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What It Took: Gore Vidal and the High Price of Midcentury Manliness

John Ibson

in The Mourning After: Loss and Longing among Midcentury American Men

Commencing with Ibson’s interview with Gore Vidal in his old age, addressing the state of American masculinity during Vidal’s midcentury youth, the chapter contrasts what would become of Vidal with ... More

Commencing with Ibson’s interview with Gore Vidal in his old age, addressing the state of American masculinity during Vidal’s midcentury youth, the chapter contrasts what would become of Vidal with the fate of his friend John Horne Burns. Challenging common renderings of Vidal’s career, including Vidal’s own, Ibson maintains that Vidal was by no means blackballed by critics after publication in 1948 of The City and the Pillar, a work of unprecedented candor and detail about queer life in the United States, and that Vidal was much more of a conforming American male than he and others have characterized him to be. The Mourning After establishes The City and the Pillar as a document of considerable significance in American men’s history, analyzing in detail the extensive correspondence regarding the novel that Vidal received from readers. As he did with Burns and his work, Ibson places Vidal and his fiction in a midcentury cultural context, interpreting the work and readers’ responses to it as a revealing window onto postwar masculinity at large.Less

Imaging the Globalized City: Rem Koolhaas, U-thèque, and the Pearl River Delta

Chris Berry

in Cinema at the City's Edge

This chapter examines the imaging and the imagination of the Globalized City. It focuses on three texts to compare two different visions of one urban or conurban space that has emerged post ... More

This chapter examines the imaging and the imagination of the Globalized City. It focuses on three texts to compare two different visions of one urban or conurban space that has emerged post globalization—the Pearl River Delta. Rem Koolhas has discussed the Globalized City in his essay called “The Generic City”, where he celebrates the postmodern tendencies of globalization towards homogenization, the erasure of history, and the loss of identity bemoaned by so many others. Another text examined is U-théque's documentary San Yuan Li, which emphasizes history and local specificity. The third text, Harvard Design School Project on the City: Great Leap Forward was edited by Koolhaas and this tracks the recent transformation and urbanization of the Pearl River Delta. The chapter concludes by suggesting that although the difference between Koolhaas's and U-théque's visions of the Globalized City is real, both of them are within the order of globalization.Less

Tale I: Al-‘imaara (the building) as topos

Mona Abaza

in Cairo Collages: Everyday Life Practices after the Event

This chapter discusses the idea of the ‘building’ as a literary and sociological ‘topos’. It discusses Cairo’s major makeovers since 2011, with an emphasis on the violent incidents of Mohamed Mahmud ... More

This chapter discusses the idea of the ‘building’ as a literary and sociological ‘topos’. It discusses Cairo’s major makeovers since 2011, with an emphasis on the violent incidents of Mohamed Mahmud Street in 2011. The chapter discusses too the question of nostalgia and the city. It addresses the theoretical debate of ‘Singapore as a model’ (Chua 2011) to extend it to the phantasm of replicating mini-Dubai(s) in Egypt.Less

Book IX

P.G. Walsh (ed.)

in Augustine: De Civitate Dei The City of God Books VIII and IX

This chapter provides the text and translation of Book IX of St. Augustine's The City of God, which continues with Augustine's preoccupation with demons. His fundamental concern is with the problem ... More

This chapter provides the text and translation of Book IX of St. Augustine's The City of God, which continues with Augustine's preoccupation with demons. His fundamental concern is with the problem of God's relations with men, citing the scriptural evidence for the existence and nature of the demons. It begins by reasserting the Platonist thesis that all gods are good and asks if there can be good demons. It also cites Apuleius' definition of the demons, which his depiction of them allows for no differentiation between good and bad. The chapter discusses the Platonist belief that souls after death become demons and that those who have lived good lives become genial lares, while villains in life become malevolent lemures or laruae.Less

John and the Dark Cosmos

April D. DeConick

in The Gnostic New Age: How a Countercultural Spirituality Revolutionized Religion from Antiquity to Today

Historical influence of the Gnostic religion of Simon Magus on the formation of the first Johannine community; Gnostic storyline of the Gospel of John that has been obscured for centuries by ... More

Historical influence of the Gnostic religion of Simon Magus on the formation of the first Johannine community; Gnostic storyline of the Gospel of John that has been obscured for centuries by inaccurate translations; Gnostic controversy in the epistles of John. Engages the movie, “The Dark City.”Less

Phonographs around the World

Harry Liebersohn

in Music and the New Global Culture: From the Great Exhibitions to the Jazz Age

Arthur Rimbaud’s ironic comments on the global expansion of the piano anticipated another development in the commoditization of music: the worldwide spread of the phonograph between 1900 and 1907. ... More

