Nobody said what they really wanted, what they really thought. Nobody behaved with breadth, with warmth, with naturalness; and finally, it became pathetic. I could see that my host and his wife had a genuine love of Greece, but it lay choked in their throats. The critic made a perceptive little disquisition on Leavis; andContinue reading “RKS British Literature: The Oh So Polite British Conversation Without Any European Humanity (John Fowles)”
Tag Archives: RKS literature
RKS British Literature: The Great Misconception About the Nazi Rise to Power (John Fowles)
One of the great fallacies of our time is that the Nazi’s rose to power because they imposed order on chaos. Precisely the opposite is true – they were successful because they imposed chaos on order. They tore up the commandments, they denied the super-ego, what you will. They said, “You may persecute, you mayContinue reading “RKS British Literature: The Great Misconception About the Nazi Rise to Power (John Fowles)”
RKS British Literature: The American “Man’s World” (John Fowles)
‘That is, a world governed by brute force, humourless arrogance, illusory prestige and primeval stupidity. He stared at the screen. ‘Men love war because it allows them to look serious. Because they imagine it is the one thing that stops women laughing at them. In it they can reduce women to the status of objects.Continue reading “RKS British Literature: The American “Man’s World” (John Fowles)”
RKS British Literature: Happiness and the Economic Hazards of Life (John Fowles)
‘Wealth is a monster. It takes a month to learn to control it financially. And many years to learn to control it psychologically. For those many years I lived a selfish life. I offered myself every pleasure. I travelled a great deal. I lost some money in the theatre, but I made much more onContinue reading “RKS British Literature: Happiness and the Economic Hazards of Life (John Fowles)”
RKS British Literature: AN EXCELLENT DEFINITION OF MAN (John Fowles)
‘Victims?’ ‘Whatever you call people who are made to suffer without being given the choice.’ ‘That sounds like an excellent definition of man.’ John Fowles, “The Magus”, 1977.
RKS British Literature: About Being an Air Hostess (John Fowles)
She began to talk about being an air hostess; about herself. ‘Oh Jesus, excitement. That lasts about a couple of duties. New faces, new cities, new romances with handsome pilots. Most of the pilots think we are part of the aircrew amenities. Just queuing up to be blessed by their miserable old Battle-of-Britain cocks. IContinue reading “RKS British Literature: About Being an Air Hostess (John Fowles)”
RKS Greek Literature: Aphrodite Let Me Win This Round! (Sappho)
Sweet mother, I can’t take shuttle in hand. There is a boy, and lust Has crushed my spirit – just As gentle Aphrodite planned. Since I have cast my lot, please, golden-crowned Aphrodite, let me win this round! Sappho (630 BCE-570BCE), “Come Close”
RKS Greek Literature: Blest Bridegroom (Sappho)
Blest bridegroom, this day of matrimony, Just as you wished it, has come true: The bride is whom you wished for… You Move gracefully; your eyes are honey; Charm was showered on your radiant face – Yes, Aphrodite granted you outstanding praise The ambrosial mixture Ready in the mixing bowl, Hermes went round with aContinue reading “RKS Greek Literature: Blest Bridegroom (Sappho)”
RKS Greek Literature: Can’t Stand Being the Old One (Sappho)
As you are dear to me, go claim a younger Bed as your due. I can’t stand being the old one any longer, Living with you. Sappho (630 BCE-570BCE), “Come Close”
RKS British Literature: Dandyism and Eccentricity (John Fowles)
But all dandyism and eccentricity is more or less unnatural in a world dominated by the desperate struggle for economic survival. John Fowles, “The Magus”, 1977.
