A Panegyric for Dorothy L. Sayers by C.S. Lewis

Posted on May 29, 2015 by cleopatra

Dorothy L. Sayers is best known for her Peter Wimsey mysteries, but she was also a playwright, poet, essayist, and theologian, writing such books as The Man Born to Be King, Creed or Chaos?, The Mind of the Maker, and Are Women Human? In her own eyes, her finest work was her translation of The Divine Comedy.

Both Lewis and Sayers completed their academic studies at Oxford University and their first meeting was through a fan letter that Sayers wrote to Lewis upon reading his The Screwtape Letters.

“She was the first person of importance who ever wrote me a fan letter …….. I liked her, originally, because she liked me; later for the extraordinary zest and as edge of her conversation —- as I like high wind. She was friend, not an ally.” (Lewis)

Dorothy L. Sayers
source The Dorothy L. Sayers Society

In this panegyric read at Sayers’ funeral, Lewis praises Sayers’ literary work. While he admits to not being a fan of detective fiction, he nevertheless respects their authors and explains that, contrary to rumours that Sayers was later ashamed of her “tekkies”, she had merely “felt she had done all that she could” with the genre. He claims there is no “cleavage” between her detective work and her later theological works, citing Pascal’s quote, “One shows one’s greatness not by being at an extremity but by being simultaneously at two extremities.” He discusses the writing of Christian works, the problems of the intrusion of self and the commonalities between detective fiction and religious writing.

With regard to the importance Sayers placed on the quality of writing, he quotes from her The Man Born to Be King, “Let me tell you, good Christian people, an honest writer would be ashamed to treat a nursery tale as you have treated the greatest drama in history: and this in virtue, not of his faith, but of his calling.” The intention to behave piously was no excuse for a job poorly done.

Finally, he praises her work of the translation of Dante’s The Divine Comedy and goes on to say of her independent character:

” For all she did and was, for delight and instruction, for her militant loyalty as a friend, for courage and honesty, for the richly feminine qualities which showed through a port and manner superficially masculine and even gleefully ogreish —- let us thank the Author who invented her.”

This essay can be found in:

Deal Me In Challenge #14 – Five of Spades

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

Posted on May 26, 2015 by cleopatra

“When I wrote the following pages, or rather the bulk of them, I lived alone, in the woods, a mile from any neighbor, in a house which I had built myself, on the shore of Walden Pond, in Concord, Massachusetts, and earned my living by labor of my hands only.”

Transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau wrote Walden, his magnum opus, during a two year stay on lands owned by his friend, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Walden Pond, situated in Walden Woods, was an untouched centre of beauty among the agricultural lands of Concord, Massechusetts, and his sojourn there allowed Thoreau the peaceful reflection that he so earnestly sought.

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion.”

Thoreau’s reasons for retreating to the woods, his construction of a cabin, his pastoral descriptions of nature, and his philosophy surrounding interaction with nature and solitude, permeate the pages and take us into a world and perceptions that stretch our thinking and make us long for something simpler. Thoreau makes us face the realities of life and prods us to examine the value received from our choices. Do we live according to our own hearts and convictions or by society’s dictates, and how are we changed by our choices?

Surprisingly, given its present popularity, Walden was rejected by eight publishers before being printed, and experienced only a negligible success during Thoreau’s lifetime, finally becoming popular during the 20th century with the advent of the Civil Rights era.

Walden Pond in late June
source Wikimedia Commons

There were parts of this book that I loved and could completely relate to. I have my own version of Walden Pond in the summer. I know the call of the eagle, the blue blur of a dragonfly, the slap of a beaver’s tail on the water. I understand the workings of an isolated community, with close interactions, yet subtly observed personal boundaries. I understand what silence means and the benefit of the education received through it. Returning to a life unhampered by unnecessary busyness and useless striving certainly renews your spirit and allows you to become more synchronized with nature and with humanity.

My Walden Pond
© Cleo @ Classical Carousel

“We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us even in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavour. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.”

“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”

Thoreau entreats us not only to strive to live simply but to be happy with little and therefore, recognize that as we grow poor in possessions, we grow rich in spirit.

“However mean your life is, meet and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names. It is not so bad as you are. It looks poorest when you are richest. The fault-finder will find faults even in paradise. Love your life, poor as it is. You may perhaps have some pleasant, thrilling, glorious hours, even in a poorhouse. The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the almshouse as brightly as from the rich man’s abode; the snow melts before its doors as early in the spring. Cultivate property like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Turn the old; return to them. Things do not change; we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts ……. Superfluous wealth can buy superfluities only. Money is not required to buy one necessary of the soul.”

“My greatest skill in life has been to want but little”

While Thoreau’s wilderness experience was unique, I’m not sure that he was recommending that everyone pack up and make for the woods. In his words, I heard him entreat people to have some sort of experience with nature, to take the time to explore it, to open yourself up to it in a quiet, introspective kind of way and, within that experience, nature will teach you to know yourself better.

“For a week I heard the circling groping clangor of some solitary goose in the foggy mornings, seeking its companion, and still peopling the woods with the sound of a larger life than they could sustain. In April the pigeons were seen again flying express in small flocks, and in due time I heard the martins twittering over my clearing, though it had not seemed that the township contained so many that it could afford me any, and I fancied that they were peculiarly of the ancient race that dwelt in hollow trees ere white men came. In almost all climes the tortoise and the frog are among the precursors and heralds of this season, and birds fly with song and glancing plumage, and plants spring and bloom, and winds blow, to correct this slight oscillation of the poles and preserve the equilibrium of Nature.”

While I loved reading about Thoreau’s temporary experiment, this is not the easiest book to get through. At times Thoreau overwhelms you with his spiritual philosophy and I found myself wondering at how he could become an expert with merely a two year stint in only comparative isolation, as he was near Concord and often had visitors to his abode. However, these flaws did not diminish some rather obvious truths in Thoreau’s vision. He allowed nature to be his Muse, simplicity his guide and he leads us on a soul-searching journey into the woods, opening our eyes to the world around us.

