiod.WhenIsawhim,hetoldmethatforthe®rsttimehewasdrawntothetenthelegy,theoneinwhichDeathtakesthepoettothelandofLa-ments,pointingoutthegreatconstellations:TheMother;TheBurning 160ÐPUERTOVALLARTABook.AsBillandItalked,IbecameintriguedbyRilke'srecoursetomedi-evalallegoryinordertotalkaboutdeath.Ibegantothinkthatdeathmightbeathreadtofollow,awaytolinksomeofmydisparatemedievalandmoderninterests.IshallcalltheprojectDeath:ABiography.Itwillbealookattheshiftingwayspoetshaveimagedtheunimaginable.ºªIhopeyouwillgobacktotheBible,ºDovsaid.ªThereDeathisdoublyrepressed,astheJahwistswerereluctanttoadmitsopowerfularivaltothedivinecourt.Soyouhavea®gurewhois,shallIsay,unimagableaswellasunimaginable.Allthemoreinteresting,then,toseehishoodedfacepeekoutattimesÐevenassociatedtolove.IntheclimaxoftheSongofSongs,forexample:`azzahka-Maweth,'ahavah;qashahki-she'ol,kinah.`Loveisstrongasdeath,passioncruelasthegrave,'asthetranslationgoes,thoughthetranslatorshavepreferredtoforgetthatDeathisapropername.ºªYoubringtomindWagner'sfascinationwiththeideaoftheLiebes-tod,ºVicreplied.ªAgainwithmedievalsources,mostnotablyGottfried'sTristan.GottfriedevenspellsIsoldeattimesasIsôt,torhymewithtôt,`death.'ItwastoreadGottfriedthatI®rststudiedMiddleHighGerman.Suchapoet!TheanagrammaticplaywithTristan/Tantris,theacrosticweavingofthepoet'sownnameintohisopeningstanzas,hissardonicirony,comedybothhighandlow,andalwaystheineluctableblendingofloveanddeath.AthemealltoofullyrealizedinGottfried'sownearlydeath!ThinkofthatincantatoryFrenchcoupletTristansingsnearthepoem'sprema-tureendÐtothewrongIsolde,it'strue,bitofamix-upthere,butallthemorehauntingtoseehislovespiralingoutofcontrolÐ`Isôtmadrûe,Isôtm'amie,/Envûsmamort,envûsmavie!'ºOurbeers®nished,webeganthewalkbackdownhill.Itwasnowlateintheafternoon;whenwewouldglimpsethesunaheadofus,outoverthePaci®c,itseemedtobehanginginthesky,preparingforitssuddenplungeintotheocean.Ahushedstillnesspervadedthewoodsaroundus.ªSupposetheworldoutsideEdenendedwhilewe'vebeenhere?ºMarshaaskedidly.ªWhatwouldwedoifwe®ndwe'retheonlyonesleft,andthisforestisallthereis?Couldwere-createsomedegreezeroofculture?ºªWecouldplaychess,ºDovsaid.ªLikethegodsintheProseEdda.After CriticalConfessionsÐ161theendoftheworldtheysitaroundValhalla,playinggameaftergame.Westillhavenotfoundachessset,sowewillhavetomakeourown,butwewillhaveallthetimeintheworldtoperfectourskill.ºMarshashuddered.ªWhatagrimvisionofthefutureÐendlesslyreplay-ingourbattles,likeNapoleononElba.ºªAblewasI...ºIremarkedabsently,mymindlargelyincapacitatedbythesunandthebeer.ªAman,aplan,acanalкVicinterruptedme,nonetoosoon.ªIseetheEdda'sendingdifferently,ºhesaid,asweemergedfromthewoodsandcameinsightofthepavedroad.ªWhatcouldbemoredelightfulthantosumupallearthlyexperienceintheperfectionofagame?Symbolicviolenceinsteadofbloodshed,conversationreplacingthetransitorysecuri-tiesofweaponsandfortresses.SurelythisisSnorriSturluson'sowndream,ashecomposestheEdda,retellingtheoldpaganstoriesafterdecadesoffeudinghaveledtoIceland'slossofindependencetoChristianNorway.Doyourememberhisbravuraframe-tale?...No?Atravelingking,Gyl®,comesuponanenchantedcastle.There,hehearsalltheoldmyths,toldtohimbyaparodicHolyTrinity:Har,Jafnhar,andThridiÐ`HighOne,'`Just-As-High,'and`Third.'Thenattheend,inasuddencoupdethéâtre,theentirecastlevanishesintothinair.`Makeofitwhatyoucan,'thespiritstellGyl®astheymeltawayÐwhetherinmockeryorinencouragementIcouldneversay.Wecoulddoworsethanspendeternityre-enactingourownversionofthatsublimesceneofinstruction.Theconferencetoendallconferences!ºªAndhowwouldweapportiontheroles?ºDovasked.ªYou'dhavetobeHighOne,ofcourse,ºVicsaid.ªI'msureyoucouldpullofftherequisitepomposityifyoureallytried.TheeternallyegalitarianMarshawouldbeJust-As-High.ImyselfwouldoptforThridiÐIbelieveheisreallymyheroLoki,thetrickster-god,indisguise.ºªWhataboutme?ºIasked.ªYou'dbetheperfectGyl®,David,ºVicanswered.ªAudienceparexcel-lence,recorderoftheevent,actuallythetitlecharacterÐthatentiresectionoftheEddaisnamedafteryou,Imeanhim:`TheDeludingofGyl®.'º 162ÐPUERTOVALLARTAIwasn'tsureIlikedthisidea,butwewerenowbackatdngel'shouse.Wewereencouragedtohearsalsamusiccomingfromaradioinside.dngelansweredthedoor,andwelcomedusintothefrontroomofhistwo-roomhouse.Thewallswerecoveredwithmasks,andÐtoDov'sdelightÐashelfwaslinedwithadozenchesssets,hand-carvedfromwoodwithtopsmadeofbone.dngeltoldusthathisbrothermadethemfromlocalwoodandoxenbone(Vicsuspecteddog),andaftersomebargainingÐsilentlysuper-visedfromtheinnerdoorwaybydngel'swifeMaríaÐDovboughtthemostelaborateset,whosebone®nialsandheadshadbeencarvedintolaceliketraceries.ªMyboysaredevotedtochess,ºhesaid.ªItisalmosttheonlythingthethreeofuscanagreeon.Iwillhavethisforthemwhentheycometostaywithmeagainthissummer.ºªSotheydidvisitlastsummer?ºMarshaasked.ªInfactyes,Itookyouradvice,ºDovreplied.ªItwasawkwardat®rst.Ariwouldbepracticinghisguitarlateatnight,thenBenwouldriseearlytodohisTalmud.HewouldalwaysdropsomethinginthekitchenandwakehislittlesisterZena,whoseroomisjustbeside.Evenso,bytheendofthesummertheyhad®nallybecomemorecomfortablewithmywifeAmy,andBenhadsomelongtalkswithBobAlterwhenhecamedownfromBerkeleytovisit.BobputhimintouchwithaveryinterestingbiblicalscholarinJerusalem,IlanaPardes,afeministinterestedintexthistory.Bensatinonherseminarsthisyear,andapparentlyhewasimpressedbyasessioninwhichshecritiquedmybookontheeroticsofbiblicalnarrative.ThiswastheworkinwhichIarguedthatthethemeofpolygamyinthepatriarchalnarrativesservestoworkthroughtheauthors'hiddenanxietyaboutthemultiplicityoftheirsources.Benwritesmelonge-mailsnowinwhichhetriestoshowmetheerrorofmywaysfromboththeTalmudicandthefeministperspectivesatonce.Ifhecanpullthisoff,hemaybecomearealscholar,andatleastourargumentsareinterestingnow.ºVic,meanwhile,wasstudyingthemasksonthewallabovethechesssets.ªQuiénes?ºheaskeddngel,pointingtoadelicatelycarvedmaskofa CriticalConfessionsÐ163woman'sface,herblueeyesandpinkcomplexioncontrastingstrangelywithtwoberibbonedhornsprotrudinglaterallyfromhertemples.ªEsunaMalinche,ºdngelreplied.ªMuy®na.ºªIthoughtasmuch!ºVicexclaimedindelight.ªHere,Marsha,sheisforyou.ºHetookthemaskfromthewallandhandedittoher.Marshaheldittoherface,momentarilytransformed,thentookitoff.ªShe'sbeautiful,ºshesaid.ªWhoisshe?ºªCortés'snativemistressandinterpreter,ºVicreplied.ªAcrucial®gureofculturalcontactandcon¯ict.Interestingto®ndherhere.Shewasobvi-ouslymadedowninGuerrero,oldAztecterritory,stillthecenterofNa-huatllanguageandculture.ButseeÐthemoderncarverhasgivenherthefeaturesandthecomplexionofaHollywoodstarlet.Yetshestillbearsthehornsofpowerofapre-Columbiandivinity,withribbonsinthecolorsofthefoursacreddirections.TwolovegoddessesinoneÐXochiquetzalmeetsMarilynMonroe!ºWepaidforthechesssetandthemaskandleft,withMarshaandVicamicablyarguingwhethertheMalinchemaskwasasignofculturaldefeatoratriumphantindexofresiliency.ªAlltheAztecs'artisaboutsurvival,ºVicremarked,ªasthismask'sun-cannypowerattests.Doyouremembermyfavoriteoftheoldpoems,Marsha?ºHebegantorecite,softly,aswewalkedalongtheroad.Inzaniyolloyaquinequi,inIpalNemohuaniincozcatli,inquetzalliinquipuztequizoncan.Ididn'tknowwhyheexpectedMarshatofollowthis,butIcertainlycouldn't.Seeingmyquizzicallook,Victranslated.ª`Theoneheart'sdesireoftheGiverofLifeisjade,isquetzalplumes:totearthemapart.'InquimmonequizÐthepoetcontinuesÐquimontepehuatiuhincuauhtin,inocelo:`Thisishisdesire:toscatteraparttheeagles,thejag-uars.'Asongofresignationanddefeat,inlesserhands;theeaglesandjaguarsarecompaniesofwarriors.`Howmanyjewels,howmanyquetzal 164ÐPUERTOVALLARTAplumes,havebeendestroyed?Ah,thoughitwasjade,thoughitwasgold....'Yetthepoetgiveshisthemeanunexpectedturn.Hispoemitselfisacloth,perhapsashroudÐit'sanobscurewordÐinwhichthelikenessesoftheeaglesandthejaguarsarewoven;wewillwearthisclothwhenwegotojointhem.`Somayyounowbehappy,mylords,'heconcludes;ayac,ayac,mocauhtiazintlalticpac.`Noone,noone,isleftbehindonearth.'ºBynow,duskhaddescendedandwasrapidlybecomingnight.Justaheadofus,wesawasignfortheRistorantedelParaíso.Thesigntoutedtherestau-rant'sdramaticlocationonabluffoverlookingBanderasBay,addingthatithadbeenthesettingforthe®lmofTheNightoftheIguana.ªHowcanwepassthisup?ºMarshaasked.ªCómono?ºVicdeclared,andinwewent.Despiteitsself-promotingbillboard,therestaurantprovedtobeacharmingandlow-keyestablishment,almostdesertedatthis(byMexicanstandards)predinnerhour,andwithfrostedMargaritastoprecedethemeal.Aswelookedoutatthestars®llingtheskyovertheocean,IsippedmyMargaritawithsatisfaction.Everyoneseemedexceptionallymellow;evenDovhadsurelystoppedthinkingaboutHeideggerforthetimebeing.