Ron > Recent Status Updates

Seemed to have an accurate handle on the future of financial markets, a disciplined character to execute his strategies, and the steadfastness to stick to them during difficult times. Provides ample new food for thought when applying his ideas to modern society. What areas will grow? What markets are undervalued?

Up to Ch. 27. Is Darcy a redeemable character, ie too harshly judged by Elizabeth and Mr Wickham? Does the former -- through the power of love which has cut through his prejudice -- have the power to reform his negative qualities (resentment, arrogance in his social & economic class). Will love derail the established social arrangements (Darcy marrying Miss Bourgh)? Will Elizabeth cut down Darcy?

I perhaps too accurately exhibit Darcy's unsympathetic characteristics, and simultaneously lack assurance of possessing his positive characteristics which redeem those off-putting qualities

Nikolai: bravery as a learned, rather than innate, behavior. Instinct as an impetus for courageous action, impulsive/intuitive rather than planned/premeditated.

Pierre is in the friend zone

Natasha repenting, reminiscent of Guinivere after infidelity with Lancelot. Piety as a source of meaning after sin due to sexual desire. Also reminds me of Lady Macbeth trying to wash out that spot. Would be interesting to look back on Madame Bovary and see the connections made between sin & piety, though she rebounds back and forth on religion like she rebounds back and forth on everything.

I'm realizing how wrong it is to not work hard and realize your potential

Andrei enters politics, Russian government reforms (political 'war' in the 'peace' of society), Pierre pushes Andrei to religious growth through his own w/the Freemasons, Helene cheats on Pierre w/Boris, Rostov starving w/his squad, Denisov the leader raiding the army's caravan for those he's responsible for, Denisov shot and condemned to the hospital, Rostov's heroic journey to the depths of the hospital to save him

Overall impressed, even though ideas like and related to the "Soul-Mate Myth" idea are somewhat dated and not entirely accurate imo

Peterson presents an interesting idea; however I have a feeling he is more of a man of letters than a man of science, though he wants to be the latter.

Pierre's about to join a cult!

Old Bolkonsky: scared of becoming an empty-nester. Unexpectedly, I grew to like Vasili and Bolkonsky more after the scene. I didn't expect Vasili to show the old prince such respect. While Anatole wasn't a completely awful person, I feel troubled for the effects that the affair will have on Marya. The catastrophe is due to Prince Bolkonsky cooping everyone up unnaturally and selfishly into his constructed world.

"How was she to bare that timid little heart for the inspection of those young ladies with their bold black eyes"

Exactly nails the response of amiable people to their unpleasant, judgmental counterparts.

Hawthorne is a great storyteller

"I shall seek this man...as I have sought gold in alchemy" great quote lol

... Just slightly prosaic for my taste, if I'm allowed to critique a legend.

I like Hawthorne; he has a witty, playful, capricious style. He is also somewhat easier to follow along than other modernist books I've read recently. However, because he is so fanciful in his descriptions of people/things/circumstances, he lacks or overlooks (in his haste to romanticize) a degree of sensibility I've grown accustomed to when reading other authors... (to be continued)

Interesting introduction description of sunrise -- ocean/water as cloth connects with the blankets children sleep under. Image of swimming/sinking, of falling/state of being underneath/underworld. Brilliant clarity and imagination of childrens' thoughts. Waves of togetherness&isolation. Noticing of specific differences, esp of societal details when in school. Q novel poses: responses to comn physical world&sensn

I really like Captain Tushin

Andrei is dope

"day to day" on page 185: ref Macbeth 'Tomorrow', connects Mrs. Penniman's social plan to Mac's political one. A common device in James's novels, ref "Wings of the Dove" ("condemned from day to day", Milly's tour in Europe, a reaction, possibly treatment, to her learning of her terminal illness), it fits nicely here for the conflicting, yet unvoiced conceptions of Cat's marriage. Lots of parallels to later J novels.