Arthur Rimbaud’s ironic comments on the global expansion of the piano anticipated another development in the commoditization of music: the worldwide spread of the phonograph between 1900 and 1907. The American trade journal, Talking Machine World, is the source for tables of phonograph exports from the Port of New York. These figures raise as many questions as they answer: some large markets are missing, while small ones come and go. Qualitative descriptions supplement the quantitative evidence for the phonograph’s global expansion. The journal colorfully described the phonograph’s appearance in remote places of the extreme north such as the Bering Straits and Alaska; these articles emphasized its civilizing mission wherever it went, bringing evangelical favorites like "The Holy City." Phonographs were not magically transported, but required human ingenuity, risk and labor. Markets were unstable; executives had nervous breakdowns. The memoir of the sound engineer Raymond Sooy, who traveled to Latin America, brought to life the craft of recording and its challenges. The Columbia Records executive Edward N. Burns described the challenges of understanding foreign customers. Overall the expansion of phonographs was a human story of expanding horizons.Less

Commentary on Book III

P.G. Walsh (ed.)

in De Civitate Dei Books III and IV

This chapter gives the commentary on Book III of Augustine's The City of God. It examines Augustine's View, which he has inherited from earlier Christian apologists, about the malignant demons that ... More

This chapter gives the commentary on Book III of Augustine's The City of God. It examines Augustine's View, which he has inherited from earlier Christian apologists, about the malignant demons that pose as the Roman gods. It also looks at Augustine's thesis on how Rome has suffered misfortunes throughout history, which the pagan deities did not or could not prevent. The chapter discusses how Augustine insists that God allots grace to all who are worthy of it, stating that the salvation provided by religion was never wanting to anyone who was worthy of it. It looks into Augustine's acceptance of the authorized version that Rome was founded from Troy, although it was more of a legend than history.Less

“He would not goe naked like the Indians, but cloathed just as one of our selves”: Indian Disguise in The Historie of Orlando Furioso, The Fatal Marriage, and The City Madam

Gavin Hollis

in The Absence of America: The London Stage, 1576-1642

This chapter analyzes drama which employs the theatergram in which European males adopt alterity as a disguise and dress themselves as American Indians. Drawing on colonialist propaganda, that ... More

This chapter analyzes drama which employs the theatergram in which European males adopt alterity as a disguise and dress themselves as American Indians. Drawing on colonialist propaganda, that stressed the importance of clothing the Indian in Christian civility, this chapter argues that the Indian disguise drew attention to the colonial project of clothing while also stressing the impossibility of converting the infidel, because clothing was both a marker of identity and an index of the inscrutability of identity (because it was attachable and detachable). While Robert Greene’s Orlando Furioso seems to suggest that the Indian could be co-opted by the English and become a civilized advocate for imperialism against the Spanish, Philip Massinger’s The City Madam and the anonymous The Fatal Marriage argue for the futility of this mission, because the Indian treated clothing to disguise their allegiance to the English rather than as a token of their allegiance.Less

Book VIII

P.G. Walsh (ed.)

in Augustine: De Civitate Dei The City of God Books VIII and IX

This chapter provides the text and translation of Book VIII of St. Augustine's The City of God, in which Augustine gets to grips with the promised topic of the blessed life after death. It is devoted ... More

This chapter provides the text and translation of Book VIII of St. Augustine's The City of God, in which Augustine gets to grips with the promised topic of the blessed life after death. It is devoted to a survey of pre-Platonist philosophy, which is divided between the traditions in Italy and in Ionia. After paying dutiful tribute to Socrates as the founder of moral philosophy, Augustine commences his analysis of Plato with a brief biographical survey and with the claim that he was responsible for the threefold division of philosophy into physics, ethics, and logic. It also recounts how Augustine devoted himself to the study of Platonism in the translations of Marius Victorinus, paying particular attention to the writings of the Neoplatonist Plotinus. Augustine reassures fellow Christians that the scriptures can arm them with full knowledge of the creator God and that Platonism provides similar teaching on this issue.Less

Commentary

P.G. Walsh (ed.)

in Augustine: De Civitate Dei The City of God Book X

This chapter covers the commentary on Book X of St. Augustine's The City of God. It explains how Platonists have confined to the one God the conferment of true blessedness, whether on angels or on ... More

