tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post3920623251310841993..comments2024-03-27T11:02:20.107-07:00Comments on the prowling Bee: Our lives are Swiss –Susan Kornfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05384011972647144453noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-68336095942211402292023-03-25T04:56:29.961-07:002023-03-25T04:56:29.961-07:00You could see it as Nietzsche did, as the human co...You could see it as Nietzsche did, as the human condition being characterized by a dichotomy between the logical, lucid Appolonian and the devilish, revelry of the Dionysion. The Swiss Alps are of course our coldly calculating lives, full of holes, standing solemn yet always calling us back from the brink of our tempestuous, heady passions. The tension is between us wanting to let go but being unable to completely do so, be it because of commitment, duty, responsibilities etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-32736917599631273482022-10-02T14:22:07.967-07:002022-10-02T14:22:07.967-07:00New England’s mid-19th century concept of proper b...New England’s mid-19th century concept of proper behavior versus Italy’s warm sun, joi de vivre, and passion could be the topic of this poem, But ED hates politics and trite generalizations. Rather, ‘Our lives are Swiss’ describes interpersonal conflict: what life at Homestead and Evergreens is, what it could be, and the barrier between the two. ED begins with a stereotype of Germanic culture and personal affect: “Our lives are Swiss – / So still –so Cool –”. How could she say it more directly?<br /><br />Only rarely does the barrier drop its guard, neglect its curtain, give glimpses of what their lives could be: warm, passionate, and full of love; Italy, not Switzerland. Is the barrier solemn Austin or siren Susan? Whoever it is, the wall forever intervenes.<br />Larry Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-50156278100440618312016-06-15T08:16:53.992-07:002016-06-15T08:16:53.992-07:00Thanks -- I always enjoy Vendler, on Dickinson and...Thanks -- I always enjoy Vendler, on Dickinson and... anything! In fact, re-reading her commentary on this poem, I see I was probably very influenced by her reading (although I think she is more helter-skelter about this poem than others).Susan Kornfeldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05384011972647144453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-91382325364415331472016-06-15T04:56:04.418-07:002016-06-15T04:56:04.418-07:00You should check out Helen Vendler's interpret...You should check out Helen Vendler's interpretation in which the Alps symbolize the Decalogue - although you both say the same thing.Charis Varnadorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12520100942137185324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-90140041700194571022016-06-15T04:55:38.135-07:002016-06-15T04:55:38.135-07:00You should check out Helen Vendler's interpret...You should check out Helen Vendler's interpretation in which the Alps symbolize the Decalogue - although you both say the same thing.Charis Varnadorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12520100942137185324noreply@blogger.com