Discussion - Week Week Two - The Public Burning - pg. 149 - 244

[Jim]

This discussion covers Intermezzo and Part Two, pg. 149 – 244

[Martin]

The Intermezzo, if nothing else, demonstrates that the public discourse between the electorate and elected officials remains rooted in some dark age of faith, patriotism, and sacrifice in a global world. Assuming that, as Coover represents, the intermezzo is compiled from Ike's pronouncements, this was eye opening stuff for someone who was still doing it in his diapers when Ike was elected.

It's funny that the lad from Kansas is enjoying a revival throughout the land, including a proposed monstrosity of a monument on the Mall, frequently referred to as America's back yard.

Good as the golf course set piece is, I think Uncle Sam displaying his devine super hero qualities in cleaning up the wreckage in Times Square was even better. Sam, super hero, Christ, Thomas Jefferson, Lincoln, all that is good in Americans rolled into one deity.

Pat Nixon's rear: "Calvanist but charitable" also deserves a mention.

Nixon's script, The Dark Tower, he wrote it, they all lived in it, provides an ooof moment.

And, the notion that in marrying Pat, Dick consummated his union with the fleshy embodiment of a ghost quality of himself, deserves an honorable mention, not just on his marriage, but the institution itself.

But, what really stands out for me in this section is the metaphor of the holocaust (see Ike's reference to sacrifice in the intermezzo), in many of its mythical implications.

Also, I was under the (mis?)impression that the public burning was going to be read and discussed as a group? Did I not get a memo?

[Amy]

I'm a loser....I haven't had much in the way to post. But I am checking in. I'm a very good listener, as opposed to a "discusser."