Brain Pain discussion

This discussion covers Chapter 4 – 6: “The Squatter”, ‘Watchman, What of the Night?’, and ‘Where the Tree Falls’ p. 71 – 131

Unfortunate squatter Jenny Petherbridge acquires Robin in the Paris night. Nora pays a late night house call on Doctor Drag who delivers a lengthy discourse on hygiene and the night. Before departing for Vienna with his son Guido, Felix dines in the bois with the Doctor and probes his mind in search of the meaning of the Baronin.


To avoid spoilers, please restrict your comments to p. 3 – 131.

The main pleasure of reading Nightwood was the gorgeous dialogues/monologues– so brilliant that they raised the book to the "level of Elizabethan tragedies". Practically my whole book is highlighted! Watchman,what of the Night,is perhaps my fav chapter- infact,anything with Dr.Matthew in it– that guy can talk!
Those focussing on a feminist reading of the text will be surprised to see how much one woman can hurt another- stop blaming the guys folks! The description of Jenny P is so full of venom,one wonders if the writer was settling scores in fiction what she couldn't do in real life!
Yet,what's the source of their misery?
The characters turn to religion in desperation but it brings them no solace.
The Dr.,he could be happy perhaps,were he to be allowed to dress the way in public as he did in private?
But the ladies? How they suffer & all from their desire to possess another being as a piece of property- the jealousy,the insecurity,the thwarted passions- there's no end to them!
Desire is the root of all suffering,said the great Buddha.If one truly loves another,they set them free- that's the only way to be. Rest is misery.