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Re: [NABOKOV - LIST] : signs and symbols, chapter three and four
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If you try to get in that position, you will see that it's more likely that
his hands are holding his head, or rather, to make more sense of it, that
his head is in his hands. This way, my elbows did stick up, whereas with
"hands clasped below resting head" -- in that position the elbows don't
stick up as much. Why not just say it? Because VN likes unexpected visual
images, and wants readers to think this through. The elbows are a visual
detail, a kind of punctum. And yes, the text brings elbows seen sticking up
in the air ("elbows raised") into a picture we haven't realized, as the
unconscious might do also.
Barrie Karp
On Fri, May 2, 2008 at 8:49 AM, Anthony Stadlen <STADLEN@aol.com> wrote:
> In a message dated 02/05/2008 11:15:29 GMT Standard Time,
> barriekarp@GMAIL.COM writes:
>
> "Across the narrow yard where the rain tinkled in the dark against some
> battered ash cans, windows were blandly alight and in one of the a
> black-trousered man with his bare elbows raised could be seen lying supine
> on an untidy bed."
>
> I have wondered about this, too. Could he have his hands clasped below
> his resting head? But then why not say so?
>
> Anthony Stadlen
>
> Search the Nabokv-L archive with Google<http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en>
>
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>
> All private editorial communications, without exception, are read by both
> co-editors.
>
> Visit Zembla <http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm>
>
> View Nabokv-L Policies <http://web.utk.edu/%7Esblackwe/EDNote.htm>
>
--
Barrie Karp, Ph.D. (philosophy)
Tel. 212-662-2439
NYC
Faculty Member, Lang College, since 1988
Faculty Member, New School, since 1982
Faculty Member, School of Visual Arts, ......Humanities & Sciences Dept.,
since 1982
Faculty Member, various NYC colleges & universities, since 1970
artist, independent scholar, educator
barriekarp@gmail.com
barriekarp@earthlink.net (preferred)
karpb@newschool.edu
www.barriekarp.com (paintings -- updated 10/292007)
9 recent art works at my Saatchi Your Page site:
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist_profile//38521.html
Click on each image to enlarge. New images posted regularly.
Search the archive: http://listserv.ucsb.edu/archives/nabokv-l.html
Search archive with Google:
http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en
Contact the Editors: mailto:nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu
Visit Zembla: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm
View Nabokv-L policies: http://web.utk.edu/~sblackwe/EDNote.htm
his hands are holding his head, or rather, to make more sense of it, that
his head is in his hands. This way, my elbows did stick up, whereas with
"hands clasped below resting head" -- in that position the elbows don't
stick up as much. Why not just say it? Because VN likes unexpected visual
images, and wants readers to think this through. The elbows are a visual
detail, a kind of punctum. And yes, the text brings elbows seen sticking up
in the air ("elbows raised") into a picture we haven't realized, as the
unconscious might do also.
Barrie Karp
On Fri, May 2, 2008 at 8:49 AM, Anthony Stadlen <STADLEN@aol.com> wrote:
> In a message dated 02/05/2008 11:15:29 GMT Standard Time,
> barriekarp@GMAIL.COM writes:
>
> "Across the narrow yard where the rain tinkled in the dark against some
> battered ash cans, windows were blandly alight and in one of the a
> black-trousered man with his bare elbows raised could be seen lying supine
> on an untidy bed."
>
> I have wondered about this, too. Could he have his hands clasped below
> his resting head? But then why not say so?
>
> Anthony Stadlen
>
> Search the Nabokv-L archive with Google<http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en>
>
> Contact the Editors <nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu>
>
> All private editorial communications, without exception, are read by both
> co-editors.
>
> Visit Zembla <http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm>
>
> View Nabokv-L Policies <http://web.utk.edu/%7Esblackwe/EDNote.htm>
>
--
Barrie Karp, Ph.D. (philosophy)
Tel. 212-662-2439
NYC
Faculty Member, Lang College, since 1988
Faculty Member, New School, since 1982
Faculty Member, School of Visual Arts, ......Humanities & Sciences Dept.,
since 1982
Faculty Member, various NYC colleges & universities, since 1970
artist, independent scholar, educator
barriekarp@gmail.com
barriekarp@earthlink.net (preferred)
karpb@newschool.edu
www.barriekarp.com (paintings -- updated 10/292007)
9 recent art works at my Saatchi Your Page site:
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist_profile//38521.html
Click on each image to enlarge. New images posted regularly.
Search the archive: http://listserv.ucsb.edu/archives/nabokv-l.html
Search archive with Google:
http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en
Contact the Editors: mailto:nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu
Visit Zembla: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm
View Nabokv-L policies: http://web.utk.edu/~sblackwe/EDNote.htm