Dave’s Comments (group member since May 24, 2014)

Dave’s comments from the Reading Proust's In Search of Lost Time in 2014 group.

Jonathan wrote: "Mme Verdurin really tries to put the narrator off going to see the Cambremers...it's full of bores...you won't sleep for a week. Then she tries to put him off going to Rivebelle...the woman's a blo..."

Mme. Verdurin and her tight control over her clan seems to serve Proust quite well as a plot device. Their fear of incurring her wraith keeps them coming back and prevents them from "wandering around" to other social groups Proust would have to write about. Her insistence that they all arrive and depart at the same time creates "travel scenes" where characters converse and develop other story lines as the travel to and from the Verdurin's. Interestingly, Charlus, and the Narrator seem to operate outside Mme. Verdurin's control. A Jonathan pointed out, Charlus is there for Morel. He seems to fel he is bestowing a favor on the Verdurins. The Narrator's motivation (other than a place to take Albertine) to attend and remain is less clear t me. That Mme Verdurin also has plans for Morel creates conflict that builds into the next volume.

Jonathan wrote: "Dave wrote: "In the reading I've done since finishing, I found the passage where Charlus gets upset at "just a Baron" is cited as the clearest evidence that Charlus' charachter was based in part on..."

Yes Jonathan, that's him. I bought his complete memoirs for a few dollars on Amazon in the ebook version.

Dwayne wrote: "Also intrigued by issues of communication here," Insightful comment Dwayne. Your comment inspired my own Proustian memory recall of the line from "Cool Hand Luke" "What we have here is a failure to communicate." A universal commentary on human affairsperhaps, and as relevant in Proust as elsewhere.

Jonathan wrote: "When M. Verdurin is getting in a muddle over the seating arrangements and calls him 'only a baron' he blusters 'I could see at a glance that you were out of your depth.' I found myself wondering why Charlus was so subdued during dinner and was pleased to see him get all riled up about the seating arrangement.

In the reading I've done since finishing, I found the passage where Charlus gets upset at "just a Baron" is cited as the clearest evidence that Charlus' charachter was based in part on the Duc de Saint Simon. Saint Simon was extremely sensitive to any perceived slight to his position or prerogatives as a Duc. His Memoirs are full of rants about such matters. Sain Simon also went on and on about his ancestral links to title apparently.

Jonathan wrote: "he attributes these 'pure' and 'good' qualities of himself to his grandmother's influence. " Another keen insight Jonathan on the narrator's part as well as your own in picking up on it." Grandmother's influence is something to look for on a continuing basis.

Jonathan wrote: "And why does Charlus turn up? Presumably just so he can be with Morel I guess. " I think you are right on the money on Charlus's motivation.

Jonathan wrote: "it's only the narrator who has any interest in the countryside and the views." Your comment Jonathan reminded me of some of the things Alain de Botton writes of in "How Proust Can Change Your Life."

Dwayne wrote: "And another thing! :)

At the end of The Heart's Intermissions, this sentence -- "But it moved one to tears because, to whatever lengths the artist went in the refinement of his creation, one felt ..."

I checked out your blog Dwayne, and subscribed. Your focus on communications, marketing and PR are such an interesting perspective to view Proust's novel. It is going to be interesting to read your additional comments as we go along. I got my BA in Finance, not much help with understanding Proust.

Dwayne wrote: "And another thing! :)

At the end of The Heart's Intermissions, this sentence -- "But it moved one to tears because, to whatever lengths the artist went in the refinement of his creation, one felt ..."

Al interesting points to consider Dwayne.

Jonathan wrote: "The sentences following this part suggests that Odette is partly afraid of Mme Verdurin and her rise. I can't remember now, but I thought Odette was still 'in' with the Verdurins even though she had a rival salon. "

The way Odette initially is uncertain who the Verdurin's are suggests to me that they no longer associate with each other. Odette may be reluctant to have people recall her previous association with them before her marriage.

I love Proust's throw away line when Odette finally says confidently that she knows them "very well" AS A GREAT LADY WOULD ADMIT THAT SHE HAD TAKEN THE TRAM. LOL

Jonathan wrote: "Dave wrote: "No you have missed nothing. Your initial reaction was the same as mine - and is effect that Proust intends - a very casual, offhand reference to Swann's death that might be missed by a..."

No, there are connection of characters thru, while interesting, is not what is significant. But "Swann forgotten" by everyone (including his wife) and the shifting position of various characters in society are two pieces of the puzzle of one of the largest "messages" of the novel.

Two interesting details, the disclosure of Swann's death comes at almost the exact center of the novel (3 1/2 volumes before 3 1/2 volumes to go - although the last three volumes are shorter). Also, according to Patrick Alexander (Field Guide to ISOLT) the character of Principesse de Capriola's only apparent purpose is to make the condolence call which discloses Swann's death and to link Odette to Mme Verdurin. She appears no where else in ISOLT.

Marcelita wrote: "Dave wrote: "Marcelita wrote: "Have you ever thought about listening to the novel, with or without the book in your hands?

"...subscribed to the Suwanee Review..."

Just sent an email inquiry to t..."

Thank you so much Marcelita, you are so generous and gracious with your time and Proustian expertise.

As I got into the rereading I found there was just so much to enjoy and consider. Patrick Alexander in his book Field Guide to ISOLT says it nicely when he writes " The hardest thing for Proust readers is to complete the first read." Once you complete the first reading and start over, every page is full of references and allusions from all over the book. You know what is "going to happen", so you just drift and enjoy. Some pages I read and reread. In the first dozen pages of Swann's Way every major theme of the book is referenced or alluded to.

Somehow I missed that, thanks Renato. I have Monsieur Proust on order with Amazon.

In my own rereading I have settled into a leisurely routine. I listen/read 5-10 pages before going to bed (while waiting for mother to kiss me goodnight;)
It has become such a luxurious experience its like savoring a fine wine.

There are no French Audio recordings that I know Renato. The only complete unabridged audio of the complete ISOLT is the Naxos production I use narrated by Neville Jason. If you go to the Audible.com site and search for any volume of ISOLT, you can click on the sample and listen for three or four minutes.

Renato wrote: "Oh yes, I found it very interesting and totally unexpected! A character who was once so important was "killed off" so nonchalantly. Like you said, it was very casual.

I thought Proust would write ..."

Your comment made me smile Renato, I remember thinking exactly the same thing! But I have changed my mind and I expect you will too.

No you have missed nothing. Your initial reaction was the same as mine - and is effect that Proust intends - a very casual, offhand reference to Swann's death that might be missed by a casual reader. But the significance is not in the detail of disclosure but the context. The occasion of disclosure (a condolence call on Odette following the death). And the larger context in the social rise of the Verdurins which is being discussed at length before and after the section you quote.

This section, centered on the way Swann's death is revealed, is something to reflect on at the end of the ISOLT.

I also love Odette's initial and then reflective reponse to whether she knows the Verdurins - considering she met Swann at the Verdurins in the Swann in Love section of Swann's Way.

"She had even mentioned her name in the course of a visit of condolence which she had paid to Mme. Swann after the death of her husband, and had asked whether she knew them.”

Yes, that is it. Note who "she" and who "her" in the sentence refer to in context of surrounding text.

I remember the section you are talking about, but that is not where I am referencing. I realize you are reading a Portuguese translation, could you translate the couple of lines that refer to Swann's death?