ªThatmaskofyours,ºheremarkedtoMarsha,ªbringsLevinastomind.Hemakesmuchof`theface,'whichheseesasthemeetingplaceofselfandother.Thisexpresseshisconceptthatethicsprecedesontology:wecomeintoexistencethroughourinteractionswithothers.ButIwonderÐdonotidentitypoliticianslikeyourfriendAnzaldúaplacetheirontologicalstatus®rst,makinganyethicssecondarytotheirpreordainedselfhood?ºªIdon'tthinksoatall,ºMarshareplied.ªActuallyAnzaldúaherselfhasdoneananthologycalledMakingFace,HaciendoCaras.It'skindoflikeLevinas,thefaceisjustwhatisn'tyourownprivatepossession.Sheplaysoncaras,faces,andmáscarasÐmasksÐasourprotectionagainsthostilegazesandalsothebearersofallthemarksthatsocietyputsonus.`We'rewrittenallover,'shesays,`carvedandtattooedwiththesharpneedlesofexperience.'ºªNotmycupoftequilaatall,ºVicobserved.ªYoucantakemeorleaveme,butwhatyouseeiswhatyouget.AsmuchasIenjoyourlittleget- CriticalConfessionsÐ165togethers,thefabricofmybeinghardlydependsuponthem.Iwasperfectlyreal,thankyou,beforeIevermetanyofyou,andIamquitesurethatyouweretoo,Marsha:youaresovividlypresent.NowDamrosch,ontheotherhand,Iamlesssureof.Tellme,David,ºheasked,turningtome,ªwhenyoupassamirror,canyouseeyourre¯ection?ºThisgottome.ªYoutellmethis,Vic,ºIansweredsharply.ªWhenyoupassamirror,canyouseeanythingelse?ºªTouché,dearboy!ºVicreplied.ªIshallconcedeyourexistenceafterall.Ireallymeanttopraiseyouastheoneamonguswhomostclearlyseesthevalueingettingpeopletogether.Whateverinspiredyoutosetoutonthismadquestforcommunity?ºªItmighthavebeenC.S.Lewis,ºIanswered.ªAtleasthewasoneoftheinspirations,whenI®rstreadhimasateenager,alongwithTolkienandCharlesWilliamsandtheothersinthatdiscussiongroupoftheirs,`theInklings.'Whatyou'resayingaboutfacesremindsmeofanimagethat'sstayedwithmeeversinceI®rstreadhisbookTillWeHaveFaces.Lewis,orhisnarrator,hasavisionofabanquetinhell.Thedamnedareseatedaroundatableladenwithexquisitedishes,butthey'reallstarvingÐthey'vebeencursedwithfusedelbowjoints,sotheycan'teatthefoodtheyhavebeforethem.Thenthenarratorisshownabanquetinheaven.Similardishes,eventhesamephysicaldisability:theblessedtoohaveelbowsthatwon'tbend.Yetthey'reallwell-fed,talkinghappilytogether.Thenarra-tor'sastonished.Heaskshisangelicguidehowtheycanmanagetofeedthemselves.Theangelreplies:`Theyfeedoneanother.'ºªThat'ssweet,ºMarshasaid.ªButitsureisanOxbridgeideaofheaven,isn'tit?Fineifyou'reoneoftheplumpprofessorsatthehightable,youknow?ºªLewisneverthoughtofhimselfthatwayatall,ºIprotested.ªInfact,hisbackgroundwasmorelikeAnzaldúa's.HewashardlytothemannerbornÐhalfIrish,halfWelsh,half-orphanedbyhismother'searlydeath.Ascholar-shipstudent,outofhiselementinEngland.AndmarkedfrombirthasdramaticallyasAnzaldúa,byhisphysicaldebility.ºªLewiswashandicapped?ºDovasked. 166ÐPUERTOVALLARTAªFusedthumbjoints!ºIrepliedtriumphantly.MarshalookedatmelikeI'dgoneoutofmymind.ªYoureallymeantoequateatotallytrivialproblemlikethatwithpervasiveracialinjusticelikeAnzaldúafacedinTexas?ºªIt'sLewishimselfwhoreportstheprofoundeffectsofhishandicap.Inhismemoir,SurprisedbyJoy,hetraceshiswholesenseoftheworldtothatproblem.Hewasalwaysclumsy,hecouldneverdowellinsportsÐthatkeytoacceptanceinhisboy'sschool.Hesayshisdisabilitybred`asettledexpec-tationthateverythingwoulddowhatyoudidnotwantittodo.'Hewasleftwith`adeeplyingrainedpessimism,'asensethat`theuniverseisevil.'Inse-curityandafeelingofestrangementrunthroughallhiswork,®ctionandcriticismalike.That'swhyjoyissuchasurpriseifitcomestohim.I'msurethatsceneofthefusedelbowsinTillWeHaveFacesre¯ectsthedeepprob-lemscausedbyhisfusedthumbs.Hellashischildhoodexperience,withheavenbeingthecommunityhelongedtohave.ºOurownfoodarrived.IwasalittlesurprisedtoseethatMarshahadjoinedtherestofusinordering®sh.ªIthoughtyouwereastrictvegetarian,ºIremarked.ªSometimes,ºshereplied.ªIkeepgoingbackandforth.Thesedays,I'mfollowingCassie'slead.`Ifeelsorryfortheanimals,'shetellsme,`butIliketoeatthem.'IguessIdon'tthinkit'sourculturaldutytorepressthisbasicsideofouranimalnatures.ºªAndbesides,ºVicinterjected,ªwherewouldyourmoviesbewithoutmeat?CouldMrs.WatershaveseducedTomJonesovertofu?ºªOntheotherhand,ºIremarked,ªthinkofNightoftheIguana.Wead-mirethatdefrockedpriestforcuttingtheiguanaloosesotheloverboyscan'tcookitup.ºªYes,ºsaidMarsha,ªbutthere'salsothescenewherethewomengettoknoweachotherwhiletheycuttheheadsoffthe®shthey'regoingtofryfordinner.Itsetsupthemoralofthewholestory,whenthatgrifter-portraitisttellsthedefrockedReverendShannonshe's®nallydiscoveredsomethingtobelievein.`Brokenbarriersbetweenpeople.Awantingtohelpeachother.Onaverandah,outsidetheirseparatecubicles.'º CriticalConfessionsÐ167ªOfcourse,itcanalsobedelightfultohaveadoorconnectingthecubi-cles,ºVicsaid,addressingthegroupasawholebutwithaquickglanceatMarsha.AhintofasmilecrossedMarsha'sface.ªYoualwaysdidgoinforancienthistory,didn'tyou?ºshesaid.ªAutrestemps,autresmurs,ºVicreplied,halftohimself.Atthementionofhistory,wefelltospeculatingaboutthedinnerswe'dmostliketohaveattendedinthepast.IvotedfortheLastSupper:partlyforthespiritualexperience,ofcourse,butalsobecauseI'dalwayswantedtoknowjustwhatwordsJesususedinformulatingtheLord'sPrayer.Iex-plainedtomycompanionsÐatmorelengththanI'dintendedtoÐthatincollege,whenIwasstillexpectingtogoontodivinityschool,I'dtakenaNewTestamentcourseforwhichI'dwrittenatermpaperaboutasinglewordintheprayer:epiousios,translatedasªdailyºinthephraseªgiveusthisdayourdailybread.ºNoonereallyknewwhatthewordmeant,though;theevangelisthadcoinedthetermtotranslatesomeobscureAramaicphrase.ThelostAramaicmayreallyhavemeantªourbreadforthecomingage,ºreferringtoaheavenlybanquet,inwhichcasethepetitionwouldbepartoftheprayer'sopeningwishfortheworldtoend,ratherthanaturningtotheneedsofdailylife.Inmypaper,I'dfoundthatastheyweighedtheevidence,ProtestantscholarsuniversallyconcludedthatJesusdidmeanasacredban-quetattheimminentendoftheworld;Catholicscholars,reluctanttoen-dorseaninterpretationthatmighthaveJesusmistakenaboutthefuture,alwaysendedup®ndingthatthewordreallydidmeanªdailyºafterall.Silencegreetedmyconclusion.ªYousurewentmetaearly,David,ºMarsharemarkedpolitely.ªIfIhadmydruthers,ºshewenton,ªitwouldhavetobedinneratSanSimeon,WilliamRandolphHearst'scastle,youknow?I'dgofortheweekendheinvitedBusterKeatontocomeup,itwasinaround'26.Therewereproba-blyacoupleofsenatorstheretoo,theglamorousMarionDavies,ofcourse,andassortedhangers-on.We'dgatherinthebaronialdininghall,waitingforthecurtaintorisewhenHearstwould®nishreadingallhisnewspapersfortheday.He'dbeupinhisroominhisbathrobe,walkingaroundwiththe 168ÐPUERTOVALLARTApapersspreadoutalloverthe¯oor,turningthepageswithhistoes.Finallyhe'dgetdressedandcomedowninhisprivateelevatorÐaprivateelevatorinhisownhouse,mindyou!Ðanddinnercouldbeserved.Afabulousban-quet,andthatsurrealsetting,Renaissancetapestriesinapouredconcretecastle....Andtheconversationwouldbeprettywild,too,atleastuntilBustergottoodrunktobecoherent.Whataboutyou,Dov?ºªBreadandcheesewithNietzsche,ºDovrepliedimmediately.ªWinetoo,ofcourse,onanalpinehillsideoverlookingthehutwherehewascom-posingDiefröhlicheWissenschaft.Simplefare,tobesureÐNietzschewasmorbidlyattentivetohispoordigestion,asyouknowÐbuthehadasortofgeniusforfriendship,assuminghefeltthepresenceofakindredsoul.ºªYourself,forexample,ºViccommented;Dovnodded.ªLetusstipulate,ºDovwenton,ªthatNietzschehashadasuccessfulafternoon,wanderingthehillsandcomposingironicepigrams.Theirbitterlucidityhasforthemomentbanishedallthoughtsofsuicidefromhishead;heisreadytorelax,toregalehisvisitorwithabsurdtalesfromhisdaysasProfessorofPhilologyinBasel:`Lifeamongthedwarves,'hecallsit.Thesunbeginstoset,mistsarisefromthevalleysbelowus,Nietzscheevenstartstowaxpoetic,andthisisjustthemomentforadecisiveintervention:IpersuadehimtoabandonworkonThusSpakeZarathustra.ºWelookedatDovinsurprise.ªInevercouldabidethatbatheticbook,ºhesaidinexplanation.ªTheheavy`poetic'style,theburgeoningMessiahcomplexthatwillleadtothefantasyoftheÜbermensch....Betterheshouldhavewrittenanotherbril-liantcompilationofaperçuslike,whatisitinEnglish,Daybreak.Doyouknowthebeautifulendingofthatbook?Hecomparesthephilosophertoaseabirdwho¯iesfarfromland,alwaysinsearchofsomefarthershore,somefurthertruth.Thisultimateshoreconstantlyrecedes,hecannever®ndit.Finallyhemustreturnhome,landforatimeonsomequiteordinarycliffoverlookingthesea,ratheraswedohere.Yethisheartstillpoundswithlongingtobeoutagain¯yingwoallesnochMeer,MeeristÐ`whereallisstillsea,sea,'withalovelysuggestionofnochmehr:more,alwaysmore.ºªNietzschecoulddoworsethandinewithyou,ºViccommented.