It's easy to connect the beach chairs set out for the well-heeled (or well flip-flopped) guests at the Ocean House with the common lounging area at Dr. Behren's Berghof sanatorium.
But what to make of Taylor Swift in her cliffside manse? A Hans Castorp for our times, wearing her emotions on her sleeve? Easier to imagine her as Clavdia Chauchat, the object of Hans' intense emotions, in "the lace peignoir that she wore on warm days and that only added to her special fascination--late as always, slamming the door, smiling, both arms lifted slightly at different angles, standing there at attention to present herself to the dining hall."
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| Taylor Swift's flag |
David,
ReplyDeleteThis is completely wonderful.
As two weeks have now gone by, perhaps the familiar process of defamiliarization will have worked its wonders, so that you can stand back and gaze anew, with fresh eyes, as it were, like one entering paradise, upon this brilliant passage:
But what to make of Taylor Swift in her cliffside manse? A Hans Castorp for our times, wearing her emotions on her sleeve? Easier to imagine her as Clavdia Chauchat, the object of Hans' intense emotions, in "the lace peignoir that she wore on warm days and that only added to her special fascination--late as always, slamming the door, smiling, both arms lifted slightly at different angles, standing there at attention to present herself to the dining hall."
Tom,
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleased you enjoyed the mash-up of Taylor Swift and Clavdia C. There was something about the fog on the beach, looking up at the Ocean House and mansions of "Little Newport" that brought this great novel to mind. Perhaps Director Behrens would correct me here, it's never fog only clouds. How did I make it this far in life without reading it?