This chapter covers the commentary on Book X of St. Augustine's The City of God. It explains how Platonists have confined to the one God the conferment of true blessedness, whether on angels or on men. The point at issue is whether those who Platonists believe should be worshipped for men to attain that blessedness, should have men sacrifice only to the one God or to themselves as well. It mentions the Platonist Plotinus' notion of heavenly illumination and the true worship of God. The Platonists diverged from worship in spite of recognising God as the creator of the universe, by worshipping angels, good or bad, with the honour owed to Him.Less

Commentary

P.G. Walsh (ed.)

in Augustine: De Civitate Dei The City of God Books VI and VII

This chapter includes the commentary on Book VI of St. Augustine's The City of God. Quinque superioribus libris refutes the claim that the pagan deities ensured for the Romans both prosperity in this ... More

This chapter includes the commentary on Book VI of St. Augustine's The City of God. Quinque superioribus libris refutes the claim that the pagan deities ensured for the Romans both prosperity in this world and a blessed life in the hereafter. It refutes the argument that men's success depends on the faithful observance of the numerous deities which they customarily worship. Augustine condemns the false gods which he claims are demons impersonating the Roman deities and inhabit their statues. These demons, which Augustine later identifies with the fallen angels of Hebraic and Christian thought, are visualized in the context of Middle Platonist thought as depicted chiefly by Apuleius.Less

Commentary on Book VII

P.G. Walsh (ed.)

in Augustine: De Civitate Dei The City of God Books VI and VII

This chapter includes the commentary on Book VII of St. Augustine's The City of God. It mentions superiores libri...sufficient, in which Augustine argues that the Roman gods can afford no help in the ... More

This chapter includes the commentary on Book VII of St. Augustine's The City of God. It mentions superiores libri...sufficient, in which Augustine argues that the Roman gods can afford no help in the attainment of happiness in the future life and reverts to their inadequacy in aiding the present existence. It also discusses the identification of the select gods and clarifies whether they are to be regarded as exempted from the duties of the lesser deities. Since the gods of lower rank incur no disgrace through any scandals, they have fared better than the select gods, whose monstrous indecencies are widely publicised. The chapter looks at Terentius Varro's belief, which made him regard the world-soul as God, though it contains within its different parts many souls whose nature is divine.Less

Why Strauss Is Not an Aristotelian

Michael P. Zuckert and Catherine H. Zuckert

in Leo Strauss and the Problem of Political Philosophy

Strauss was one of the first non-Thomists to call for a return to the ancients in the face of the twin forces of progressivism and historicism that made the idea of return seem retrograde or absurd. ... More

Strauss was one of the first non-Thomists to call for a return to the ancients in the face of the twin forces of progressivism and historicism that made the idea of return seem retrograde or absurd. Since Strauss wrote, the idea of return has become more widespread. Yet he still differs from most of the others who wish to so return: Aristotle is not the central name in his concern with ancient philosophy. He has remarkably few writings devoted to Aristotle – only one on a particular Aristotelian text, the first chapter in his The City and Man. This chapter looks at Strauss’s writing on Aristotle and his related writings on political science (Essays on the Scientific Study of Politics), where he recommends an Aristotelian political science. Strauss describes Aristotle as the originator of political science, as compared to Socrates, the founder of political philosophy.Less

Air Power As Police Power I

Mark Neocleous

in War Power, Police Power

This chapter is the first of two on air power. This chapter focuses on colonial bombing campaigns as an exercise of air power and examines the ways in which these campaigns were understood as police ... More

This chapter is the first of two on air power. This chapter focuses on colonial bombing campaigns as an exercise of air power and examines the ways in which these campaigns were understood as police measures. The chapter then explores the ways in which contemporary air power, in the form of drones, might also be understood as a form of police power. In making this case the chapters also shows how the invention of air power meant the destruction of the civilian.Less

Commentary: Book Eleven

P.G. Walsh (ed.)

in Augustine: De Civitate Dei The City of God Books XI and XII

This chapter includes the commentary on Book XI of St. Augustine's The City of God. It mentions how Augustine turned from the rebuttal of the claims that observance of the pagan deities brings ... More

This chapter includes the commentary on Book XI of St. Augustine's The City of God. It mentions how Augustine turned from the rebuttal of the claims that observance of the pagan deities brings success in this life and blessedness in the hereafter to the positive recommendation of the Christian Church. In Gloriosa dicta sunt, Augustine exploited which part in psalm praised Jerusalem as the city of God in Jewish eyes. It also cites Fluminis impetus, which describes the theme of the psalm about the city of Jerusalem being inviolable. Sic enim deus cum homine non per aliquam creaturam loquitur describes Augustine's discussion of God's means of communication with men at De Genesi ad litteram.Less