ªFor CriticalConfessionsÐ169mypart,Iamdivided.Aswe'vebeenspeakingofmemoirs,Ithinkofthosemagni®centdinnersthatGiacomoCasanovawouldcontinuallyputontoimpresshisaristocraticfriends,iffriendstheyare,lavishlyspendingthemoneyhehaswonfromthematcards.WeareinTurin,letussay.Mid-1760s,Casanovainhismid-fortiesÐbynowaconsummatemasterofself-creation.HeregaleshisguestsatdinnerwithstoriesfromhisrecenttravelsinFranceandtheGermanterritories.TheclimaxofhisnarrativecomesinAugsburg,whereheiscalledinforquestioningbythelocalmagistrate,whohasheardunsavorytales.Justwhoisthisadventurerwhohastheeffronterytostylehimself`ChevalierdeSeingalt'?`IsHerrCasanovaaware,'theMag-istrateasksicily,`thatitisagainstthelawinAugsburgtoassumeafalsename?'ªCasanovaretellsthisstorywithgreatgustoatdinner,pausingdramati-callybeforeherevealsthereplythatsilencedtheMagistrate:asCasa-novahimselfhasinventedthetitleofChevalierdeSeingalt,heisperhapstheonlypersononearthwhoknowsthathisnameisgenuinelyhis.Indeed,theMagistratehimselfcanneverbecertainofhisownnameÐhemighthavebeentheproductofanillicitaffair,andbearshismother'shusband'snameonlybydefault.Ariskyreply,nodoubt,butCasanovawinshiswager:insteadofarrestinghimforhiseffrontery,theMagistratemerelysmilesthinly.HewishesCasanovaapleasantÐbutbriefÐstayinAugsburg,andshowshimout.ªHowIwouldlovetohearCasanovatellthattale,andtowatchthemodulationsofreactionamongourfellowdinnerguests:theirritatedglancesoftheimpoverishednobilitywhoseownancientnameshavelosthalftheirvalue;thenervouslaughteroftheotheradventurersattable,theirnaggingfearofexposuretrumpedbyCasanova'ssplendidself-assurance;thepuzzledblushofthisweek'smistress,®fteenyearsold,onlyyesterdayasimpletailor'sdaughter,nowseatedinhonoracrossfromCasanova,won-deringhowsheshouldreact.ªButno,ºVicwenton.ªCasanovahasalreadyleftusanincomparablerecordofhisdinnersandtheirconversationalseductionsÐandtheconver-sations,dearfriends,aretherealpointofhismemoir.Wehavethetwelve 170ÐPUERTOVALLARTAvolumes;whyneedwebethereinperson?Farbettertoexperienceaban-quetthathastrulybeenlosttous.Isnotthisthescholar'sgreatresponsibil-ityandgreatestpleasureÐtobringthelostpasttolife?Letusgo,then,totheroyalpalaceatKnossos,®fteenhundredyearsbeforeDavid'sLastSup-per.Inthecooloftheevening,theseabreezewaftinginthroughthepoly-chromedlotuspillars,wehaveretiredtoeatafterwatchingthesacredbull-jumpingacrobatsÐmenandwomenalike,strippedtothewaist,graspingthebullliterallybythehornsand¯ingingtheirlithebodieswithabandonacrossthecourtyard.ºªAren'ttherepicturesofthosescenes?ºIasked.ªDoesthisreallymeetyourcriterionofalostbanquet?ºªAllthisweknow,ofcourse,fromthefrescoespreservedatKnossosandatPhaistos.Andwehaveimagestooofthe¯uteplayersandthetambourin-istswhoserenadeusasweeatourhoneyedmeal.ButtheirsongsÐhowIlongtohearthem!Whathauntingmusicdidthose¯utesplay?Andthelyrics?Whatadisappointmentthatthelong-soughtdeciphermentofLin-earByieldedonlylistsofchariotparts!ThelovelyGreeklyricswehave,sooftenfragmentsthemselves,areathousandyearslaterindate.Supposetheywerebutechoesofwhatcamebefore?TheroyalcourtatKnossosreachedaheightofcultureperhapsunprecedentedinantiquity,iftheartandarchi-tectureareanythingtogoby:thosearethepoems,utterlylosttoustoday,thatIwouldgiveanythingtohaveheard.ºOurmealwasdone.Weaskedthewaitertocallusacab;wehadtobeupforourseminarinthemorning.DOV,histhroatnowfullyrecovered,wasscheduledtobeginthesession.ªOhgood,ºMarshawhisperedtomeaswesettledintoourpatiochairs.ªNowwegettohearaboutMatthewArnold.ºIdidn'tshareMarsha'simpatiencewiththeveryideaofatalkonArnold,butIwasunsurewhetherArnoldwasreallyrelevanttoaseminaronauto-biographicalcriticism.HadDovmerelypluggedinsomethinghehappenedtobeworkingonanyway?IrememberedalinefromCultureandAnarchyin CriticalConfessionsÐ171whichArnoldwittilydescribedhimselfasarenegadePhilistine,ªatraitortotheideasandthetea-meetingsofmyownclass,ºbutthisseemedafairlyslenderthreadfromwhichtohangawholetopic.ªYoumaysuppose,ºDovbegan,ªandfromtheexpressiononherface,IsuspectourcolleagueMarshadoessuppose,thatMatthewArnoldcouldhavelittletosaytoaconfessionalcriticlikeGloriaAnzaldúa.Suchcritics,afterall,advancethepersonalasantidotetotherepressiveimpersonalityoftheArnoldiantradition.Indeed,Arnoldhastoooftenbeenusedinsupportofamonolithicconceptionoftraditionasanedi®cebuiltoftouchstones,amonumentto`thebestthathasbeenthoughtandsaid'throughoutacul-ture'shistory.Itisinteresting,however,todiscoverjusthowfullyArnoldputhimselfintoplayasheadvancedhisideas,anditisespeciallyintriguingtoseehowhedividedhimselfupintheprocess.Evenhistouchstonesarelittlepiecesonly,thosescrapsofpoetrythatpersistinmemoryafterwehaveforgottenalmostthewholeofthepoemfromwhichtheycome.Yousee,Arnoldmaybecloserthanwerealizetothefragmentedsensibilityofmodernism.ªMyfocushere,however,willnotbeonthoseproto-modernistworksCultureandAnarchyandtheEssaysinCriticism.Rather,Iwishtodrawtoyourattentionamuchmoreradicalwork,Friendship'sGarland.IbelievethisbooktobeArnold'smasterpiece,thoughitisrarelydiscussed,andisnotinfactinprinttoday.Possiblyitsneglectisasignofitsradicalism:ithasbeentoohardtoassess,certainlyforthosewhoprizeVictorianearnestness.Itisamemoirofasort,andsoit®tswithinourseminar'stheme.ItistherecordofArnold'santagonistic`friendship'withaGermanphilosopherofculturenamedArminius.ThisArminiuswrotelongletterstotheeditorofaLon-donnewspaperatirregularintervalsinthelate1860s,criticizingArnold'sideas;Arnoldwrotelettersinresponsetodefendhimself,andlatercollectedtheselettersundertheironictitleofFriendship'sGarland.ªArminius,however,didnotinfactexistÐheisArnold'sowncreation.EvenashewascompletinghismonumentalCultureandAnarchy,Arnoldwascastingaboutforwaystobringhisideastotheattentionofabroaderpublic,andatthesametimetoanswerthevariouscriticismshisideashad 172ÐPUERTOVALLARTAbeenreceiving.SohecreatedaPrussianphilosopher,ArminiusvonThun-der-ten-Tronckh.Allverywell,youmaysay,butwhatisoriginalinthisobviouspasticheofSartorResartus?ºDovlookedoveratmeforcon®rma-tion.Icouldn'trepressahelplessgestureofpuzzlement.ªMostofyouwillrecall,ºDovcontinued,ªCarlyle'sinspiredcreation,hisGermanprofessorDiogenesTeufelsdröckh,philosopherofclothing,puta-tiveauthorofDieKleider:IhrWerdenundWirken,publishedinWeiss-nichtwo,Germany,bythe®rmofStillschweigenandCompany.Adelight-ful®ction!ButArnolddecidedtogoCarlyleonebetter,notonlybylinkinghiswritertoVoltaire'sphilosophicalromanceCandidebutbybringinghiscreationdirectlyintotheworld.HecausedhisimaginaryinterlocutortowriteactualletterstothePallMallGazetteÐtheequivalentofamiddlebrowAmericanjournallikeNewsweek.Inhis®rstletter,ArminiustakesupAr-nold'schampioningofContinentalideas,inessaysthathadcriticizedtheparochialismandthepolemicalnarrownessofEnglishculture.ArminiusinsiststhatArnoldhasactuallystolenhisownideas,andgottenthemwrongintheprocess:theEnlightenmentvaluessymbolizedbythetermGeistarefarloftierandmorecomplexthanArnold'sfeeblebraincangrasp.Hewritesasfollows:`TotheEditor.Sir:AnEnglishfriendofmine,Mr.MatthewArnold,seemstohaverushedintoprintwithanideaortwohepickedupfrommewhenIwasinEngland,andtohavemaderatheramessofit;atleast,hesendsmesomenewspaperswhichhaveansweredhim,andwritesmeahelplesssortofaletteratthesametime,askingmehowheistoparrythis,andwhatheistosayinreplytothat.Now,IhavearegardforthisMr.MatthewArnold,butIhavetakenhismeasure,andknowhimtobe,asadisputant,ratherapoorcreature.'ºDovpaused,andonceagainglancedmyway.Whywashelookingamused?Inanyevent,heimmediatelyreturnedtohispaper.ªArminiusscornsespeciallyArnold'swishtoseeissuesfromhisadversary'spointofview.Bycontrast,Arminiuswrites,`I,Sir,asatruePrussian,haveapassionforwhatiswissenschaftlich;...Ilovetoproceedwiththestringencyofaphilosopher,andMr.MatthewArnoldwithhisshillyshallyingspoilsthe CriticalConfessionsÐ173ideasIcon®detohim.ThereforeIwritetoyoumyself....'HethengoesontoexpoundaversionofArnold'sowncritiqueofBritishprovincialism.ªTothis®rstletter,awoundedArnoldrepliedinthenextissue,recount-ingsomethingofhis®rstacquaintancewithArminius,criticizinghisfriend'spridefulpolemicsevenasheclari®esthetermsthathisowncriticshadfailedtounderstand.This®ctivecorrespondenceservesseveralpur-poses.First,itcreatesadialogicsituationfortheplayfultestingandelabora-tionofideas,muchasdidAnzaldúa'schoicetowriteheressayintheformofaletter,aswehavejustheard.Second,byblendingfactand®ctionÐnowafrequenttacticoffeministmemoir,myfriendMarshaDoddvictellsmeÐArnoldchallengeshisreaders'solidsenseofself,suggestingthattheirowncertaintiesmayrestonashiftingandshiftableground.ªBestofall,Arnoldcanhavehisrhetoricbothways:hehimselfcanbethemild-mannered®gureofreasonablecompromise,whileArminiuscanin-dulgeinsavagecritiquesofBritishphilistinism.TheseattacksArnoldcanadvanceunderthepretensethattheyaredirectedathimselfratherthanhisreaders.EvenasheearnestlyprotestsagainstArminius'spolemics,indeed,Arnoldsubtlyreinforcesthem.WhenArminiusdismissesapopularBritishnewspaper,theDailyTelegraph,as`incorrigiblylewd,'Arnoldcriesout:`No,Arminius!Ihopenotincorrigibly!'InsistingthattheDailyTelegraphcanberedeemed,heonlyunderscoresitspresentlewdness.