Just thought I would share a few comments in reference to the readings for this week. To be honest, I did find some pieces more captivating than others, yet one in particular just left me cold.
For example, Manley's "Secret Memoirs" was very difficult for me to plow through. I think perhaps this can be attributed to the fact that I have no interest in the private lives of any public figure, whether it be a modern day Hollywood star or a figure of royalty from the 18th century. This is simply something that has never caught my attention. What they may do behind their white picket fences and manicured shrubs simply does not interest me. I'm sure this piece caused quite a stir way back when, but when reading this through modern sensibilities (I'm strictly speaking on my own behalf), I found this to be a bloated soap opera (yet another form of entertainment that I detest). There seemed to be lots of name dropping going on here, and lots of steamy escapades, all of which amounted to nada in my books. This piece just didn't do anything for me. Am I missing something here? Perhaps if I go back and read it again, I may get more out of it.
Now, Haywood's "Fantomina" was another story. I enjoyed this one. It had a kind of weird undercurrent to it. At times I felt that this could have been modernized, adapted into a film and produced by Hitchcock in his 1950s heyday (just think of the multiple roles played by Kim Novak in the film "Vertigo"....I was reminded of that performance many times as I read this piece). The role playing that occured in this piece was very intriguing to me, and I thought Haywood did a great job of portraying a sort of unspoken "body politic" that is still quite common to this day. I also kept thinking as I read this that she was playing many roles, except the one of herself, which I found rather sad. I loved the line "The Business of her love". It only seemed to underline the whole production-like quality of her life, of how she is essentially playing a part, and projecting a certain image(s).
I got a chuckle out of Beauplaisir and all his endless promises. Some things never change, I guess. I was highly captivated by the fact that Fantomina had an exceptional "power of putting on almost what face She pleased". I've always been intrigued by the chameleon.
"Adventure of the Black Lady" was very good as well. Although I definitely feel like I have to go back and read it again. I had an overwhelming feeling that there is a lot going on underneath the surface of this work. I'm sure I would pick up on various undercurrents in subsequent readings that I may have missed the first time around. I especially liked that line about how the cat wouldn't bother anyone as long as there were rats and mice around to occupy its focus. I feel that there is a profound quality to that line, one that I have not yet quite deciphered, but I do have a strong feeling that there are many people in my life to whom such a line (and its logic) could be applied. Nudge,wink.
I had never heard of Aphra Behn prior to taking this course. I am glad I have discovered her, as it seems that I enjoy much of her work.
For example, Manley's "Secret Memoirs" was very difficult for me to plow through. I think perhaps this can be attributed to the fact that I have no interest in the private lives of any public figure, whether it be a modern day Hollywood star or a figure of royalty from the 18th century. This is simply something that has never caught my attention. What they may do behind their white picket fences and manicured shrubs simply does not interest me. I'm sure this piece caused quite a stir way back when, but when reading this through modern sensibilities (I'm strictly speaking on my own behalf), I found this to be a bloated soap opera (yet another form of entertainment that I detest). There seemed to be lots of name dropping going on here, and lots of steamy escapades, all of which amounted to nada in my books. This piece just didn't do anything for me. Am I missing something here? Perhaps if I go back and read it again, I may get more out of it.
Now, Haywood's "Fantomina" was another story. I enjoyed this one. It had a kind of weird undercurrent to it. At times I felt that this could have been modernized, adapted into a film and produced by Hitchcock in his 1950s heyday (just think of the multiple roles played by Kim Novak in the film "Vertigo"....I was reminded of that performance many times as I read this piece). The role playing that occured in this piece was very intriguing to me, and I thought Haywood did a great job of portraying a sort of unspoken "body politic" that is still quite common to this day. I also kept thinking as I read this that she was playing many roles, except the one of herself, which I found rather sad. I loved the line "The Business of her love". It only seemed to underline the whole production-like quality of her life, of how she is essentially playing a part, and projecting a certain image(s).
I got a chuckle out of Beauplaisir and all his endless promises. Some things never change, I guess. I was highly captivated by the fact that Fantomina had an exceptional "power of putting on almost what face She pleased". I've always been intrigued by the chameleon.
"Adventure of the Black Lady" was very good as well. Although I definitely feel like I have to go back and read it again. I had an overwhelming feeling that there is a lot going on underneath the surface of this work. I'm sure I would pick up on various undercurrents in subsequent readings that I may have missed the first time around. I especially liked that line about how the cat wouldn't bother anyone as long as there were rats and mice around to occupy its focus. I feel that there is a profound quality to that line, one that I have not yet quite deciphered, but I do have a strong feeling that there are many people in my life to whom such a line (and its logic) could be applied. Nudge,wink.
I had never heard of Aphra Behn prior to taking this course. I am glad I have discovered her, as it seems that I enjoy much of her work.
posted by Gary F at 9:46 PM
2 Comments:
I came here to make a comment and that piece of spam has thrown me right off; was it penned by Wilmot?
Re. the Secret Memoirs: I suppose the question is whether or not there is anything to interest us beyond the idea that Duke X, way back when, seduced his ward.
I love the comparison between "Fantomina" and Vertigo! And what you say about Fantomina playing every role but herself is astute.
"The Black Cat" is an odd little piece; I look forward to discussing it.
I found Secret Memoirs a bit of a challenge as well. Manley makes reference to texts which are not as widely read today and the political satire is lost on most modern readers (I must admit I did not get all the references). Aside from this, the whole male guardian lusting after his charge is just too creepy.
Gary, I agree there is a potential screenplay buried in Fantomina and it would be interesting to see what Hollywood made of it.
I also think Aphra Behn is great and I am so pleased to have discovered this "sensational" woman.
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