I found this video on YouTube and I think it echoes some of Thoreau’s thoughts beautifully ….. “and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

Figuring Life Out

Behold the Stars – Walden

A Great Book Study – Walden

Beowulf Read-Along Starting Week Four

Posted on May 25, 2015 by cleopatra

Beowulf Read-Along

Week 4 – May 22 – 31; Lines 2200 – End

_____________________________________

WEEK 4:

VOCABULARY

suppurate: form pus; fester

foment: instigate or stir up; incite

howe: hollow place

graith: accountrements; dress; gear

hoke: don’t know!

__________________________________________________

Quick Summary: Time passes and Hygelac is killed in battle with the Shylfings, Headred his son takes over and Beowulf, though prodded to take the kingdom from Headred, instead supports him and only becomes King at Headred’s death. He rules as a wise and successful king for 50 years. Unbeknownst to the Geats, a dragon lurks in a barrow, where it guards a cursed treasure beyond wonders, and is finally stirred by a thief, a slave who steals a precious cup and awakens the creature’s wrath. In his hunt, the dragon burns Beowulf’s throne-hall and Beowulf knows that he must confront this adversary in spite of foreseeing his own death. When he faces the dragon, only Wiglaf, a kinsman, remains to assist him, and while Beowulf kills the dragon, he is mortally wounded. Upon his death, Wiglaf prophecies defeat for the Geats at the hands of the Swedes because of their cowardice and the fact they are without a king. The treasure is left as it was found, under a curse and Beowulf is given a noble funeral, a tribute to the remarkable and honoured king that he was.

_______________________________________

Lines 2200 – 2396

We notice at this point of the poem, Beowulf has ruled fifty winters, the same amount of time that Hrothgar had ruled when Beowulf came to his aid: ” …… He ruled it well for fifty winters, grew old and wise as warden of the land …… “ (Lines 2208-2210)

Like Grendel had threatened Heorot, the dragon threatens the Geats.

We get a flashback to Hygelac’s death and receive more evidence of Beowulf’s “consideration” and honourable behaviour when he refused to usurp Heardred and his inheritance of the throne of the Geats: ” ….. with Hygelac dead, she (Hygd) has no belief in her son’s ability to defend their homeland against foreign invaders. Yet there was no way the weakened nation could get Beowulf to give in and agree to be elevated over Heardred as his lord or to undertake the office of kingship. But he did provide support for the prince, honoured and minded him until he matured as the ruler of Geatland ……. “ then after a fight with the sons of Ohthere : ” …. Heardred lay slaughtered and Onela returned to the land of Sweden, leaving Beowulf to ascend the throne, to sit in majesty and rule over the Geats. He was a good king…..” Beowulf passed up an opportunity for power and instead chooses to give Heardred his rightful inheritance and support him in his rule. An amazing choice that shows his loyalty, graciousness and his desire to do what is right. (Lines 2355 – 2390)

Lines 2397 – 2586

It is as if Beowulf feels his mortality as he recounts his earlier days and the stories surrounding his people. His last boast contains the highest goal of glory again: ” ….. I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning …….” (Lines 2425 – 2515)

I was a little perplexed as to why Beowulf announces himself to the dragon: ” ….. The lord of the Geats unburndened his breast and broke out in a storm of anger. Under grey stone his voice challenged and resounded clearly. Hate was ignited. The hoard-guard recognized a human voice ……” Doesn’t it seem imminently sensible to sneak in and kill the creature, if he can? Again, it is as if Beowulf sets up for himself the ultimate challenge. (Lines 2516 – 2557)

What is it with these swords??! ” …… Beowulf was foiled of a glorious victory. The glittering sword, infallible before that day, failed when he unsheathed it, as it never should have……” First he decides to fight Grendel without a sword; then he decides to use a sword against Grendel’s mother; Unferth’s sword fails him so he has to use one he finds in the barrow; now he decides to use a sword but it fails. Infallible swords that fail in the highest time of crisis …….. I can’t help but think that there is an important point in all this that I’m missing, but I cannot for the life of me find it. (Lines 2583 – 2586)

Lines 2587 – 2801

” …… No help or backing was to be had then from his high-born comrades; that hand-picked troop broke ranks and ran for their lives to the safety of the wood ……. in a man of worth the claims of kinship cannot be denied …..” After his men stood by him against Grendel, why do these ones run away? Cowardice? Fate? A sigh of a weaker people with less honour? Yet his kinsman, Wiglaf, stands by him. Perhaps the scene is simply a device to ensure that the reader sees Wiglaf’s loyalty and therefore the fact that he is to be Beowulf’s heir will be believable. Wiglaf then scolds the Thanes and he appears to try to shame them into standing by their lord but ends up going in to face the dragon with only Beowulf as his fellow-warrior. (2592 – 2630)

” ….. When he wielded a sword, no matter how blooded and hard-edged the blade his hand was too strong, the stroke he dealt (I have heard) would ruin it. He could reap no advantage …..” This appears to be an explanation of the failed swords, but if you examine the previous instance it appears that his sword had never failed him but failed him now, which would have had nothing to do with his strength. Yes, it is a conundrum. (Lines 2684 – 2687)

Beowulf fatally wounds the dragon but is wounded/poisoned by the creature and recounts his rule as his life fades away. Initially he wants to see the treasure: ” …….. I want to examine the ancient gold, gaze my fill on those garnered jewels; my going will be easier for having seen the treasure, a less troubled letting-go of the life and lordship I have long maintained …….”and then refers to his people: ” ……. To the everlasting Lord of All, to the King of Glory, I give thanks that I behold this treasure here in front of me, that I have been allowed to leave my people so well endowed on the day I die. Now that I have bartered my last breath to own this forune, it is up to you to look after their needs …….” He clearly intend the treasure for his people even though he trusts God to take care of their needs. (Lines 2702 – 2801)

Lines 2802 – End

Wiglaf then rebukes the Thanes for betraying Beowulf in their cowardice and foretells that this one act will be known and cause the Geats to be attacked by their enemies, who will take advantage of their weakness. With the death of their peace-maker, who has maintained that peace through bravery and empathy, signifies the death of that peace and perhaps the death of their people. (Lines 2860 – 3027)

There are 50’s showing up regularly in this poem, 50 years of rule from both kings, the dragon was 50 feet in length and I think I saw another 50 somewhere. I wonder if this is meaningful or not …..???