ºDovwentontodetailthesubstanceofArnold'spleaforthespiritualandintellectualrenewalofBritishculture,givingparticularattentiontotheprogressivedevelopmentofanimaginaryindustrialistnamedBottles,andtothevaledictorysceneofthedeathofArminius,describedinArnold's®nallettertotheeditorÐputativelywrittennotbyArnoldhimselfbutbyare-porterfriendwhoisinFrance,coveringtheFranco-PrussianWarof1870.ªAccordingtothisletter,thisfriendhascomeuponArminius,fatallywoundedbyastraybulletwhileservingonoutpostduty.Thefriendmen-tionsArnold'sname.`Poorfellow!'Arminiusmurmurs.`Hehadasofthead,butIvaluedhisheart.TellhimIleavehimmyideasÐtheeasierones.'His®ngersfeelinginstinctivelyforhistobacco-pouch,Arminiusdies.A 174ÐPUERTOVALLARTAtouchingscene!PerhapstheArnoldofFriendship'sGarlandisinfactanearlypost-modernist,ºDovconcluded.ªTheproblemsofidentitythathetreatedwithsuchmelancholyself-awarenessinhispoetryherebecomethebasisforasparklingcomedyofideas.Theconstructionofhisantagonisticfriend®nallyfrees`theScholarGypsy'fromtheburdenofself-consciousness,en-ablinghisnowmultipliedselftoadvanceabroad-basedculturalcritiquefromtwoopposingpositionsatonceÐbothofwhichheinsomesenseholdshimself.ºHymitBathtöifollowedDov'spaperwithadiscussionÐyetagain,ImustsayÐofPauldeMan'ssuppressedanti-Semiticwartimewritings.Still,Hymitgavetheissueacompellingtwist.HereaddeMan'ssubsequentworkonRousseau'sConfessionsasanelaborateªbutalwaysalreadyfutileºdecon-structionoftheneedforaconfessionalcriticism.ªThisisadeconstruc-tion,ºheconcluded,ªthatdemonstratestheineluctablerealityoftheeventsitrefusestoconfess.EvenasdeManunpacksandneatlyfoldsRousseau'sintellectualbaggage,herevealsthatthereisnotranscendentalwardrobeinwhichRousseau'spurloinedribbonÐoranytextileortextÐcanbeshelved,hiddensafelyawayfromthewindsofhistory.Isnottheautobiographicaltext®nallyachemiseenabîme,blownaboutlikeBenjamin'sAngelofHistoryinaspacewhoseessenceisnottheemptinessforwhichdeManlonged,butratheranineluctablemateriality?ºAslightlystunnedsilencefollowedBathtöi'spresentation.HadHymitsaidthelastwordonthesubject,orhadhesaidnothingatall?Thereseemedtobelittlefootholdforfurtherdiscussionineitherevent.Iwentdirectlyintomyownpaper,ananalysisofFrankKermode'srecentmemoir,NotEntitled.IcomparedthistohisearlierbookTheSenseofanEnding,inwhichKermodehademployedanurbane,conversationalvoicethatmadehimseemvividlypresenttothereaderwithout,infact,locatinghimany-whereinparticularatall.Bycontrast,attheliteralendofhiscareer,inNotEntitledthenowseventy-®ve-year-oldKermodelookedbackathischild-hoodandyouth,revealingthathehadbeenborntoaworking-classfamilyontheIsleofManandhadalwaysfeltoutofplaceandevenfraudulentthroughouthiscareerinEngland,lessandlessªentitledºtothemoreand CriticalConfessionsÐ175moreprestigiouspostsheheldintheyearsfollowingthepublicationofTheSenseofanEnding.IconcludedthatKermode'sopenlocatingofhimselfgavehisworkanewdepthandhonesty,evenasitmadeitmoredif®cultforhimtoadvancegrand,sweepingtheories.ThecounterpointingofArnold,deMan,andKermodeprovedfruitful,andalivelydiscussionfollowed,buildingonthethemesofconcealmentandself-revelationthathademergedacrossthethreepapers.Wereluctantlyadjournedwhenwesawlunchwasbeingsetupontheterraceofftoourleft.VicandBathtöilefttogethertogoparasailingÐIhadamomentaryimageofHymitsuspended,likeDalí,byhismoustaches,butIassumethatheendedupusingmoreconventionalgear.IthenwenttolunchwithDov,whoindicatedthathislifewastakingamoresatisfactoryturn.ªIhavedecideditistoomuchtochangecontinentseverysemester,ºhetoldme.ªSowewilltryayear-by-yearalternationforawhile.ThisshouldbebetterforlittleZena,asshebeginspreschool.ShecanhaveawholeyearinGeneva,andfornextyearAmyhasagranttowriteabookonVoltaireandMademoiselledeScudéry.DoyouknowdeScudéry?No?IcommendtoyouhergreatnovelClélie,withitsmapofthe`Royaumed'Amour.'Themapshowsthearchetypalpatternofdesireintheformofacircularpath.ItbeginsatthePlained'Indiférence,proceedsthroughInquiétudetotheHeightsofJouissance,thendescendstoSatiationandthelowlandsofFaibleAmitié.FinallyonereachesInclinationNouvelle,`oùl'onrecommencelecircuitd'Amour.'ºªAndso,goingbacktoGeneva....ºIsaidhesitantly.ªNo,no,ºDovreplied,withawaveofhishand.ªItisnotasyousuppose.ThatsituationhasresolveditselfinanaturalfashionÐmyintimateamietherecompletedhersabbaticalyearandisnowteachingbackinhernativeFinland.ImeanratherthatAmyandIcanrenewourromanceonnewterms.ActuallythisistheinverseofdeScudéry:insteadoftraversingthesameterrainwithanewlove,werevisitourloveinanewsetting.Switzer-landwillberefreshing,afterthecloying,super®cialfriendlinessofCalifor-nia.StrangersinIrvinekeeptellingmetohaveaniceday!WhatisittothemifIdo?InGeneva,thankGod,nooneevenwantsyoutohaveaniceday,and 176ÐPUERTOVALLARTAyourexperienceisyourownbusiness,nottheirs.But®rst,France.WeshalltakeavillainFerneyforthesummer,AmywillreadVoltaireinsitu,andIhaveonlytwobooksto®nish,noothercommitments.Itwillbeatrueidyll.ºªTwobooksatonce?ºIasked.ªBothsmall,ºhereplied.ªFirst,amonographonconjunctionsinthemodernessay.ºªJuxtapositionsandconnections,youmean?ºªNo,actualconjunctions.Criticstoooftenlimittheirdiscussiontomoreobviousfeaturesofanessayist'swork.Nouns,forexample.EvenºÐDovgaveascornfulgruntЪverbs.Okay,suchwordsdocontributetothemean-ing,butlessthanmanysuppose.GreatwriterslikeNietzscheandArnoldÐverysimilarthinkers,incidentallyÐcarrytheirargumentforwardaboveallthroughtherhythmicmodulationoftheirsentences.Conjunctionsgiveagoodindexofthis.ºªYou'refocusingonthenineteenthcentury?ºIasked.ªIendwithVirginiaWoolf.ItwasMarsha,actually,whodrewmyatten-tiontotheverydifferentusesof`but'inthecrucialopeningpagesofARoomofOne'sOwnandThreeGuineas.Ihaveextendedthisinsight,andprogresstoconcludewithadiscussionofWoolf'ssubtleusesofellipses.Thispro-videsaniceframeformyopeningchapter,onKierkegaard,fromwhomIderivemytitle:Both/And.ºªIlikethoseconjunctions,ºIremarked.ªAndtheprojectsoundsintriguing.ºªItisreallyonlyaprolegomenontoamuchmoreambitiousbook,ºDovreplied.ªThesemioticsofthesemicolon.ºªYouthinkasinglevolumewillbeenough?ºIasked,unabletoresistneedlinghimalittle.Dov,however,merelyponderedmyquestionforamoment.ªIhopeso,ºhereplied.ªButthetopichassomanyrami®cations....Thesemicolon!ºheexclaimedsoftly,leaningbackinhischair,armsfolded,ashegazedintotheskyabovemyhead.ªPivotal®gureatonceofconnectionanddisjunction!Idreamofwritingitsculturalhistory,asitplaysoutwithintheshiftingsemiotic®eldofpunctuationingeneral.Thecolon,ofcourse,and CriticalConfessionsÐ177obviouslythecommaandtheperiodaswell.ButIplantoexplorethebroaderreachesoftheparenthesis,too,andespeciallyÐhesmiledinantici-pationÐthedash.ºªSothiswillbeyoursecondprojectnextyear?ºIasked.ªNo,no,itwilltake®veyearsatleastonceIstartit.TheotherbookIam®nishingnowisamorepopularwork,intendedforageneralaudience.ThisIamcallingHegelIsMyLife.OurconversationsinChicagogavemetheidea,infact.Itiskindofaparodyofself-helpbooks,butseriousaswellÐthedesperatemeliorismofmodernculturecouldgainmuchfromtheana-lyticalrigorofHegelathisbest.SoIpresentadayofmylife,onechapterperhour,showinghowone'schoicescanbeguidedbyfrequentre¯ectiononthePhänomenologiedesGeistes.Menuplanning,forinstance.ºªMenuplanning?ºªTakebreakfast,ºDovreplied.ªHowwouldHegelhaveusresolvethespiritualcrisisofourchoiceofsustenance?Dowechooseeggs,say,oroatmeal?Takingeggsasourthesis,weobservetheyarecolorful,perfectlyformed,ananimalproductÐnottoohealthy,butpleasurabletothepalate.Oatmealisofcoursetheirantithesis:vegetableproduct,virtuallycolorless;shapelessandtastelessaswell,butverygoodforyou.YoucanreadmybooktoseethefullreasoningbywhichIarriveatthesynthesisofabutteredcroissant.AndthenImustdrinksomething:doIoptforcoffeeÐhot,black,stimulatingÐoritsantithesis:cold,white,soothingmilk?FinallyIsynthe-sizetheseascaféaulaitandenjoyagoodmeal.ºªIhavetosaythewholethingsoundsalittleexhausting,ºIcommented.ªAtleastyoumustworkupanappetiteintheprocess.ºªTrue,itmayalmostbelunchtimebeforeonegetsabite,iftheanalysisisdoneproperly.Happily,youAmericanshavesolvedthisproblembythesynthesisyoucall`brunch'ÐatrueHegelianism!ºDovMidrash,mass-marketguru?Ifoundthishardtobelieve.ªSoyoureallythinkthere'sanaudienceforsomethinglikethis?ºIasked.Dovshrugged.ªWhoknows.Still,IfeelitistimeformetolocatemyselfmoredirectlyintheAmericancultureIseemtobeadopting.Therewasacertainself-indulgenceÐwastherenot?ÐintheculturaldespairIallowed 178ÐPUERTOVALLARTAmyselfintheselastyears.Perhapsthisexperimentwillappealtofew,butthatis®nallythepublisher'saffair,notmine.Oneneverknowswiththesetradepublishers.Atleasttheyhaveanincentivetosellthebook,astheyhavepaidmeasix-®gureadvance.Myagentisquiteoptimistic.Shekeepsusingwordsthatendinprepositions,whichareapparentlygoodforbooks.Spin-offs.Tie-ins.