EW and the American Canon
Posted by Joseph on August 15, 2004, 1:47 am Kudos to your site! I was only recently introduced to the brilliance of Whittemore and now am seeking to dedicate my first profound endeavor-M.A. Thesis-in literary scholarship to popularizing EW in the contemporary American canon. Since the beginning of this year I have easily and fanatically plowed through the Quartet twice. Actually, the second trip through the novels was more of an archaeological dig. Your site has certainly been helpful, especially with discovering which authors and novels EW may have kept on his own bookshelf. While I commonly see references and comparisons to Robbins, which, to me, is something of an insult, Pynchon, though EW is less intellectually pompous, and Vonnegut, I wonder if you have any further insights to authors or novels that may have influenced EW? Garcia-Marquez? Faulkner? Finally, it seems that Stern's ideal Middle East is fashioned after EW's own idealistic vision of the Middle East. Since most, if not all, of EW's characters are forged from some actual historical individual, should I assume,then, that Stern was created from EW's interpretation of his own self? Again, I appreciate the site you have created and look forward to being a regular visitor. Sincerely,
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Re: EW and the American Canon
Posted by sam on August 19, 2004, 6:11 am, in reply to "EW and the American Canon" --Previous Message--
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Re: EW and the American Canon
Posted by Anne on August 15, 2004, 3:29 pm, in reply to "EW and the American Canon" Thanks for your kind comments on the site and welcome to the Edward Whittemore Appreciation Society as you obviously are a member. Regarding the books that may have influenced Edward Whittemore, it is not at all clear what would have been on his bookshelf. In Tom Wallace's memoir there is some reference to Whittemore's taste for spy novels as in his favorite writers were Le Carre and Greene. There is a reference to Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet in Jerusalem Poker where Nubar Wallenstein is described as having a taste for bad poetry and particularly the poems of Arnauti. Arnauti is the author of a book called "Moeurs" in the novel Justine. As for Stern representing Whittemore, even though he is the expression of Whittemore dreams for the Middle East, I think he is just that, the physical representative of those ideals. I've always thought that Bell (the old spy master)in Jericho Mosaic is more Whittemore. Abu Musa is styled on one of Whittemore's friends, Musa Farhi & a further hint is that Moses the Ethiopian eunuch was probably dreamed up from where Whittemore lived in Jerusalem - next to a Ethiopian monastery in Ethiopia St. It is certainly fascinating searching out where all his characters come from. Your mention of Tom Robbins reminds me of an email I received several years ago. Tom Robbins is a Whittemore fan and has been influenced by Whittemore rather than the other way around. I wish you well with your thesis and would be delighted to render any assistance I can. I could ask Whittemore's old editor if he remembers Whittemore's taste in Literature. Regards, Anne
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Re: EW and the American Canon
Posted by Joseph on August 17, 2004, 9:37 pm, in reply to "Re: EW and the American Canon" I appreciate your prompt, courteous, and insightful response. As thesis research will begin zestfully in the spring, I certainly hope that contact between us will continue. If you do not find my potentially substantial inquiries cumbersome, I will undoubtedly seek you as a reference point when I find myself in a rut or needing some guidance for a piece of research. Two questions: 1) There is a noticeable shift between Jerusalem Poker and Nile Shadows from fantastical realism to realism. That is to say, Nile Shadows and Jericho Mosaic do not maintain the same aura of fantasy and myth as Tapestry and Poker. This shift, to me, is intentional, but for what reason? 2) Strongbow's Levantine Sex (not too) subtely attacks several modern dialectical thinkers from the 19th century: Freud, Marx, even Nietzsche to a degree. Is Strongbow's vision of a chaotic and orderless world a reflection of EW's own dialectical approach to the world? If so, wouldn't this ideal (chaos and disorder) contradict EW's ideal Middle East, since the co-existence of Christians, Muslims, Jews would require a most severe degree of order and structure. Thanks again, PS. A third question: If you find Bell of Jericho Mosaic more representative of EW, would Bletchley of Nile Shadows also be representative of EW, as they are, I assume, the same character? --Previous Message--
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Re: EW and the American Canon
Posted by Anne on August 19, 2004, 1:39 pm, in reply to "Re: EW and the American Canon" There was break of about 5 years between the publication of Jerusalem Poker (1978) and Nile Shadows (1983). Perhaps that has something to do with the shift from magic realism to a more realist view of events. Nile Shadows and Jericho Mosaic do contain magic realist passages and the characters are rather fantastical and of mythic proportions. The books aren't in least conventional despite being less fantastic. One can only guess at why this shift occurred. By all reports, Whittemore had planned the whole Quartet before sitting down to write it. The two later books are dealing with relatively recent historical periods and Whittemore himself was older and maybe soberer. Bletchley who becomes Bell is obviously representative of the spy masters of WWII and not necessarily a self portrait of the author. It is curious that all the spy masters are crippled in some way. Why? Is it a comment by Whittemore on the psychological effects of being an undercover agent? As for Strongbow's vision of a chaotic and orderless world being a reflection of EW's own dialectical approach to the world, I really haven't thought about it so can't help you there. Perhaps Sam (welcome to the JD Message Board, Sam) can enlighten us as he obviously was personally acquainted with EW. I for one would be fascinated to hear more of what Whittemore's thoughts about the world, the universe and everything were. Reading his books one can only speculate. Anne --Previous Message--
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Re: EW and the American Canon
Posted by Joseph on August 23, 2004, 1:07 pm, in reply to "Re: EW and the American Canon" I often raise these questions with friends when brainstorming ideas for research and study, but, as none of my literary peers or professors are at all familiar with EW-except for the individual who introduced me to him-never do I receive answers or assistance with my ideas; insightful responses are quite refreshing. I look forward to continuing healthy Q & A. Sincerely,
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Re: EW and the American Canon
Posted by Anne on August 23, 2004, 8:43 pm, in reply to "Re: EW and the American Canon" I welcome the discussion. I don't get many opportunities to discuss Whittemore myself. You may be interested in reading a discussion of Sinai Tapestry which is on the Atlantic Online Books & Literature forum. The Virtual Reading Group chose to discuss Sinai Tapestry in July 2003. Follow the link below to read the thread. Anne --Previous Message--
Link: Virtual Reading Group Sinai Tapestry discussion
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Re: EW and the American Canon
Posted by Joseph on August 27, 2004, 3:39 am, in reply to "Re: EW and the American Canon" I appreciate the link. Although I have only skimmed some of the messages, I suspect that there will be some very helpful information included. Again, thanks. Sincerely, --Previous Message--
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