Thursday, August 4, 2011

We're all mad here, darling

 "Of course, in an age of madness, to expect to be untouched by madness is a form of madness. But the pursuit of sanity can be a form of madness, too."
~Saul Bellow, "Henderson the rain king"
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3 comments:

  1. The Silent RavenAugust 4, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    I must thank you, Saul Bellow (whoever you are), you have touched upon something that has preyed upon my mind but I could never put into words. I respectfully tip my hat to you!

    "MUCH madness is divinest sense
    To a discerning eye;
    Much sense the starkest madness.
    ’T is the majority
    In this, as all, prevails.
    Assent, and you are sane;
    Demur,—you ’re straightway dangerous,
    And handled with a chain." -Emily Dickinson

    I think I will take the chains.
    Are you mad, Amoniel? Or perhaps half?

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  2. AmonielAugust 5, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    The chains do not have to stick, just as the golden star stickers in that Punchinello story do not have to stick.

    I rather believe I am.

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  3. The Silent RavenAugust 5, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Dear, dear Punchinello. My grandmother used to read us the story when we were little, whenever we complained of being judged by other people. When she'd finish it, she'd always say "now, you're not going to let somebody's bad mark get to you, are you?" It's a wonderful tale and metaphor.

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