ºWespentthebalanceofthelunchdiscussingAmericanisms.Intheafter-noon,IsettledtheconferenceaccountswiththehotelandthenrelaxedbythepoolwithNabokov'sPnin.Later,IdinedintownwithmyfriendsGailFinney,ofU.C.Davis,andCharlesBernheimer,ofPenn.CharlieregaleduswithstoriesaboutdecadentrepresentationsofSalomé,onwhomhewasworking.WebegandiscussingWilde'sepigrammaticstyle,whichCharliesawasanIrishartist'sdefensemechanisminLondonliterarysociety.Gail,however,insistedthatpithywisdomwasauniversaloccurrence,andsheillustratedherpointwithaseriesoflinesfromrecentCountry/Westernsongs,ofwhichsheturnedouttohaveanencyclopedicknowledge.Towardmidnight,theyheadedoffto®ndafusionjazz-salsaclubthey'dheardabout;Iheadedofftobed,stillponderingthelineªI'vebeendrown-inginthewateryouwalkedon.ºTHEnextmorningwehadthe®nalmeetingofourseminar.ThehighlightofthesessionwasVic'spresentation.HegaveÐorextempo-rizedÐabrilliantpaperonAIDSmemoirs,sketchingtheoutlinesofapoet-icsofthanatography,ashecalledit:thewritingofdeath,usedasameansofcomingtotermswithlife.HebuiltsplendidlyonMarianneHirsch'searlierpaperonHolocausttestimonial,andSusanSuleimanfollowedhimwithamovingaccountofherreturn,aftermanyyears,toherchildhoodhomeinHungary.Thediscussionthatensuedwasatoncetheoreticallysophisti-catedandhighlypersonal,intenseandfriendly.Unabletobringourselvestostoptheconversationaftertwoandahalfhours,wewenttogetherforlunch.MypleasureatthissuccesswassomewhatdampenedbyseveralchanceconversationswhileIwasonlineatthebuffetandthenaslunchwasending. CriticalConfessionsÐ179SeveralpeoplecameuptocomplainofproblemswiththeirpanelsÐonehadachairwhodominatedthewholediscussion,anotherhadendlesssnafuswithaudio-visualequipment,athirdjustnevergotanygooddiscus-siongoing.Ihadtheimpressionthatmyinterlocutorswereinclinedtoblamemepersonallyfortheseproblems.Intheafternoon,tiredofsight-seeing,IspentmytimefrettingoverwhatI'dbeentold.Thenintheeve-ning,wehadourannualbanquet,wherenothingseemedtometogoaswellasI'dexpected.Hadtherealwaysbeensomanylittleprizestoaward?Hadthenominatingspeechesalwaysgoneonsolong?Hadthefoodbeensoblandearlierintheweek?IrealizedthatI'dbeguntocrashÐafteralltheanxietiesofplanningtheconferenceandgettingthroughtheseminarsessions,Iwasfeelingnumb.Iprobablyshouldhavegonetobed,butIlingeredononcethebanquethad®nallydraggeditsslowlengthtoanend.We'dhiredabandfordancing;thoughIwastootiredtodancemyself,Ithoughtthemerrimentmightcheermeup.Itdidn't.Thebandwaslively,andeveryonearoundmewasdancinghappily,displayingtheslightlydesperateexuberanceofpeoplewhoknowthisistheirlastnightoffreedombeforetheyreturntogradingpapers.VichadskippedthebanquetЪDavid,please...ºhehadsaid,whenI'daskedhimearlierifhewasgoingÐbuthenowcameinwithBathtöi,andtheybegandancingupastorm.Theyseemedtobeengrossedineachother,andVicwasevenlettingHymitlead;couldhebeinlove?IknewthatMarshawaslookingforwardtothearrivalofhercompanion,Tom,thenextmorning;theyweregoingtospendaweektogetherintheYucatan.Forhispart,Dovhadindicatedthathewouldbegoingbacktohisroomafterdinnertopack,ashewaseagertoleavepromptlythenextdaytogethometohiswifeanddaughterinLosAngeles.Iwasalittlesurprised,then,toseehimsweepbymeasIsatbesidethedance¯oor,tightlyen-twinedwithayoungpost-Freudianinaslinkyblackdress.Icaughthiseyeashepassed;hegaveaquickshrug,andtheyspunoffagaininthecrowd.Acrossthedance¯oor,IsawMarshadoingsomekindoffree-formmacarenawithGailFinneyandCharlieBernheimer.Theirinfectious 180ÐPUERTOVALLARTAfriendlinesswasifanythingmoredepressingthanthemoreromanticpair-ingsI'dbeenobserving.Wheredidtheygettheenergy?WhywasI,alone,aloneinthiscrowd,andwithmybirthdaycomingupthenextday?Nothingtolookforwardtoexcepttheclosingbusinessmeeting,thenthelong¯ightsbacktoDallasandthenNewYork.ItwouldbealmostmidnightbythetimeI'dgethome.ThenitwouldbeMonday,backtothejoysofchairingmydepartment,anactivitythathasrightlybeencomparedtoherdingcats.Igotuptoheadofftobed.Seeingme,Marshacameoverandurgedmetojoinherandtheothers.Ibeggedoff.ªIcanseeyou'rereallytired,ºshesaid.ªSogoandgetsomerest,butyou'vegottohangaroundafterthebusinessmeetingtomorrow,okay?DovandVicandIhaveapresentforyou,itwassupposedtobeatotalsurprise,butIwanttobesureyoudon'tmissus.ºAnicegesture,IthoughttomyselfasIheadedformyroom,notthatI'dseenanythinginthelocalshopsthathadreallyappealedtome.So®ne,thingshadgoneprettywellatthisconference,andperhapswewouldreallybeabletoworktogetherafterthis;butIcouldjustseemylifedevolvingintolow-leveladministrationÐarrangingconferencesformyfriends,gettingparkingspacesandresearchassistantsformydepartmentalcolleagues,an-sweringendlesscopyeditingqueriesformyelevencoeditorsonaBritishliteratureanthologyIwasnowengagedon.Withtheanthologyrunningtofourteenthousandpagesofcopyeditedmanuscript,itwaslookingasthoughI'dnevergetbacktomyownwritingintheforeseeablefuture.Andtomor-rowwasgoingtostartwiththebusinessmeeting,atwhichI'dbetreatedtocomplaintsfromeveryonewhosesessionhadgonebadly.Somebirthday.IRASEMACAMPOS,theconferencecoordinator,waswaitingformethenextmorningwhenIgottotheballroom,thedance¯oornowcoveredwithorderlyrowsofchairsforourbusinessmeeting.Sheaskedmetofol-lowhertoasmallroomofftotheside;notknowingwhatnewhasslehadarisen,Iwentalongreluctantly.ThereIfoundEugeneEoyangandtherestoftheACLAboard,allstandingaroundatable.Onthetablewasalargecheesecake,bearingthelegend,Felicidades,ProfesorDavíd! CriticalConfessionsÐ181ªWehavesomuchenjoyedhavingyourgroup,ºIrasematoldme,ªandsowhenIhearditwouldbeyourbirthday,Iwantedtohavethismadeforyou.ºEoyangpresentedmewithagenuineChineseªscholar'shat,ºcompletewithalong,braidedqueue,whichhehadpickedupformeinHongKongafterreadingmyscholarshipbook.Onbehalfoftheboard,GailFinneygavemeabookcalledTheHiddenMeaningofBirthdays.ªCheckoutApril13th,ºsheurged.ªYouareyourbirthday!ºIfoundtheplace.ªBold,power-ful,reforming,ºIread,oddly¯atteredbythiscommendationfromasmallpaperbackwhoseauthorcouldhardlyhavebeenthinkingofmepersonally.Iwaslesspleased,tobesure,bytheremainingtraitslisted:ªReclusive,sensitive,odd.ºªWewerethinkingmoreofthedescriptionbelowthetraits,ºGailsaid.ªLook:`Youareareformer,willingtotoillongandhardtoeffectthechangesyouconsidervital.Yournovelideasmaycausecoworkersandac-quaintancestoregardyouasanoddballat®rst,butlatertheywillrecognizethewisdomofyourreformsandmayevencometoappreciateyourslightlyharebrainedapproachtoproblemsolving.'Truerwordswereneverwrit-ten,pal.ºItwastimeforthebusinessmeeting,whereIwaspleasantlysurprisedto®ndthattheoverallresponsetoournewstructurewasverypositive.ThefewunsuccessfulseminarsI'dearlierheardabouthadbeentheonlyrealdisappointments.ThegreatmajorityhadgonewellÐanotablyhigherpro-portionthanunderthemoretypicalconferenceformatÐandthemeetingconcludedwithaunanimousvotetocontinuethenewstructureforfutureyears.CharlieBernheimerhadbeensittingbesideme;hegavemeaheartyslaponthebackasthevotewentthrough.ªIthoughtI'djustbecominghereforavacation,ºheremarked,aspeoplebegantoleavetheballroom.ªYouknow,theleisureofthetheoryclass?Ineededabreak,butit'sbeenalotmorethanthat.Myseminarkeptmissinglunch,wewerehavingsuchgooddiscussions,andwe'regoingtodoafollow-upnextyear.Ican'twait!ºHepickedupthetennisrackethehadstoredunderhischair,andleft,whistling. 182ÐPUERTOVALLARTAMarsha,Vic,andDovwerewaitingformeatthebackoftheballroom.ªOurfearlessleader!ºVicexclaimed.ªWeoweitalltoyou,ºMarshaadded.ªSohere'sourlittlethank-you.ºDovhandedmeamanilaenvelope.ProbablysomeetchingofPuertoVallarta,IthoughtasIopenedit.InsideIwassurprisedto®ndonlymyowncurriculumvitae.Elegantlyprintedoncream-coloredbond,tobesure,butstill...wasmyownself-presentationreallysoineptthatIneededtheirdesignservices?ªLookatthepublications,dearboy,ºVicsaid.Glancingdown,Isawmynarrativebookandmyscholarshipbook,myforthcomingBritishliteratureanthologyÐandabookIdidn'trecognize,alsolistedasforthcoming:MeetingsoftheMind.ªWewantedtoshowyouourcommitmenttoourconferenceconversa-tions,ºDovsaid.ªWemeantoworkwithyouinthecomingyeartomakethebookareality.ºªOfcourse,westillexpectyoutodotheactualwriting,ºVicputin.ªYourprosestyleissobeautifully...prosaic,youcangetthethingdraftedratherrapidly.Thenwewillimproveitforyou.ºªWehopeyoulikethetitle,ºMarshaadded.ªButkeeplooking,there'smore.ºIturnedthepage;nothingspecialthere,justmyoccasionalarticles.Buttowardthebottomofthepage,IagainfoundthingsIdidn'trecognize.ªWhat'sthisarticleon`TheAestheticsofConquest:AztecPoetryBeforeandAfterCortés'?ºIasked.ªIdon'tgetthejokeÐyouknowperfectlywellIdon'tknowanythingaboutAztecpoetry,andyou'veevengotthislistedasthoughit'sactuallyappearedinRepresentations.ºªIthas,ºVicreplied.ªHereitis.