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Comment written 5 months ago
Very nice post. I think you did a great job of "translating" Elizabeth's difficult narrative. As a fellow SoCal transplant I can see where you're coming from...good job relating your own experience to the text.
Comment written 5 months ago
Nice metaphysical analysis. I think Bessie/Elizabeth were also concerned about becoming their parents, because as Elizabeth tells us she knew that her mother had mental health issues, and was afraid that she would too.
Comment written 5 months ago
I really enjoyed this post- it was very well presented. I agree that it can be confusing with regard to what is real within the narrative, and what isn't. It helped me to read it with the mindset that everything that happens is real to Elizabeth, even the things she knows are not actually happening.
Comment written 6 months ago
I like how you talk of nostalgia as being more what we make of it...that it can be a hint of memory or a way to block out the present. While Ono has certainly done some horrible things I appreciate that you seem willing to look past his sins to try and see who he is, and who he will become.
Comment written 6 months ago
Very well written article, and I really liked the second image you used...very appropriate.
I'm still hoping that even when I'm a crotchety old man I will still find moments of surprise, wonderment, and joy. Or maybe I'll just wet myself and mumble.
Comment written 6 months ago
Great post! I never could quite understand all the pushing and shoving to get onto buses or into a Metro wagon. While I certainly don't miss the Militsia, or GAI, I do think there are advantages to coming from such an environment.
Russians may be more aggresive, but American's can be very naive. I remember how much admiration I had for the Russian spirit when after there was a bombing in the metro in Moscow the next day everyone was still crowding into the station to get to work and school. The people wouldnt let fear stop them from doing what they had to do. Russians have been through alot, and are very strong. I think that with time things there will improve.
Either way its a very nice thing that you have found happiness here in Northern California.
Comment written 6 months ago
After watching the movie I read some reviews of the book, and it seemed from these that Christopher Reeve's character is not the same in the book. I think that because of the presence of his character, and Hugh Grant's, both of whom themselves spoke out, and could have influenced Mr. Stevens, I saw the film as more of a contrast between a culture where duty is valued- Aristocratic England- and where personal conviction is more important: the "New" Britain as personified by Hugh Grant, and America as personfied by Christopher Reeves. The film certainly made me want to read the book.
Thank you very much for sharing an angle I had overlooked. I tend to interpret things rather narrowly, and sometimes miss more universal themes.
Comment written 6 months ago
Very well said.
I think you got to the core of the issue when you spoke of wanting to find Hestia in her spiritual form. The whole thing about seeking something is the inescapable "wherever you go, there you are" factor.
I was sad to hear your story about the cop, however. I sometimes forget that assholes like that still roam the streets. And with badges, no less.
Comment written 6 months ago
It sounds like this is a subject you've put some real thought into. I agree with you that it is very easy to spot a seemingly endless list of areas where our society fails to realize societal harmony. But I do think that things are slowly getting better.
Stratification based on wealth is in my opinion a better form of social division than the alternative, because individuals can change their income levels easier than they can change their skin color, sexual preference, ethnicity, etc. Also, if the playing field becomes too uneven history has shown us several ways that things can be straightened out.
When the divide in wealth becomes too extreme the lower classes often put the elite class up against a wall.
Comment written 6 months ago
Nice to meet you. Looking forward to reading your posts in the future!