” ……. Yet Beowulf’s gaze at the gold treasure when he first saw it was not selfish …..” More proof of Beowulf’s unusual qualities …… Wiglaf then indicates that Beowulf was intent on possessing the treasure and did not listen to their warning to leave the dragon alone. He orders Beowulf’s funeral pyre, removes the treasure, we see Beowulf’s funeral and then the surprising end ……. ” …….. They (the Geats) let the ground keep that ancestral treasure, gold under gravel, gone to earth, as useless to men now as it ever was ……” Wiglaf takes the changes in Beowulf a step further, not only renouncing the value of spoils (treasure) but questioning its value throughout history. The poem ends with a tribute to its hero: ” …… They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.” (Lines 3074 – 3182 [End])

Does Beowulf’s legacy pass to Wiglaf, making him a new type of hero, or does the culture of fate and destiny still have a hold on this society?

For me, these last sections of the poem were the most difficult to understand, with many possible contradictions; the history of the treasure; the importance of the treasure to the poem — is it a symbol of fame and glory or a warning symbol of materialism and its effect on society; the significance of the number 50; we have more death caused by kin — what does this mean?; the contrast between Beowulf’s earlier contest with Grendel and this contest with the dragon; God not allowing Grendel near Hrothgar’s throne yet he allows the dragon to destroy Beowulf’s throne-hall, etc. So many interweaving threads in this story leave wonderful trails to follow and with my fifth read of the poem I’m still pondering the implications of the themes it contains.

I’d love to hear the comments of those of you still with us!

Beowulf – Background Information
Beowulf Read-Along – Starting Week One
Beowulf Read-Along – Starting Week Two

Beowulf Read-Along – Starting Week Three

Beowulf Read-Along – Starting Week Four

Erewhon by Samuel Butler

Posted on May 19, 2015 by cleopatra

“If the reader will excuse me, I will say nothing of my antecedents, nor of the circumstances which led me to leave my native country; the narrative would be tedious to him and and painful to myself.”

I’ve been reading oodles of satirical fiction lately and entirely inadvertently, as this genre just seems to be dropping onto my lap. My first taste of utopian satire was given to me by Voltaire’s Candide, which left me rather unsure if we were going to be good friends. Then came Utopia by Thomas More and I was firmly hooked, only to have my enjoyment of it further strengthened with my read of Gulliver’s Travels. My most recent Classics Club spin book landed me with Erewhon by Samuel Butler. I was somewhat familiar with Butler from my skimming of some of his translation of The Odyssey (wouldn’t recommend it for a first read) so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Would he be a Voltaire, or a Swift or somewhere happily in between?

The narrator of Erewhon, Higgs, tells the reader of his journey to a fictional country, in fact, modelled on the country of New Zealand where Butler spent the early part of his life. Higgs loses his native guide, Chowbok, on a trek into the wild, and manages to wander into a society who, while they resemble the human race, have completely different standards for managing their nation.

Map of part of New Zealand to illustrate
Erewhon & Erewhon Revisited
source Wikipedia

Butler explicates on some rather curious aspects of Erewhon society. For a start, the Erewhons view machines as dangerous to their community and anyone caught with one can be at risk of being put to death. Machines are regarded as having a greater ability than people in that they are growing and evolving at an exponential rate and thus, they have the capacity to enslave mankind. The Erewhons also view immorality as a sickness and actual illness as a crime. For example, a man who has lost his wife to illness is tried as a criminal, yet is lauded for his action of raising her insurance premium immediately before her death and, therefore, benefiting from it before he’d paid even two premiums. There are other curious idiosyncrasies to this society, such as the repellent manner with which they view birth, the rights of animals and vegetables, and their promotion of the idea of unreason, claiming that reason could not exist without it.

Samuel Butler’s Mesopotamian Homestead
New Zealand
source Wikimedia Commons

Butler claimed that Erewhon nearly wrote itself with some resistance from its author:

“I did not want to write Erewhon. I wanted to go on painting and found it an abominable nuissance being dragged willy-nilly into writing it. So with all my books — the subjects were never of my own choosing; they pressed themselves upon me with more force than I could resist. If I had not liked the subjects I would have kicked and nothing would have got me to do them at all. As I did like the subjects and the books came and said they were to be written, I grumbled a little and wrote them.”

Apparently it was Butler’s aim to make a commentary on the ills of Victorian society, but I had a difficult time finding Butler’s voice in the prose. With Voltaire or Swift, it was easier to see the issues that they were targeting with their criticism, but Butler was more obscure. He presented issues, but was less clear as to which side of the fence he stood, as some of the most ridiculous laws often had an element of truth to them. In fact, in a second preface to the book, Butler had to correct some misconceptions with regard to his novel, stating that contrary to the assumption that he was showing Darwin’s theory of evolution as absurd, in fact, he had a healthy respect for it, and he goes on, quite charmingly, to blame the Erewhons for all the inconsistencies in the story. For me, the novel soon degraded into great swathes of philosophical narrative with little to prop it up. I love philosophy, but to engage a reader one needs the background of a story to support it; Butler attempted the reverse in hoping that his philosophy would prop up his story. This approach only served to weaken the novel as a whole.

In spite of the novel’s mediocrity, it is quite obvious that Butler was a great thinker who explored some fascinating ideas that remain with us in the 21st century. His analogy between crime and disease, the over-emphasis on appearance of an individual, and the especially significant topic of how humans interact with technology and their enslavement to it are all powerful issues that still resonate with us through the centuries.

