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Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The Higher Common Sense
Posted by John Holbo on 07/25/07 at 10:54 AM
I was thinking of quoting a bit from Cold Comfort Farm for a certain purpose - nothing to do with Zizek, I assure you. Now I think it might be a bit rich. But there’s nothing funnier, is there?
And Elfine obediently resumed her reading aloud of ‘Our Lives From Day to Day’ from an April number of Vogue. When she had finished, Flora took her, page by page, through a copy of Chiffons, which was devoted to descriptions and sketches of lingerie. Flora pointed out how these graceful petticoats and night-gowns depended upon their pure line and delicate embroidery for their beauty; how all gross romanticism was purged away, or expressed only in a fold or a flute of material. She then showed how the same delicacy might be found in the style of Jane Austen, or a painting by Marie Laurencin.
‘It is that kind of beauty,’ said Flora, ‘that you must learn to look for and admire in everyday life.’
‘I like the night-gowns and “Persuasion”,’ said Elfine, ‘but I don’t like “Our Lives” very much. It’s all rather in a hurry, isn’t it, and wanting to tell you how nice it was?’
‘I do not propose that you shall found a life-philosophy upon “Our Lives from Day to Day,” Elfine. I merely make you read it because you will have to meet people who do that kind of thing, and you must on no account be all dewy and awed when you do meet them. You can, if you like, secretly despise them.
I know, I know. I promised to write something about Dennett and ‘real patterns’ and Conway’s Game of Life. But, honestly, I ended up reading Cold Comfort Farm instead.
I think this may be my favorite scene from the novel: the education of Elfine. And wasn’t it well done in the film, as well? I think so.
"Brevity is the soul of lingerie” --- Dorothy Parker
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