ºHehandedmeanoffprintfromarecentissueoftheBerkeleyjournal.Notonlydiditappeartobeanactualreprint;Iwasgivenasitsauthor.ªHere'sthedeal,ºMarshasaid.ªWeknowhowmuchtimeyou'veputintoalltheshittylittlearrangementsittooktogetourwholethinggoingovertheyears,andweknowtheburden'smostlygoingtofallonyouto CriticalConfessionsÐ183writeourbookup.Sowethought,whatcouldwegiveyoutohelpmakeupforlosttime?It'snotlikewecouldgiveyoualife,you'vealreadygotthattogetherbetterthanmostofus,butwethoughtwecouldgiveyouasexierintellectualpro®le.Imean,thosearticlesonWordsworthandonWode-housearelovely,really,butweknewyou'dbedoingsomethingalittlemoreambitiousbynowifyou'dhadtime.Sohereyouare.ºªButthisisdishonestÐit'splagiarism!ºIexclaimed.ªNotatall,ºVicreplied.ªQuitetheopposite.Ratherthanstealingyourwork,wearegivingyouwork.ºªYoushouldthinkofourarticlesasexamplesofthegreattraditionofpseudepigraphy,ºDovremarked.ªOfwhat?ºIasked,feelingincreasinglybewildered.ªPseudepigraphy:acommoncustominantiquity.Latertraditionwouldoftenattributeananonymousworktosomefamoussage.Evenatext'sownauthormightattachanhonorednametohisworkinpreferencetohisown.Donotsupposethiswasalwaysamatteroffalsehood.Iamsureitwasoftenamarkofloyaltyandrespect,lessadeceptionthanawaytoorientthereader,linkingthenewworktoachosentradition.Pseudepigraphyhasalsoreappearedinmoderntimes,asanexpressionoffriendship:SamuelJohn-sonusedtorefreshhismindinthisway,puttingasidehismajorprojectsandwritingessaysforhisfriendstopublishundertheirownnames.ºªIassumehedidsowiththeirknowledge,ºIrepliedtartly,andImeantittosting.ªYoudidn'tanddon'thavemypermissiontodothis.It'sab-surdÐthisAztecarticlehasnothingtodowithmeatall!ºªIthaseverythingtodowithyou,ºMarsharesponded.ªWecouldn'thavedoneitwithoutyou.VicandIwrotetheAztecpiecetogether,whenyoureadityou'llsee.IcouldneverunraveltheformalcomplexitiesofthosepoemsthewayViccan,andofcourseIdon'tknowthelanguageeither,butIcouldbringthewholepost-colonialperspectivetotheargument.ºªIhadmeditatedonthosepoemsforyears,ºVicadded,ªbuttheywereakindofprivatevice.IhadnowaytotalkaboutthemtosomeoneoutsidethecharmedbutrathersmallcircleofMesoamericanists,mostofwhomcare 184ÐPUERTOVALLARTAlittleforliteratureatall.Together,MarshaandIwereabletopullitoff.ImustshowyoutheacceptanceletterGreenblattsentyouatmyÐImean,yourÐsummeraddressontheVineyard:itisquitecomplimentary.ºªButreally,Ican'tacceptthis,ºIsaid.ªJustwhodoyouthinkyouare,tryingtodenyworkforwhichyouweretheprimeinspiration?ºVicasked.ªIdon'tsupposeyouhavemuchchoiceinthematteranyway,asthreeofourfourjointarticlesarealreadyout.ºªHereisoursecondeffort,ºDovsaid,handingmeareprinttitledªTheEthnicEthnographer:JudaisminTristesTropiques.ºThistoowasheadedwithmyname,andhadalsobeenpublishedinRepresentations.ªIhavebeenonthisjournal'sboardforsomeyearsnow,ºDovwenton.ªAsyoumayknow,GreenblattandAlpersestablishedaneditorialcollectivetoevaluatepapers.Submissionsnotinfrequentlycomethroughoneoranothermem-beroftheeditorialboard,andImerelyintroducedourmanuscriptsinthenaturalcourseofbusiness.AddamsheresuggestedthistopictoMarshaandtome.Itwasagoodidea,asitcombinedheranthropologicalinterestswithmineinJudaism.WefoundthatforyearswehadbothbeenthinkinginageneralwayofworkingonLévi-Strauss.ºªYou'llalsoquitelikeyourarticleonallegoriesofloveinEgyptianpoetryandtheSongofSongs,ºVicinterjected.ªDovandIlearnedalotourselveswritingit.WewereevenplanningasequelwhenyouglomÐstumbledontousattheOrientalInstituteinChicago.ºªThefourthpieceisn'toutyet,ºMarshaputin,ªtheoneontechnologiesoftheselfinBusterKeaton?StuartMcDougal'sgoingtouseitinacollec-tionofhisonmeta-cinema,butapparentlysomeoftheothercontributorsareholdingitup.AtleastyoudidgiveitacoupleofyearsagoattheCinemaStudiesAssociation.ºªIdid?ºIaskeddubiously.ªActuallyIdeliveredthepaperforyou,ºVicsaidcheerfully.ªNooneseemedtoknowthedifference.Itakeityoudon'tknowmanypeopleintheacademic®lmcommunity.Iwasprepared,ifasked,tosayyou'dbeentakenillandIwasreadingthepaperforyou,butinfactthequestionnevercame CriticalConfessionsÐ185up.IsimplyarrivedandtoldthemoderatorIwastheretogivetheKeatonpaper,andsheshowedmetomyspotonthepodium.IassumeshethoughtIwasyou.ShedidseempuzzledthatIdidn'tknowacolleagueofyoursinFrench,butImerelymentionedwhatalargeanddisjointedplaceColumbiais,andsheletitpass.ºªButwhatamIsupposedtodowiththisfraudulentCV?ºIasked.ªFirstofall,stopusingridiculoustermslike`fraudulent,'ºMarshasaid.ªArewelivinginthelatetwentiethcentury,orwhat?Second,maybeyoucantakeitaskindofachallenge,seeifyoucanliveuptoyourresuménowit'salittlelivelieritself.ºªIshouldthinkthatintheorythereisnoproblemfor`Damrosch'toen-compassthesevariousinterests,ºDovremarked.ªAnyonewithamodicumoflinguistictalentandtherequisiterestlessnessmightgainthevariousknowledgesnecessarytowritetheseworks.Thebetterquestionistoaskwhysomeonemightchoosetoworkonsuchdisparatematerials.Imagineyouhaveindeedwrittenthesepieces,thenaskyourselfhowyoucanbestbuildonthesebeginningsforthefuture.Thiscouldyieldinterestingresults.ºªBut®rst,dearboy,ºVicsaid,ªyouhaveourbooktowrite.Wehavegivenyouanewleaseonscholarlylife:nowyoumustdothesameforus.Ifyoucanhaveadraftofthe®rstchapterbySeptember,say,thatwouldbeconvenientÐyoucansendittomeinVenice.BeforethenIwillbeatHymit'ssummerplaceintheDardanelles.Imuste-mailyoutheaddress.ºªTakeyourtime,David,ºMarshasaidreassuringly.ªWhatwe'resayingis,we'llbethereforyouwheneveryou'rereadyforus.Andwethinkthis'lljustbethebeginningofsomeextendedcollaborationsinthefuture....Butfornow,we'vegottogetoutofhere,they'reholdingSundayMassinthisroom.Ihearsomechurcharoundhereisbeingrenovated.ºSureenough,Irasemaandhercrewweredrapingtherostrumwithcleri-cal-lookingcloths.PeopleintheirSundaybestwerebeginningto®leintotheroom,andapriestandtwoaltarboyswerewaitingwithpoliteim-patienceforustoleave. 186ÐPUERTOVALLARTAIhadbroughtmybagdownwithme,asIhadmyplanetocatch.Myfriendswalkedmetothehoteldoor.Dovnoddedfarewellashetookouthispipe,Vickissedmeonbothcheeks,andMarshagavemeaquickhug.ªTakecareofyourself,now,ºshesaid.ªTillwemeetagain!º 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INDEXAbraham,122;as®ction,26Academ-Anderson,Benedict,154ics:asadolescents,34;as®eldspecial-anecdotes,146±48ists,52±53,55;asoutsiders,121±22;Angel:ofhistory,174;ofPuertoVal-asspecimens,29larta,156,162±63Addams,Vicd'Ohr:atbeach,11;Bel-anthologies,61;ofBritishliterature,gianmotherof,35,49;Chicagoar-180,182;ofculturalstudies,96±100;chitectand,111;oncatamarans,111;ofmoviemonsterhistory,159;rab-childhoodof,36;comingoutof,49;binic,102withDovattheOrientalInstitute,anxiety:ofbillboard,51;humid,93115±16;ethnographiccuriosityof,Anzaldúa,Gloria,149±53,164±66,17129;grandentranceof,9;housingapplause,scattered,21woesof,48;inNarawithMarsha,Apter,Emily,81±8639,49,118,167;Luxembourgianan-AquaticActivitiesCaucus,86,132cestryof,35,83±84;onCasanova,architecture:campus,44,71±75;169;onsunsets,37±38;presentationtemple,40.Seealsomuseums;onAIDSmemoirs,178;presentationrenovationsonBarnes,106;presentationonAristotle,16Classics,14±17;presentationonarm,God's,121Mechthild,61±66;waltzwithArnold,Matthew,37,141;DamroschMarsha,32as,passim;Dovon,139,170±76adjunctappointments,108,132art:andnature,36±37;therapeuticAdorno,Theodor,121viewsof,36;vs.life,105aestheticism:attractionof,19;asAtaturk,Kemal,57opium,35;debased,25;insuf®cient,Atlantic,Collegeofthe,13821;rewarding,156auctioneers,42,50AIDSliterature,139,178audience:dwindling,27;good,80;parAkiba,Rabbi,102excellence,161albatross,possible,141Auerbach,Erich,53±54,57Alger,Ms.Horatio,145Austen,Jane,23allegoriesoflove,184authenticity,dubious,143Alpers,Svetlana,184authority:Lacannotan,77;languageAlter,Robert,162of,7;lingeringrespectfor,30;ofper-AmericanComparativeLiteratureAsso-sonalexperience,143ciation,41,86,133±35,180autobiography:men'svs.women's,AmherstCollege,92±93,107143±44;stampedeinto,145anagrams,160Aztecpoetry,163±64,182±83 