Re: The Mezzanine
Lauren (law2b@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu)
Thu, 27 Feb 97 12:21:46 EST
I wanted to start off by replying to some ideas from other e-mails:
James wondered how Howie can feel a personal relationship to objects that
everyone has and if this is so, what does it mean (I'm paraphrasing.) The
attachment to objects which Howie exhibits, are largely linked to childhood
memories, as he acknowledges in the book. i think that for howie these
objects are the daily reminders of his past; his attachment to them is a
result of the memories that he associates with them. i don't think that the
fact that he has attachments to objects everyone owns is all that surprising
because it is a part of human nature to think that things which are possesed
by everyon (or which everyone is capable of) are unique to you. An exampl of
this is when someone has a baby, they think that there baby is the greatest
thing in the world and that everyone will be sooo interested in it, when in
reality, lots of people have babies. Maybe thats not the best example because
babies and shoelaces aren't exactly the same, but I hope you get the point.
I also wanted to respond to what Carter said about the book not doing
anything, being only a "book of mirrors." Maybe the author presents his life
unexamined to give us a pure case study to deal with. Perhaps the
examination, the contemplation is the work he wants the reader to do.
Lauren Waterman