” …. so ingrained in the human heart is the desire to believe that some people really do know what they say they know, and can thus save them from the trouble of thinking for themselves, that in a short time would-be philosophers and faddists became more powerful than ever, and gradually led their countrymen to accept all those absurd views of life …… I can see no hope for the Erewhonians till they have got to understand that reason, uncorrected by instinct, is as bad as instinct uncorrected by reason ….”

Beowulf Read-Along: Starting Week Three

Posted on May 16, 2015 by cleopatra

Beowulf Read-Along

Week 3 – May 17 – 24; Lines 1251 – 2199

____________________________________________

VOCABULARY

kesh: causeway or log bridge

bulwark: a solid wall-like structure

brehon: ancient Irish lawyer or judge

thane: warrior, follower, servant

damascene: decorated sword or steel with peculiar markings

sept: a family or group of families under a head

gorget: a piece of armour for defending the throat

_______________________________________

Quick Summary: However ………. joy and celebration come too soon to Heorot, as Grendel’s mother arrives to reek vengeance for the death of her son. She carries away Hrothgar’s most trusted warrior and friend, Aeschere, and so the Geats and the Danes are off in pursuit. They come to a lake writhing with serpents and sea creatures, and Beowulf volunteers to attempt to kill the monster. He swims for nearly a day until he is caught in the grasp of the dam and taken to her cavern, where the blade Unferth gave him fails and he is forced to take a different one from the wall to complete the killing. To everyone’s shock, Beowulf emerges from the water victorious. He is once again celebrated, and there are stories told which are intended to instruct character. The Geats return to their king and Beowulf relates his adventures.

_______________________________________

Lines 1251 – 1441

And so Grendel’s mother comes to Heorot to avenge his death and leaves with her son’s arm and one of Hrothgar’s most trusted friends.

Again we see the theme of winning glory as the highest goal in life: ” ….. It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning. For every one of us, living in this world means waiting for our end. Let whoever can win glory before death. When a warrior is gone, that will be his best and only bulwark……” So it is not only vengeance that is called for, but the desire to win fame for oneself. (Line 1384-1389)

It is curious that Beowulf almost chastizes Hrothgar at the end of this section: ” …… Endure your troubles to-day. Bear up and be the man I expect you to be ….” Do I sense a frustration on Beowulf’s part with Hrothgar’s lack of action? Not at all the way I would expect someone to talk to a king, and I think it shows the power Beowulf wields over him. (Line 1395-1396)

What an effective scene where they come upon Aeschere’s head at the foot of the cliff and then see the water surging with different kinds of reptiles, and sea-dragons and monsters “slouching on slopes by the cliff”. I wonder what a sea-dragon looks like …… Perhaps like this:

Lines 1442 – 1491

Now comes one of the parts that fascinate me; Unferth lends Beowulf his sword, Hrunting, which has never failed in battle. ” …. (he – Unferth) could hardly have remembered the ranting speech he had made in his cups. He was not man enough to face the turmoil of a fight under water and the risk of his life. So there he lost fame and repute ….” So it is reasonably obvious that Unferth has altered his original opinion of Beowulf after seeing his defeat of Grendel, gaining a healthy respect for him and even lending him his precious sword. It also appears as if a warrior’s reputation is like a bank account; every time he performs an heroic feat, he makes a deposit of glory but every time he shows an act of cowardice, glory is withdrawn. In this instance, one act of cowardice seems to clear his whole account! (Line 1455-1491)

Then we see Beowulf not only take the sword, Hrunting, but he then bequeaths his own sword to Unferth if he does not return. This is uncommon courtesy shown to a man who did nothing but taunt and jeer at him when he first came to Heorot. He should have killed Unferth for his insults, yet he shows a tolerance and then a grace that is quite perplexing given the society in which he lives, and yet is quite appealing.

” ….. With Hrunting I shall gain glory or die! …..” Hmmm …… we shall see …… (Line 1491)

Lines 1492 – 1650

” ….. then (he) heaved his war-sword and swung his arm: the decorated blade came down ringing and singing on her head. But he soon found his battle-torch extinguished: the shining blade refused to bite. It spared her and failed the man in his need. It had gone through many hand-to-hand fights, had hewed the armour and helmets of the doomed, but here at last the fabulous powers of that heirloom failed …..” (Line 1520-1528)

So Unferth’s sword proves of no use to him. I wonder why he decided to use a sword on Grendel’s mother but not on Grendel? Did he feel she would be easier to kill? Had he earned enough glory with killing Grendel and did not need to earn such overwhelming renown? I can’t even guess the answer to this one.

But finally he finds a sword in Grendel’s mother’s den that does the trick and he lops off her head. He then finds Grendel and decapitates him before bringing his head to the surface.

Oh, the lack of faith of the Shieldings for Beowulf’s success. They all assume he is dead and skedaddle, but Beowulf’s thanes wait in hope and finally their hero emerges with Grendel’s head and the hilt of the sword.

So with this last act of Beowulf’s, ” …. his courage was proven, his glory was secure …..” Can he not lose his glory now because of these amazing feats of courage and bravery? A deposit that cannot be decreased?? (Line 1646)

Lines 1651 – 1790

Beowulf returns to Heorot to explain what happened during his sojourn into the depths of the waters after Grendel’s mother, and afterwards Hrothgar launches into a very long speech. It includes:

…. Hrothgar’s values: ” …. A protector of his people, pledged to uphold truth, justice and to respect tradition …..” (Line 1700-1701)

….. Beowulf’s character: ” ….. In all things you are even-tempered, prudent and resolute ……” (Line 1705-1706)

…… Hrothgar tells the story of King Heremod and contrasts him with Beowulf. He instructs Beowulf to, ” ….. learn from this and understand true values. I who tell you have wintered into wisdom …..” He follows this story with a cautionary monologue on the dangers of power without generosity and gratitude, and gives his own situation of an example of a journey from power to grief and helplessness. He exhorts Beowulf to live a life that is not focussed on material possessions or “external rewards”. Is he suggesting he concentrate on an internal building of character? Hmmm ….. doesn’t sound like advice from a king of a culture whose status is built upon winning glory and spoils …….. (Line 1709-1768)

Lines 1791 – 1887

” …….. Then that stalwart fighter ordered Hrunting to be brought to Unferth, and bade Unferth take the sword and thanked him for lending it. He said he had found it a friend in battle and a powerful help; he put no blame on the blade’s cutting edge. He was a considerate man…..”