208ÐINDEXback:slapon,181;turning,56;wet,11Lacan's,77;Marsha's,82;McDou-Barnes,Djuna,90,104±5,112gal's,82;unfamiliar,43;Vic's,11,82barriers,broken,166bodysuits,Day-Glo,11Barry,Dave,23±25,27,128bookreviews,vicious,46±47,92,103Barthes,Roland,4,33±34,43,119;Bourdieu,Pierre,49,114Damroschon,57±60;Vicon,117±breakfast,6±9,107,14118breast:feeding,8;stroke,10Bash,Matsuo,40Bromwich,David,98bathingsuits,9,11,81;dispensedwith,brow:middle,15,172;rubbed,48;82wiped,25Bathtöi,Hymit,5,46,70,139,179,briefcases,4,53,59,91185;onAuerbach,57;ondeMan,Buddha:HaroldBloomas,39;Midrash174;onProust,152±53;onswim-as,123mingexcursion,81±86;atYale,Bush,everyGeorge,75153Butler,Judith,114Baudelaire,Charles,81beard,Dov's,6,146cake:birthday,180;asculture,117beauty:oflifelesscosmos,127;ofsun-Campos,Irasema,140,180±81,185sets,36±38;notdenigrated,21capitalism,middleorlate,98bed:gettingoutof,114;oflove,63;Carteradministration,50±51,128shared,130;stayingin,24;vibrating,Casanova,Giacomo,16959castration,theoryof,71beer,113,140,158,160catamarans,89,111Bellagio,114cats,colleaguesasherdof,180Benjamin,Walter,117,119,174cellphone,Graff's,92BenningtonCollege,7,44±45,82,92,Charlus,Baronde,38116,132charm,Dov'sthin,108Berkeley,UniversityofCaliforniaat,Checkers(dog),14379cheesecake,birthday,180BernardofClairvaux,63CheeseMan,Stinky,23Bernheimer,Charles,178±79,181.Seechess,155,160±62alsowhistlingChicago,Universityof,71±74Bhabha,Homi,90,114children'sliterature,4Bible,the,26,72;asblueprint,121;Christ,Jesus:atLastSupper,167;asdeathin,160;polygamyin,162lover,64,69;aspublicist,65;asbibliography,asepilogue,187±198rabbi,101billboard:anxious,51;self-promoting,Classics,asdiscipline,14±17164coffee,29,81,103,150±51;Hegeland,Bloom,Allan,72±73,84177Bloom,Harold,39,95,100Coleman,Eliot,132Blume,Judy,23Coleman,Elizabeth,45±46bodies:Anzaldúa's,149;Christ's,64;Coleman,Sterno,132 INDEXÐ209Coleman,Tom,8,45±46,79,92,132,alarmed,8;ambivalent,80;ancestry179of,130;apprehensive,5,139;day-Coleman-Doddvic,Cassandra,8,46,dreaming,71,161;familyof,13,50,79,94,132,166;photographsby,80,113;forgotten,46,51,61,74,138103;glum,129;groggy,4;halfright,collaborativework,100,146;amongsci-24;homicidal,119(®sh),128(col-entists,138;conferencesasparodiesleagues);hopeful,22;hyperventilat-of,43;movementtoward,43;ques-ing,35;inCarteradministration,tionedbyVic,104;plannedforfu-50±51;inKyoto,39±41;inquan-ture,185dary,44;intimidated,41,79;in-colleagues,reactiontodownsizingof,trigued,55;maudlin,50;mistaken,90106;naive,56,89;numb,179;oddlycollegiality:Miss,46;ostensible,90±¯attered,181;optimistic,87;over-91;whoneeds,47sleeping,113;pleasedand/orre-ColumbiaUniversity,81,90±91,185lieved,24,28,87,178;presentationcommentary,criticismasfaceless,142onBarthes,57±60;presentationoncommunity:lesbianwriterly,150±52;children'sliterature,22±24;prolix,longingfor,166;religious,99±100167;pusillanimous,61;regretful,11;conferenceorganization,novel,136reluctant,39;resigned,116;soliter-confessionalcriticism,3±186ary,37;soothed,116;weary,10,13,conjunctions:inmodernessay,176;un-179;worksbyandattributedto,expected,131182±85.SeealsoWeScholarsconversation:relaxed,86;sporadic,dancing,94,156,179139;vs.bloodshed,161Dante,34±35Cornford,F.M.SeeMicrocosmographiaDarthVader,159AcademicaDavies,Marion,167Corngold,Stanley,46±47,51;deManDavis,UniversityofCaliforniaat,178critiquepurloinedbyBathtöi,174.death,127;danceof,155;inMesopota-SeealsoLongenlost,Darcymia,115±16;asresearchopportu-Cortés,Hernando,53±54,56,182nity,159±60Cromwell,Oliver,18deconstruction,48,78,84,95,99,143,CrownoftheCoastline,135,137,140174crypto-nationalists,10Deleuze,Gilles,74cubicles,separate,166±67DeMan,Paul,153,174±75culturalstudies,89,departmentallife,drearydelightsof,29culture:prophets'hatredof,121;Derrida,Jacques,75,77±78twistedideaof,38;vs.nature,127;DescentofInanna,The,115whatis,116±23Diacritics,5cynicism,hard-won,66dialogue:betweenthesoulandLadyLove,64;ongoing,56;playful,173;Dalí,Salvador,175rabbinic,102;Wildean,42Damrosch,David:acrophobic,139;dichotomies,false,126 210ÐINDEXDickens,Charles,23EmpireofSigns,The,33discussion:animated,70;inconclusive,EmpireStateBuilding,81;negative131;intense,155,181imageof,82dissertation,67,76;defense/attack,39±emptiness,semiotic,440,85EncyclopaediaBritannica,19±21DoctorateinCriticalAlterity,84±85energy,manic,ofconference-goers,Doddvic,Marsha:arguingwithDov,3970±79,101±2,109±10;arguingwithenvy:ofBellagioinvitation,114;penisVic,66,104,110±11;atbeach,11;vs.womb,67andBennington,44±46,92;el®nEoyang,Eugene,135,180±81daughter,79,155;familyback-epigrams,ironic,3,42,88,134,168,ground,78±79;ingraduateschool,1784;atHamlet,12;onjobmarket,92±Epiney-Burgard,Georgette,61±6694,107±8,124;movetoMaine,138;Ermarth,Elizabeth,143,150inNarawithVic,39,49,118,167;essentialism,returnofrepressed,84,97presentationonconfessionalcriti-ethics,asprecedingontology,164cism,142±52;presentationoneco-Euripides,15±16criticism,93;presentationon®lmexegesis,endless,98theory,66±70;presentationonexile:Babylonian,122;scholaras,52±Woolf,17±21;waltzwithVic,3254,57dominatrix,Classicsas,14exuberance,slightlydesperate,179Dongs,Dadsand,19eyebrow,raised,16,97,105,124Drew,Nancy,82eyeglasses:Dov's,26,73,97,99±100;DukeUniversity,92Marsha's,18,21,66,151eyelashes,72Ebert,Teresa,148eyes:ofbeholder,127;blue,163;EchoLake,138rolled,29,94,150ecocriticism,93,126;andSchwarzen-egger,159face,andidentity,164Edda,Prose,160±61faith,Simpson'slossof,147±48Eden:Gardenof,122±23;Jardínde,Fanon,Frantz,17156±61feet:bumped,147;responsibilityat,85ego,split,129Felski,Rita,143±51egomania,85,126feministcriticism,94;Marshaon,18±egotism,escapefrominart,3821,66±70,142±52;Vicon,44,61±66EiffelTower,78fetishism:inKeaton,4;andReaganad-either/orchoices,56ministration,81elbows,119,165±66Fielding,Henry,23,166Eliot,George,62®nger,index:raised,64;stroking,153;Eliot,T.S.,25,119,132tapping,65,105e-mail,185;happy,138;long,162;spo-®ngers:onpage,67;sticky,78;onradic,41table,129.Seealso®nger,index INDEXÐ211®ngernails:bitten,137;green,82;pur-Greene,Gayle,143ple,118;red,7;sandin,19Grossberg,Lawrence,96Finnegan,Tim,17Finney,Gail,178±79,181hair:Marsha's,82;Vic's,11formalism,67Hakone,29±30Foucault,Michel,75half-light,garish,14Fourier,François-Marie-Charles,117Hall,Stuart,98±99,101frame-tale:bravura,161;treacly,58,60hand,onheart,21Freud,Sigmund,36,57,66,71,81,hands:raised,57;oftheright,17129±30,148Hamlet,Kabuki,11±13friendship,asimageofculture,25,118Haraway,Donna,93±94,126Frye,Northrop,36HardyBoys,23Fuentes,Carlos,154Hardy,Cynthia,90fun:having,78;nottoomuch,136,HarvardUniversity,107148head:blunt,67;duckof,92;¯oating,futility:feelingsof,50;utilityof,582;paton,76;shakeof,16,21,39;soft,173GaribayK.,dngelMaría,tacittributeheadache,48,79,113to,162Heaney,Seamus,95Gates,HenryLouis,Jr.,92Hearst,WilliamRandolph,73,167±68Geneva,Universityof,6,86HeartofDarkness,lineliftedfrom,123genitalia,leftaside,109HebrewUniversity,Jerusalem,162GilbertandSullivan,72±73,107,129±Hegel,G.F.W.,79,128,17731Heidegger,Martin,79,164Gilgamesh,122hermeneutics,128glance,16,61;irritated,169;penetrat-Hillel,Rabbi,102ing,40;sharp,35,126;atwatch,20,hindsight,short-sighted,6628Hirsch,E.D.,5gloom,gathering,50Hirsch,Marianne,154,178Glyph,5history:ancient,167;literatureand,God,121,127;vs.theorist,52;voice117;personal,142±52andpassim;of,36;wrestlingwithMechthild,63radicalothernessin,61goddess,naked,115Hitchcock,Alfred,68,76Godzich,Wlad,103,109Homer,15Godzilla,159Horner,Jack,17GottfriedvonStrassburg,160HugoofSt.Victor,54graduatestudents,anxious,91humanism:fake,71;liberal,96;secular,Graff,Gerald,52,91±9272Grahame,Kenneth,23humor,lackof,78granny,senile,68Hussein,Saddam,40Greenblatt,Stephen,184;bisected,Husserl,Edmund,82145±46Hutchins,RobertMaynard,73 212ÐINDEXI:wherewas,132;whowas,80Kafka,Franz,46,120,136ideas,sparklingcomedyof,174Kahn,Coppélia,143identity:politicsof,83;problemsof,Kauffman,Linda,142±46174;sexual,49,153;unstable,152Keaton,Buster,167±68;fetishismin,4,ideology,andart,1868;paperon,184±85;useofmultipleimaginary,imaginary,74exposures,86imbrication,107Keats,John,26immersion:inculture,9,116;inKermode,Frank,139,174±75TokyoBay,11Kierkegaard,Sùren,176incomprehension,mutual,28KinkakujiTemple,40incongruity,perspectivethrough,76kiss:andbites,71;lightest,150;fare-index,207ff.;tosituation,18well,186IndianaUniversity,41,135;campus,KiyomizuderaTemple,4070±74Kleist,Heinrichvon,71,73individualism,96±99,144knees:Anzaldúa's,149;Dov's,119;Inglenook,departmentas,16Marsha's,105insights,deconstructive,5Kyoto,longingfor,39±41intellectual,organic,45InternationalComparativeLiteratureLacan,Jacques,19,66±70,75±79,107±Association,38intimacyofconferences,transient,13Lamar,Howard,91invective,personal,24;asnorm,89Langer,Suzanne,38irony:oflineage,83;salliesof,32Lasch,Christopher,147Irvine,UniversityofCaliforniaat,6,LasVegas,73±74;MLAas,11447,86Lawrence,D.H.,115Isaiah,121leather,black,7IstanbulUniversity,53,57L'Engle,Madeleine,23lesbianism,apparitional,104Jacquesbaby,77±78Letterman,Dave,24,46James,Henry,19±21,136Levinas,Emmanuel,164Jeremiah,121±22Lévi-Strauss,Claude,3,55,184Joe'sBe-BopCafé,113Lewis,C.S.,23,165±66Johnson,Samuel,183liberalism:debased,25;heartfelt,58;su-jokes:onJonah,122;Lacan's,78;notper®cial,80gotten,182;notonIndianapolis,52;liberation,ethicsof,35small-country,83life:amongdwarves,168;ephemeralityJonah,122of,126±27;Hegelas,128,177;irrele-Joseph,122vanceof,50;newleaseon,185Jouissance:Heightsof,175;Specular,light,¯uorescent,16,31107LikudParty,85,109±10Joyce,James,16,142,151linearnarrative,resisted,150Judaism,102LinguaFranca,96 