Is M's poor health one of the factors leading to his destructive approach to "love?" A response to virtual impotency? Pursuing other lovers sounds like a fantasy for which he doesn't have the energy or drive. Feeling weak can ramp up the jealousy. #ProustTogether
@LawrenceWCoates I felt that way about Moby Dick. So many hours spent learning what felt like all the details of whaling. The payoff was bringing that background to the finale.
@Sarah_in_USA It was very easy to tell who was gay when I was younger because of the meaningful looks and eager friendliness. I'm just this moment realizing how different it is in my 60s - no longer the object of the male gaze.
Clash of narration styles - one moment a word-for-word dictation of the Verdurins' conversation, the next moment pointing out that they were wrong about Brichot's silence because that's who he heard it all from, second hand. #ProustTogether
It's you this time, M, not "we": "We are unable to resist the temptation to kiss a bare shoulder at which we have been gazing too long and at which our lips strike like a serpent at a bird, to bury our sweet tooth in a cake that has fascinated and famished it." #ProustTogether
M complains that Charlus won't stop going on and on about "inversion." That his fatigue with secrecy is driving his obsession with the topic. Proust explains the signs to recognize a gay man as he exhibits those very signs. Elegant way to be prudently honest. #ProustTogether
M: "I derived from my grandmother such an absence of any self-importance." He goes on to blame the appearance of pridefulness on habits of speech. Does he forget he shared his very 'self-important' thoughts? #ProustTogether