Wow! Again, Beowulf’s actions appear to be outside the cultural norm. He thanked him and then lied about the degree of help the sword had been to him to spare Unferth’s feelings?! He certainly shows a consideration that defies explanation, especially after Unferth had originally mocked and challenged him. (Lines 1807 – 1812)

Hrothgar says more kind words regarding Beowulf and there is a foreshadowing when he says: ” ….. and you are still alive, then I firmly believe the seafaring Geats won’t find a man worthier of acclaim as their king and defender than you, if only you would undertake the lordship of your homeland……”It appears that Beowulf has not only won glory but also Hrothgar’s backing if ever an opportunity arises for him to become king of the Geats. (Lines 1849-1853)

We saw Wealhtheow, Hrothgar’s queen, being a peace-weaver in the last section as she pleaded for Beowulf’s consideration for her sons, but we see a similar attribution given to Beowulf: “ …… What you have done is to draw two peoples, the Geat nation and us neighbouring Danes, into shared peace and a pact of friendship in spite of hatreds we have harboured in the past ……” Beowulf, too, is a peace-weaver. He has made peace with Unferth, Hrothgar and the Danes, and his own version of peace with Grendel and his dame. (Lines 1855-1857)

This was such a lovely part of the poem:

” …. And so the good and grey-haired Dane, that high-born king, kissed Beowulf and embraced his neck, then broke down in sudden tears. Two forebodings disturbed him in his wisdom, but one was stronger: nevermore would they meet each other face to face. And such was his affection that he could not help being overcome: his fondness for the man was so deep-founded, it warmed his heart and wound the heartstrings tight in his breast ……” and ” …… He was a peerless king until old age sapped his strength and did him mortal harm, as it has done so many …..”Again, Beowulf could have brought war to Hrothgar in his weakness and taken over his kingdom but instead he assisted him and won a friend and ally. However, we didn’t find out what the second thought that disturbed Hrothgar was, did we? (Lines 1870 – 1887)

Lines 1888 – 2199

The Geats appear to have a quick sail home, Beowulf brings his treasure to King Hygelac and Queen Hygd, we hear a story about Queen Modthryth, who is harsh and quick to deal punishment, until she is married to Offa whose influence appears to have worked great improvement in her character. Again, I’m not quite sure as to the purpose of the interposed story. Perhaps simply a contrast of queens; how one should act (as a peace-weaver) and how one should not act (as a tyrant).

When Beowulf meets Hygelac, the king of the Geats says: “….. Did you help Hrothgar much in the end? Could you ease the prince of his well-known troubles? Your undertaking cast my spirits down, I dreaded the outcome of your expedition and pleaded with you long and hard to leave the killer be, let the South-Danes settle their own blood-feud with Grendel ……” Two points strike me here; first, all the peoples appeared to well know the problems and tragedy that Hrothgar faced with Grendel, yet no one was willing to help except Beowulf. I also noted that Beowulf went against his king’s wishes when he sailed for Heorot, and I think this infers his position was a well-respected and honoured one if he was allowed to do as he wished without the approval of the king. However, later it says the king originally did not think much of him so perhaps it is simply that Hygelac does not value Beowulf and therefore, does not really care what he does …..??? (Lines 1990 – 1998)

Beowulf begins to recount his tale but deviates from his story and begins to prophesy about the marriage of Hrothgar’s daughter and the tragedy that will happen, once again in the good, old blood-feud fashion. (Lines 2020 – 2068)

I was fascinated that Beowulf declined to go into detail about his heroic exploits: ” ….. It would take too long to tell how I repaid the terror of the land for every life he took and so won credit for you, my king and for all your people ……” Shocking that he would miss a chance to build his glory in the eyes of others and put the focus on his king and people. (Lines 2092 – 2095)

” …… Thus Beowulf bore himself with valour; he was formidable in battle yet behaved with honour and took no advantage; never cut down a comrade who was drunk, kept his temper and, warrior that he was, watched and controlled his God-sent strength and his outstanding natural powers. He had been poorly regarded for a long time, was taken by the Geats for less than he was worth: and their lord too had never much esteemed him in the mead-hall. They firmly believed that he lacked force, that the prince was a weakling; but presently every affront to his deserving was reversed ….” (Line 2177-2189) Initially, the Geats did not appreciate his virtues of consideration, kindness, empathy and temperance because they did not fit with their society and they did not understand them, but when these virtues were coupled with bravery, courage, and force of action, he finally got the recognition he deserved. Yet Beowulf appears to be a new type of warrior, a new type of person foreshadowing a new type of society. What do the rest of you think?

Week 4 starting post will go up on May 24th!

Beowulf – Background Information
Beowulf Read-Along – Starting Week One
Beowulf Read-Along – Starting Week Two

Beowulf Read-Along – Starting Week Three

Beowulf Read-Along – Starting Week Four

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

Posted on May 13, 2015 by cleopatra

Ethan Frome: “I had the story, bit by bit, from various people, and, as generally happens in such cases, each time it was a different story.”

I was so pleased to finish my Wharton book, Ethan Frome, for Brona’s The Wharton Review well ahead of time! Fortunately the 150-ish pages of the book made it a relatively easy task, as I was really looking forward to reading another Wharton. I class her The House of Mirth as one of my top favourites.

This story is told from an omniscient point of view by a narrator whose name we never learn. His job as an engineer brings him to the town of Starkfield, Massachusetts, and there he meets the taciturn Ethan Frome. Through his interaction with Frome and later through stories of the townspeople, he learns Ethan Frome’s tragic and rather startling story.