INDEXÐ213lips,94;lower,98;upper,40pedition,81±86;onwalkwithLodge,David,42Marsha,70±79;pipeof,82,126±Longenlost,Darcy,19427,186;presentationonculturalLongmanAnthologyofBritishLiterature,studies,94±101;presentationontrav-180,182elingtheory,51±55;responsetolosttime,makingupfor,183.Seealsoopeningpanel,24±27;restrainingProustNietzsche,168;childrenof,70,124±LoveBoat,The,13525,155,162,175;siblingsof,109;Lukács,Georg,52wivesof,47,79±80,86,125,128,175,179Macdonald,George,23Midrash,rabbinic,123Malinche,La,163Milne,A.A.,23margaritas,frosted,164Milton,John,16,17,22;asMaoist,18,marriage:happy,80;second,47;un-27;inourblood,26happy,69mind:lifeofthe,79;reading,71;outMarx,Karl,66,98of,166masks,155±56,162±64Minnesota,Universityof,19,79masochism,artand,37±38mirrors,selfseenin,165McCourt,Frank,144±45,156±58Mishima,Yukio,37±38McDougal,Stuart,81±82,86,184MOAMuseum,29±39MechthildvonMagdeburg,44,61±66,Moctezuma,54,5669ModernLanguageAssociation,89,Melville,Herman,86114;fatalattractionforsnowboundmemoirs,138,142±52;Friendship'sGar-citiesof,135landas,171;seductionsof,169Monroe,Marilyn,163memory:Damrosch'sexcellent,33;Moraga,Cherríe,149,151±52fragmented,171;Proustian,151±53;Moses,102;asmis®t,122Snack(coffeeshop),6mosquitos:Japanese,32,39;Texan,Mendelssohn,Felix,130149Menzies,Lucy,62±65moustache,69,103;Bathtöi's,86,153,Michigan,Universityof,79,81175MicrocosmographiaAcademica,debtto,mouth,cornersof,183±186movies:BreakingAway,81;Derrida/Midrash,Dov:ansich,40;apprehen-Lacanbio-epic,78;TheGeneral,68;sionregarding,5;briefcaseof,53;asTheNavigator,86;NightoftheConrad'sMarlow,118±9,123;Iguana,133,135,164,166;ThePlay-courtedbyDamrosch'sformeredi-house,86;Predator,158±59;PulpFic-tor,103;cultural¯exibilityof,33;tion,75;TomJones,166;Vertigo,82;disquisitiononculture,118±23;Doc-VirginMachine,69±70.SeealsoHitch-torateinCriticalAlterity,84±85;cock;Keaton;McDougal;Riefen-interpersonalsensitivityof,94;onstahl;Tarantino;Treutmuseums,33±34;onswimmingex-Mozart,WolfgangAmadeus,32,36 214ÐINDEXmulticulturalism,101PaleFire,homagetoindexof,207ff.Mulvey,Laura,68palms,clammy,55muscles,®nelytoned,11,82paradise:earthly,34,156±60;Restau-museums:MOAMuseum,29±39;Ori-rantof,164entalInstitute,115±16paranoia,108Mythologies,57±60parasailing:allthefunof,140;HymitandVic,175Nabokov,Vladimir,24,178Pardes,Ilana,162names:anagrammatic,160;false,169;Paris,Universityof,78symbolicchangesof,7;suppressed,parody,159,161,177137;tentative,152;true,16;unusual,passion:common,159;scholarly,61;46;Vic's,82±83sexual,59NapoleonBonaparte,161passivity,stupe®ed,55narcissism:cultureof,147;needtoPenley,Constance,66±68,99±100combat,65Pennsylvania,Universityof,138NationalAssociationofScholars,90Perelman,S.J.,24neck:Dov'sthick,128;Marsha's,16,perspective,depthof,27151pessimism,4,166Nelson,Cary,96phallocentrism,75Netanyahu,Benjamin,109phallus,the,19,67;metaphoric,70.Seenetworking,91alsoEiffelTower;EmpireStateNewCriticism,75BuildingNietzsche,Friedrich,75,168,176philosophy,gymnosophist,86Nimoy,Leonard,78plagiarism,130,183Nixon,Richard,143Plato,26,72Nohdrama,30±31pleasure:academic,135;ofcontempla-nose,Dov's,99tion,33;ofeggs,177;guilty,140;NotreDameUniversity,134±35thescholar'sgreatest,170NYU,92±93,108,154plums:¯owering,3,42;social,17plurality,dazzling,96Okada,Mokichi,3PocariSweat,29one-upmanship,academic,79pocket:inner,126;trusteesinpresi-optimism:perverse,121;utopian,124.dent's,45Seealsopessimismpolemics,89;affectionate,70;good-order,random:ofconference,4;ofcos-humored,93;otherpeople's,89mos,127politics,17±19,40,157±60;ofculturalorigami,15studies,86±133;ofsexuality,118organicintellectuals:real,45;womenPolPot,45as,80polygamy,162orgy,Bloomingtonconferencenot,47pomposity:Dov's,128;Vic's,35;punc-Orlando,21tured,25;requisite,161OxfordUniversity,71post-Freudian,young,179 INDEXÐ215postmodernism,academic,145±46Rousseau,Jean-Jacques,174Pot,Pol.SeePolPotRyoanjiTemple,39±40Potter,Beatrix,23Pound,Ezra,10,16Saddam,OrchidV.,77±78Price,RichardandSally,113Sade,DonatienAlphonseFrançois,priest:defrocked,166;kill-joy,157;po-Marquisde,117litelyimpatient,185Said,Edward,52±54PrincetonUniversity,86,113satire,af®nityfor,129principles,stochastic,4Schadenfreude,short-lived,48ProfessingLiterature,52Schneidau,Herbert,121prophets,Hebrew,121±22Schwarzenegger,Arnold,158±59Proust,Marcel,38,49,112;Anzaldúa'sScieszka,Jon,23useof,151±53;Damroschasnot,scopophilia,421±22;Shattuckon,94±95Scott,Walter,153±54pseudepigraphy,183Scudéry,Madeleinede,175pseudonym,probable,77Seinfeld,Jerry,24psychobiography,50self-absorption,94Puccini,Giacomo,36self-assurance,169self-awareness,174quaaludes,50self-consciousness,152,174QueerTheory,118self-defense,98quest:forappledanishes,150±51;forself-discovery,144community,165;forquarry,82self-display,139questions:inchoate,49;none,27;noself-helpbooks,177timefor,10,66,101;pertinent,80;self-indulgence,121,177spateof,70self-justi®cation,145self-mockery,6realism,breakwith,153self-parody,5,159religion:andart,33;andculturalself-plagiarism,130studies,99±102;inMcCourt,144±self-presentation,18245,157±58self-projection,111renovations,Vic's,48,110±12self-regard,126reticule,Dora's,71self-revelation,139,175RiceUniversity,154self-righteousness,125Riefenstahl,Leni,75self-understanding,95Rilke,RainerMaria,159±60Sellers,Peter,notPeterSellars,137±Robbins,Bruce,113±1438Rockwell,Norman,59semiotics,52±54;ofcampusarchitec-Ronell,Avital,77ture,73±75;ofsemicolon,176±77;ofRoomofOne'sOwn,A,19warfare,56Rorty,Richard,95±96,100sermons,15,100Ross,Andrew,93±94,108Serrano,Andres,86 216ÐINDEXsex:anonymous,157;cultureasmeta-superciliousness:inDov,97;inVic,5phorfor,118;onice,120;imagi-Swift,Jonathan,24nary,78swimming:inBloomington,82±86;inShakespeare,William,62Japan,11,30;inPuertoVallarta,ShalmanesertheThird,26141Shatner,William,78sympathy,mutual,lacking,131Shattuck,Roger,94,101synthesis:croissantas,177;doubtsshoulders:glanceover,144;workfall-about,101ingon,131shrug,Dov's,7,27,70,177,179TaleofGenji,The,38silence,167;awkward,118;stunned,Talmud,26,123±24,162174;trudgingin,158Tarantino,Quentin,23,75±77Silence,Sylvia,presentationby,93TelAvivUniversity,52,84±85silt,protective,48television,22,24Simpson,David,145±48temples:secular,72;throbbing,74Simpson,W.K.,115tenure,7,77,91,128,145skin:¯ayed,155;gettingunder,66;tequila,164pale,7;sensitive,150;tanned,14,82;Texas,Universityof,154translucent,49theory:®neideain,48;global,90;smile,143,156,159;ofanticipation,panelonlimitsof,51±70;traveling,177;¯eeting,18;generous,12;ge-51±55;usesof,107nial,153;hinted,167;modest,114;theoryclass,leisureofthe,181sweet,21;urbane,46Theresa,Mother,45snorkeling,141ThreeGuineas,20solidarity,147Threepwood,Galahad,25solipsism,147,152throat:Achilles',71;cleared,25,150;Sophocles,26sore,71,141,156,158;recovered,speechandwriting,interplayof,151170spiritualcrisis,ofbreakfast,177thumbs,153;fused,166Spitzer,Leo,47,57Todorov,Tzvetan,53±54,56Sprinkle,Annie,77toes:pagesturnedwith,168;wet,84Stalin,Josef,120Tolkien,J.R.R.,165Stam,Robert,92,108tongue,Dov's,98StarTrek,78touchstones:Arnoldian,171;Dam-Steichen,Edward,57±58rosch'slittle,37Sterne,Laurence,24tradition,Dovon,6,84,102,124±25Stevens,Wallace,95Treichler,Paula,96strip-tease,triumphant,69Treut,Monika,69,77Sturluson,Snorri,161Trinity,Holy,101;parodic,161Suleiman,Susan,44±45,139,178TristesTropiques,55,184sunburn,Marsha's,14,16Trotsky,LeonDavidovich,67,102,sunsets,meaningof,ifany,36±38158 INDEXÐ217Turner,J.M.W.,37Williams,Charles,165TuscawillaTravel,135,137WilliamsCollege,86Williams,Raymond,98±99,101UCLA,47,78,86windsur®ng,9±11universe:lifeless,127±28;Mr.,129wine,47,86±87,91,105,141WinniethePooh,23VanDelden,Maarten,154Wodehouse,P.G.,24±25,183.Seealsovegetarianism,166BertieWoosterVendler,Helen,94Woolf,Leonard,20Venice,5,48,185Woolf,Virginia,18±22,27,120±21,Venturi,Robert,74150,176Vermont,Universityof,92,108Wooster,Bertie,25;Damroschas,183Vineyard,Martha's,5,48,184andpassimVirgil,16,17,22words,asdeeds,26voice:gravelly,6;personal,150Wordsworth,William,183volleyballgame,141,146±47,152Wright,FrankLloyd,13,72Voltaire,François-MarieArouetde,WrinkleinTime,A,23175±76writing:assignment,185;energetic,59;ofMechthild'sbook,63±64;toWagner,Richard,36,160pleaseLacan,107;onwall,14walkie-talkies,30,140walkingandtalking,71±79,107±12,xenophobia,109156±64Xochiquetzal,163wardrobe:Vic's,5;transcendental,174Waters,Lindsay,103;incisivemous-YachtingToday,4tacheof,109YaleUniversity,4,115;doctoralpro-WeScholars:completionof,43;reviewsgram,81,85of,91±92,103,129West,Cornel,99Zamora,Lois,154whistling,Bernheimer'sfarewell,181Zenexercises,4Whitman,Walt,142tižek,Slavoj,43,66±70,76±77Wicke,Jennifer,90,103±4zoocentrism,127Wilde,Oscar,25,37,42,130,178ZumBrunn,Emilie,61±66