I feel strongly that someone ought to propose a slightly differing hypothesis so I can rename this the Greater Dwindling Figbash Theory. I'm awfully fond of that word combination. (I may propose the competing theory myself.)
Okay, I've got another hypothesis for you. Not actually a competing one; it's compatible with your own. But the evidence isn't as clear for it, so it can certainly be deemed Lesser.
The first book Gorey wrote on his own was The Unstrung Harp. Several pages in, we find this image:
The Unstrung Pro-Figbash Postulate! With all the weight of its 1953 publication date bolstering your shocking claims!
You're a loose cannon, K. A rebel. An academic outsider with an itchy trigger finger inching toward your red pen. We like our status firmly quo in these parts but you aim to misbehave, don't you?
That melting Earbrassean angel is indeed debatably Figbashlike, as is Earbrass himself if you consider his beaky contours. The model goes further back than my paltry research had uncovered.
If true (and who can prove it wrong?), the Unstrung Proto-Figbash Postulate certainly increases the mystery of Figbash and his lonely history. A lost soul cast out of heaven? A spirit gradually elongated by the weight of earthly cares? The author's muse, shedding the rigid form of socially-sanctioned authority to become a free-floating Jungian archetype?
He's in the same beastie style as The Doubtful Guest, if you've run across that before.
I find him a little archetypal, too, but my impression was formed so young I lack objectivity on this point.
I know that at age 5 I assumed he was trailing long dangling feet, and I'm fascinated to find that those are instead his arms. Monsters, like children, change.
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I just wanted to write out the words. They make me happy.
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The first book Gorey wrote on his own was The Unstrung Harp. Several pages in, we find this image:
( ... )
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The Unstrung Pro-Figbash Postulate! With all the weight of its 1953 publication date bolstering your shocking claims!
You're a loose cannon, K. A rebel. An academic outsider with an itchy trigger finger inching toward your red pen. We like our status firmly quo in these parts but you aim to misbehave, don't you?
That melting Earbrassean angel is indeed debatably Figbashlike, as is Earbrass himself if you consider his beaky contours. The model goes further back than my paltry research had uncovered.
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I know of him. I've read two short biographical works about him. Odd.
I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT.
Figbash looked familiar to me when I scrolled to your post. I know him. How do I know him?
Five minutes pass. I process a few invoices. Check voicemail. Come back for another look at our mystery boy.
Where the heck do I know you from, Figbash?
Best "a-ha!" I can come up with is this critter, but I'm not satisfied. I think he's been to more places than that.
I suspect his shape is archetypal. Primal nightmare stuff.
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I find him a little archetypal, too, but my impression was formed so young I lack objectivity on this point.
I know that at age 5 I assumed he was trailing long dangling feet, and I'm fascinated to find that those are instead his arms. Monsters, like children, change.
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(The comment has been removed)
(Are you still coming? Are you here? I haven't cleaned my house AT ALL yet.)
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