While he was a young man, Ethan Frome had set off for college with little money but big dreams, however he had to return to Starkfield because of the illness of his father. Since then, he had remained in Starkfield to run the family farm, acquitting his duties with a stoic determination. Reserved by nature, Ethan is captivated by his cousin Zeena’s cheerful demeanour and marries her, but her cheer soon turns to sickness, discontent and bitterness. After years of her maladies, Zeena’s cousin Mattie arrives to help with the housework and other duties, and Ethan, discouraged with the drudgery of an unproductive farm and the burden of an unhappy marriage, allows himself to be drawn into her spell. The story begins here, in media res, and we see the culminating tragedy of two passions, one rather innocent and untried, and the other, bottled up so long in duty and silence, that is verging on the explosive.

New England Road
Mary Cassatt
source

It is surmised that Wharton’s own discontented marriage was the model for Frome’s, communicating the helpless imprisoned feeling of a relationship all but dead through apathy and selfishness of the two participants. Wharton uses the frigid bleakness of the Starkfield winter in her story to communicate the same desolation that permeates the characters and their situations in life. No one can escape their fate.

Did I enjoy this book? Well, yes, in a way ………. Wharton is a good writer and I doubt that she could craft a bad story. However this story, while compelling, lacked the maturity of her better known novels. She tended to rely too much on drama to carry the story off, instead of working more within the characters, instilling subtleties that would speak to the reader on a deeper level. As for the frame story, this aspect of the book reminded me of Wuthering Heights, and I still haven’t met an author who can employ this device with capable proficiency. I know it’s supposed to allow the writer more leeway in the way he/she presents the story, but in my experience it merely tends to weaken it. Ethan Frome was a fine effort by Wharton but perhaps clouded with a little too much personal emotion to allow her the distance needed to craft a superior novel.

Other Wharton books reviewed here: The Age of Innocence

Beowulf Read-Along: Starting Week Two

Posted on May 7, 2015 by cleopatra

Beowulf Read-Along

Week 2 – May 9 – 16; Lines 710 – 1250

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VOCABULARY (for those with the Heaney translation):

hasp: shut or fasten

hoop: clasp or encircle

hirpling: a fast but uneven gait.

lap: a part that lies along the side of a part of another

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Quick Summary: Beowulf awaits the monster and when Grendel arrives, he gives him the surprise of his life; so strong is Beowulf that he is able to rip off Grendel’s arm, and the monster escapes to the fens to bleed to death. When morning comes, the kingdom celebrates Beowulf’s victory with a story of Sigemund, the dragon slayer and King Heremond (there is much foreshadowing in this section) by a ministrel, speeches giving thanks to the Lord, a doling out of gifts/treasure, and a final story about the Danes and Frisians with regard to blood feuds and revenge. To conclude this section, Wealhtheow, Hrothgar’s queen, honours Beowulf with a curious speech ……
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Traits of Grendel

Picking up from the last section, I thought I would label some descriptions for Grendel. My sympathy for him is non-existent, and and here is why:

“…. blood-lust rampant ….”

” …. powerful demon …..”

” ….a fiend out of hell ….”

” ….. grim demon ……”

“…… God-cursed brute …..”

” ….. creating havoc …….”

” ……. greedy and grim ….”

” …… inflamed from the raid ……”

“……. merciless Grendel ……”

” …… malignant by nature, he never showed remorse …”

” ….. hall-watcher’s hate ……”

” ……Grendel ruled in defiance of right …….”

” ……vicious raids and ravages of Grendel ….”

” …… long unrelenting feud …..”

” ….. how he would never parley or make peace nor pay the death-price ……”

” ….. all were endangered: young and old …..”

“……. dark death-shadow ……”

” ….. reavers from hell …….”

“……. inflicting constant cruelties …… atrocious hurt …. ”

(Lines 85-166)

He is evil, a murderer and, not only does he kill the people, he is “inflamed” by killing (and probably by eating his killings). He does not distinguish adults from children but will gladly murder both. He has never shown any remorse for his actions and, in fact, refuses even to speak with the Spear-Danes to make peace, nor will he pay the wergild. I can well imagine the terror the Danes feel towards this vicious creature, as they are powerless to stop his ravages.

I did not understand by my translation that the Danes came into Grendel’s territory. In fact, the Danes appear to have been in the area for generations and Grendel’s appearance seems relatively recent, but the text is not completely clear.

What bothers Grendel, is the joy that he is hearing: the lovely note of the harp, people singing and laughing and speaking about God. He hates everything that is good and is overcome with the will to destroy it.
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Lines 710 – 835

And yet another example of Grendel’s evil as he comes to Heorot preparing more murders:” …… And his glee was demonic, picturing the mayhem …….” The fact that he was excited with joy at the though of killing and dismembering helpless people, makes me shiver. (Lines 730-731)

Okay, this is perhaps the goriest description I remember reading in any book: ” ….. struck suddenly and started in; he grabbed and mauled a man on his bench, bit into his bone-lappings, bolted down his blood and gorged on him in lumps, leaving the body utterly lifeless, eaten up hand and foot …” Yuck! (Lines 739-744)

As soon as Grendel knows that he has met someone who is a match for him, he immediately is “desperate to flee” and “hide”, which paints him as a coward and a bully, although this word is entirely too weak to describe his demonic character. (Lines 754-763)

From the text, I understood that Beowulf decides to fight Grendel without a sword because of a type of honour; he wants to meet him on equal terms. Is that what everyone else understands? Now, during the fight, his warriors try to attack Grendel with their swords but, ” …no blade on earth, no blacksmith’s art could ever damage their demon opponent. He had conjured the harm from the cutting edge of every weapon …” “He” appears to mean Grendel, which perhaps indicates that he has access to magic …..??? Of course, by having Beowulf fight the monster with his bare hands, it makes him appear more heroic. (Lines 790- 807)

