Look Homeward, Angel

[philios]

Before I go on for Act Two, scene two, in which my 'brother', Ben, dies, I listen to the scene before. It's in the marble yard of W.O. Gant, and at the end of this scene Ben and Gene are talking together for what will be their final conversation of the play. And this is the conversation that means the most to me of anything else in Look Homeward,

Comments

I think I'm going to like Look Homeward Angel

[squishy_bubbles]

Maybe even more painful than not knowing people is knowing them.

"I wake to find my soul in fragments,
Given to a thousand loves,
Only one will have no rival . . .
Freedom from myself will be the sweetest rest Iv'e ever known."

Re: I think I'm going to like Look Homeward Angel

[philios]

Indeed. Knowing a little something.
Freedom! Gah.

[judsonson]

I think that's an overly closed-minded assumation, m'dear. Have you never met two people who did in fact "know" each other? I've met several in my few years. Most of them are (as it would make sense to be) married couples who have been together for many years. They have to learn to communicate and be honest with each other completely and that takes a lot of effort on both sides but what doesn't?

Por ejemplo, you'll never truly learn anything about a person by talking about them instead of to them. I've found it a common affliction.

Should have seen the show. Sadness.

[philios]

I disagree. I don't think we ever really know anyone as well as we might think. I have never met two people who 'knew' each other, but we may be speaking of different ways of knowing. Though communication and honesty are vitally important, of course! :) I do think the best way to know someone is to talk to them and to spend time with them, instead of talking about them. But even then, you won't really know them as they know themselves.
I am sorry I missed the show. Tiff said it was very good.

[judsonson]

Main Entry: know
Pronunciation: 'nO
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): knew /'nü also 'nyü/; known /'nOn/; know·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cnAwan; akin to Old High German bichnAan to recognize, Latin gnoscere, noscere to come to know, Greek gignOskein
transitive senses
1 a (1) : to perceive directly : have direct cognition of (2) : to have understanding of (3) : to recognize the nature of : DISCERN b (1) : to recognize as being the same as something previously known (2) : to be acquainted or familiar with (3) : to have experience of
2 a : to be aware of the truth or factuality of : be convinced or certain of b : to have a practical understanding of
3 archaic : to have sexual intercourse with
intransitive senses
1 : to have knowledge
2 : to be or become cognizant -- sometimes used interjectionally with you especially as a filler in informal speech
- know·able /'nO-&-b&l/ adjective
- know·er /'nO(-&)r/ noun
- know from : to have knowledge of Should I assume you mean some other terminology? "Knowing" what's in

[philios]

Judson, I only meant that I don't think anyone can know anyone completely. We all have our little mysteries and thoughts and feelings and ideas that are all our own. We all have our own ways of seeing the world. If knowing is understanding then in some part we don't always 'know' other people. I don't know what is in your heart of hearts. You don't know what is in mine. I don't even know what is in mine, most of the time if ever! :)
But for all intents and purposes it's just something I think and write about. I've never met anyone like what you describe (I've read about them) and I would have to say that Drew and I come about as close as I have personally known a pair to be. And I don't know everything in his heart. And he doesn't know mine. So we don't really know each other as well as we might think.