Our Quixote has never been tempted. It seems unlikely, even as a young man, but possible, I guess. However, he had an alternative of sorts: Martin, Sainte Thérèse. This hardly seems to be what Sancho was referring to, but she nonetheless comforted MQ in his struggles with the bishop. “Before we die by the sword, let us die by pin stabs.”
“There is a virtue in slowness which we have lost. Rocinante was of more value for a true traveler than a jet plane.” “…anyone who had read the true history would have thought that Don Quixote had covered the whole immense area of Spain.” Lovely—the Quixotes and Sanchos may not have covered much actual ground, but they were all on slow journeys inward.
I must mention, also, the pleasure of slow reading with this book group!
I found inspiration in MQ’s recognition of both, the “virtue in slowness,” as well as, the peril in this virtue being “lost” – poignantly conveyed, in his enduring love for Rocinante, who “was of more value for a true traveler than a jet plane, [which] were for businessmen.” MQ’s simple words of care, touched me: “Forgive me [Rocinante]. I have driven you too hard.”
I too, find such joy in slow reading with this book group!
The juxtaposition of the Mayor’s “borrowing” MQ’s collar and consequent imagining of “becom[ing] a “governor of souls” and the jarringly absurd encounter with “secular authorities” (the Guardia): “Why are you wearing that collar?”/ “I borrowed it for a moment from my friend. Look. It’s not attached. Just balanced,” made me laugh, and “cry” – at the ways in which “doing harm to their [guardians of power] peace of mind,” continues to be a driving force in validating contemporary “surveillance” tactics, coupled with limitations on what is “acceptable” teaching, reading, journalism, and communication in the “modern” world.
Surprisingly (?), the Mayor’s sardonic wit, is equally illuminating today:
“Even Lenin is not forbidden reading now, Guardia…You might say – a little time bomb made in the city of bankers.”
“A time bomb,” the Guardia exclaimed.
“I am talking metaphorically.”
Ahhh, the metaphorical "time bomb[s]" ticking today ... How to find a "balance" of connection, individuality, camaraderie, and caring for souls - all souls - remains the question. If only it was as simple as donning a pair of "purple socks."
These foibles and antics with the idiot guards strike me as—not Spanish in its humor per se—but rather British. Was like an episode from Benny Hill or the like. Such a funny chapter, and there's something so satisfying and droll about poking fun at these powerful institutions (the Church, politics, La Guardia, etc.). Can't wait for tomorrow's reading.
FQ says something quasi-mystical / quasi-allegorical about nothing appeasing an elephant like a little lamb and nothing stopping cannonballs like wool.
The mayor's pragmatic response is hilarious: "Whoever wrote that showed his ignorance of natural history and dynamics."
"Nothing appeases an enraged elephant so much as a sight of a little lamb, nothing breaks the force of cannon balls so well as wool." Monsignor Q quoting St. Francis de Sales. Is it coincidence that that our Monsignor prefers wool socks?????
"God can be hard of hearing." Reminds me of something Anne Carson would say in her translations of greek tragedies, except it would be gods plural can be hard of hearing.
Father Quixote, quoting St. Francis de Sales: "Among the reflections and resolutions it is good to make use of colloquies, and speak sometimes to our Lord, sometimes to the Angels, to the Saints and to oneself, to one's own heart, to sinners, and even to inanimate creatures..." I agree, and so does FQ, who proceeds, of course, to address Rocinante. "Forgive me, I have driven you too hard."
Sorry to be crass, but I laughed about the Mayor’s rhetorical “Has sperm a soul? When a man makes love he kills a million million spermatozoa…” followed by “The cork came out with a pop—it was a very young wine.” Surely Greene was having a bit of fun…!
Our Quixote has never been tempted. It seems unlikely, even as a young man, but possible, I guess. However, he had an alternative of sorts: Martin, Sainte Thérèse. This hardly seems to be what Sancho was referring to, but she nonetheless comforted MQ in his struggles with the bishop. “Before we die by the sword, let us die by pin stabs.”
“There is a virtue in slowness which we have lost. Rocinante was of more value for a true traveler than a jet plane.” “…anyone who had read the true history would have thought that Don Quixote had covered the whole immense area of Spain.” Lovely—the Quixotes and Sanchos may not have covered much actual ground, but they were all on slow journeys inward.
I must mention, also, the pleasure of slow reading with this book group!
I found inspiration in MQ’s recognition of both, the “virtue in slowness,” as well as, the peril in this virtue being “lost” – poignantly conveyed, in his enduring love for Rocinante, who “was of more value for a true traveler than a jet plane, [which] were for businessmen.” MQ’s simple words of care, touched me: “Forgive me [Rocinante]. I have driven you too hard.”
I too, find such joy in slow reading with this book group!
The juxtaposition of the Mayor’s “borrowing” MQ’s collar and consequent imagining of “becom[ing] a “governor of souls” and the jarringly absurd encounter with “secular authorities” (the Guardia): “Why are you wearing that collar?”/ “I borrowed it for a moment from my friend. Look. It’s not attached. Just balanced,” made me laugh, and “cry” – at the ways in which “doing harm to their [guardians of power] peace of mind,” continues to be a driving force in validating contemporary “surveillance” tactics, coupled with limitations on what is “acceptable” teaching, reading, journalism, and communication in the “modern” world.
Surprisingly (?), the Mayor’s sardonic wit, is equally illuminating today:
“Even Lenin is not forbidden reading now, Guardia…You might say – a little time bomb made in the city of bankers.”
“A time bomb,” the Guardia exclaimed.
“I am talking metaphorically.”
Ahhh, the metaphorical "time bomb[s]" ticking today ... How to find a "balance" of connection, individuality, camaraderie, and caring for souls - all souls - remains the question. If only it was as simple as donning a pair of "purple socks."
These foibles and antics with the idiot guards strike me as—not Spanish in its humor per se—but rather British. Was like an episode from Benny Hill or the like. Such a funny chapter, and there's something so satisfying and droll about poking fun at these powerful institutions (the Church, politics, La Guardia, etc.). Can't wait for tomorrow's reading.
FQ says something quasi-mystical / quasi-allegorical about nothing appeasing an elephant like a little lamb and nothing stopping cannonballs like wool.
The mayor's pragmatic response is hilarious: "Whoever wrote that showed his ignorance of natural history and dynamics."
"Nothing appeases an enraged elephant so much as a sight of a little lamb, nothing breaks the force of cannon balls so well as wool." Monsignor Q quoting St. Francis de Sales. Is it coincidence that that our Monsignor prefers wool socks?????
"God can be hard of hearing." Reminds me of something Anne Carson would say in her translations of greek tragedies, except it would be gods plural can be hard of hearing.
Father Quixote, quoting St. Francis de Sales: "Among the reflections and resolutions it is good to make use of colloquies, and speak sometimes to our Lord, sometimes to the Angels, to the Saints and to oneself, to one's own heart, to sinners, and even to inanimate creatures..." I agree, and so does FQ, who proceeds, of course, to address Rocinante. "Forgive me, I have driven you too hard."
Sorry to be crass, but I laughed about the Mayor’s rhetorical “Has sperm a soul? When a man makes love he kills a million million spermatozoa…” followed by “The cork came out with a pop—it was a very young wine.” Surely Greene was having a bit of fun…!