Lines 836 – 1061

” ……. Beowulf’s doings were praised over and over again. Nowhere, they said, north or south between the two seas or under the tall sky on the broad earth was there anyone better to raise a shield or to rule a kingdom ….” Beowulf the hero! Of course, this deed would have given him enormous respect and power. (Lines 855-860)

“….. Yet there was no laying of blame on their lord, the noble Hrothgar; he was a good king …” Hrothgar really should have tried to kill Grendel himself and, even if he died in the process, at least he would have died with honour. However, by the above lines, we can surmise that even if he had been cowardly, he must have had other good qualities that engendered respect in his warriors and allayed their scorn. The poet makes certain to include this line, so it appears to be important. Again, this reminds me of King Theoden in The Lord of the Rings ….. and Heorot is very like Meduseld, the Golden Hall in Rohan. (Lines 861-862)

The tale of Sigemund, the dragon-slayer is a comparison between his exploits and those of Beowulf, but does it also have another function?? (see questions) (Lines 884-914)

Of course, with Beowulf’s defeat of Grendel, the first acknowledgement is to the Lord and His favour, but there is someone else who is mentioned …” …… But now a man (Beowulf), with the Lord’s assistance, has accomplished something none of us could manage before now for all our efforts. Whoever she was who brought forth this flower of manhood, if she is till alive, that woman can say that in her labour the Lord of Ages bestowed a grace on her …..” Part of the honour of victory is given to Beowulf’s mother, another example of renown and recognition given to a woman. (Lines 938-945)

Beowulf’s mighty deed has certainly put Unferth in his place: ” ….. There was less tampering and big talk then from Unferth the boaster, less of his blather …….” Perhaps he will now give Beowulf the respect he has certainly earned. (Lines 978-980)

And my favourite line: ” …… Whoever remains for long here in this earthly life will enjoy and endure more than enough ….” It is a wise statement. The author is not fatalistic, like I might have expected, but contrasts “enjoy” and “endure” for a balanced picture of life. (Lines 1060-1061)

Lines 1062 – 1157

This is what I understood from the poem of the battle between the Danes & the Frisians:

Hildeburh his a Danish princess married to Finn, a Frisian king. The Danes, led by Hildeburh’s brother Hnaef, attack the Frisians on their home soil. Hnaef is killed along with Hildeburh’s son, a Frisian warrior. With the Danes losing, Hengest, a Dane, steps up and agrees to a truce with Finn, who says that the Danes can stay among the Frisians, be honoured with gifts, and be treated exactly as his own people (it appears the Danes cannot get home because it is wintertime and the sea is too rough). Enmity is nursed over the winter by the Danes and when spring arrives, they attack, killing Finn, stealing his treasures and they take Hildeburh back home. There is a mention of Guthlaf and Oslaf making an “old accusation” but I have no idea what that is about.

Lines 1158 – 1250

Here we see what appears to be a somewhat nervous Wealhtheow trying to secure the succession of kingship for her sons:

“……(to Hrothgar) and now the word is that you want to adopt this warrior as a son. So, while you may, bask in your fortune, and then bequeath kingdom and nation to your kith and kin, before your decease. I am certain of Hrothulf (Beowulf). He is noble and will use the young ones well. He will not let you down. Should you die before him, he will treat our children truly and fairly. He will honour, I am sure, our two sons, repay them in kind when he recollects all the good things we gave him once, the favour and respect he found in his childhood …..”

Just the fact that she has to make his speech indicates that she is not sure at all that Beowulf will honour her sons, and while this speech is diplomatic, Beowulf could not fail to miss her point.

I must say, this would be the perfect chance for Beowulf to attack Hrothgar and win treasure, bounty and more renown for himself. Hrothgar is weak and Beowulf is admired (and probably feared) by everyone. It is a perfect opportunity!

The gift of the torque to Beowulf is interwoven with a story of Hygelac’s death while wearing his torque. I got the impression that the message here was that, while treasure was good and perhaps even necessary to this culture, it cannot give life and that their fate could certainly be affected by their decisions. Is this a different tone than we have heard previously in this poem?

” …. Fate swept him away because of his proud need to provoke a feud with the Frisians …”

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Please put any questions, comments, or answers to the questions below in the comment area even further below! I’m going back into the previous week’s posts at the end of the section week to answer my own questions, so if anyone is curious, you can check out Week 1.

The tale of Sigemund the dragon-slayer is a comparison between his deeds and those of Beowulf, but do you think it might serve another purpose? If so, what purpose? What about King Heremond? Why was it important for the reader to learn about him?
How did you interpret Wealhtheow’s speech? Did you agree with my analysis? Was there another purpose in her words other than honouring Beowulf and attempting to protect her sons’ inheritance? Does she have a deeper objective?
Did you see a motive or intent in the story of the actions between the Danes and the Frisians? Why do you think the poet chose to include it?

Week 3 starting post will go up on May 16th!

Beowulf – Background Information
Beowulf Read-Along – Starting Week One
Beowulf Read-Along – Starting Week Two

Beowulf Read-Along – Starting Week Three

Beowulf Read-Along – Starting Week Four

Island Magic by Elizabeth Goudge

Posted on May 5, 2015 by cleopatra

“The little fishing boat rounded the buoy and came in sight of the Island.”

Lory at Emerald City Book Review hosted an Elizabeth Goudge Reading Week from April 24-30th and for the event, I chose to read Goudge’s first book, Island Magic. Goudge is an author that pops up here and there on different blogs and based on the reviews I’d read, I was looking forward to an enjoyable read.

It is the year 1888, and Andre du Frocq lives with his wife Rachel and their five children in the town of St. Pierre in the Channel Islands. Their life is hard as they eke out a living on Bon Repos, the family farm, yet the love they hold for each other and the struggles they face knit them together against the odds. However, in spite of their courage, the farm is failing and the family must find a way to survive or abandon the only life they have known.