Commentary

P.G. Walsh (ed.)

in Augustine: De Civitate Dei The City of God Books VIII and IX

This chapter provides the commentary on Book VIII of St. Augustine's The City of God. It reviews the main thrust of Augustine's criticism that has been directed at the civic rituals that were based ... More

This chapter provides the commentary on Book VIII of St. Augustine's The City of God. It reviews the main thrust of Augustine's criticism that has been directed at the civic rituals that were based on the mythological accounts of the Graeco-Roman deities. The myths were enacted in the stage shows mounted at the religious festivals, which Augustine repeatedly emphasized are important in the pagan religious traditions. Augustine cites and condemns the portrayal of the deities as thieves, adulterers, and slaves for the demons impersonate the gods and portray them unworthily. Augustine gives notice that he will exclude from his discussion the Epicureans, who believed that gods exist but live a life of self-absorption, with no interest in the affairs of men.Less

Musical Triumphs, 1937–42

Elizabeth B. Crist and Wayne Shirley (eds)

in The Selected Correspondence of Aaron Copland

This chapter looks at a period in Aaron Copeland's life that would be his busiest and most productive. It highlights several events and accomplishments that Copeland went through during these years ... More

This chapter looks at a period in Aaron Copeland's life that would be his busiest and most productive. It highlights several events and accomplishments that Copeland went through during these years such as his invitation to the First Festival of Pan American Chamber Music by its sponsor, Elizabeth Sprague Coolridge. He composed a piece for CBS radio (Music for Radio). He lectured at the New School for Social Research and also played a role in the founding and formation of the American Composers Alliance. He promoted the cause of music education in his New School lectures, titled “What to Listen for in Music” and he obtained the opportunity to compose a score for the documentary film, The City, for the New York World's Fair. The chapter explores his love affair and relationship with Leonard Bernstein, as well as the compositions he would produce during World War II.Less

Beijing: Yin Xiuzhen’s The Ruined City

Xiaoping Lin

in Children of Marx and Coca-Cola: Chinese Avant-garde Art and Independent Cinema

This chapter looks at Beijing as a domestic space for the female artist Yin Xiuzhen, whose installation, The Ruined City (1996), depicts a tranquil Chinese family life threatened by fast urban ... More

This chapter looks at Beijing as a domestic space for the female artist Yin Xiuzhen, whose installation, The Ruined City (1996), depicts a tranquil Chinese family life threatened by fast urban developments. In the past years, Yin Xiuzhen had established herself as an avant-garde artist with feminist and environmental concerns, and The Ruined City focused attention on the so-called urban human ecology of Beijing from a postmodern feminist viewpoint. For Yin Xiuzhen, Beijing is the “ruined city” which has been transformed from an ancient town, rich with a “natural” and “cultural landscape,” into a postmodern jungle of callous construction and destruction. In this regard, The Ruined City can be read as a historical recollection or commemoration of Beijing, the old capital city glowing with natural beauty and human warmth.Less

Curious Intricacies: Some Versions of City Writing at the Fin de Siècle

Nick Freeman

in The Edinburgh Companion to Fin de Siècle Literature, Culture and the Arts

This Chapter surveys the range of writing about the city, and particularly about London at the time. It explains why the metropolis became such an important subject for writers, as well as showing ... More

This Chapter surveys the range of writing about the city, and particularly about London at the time. It explains why the metropolis became such an important subject for writers, as well as showing how it consistently eluded and challenged perception, except in partial or fragmentary ways. Attention is given to the variety of writing about the city, there being, it is argued, no single or dominant urban vision.Less

All is vanity and nothingness: James ‘B. V.’ Thomson's haunted city

in Labyrinths of Deceit: Culture, Modernity and Identity in the Nineteenth Century

James Thomson's ‘The City of Dreadful Night’, first published in Charles Bradlaugh's National Reformer in 1874 and republished in the collected edition The City of Dreadful Night and Other Poems six ... More

James Thomson's ‘The City of Dreadful Night’, first published in Charles Bradlaugh's National Reformer in 1874 and republished in the collected edition The City of Dreadful Night and Other Poems six years later, tackles the loss of faith and will in man. Using a poetic voice of thematic and ideological unity, it systematically negates the possibility of faith and suggests that life is ultimately meaningless and repetitive. Thomson's city meshes past and present in its architecture, yet exudes modernity. The poem implies rationalised despair and suicide by insisting that they are fundamentally sane in a world with no moral purpose behind it. Thomson's statement ‘all is vanity and nothingness’ underscores the pointlessness of attempting to assert a unified identity in a nihilistic context.Less