A ship is wrecked on the treacherous rocks of La Catian Roque, and a dishevelled stranger is brought into their midst. Will his appearance be the saviour of Bon Repos and the du Frocq’s, or will his presence be the catalyst that tears the family apart?

photo courtesy of Neil Howard
Creative Commons

Goudge’s detailed and poetic descriptions paint a story with vibrant life. Not only does the reader become intimately familiar with the du Frocq family, their house, Bon Repos, and the village of St. Pierre become almost like characters themselves and you are left with a feeling of fellowship with not only those who live within the book’s pages but with the setting itself. I’m firmly convinced that if I had the good fortune to visit the Channel Islands, I would be looking for the du Frocq’s and all the places they frequented without a second thought!

photo courtesy of Neil Howard
Creative Commons

Gouge has masterfully crafted a book that on the surface appears like light fiction, yet the deep psychological insight, the innate knowledge of human nature, and the paradoxes of life that Goudge explores, makes it much more than a common contemporary novel; instead it is a unique and unparalleled visit into the past which allows you to inhabit a world that is both new, yet familiar, and experience the human struggles and joys which are universal to all.

photo courtesy of Neil Howard
Creative Commons

For anyone wanting to find out more about Elizabeth Goudge, please check out The Bookwyrm’s Hoard biography post, which contains some excellent information.

Classic Book Collection …. #1

Posted on May 3, 2015 by cleopatra

I very rarely post any sort of update when I acquire new books, but this spring I thought I’d turn over a new leaf, so to speak. Ha Ha! I’ve found a wonderful new used bookstore across the border and yesterday was my second visit to it. The prices are more than reasonable and the owner gives a 20% discount for a certain number of books purchased. I had a wonderful day of bookshopping and here’s what I purchased:

The Way We Live Now – Anthony Trollope I couldn’t resist. I haven’t finished my Barsetshire read yet, but everyone just loves this book, so I was forced by peer pressure to buy it.

Freddy and the Ignoramus – Walter R. Brooks I love the Freddy books and I took the opportunity to add to my collection.

Freddy, the Pied Piper – Walter R. Brooks See above.

Precious Bane – Mary Webb I’ve seen many great reviews for this book and I must discover for myself why.

Medieval Romances (Everyman Library) Coming off my Arthurian challenge of last year, I thought this book just the thing for a follow-up. And the old Everyman classics are just the right size to pack around. I adore them!

A Girl of the Limberlost – Gene Stratton-Porter This edition is a 1909 edition. Is it a first edition? I’m not quite sure but it certainly would be exciting if it is! It looks similar to the edition I remember my grandmother owning.

The Land – Mildred D. Taylor The pre-quel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. I’ll embarrassingly admit that I haven’t read either yet.

Christianity and Liberalism – J. Gresham Machen Why did I buy this? I’m really not sure. But I’ve heard that Machen was a pre-eminent scholar so I want to read something by him. It was a best-seller when first published, so we’ll see how it holds up against time.

The Way of Ignorance – Wendell Berry Having just read my first Wendell Berry essay, I’m now interested in reading as much as I have time for from him. Berry doesn’t hold back in his opinions and I really respect that aspect of his writing.

English Literature in the Sixteenth Century – C.S. Lewis Ah, one of Lewis’ scholarly works – from the Oxford History of English Literature series! I can’t wait to read it.

Letters to an American Lady – C.S. Lewis Lewis wrote a number of letters to a woman he would never meet and here they are. I believe this is a first edition. Yay!

A Young Macedonian – Alfred J. Church This is probably my most celebrated find. I love Church’s writing, the subjects he chooses, and whenever I find a hardcover of his, they are so beautiful! This is an 1890 edition and exquisite. Score!

Green Dolphin Country – Elizabeth Goudge Since I just finished Goudge’s Island Magic, I was thrilled to find this book and snatched it up right away.

The Road From Home – David Kherdian A Newberry Award winner about the Turkish extermination of Armenians in 1915. I’ll have to add it to my children’s book list

At First Sight – Walter de la Mare I knew that de la Mare wrote poetry but I was unaware that he wrote a novel. And I bought this one because it’s a signed copy. How exciting!

Beowulf Translated by Michael Swanton It was recommended by a scholar and I wanted to compare it with the Heaney and Tolkien versions. I already have initial opinions, but I’ll keep quiet until I read all three translations.

Great Tales of Terror and the Supernatural A compilation of tales from Edith Wharton, Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens, Dorothy Sayers, Guy Maupassant, H.G. Wells, etc. It looks like about as much fun as a book on terror can be!

I resisted a number of books by/on Virginia Woolf, pocket-sized Trollopes, lots of old travel books and many others. With Woolf I got confused with all the different compilations of essays, letters, etc. There were a number of different ones, edited by different people. Does this matter? Does one volume of essays or letters edited by one person correspond with the second volume edited by another? It was all too much for me, so I’ll have to do some Woolf-research before my next trip. In any case, I haven’t done such a prolific book-shop in a long time. What fun!

Wharton and Gone With the Wind …………

Posted on May 2, 2015 by cleopatra

No, Wharton doesn’t have anything to do with Gone With the Wind, only in this case I’ve decided to participate in Brona’s Books The Wharton Review for May AND Corinne’s Gone With the Wind Read-Along beginning in May. Am I insane? Yes. I’m hosting my Beowulf Read-Along and am reading Erewhon, Walden, Sense and Sensibility, Money for Fanda’s Zoladdition, and am still trying to finish What Is To Be Done? in order to be able to move on to Notes from the Underground. Not to mention, I’m behind on my Austen Project, I haven’t read a book set in England for awhile that would qualify for my Reading England Challenge, I haven’t posted on my Deal-Me-In Challenge for ages, and haven’t even started thinking about The Canterbury Tales or The Brubury Tales for my project. Yikes. Talk about putting blinders on and just plowing full speed ahead! I always look ahead towards summer because I have so much more reading time then, but once again, it looks like I’ll have to use it to finish books I’ve already started, rather than being able to pick new and fresh ones. However, I am enjoying myself and that’s all that counts ……………. isn’t it??