•

Touching Feeling
AjfrCI, Pl!liagogy, Pnjormalivily

"""
av ti KOSOF .IKY SEDGWI C K

~~ .. U~IV"STTT .....
 for T W. M .

with my ridk./OMS !"'l'

c _'-~"""

" ...... .....-"'-<I .... ~-

of _ .00 .... rm."..,. •• ~",,-,-

..,.. • T".....O-'bJ-n.." ... t<,, _ _ __

lib<..,. of """"'" C ......... ... """..... _ n", _ ..

......... ,......_ofoloo.....,..

lor",.
~ O _..,.

1lw~.r'
u_._
_,,,,.....- .......opI> of ...... '" 50,,",.
.......
.. ' ..... _of ·.. _,
......-....... ·,_-_n.C
...,...,_.,.
_JondI c..,.,.,;p e _ , , _ ,..,10,.....,.
.... l;-. .. ..,.......JI>!' '""'__ of .......

.... _ _" - ... T N U _

" "'--..." . . . . ""',""'" C... '"

_ n. "", ""' ..... __
 CONTEN T S

............ , ......................... . _• • 1

Irnroduction . . .. ..... . ..,

__ ___ _ lJ
Inl<rluJo. P-ewgogic . .

,. SI'Ilornt. l"heauic:ol"y. and QUttr l'."rfo..".tm'1:

Hmry p""",', Thr At! of"" i"<MI .. ... . ....... .. .. · jS

1. Moond ,he ""rforn1>l;~: ""riperform •• h .. Vicin;ties in

.. . .... . 67

J Sbarnt 10 the Cyb...-MtOC Fold: Reading Silvan Tomkins

(Wntttn "'ith Ad..m f ... nk) __ . . .. ..•..• ... ..... . .... ...... ... .."

4. r>.... noid ~.ding and Rep.roth .. Reading. 0.-. you·.... So P.... ,"'id .
Yoll I'r<>b.>bly Think Thi$ E.uay Is About You .... ............. .. - IOj

So Ped.ogogy of BuJdtnsm .. ... tSJ

Work. Chd _ _.8j

InJox ... .... ... .

 ACItNOWLBOC).I Htl T$

G ... lirude is _ , in Sil .... n TomI<ins', t~rms. an a/f~<I bill. rompltJe emo-
Tion, Compk% as it is, 10 me it .11O .... ms one of the ",pp~.nd most
limply 5OIf,,..,,,,,rcIing. Mich ..1 Moan hal been the >pur 10 this prt>jNt in
• million ways he will . nd won', "'rogniz.e. each of them. new fo<m of
be.llIy _ a! k:.~ ""... to me. My odor.1)k p;>rtno., H.I &.Igwick, .nd par.
rn1$, l eon and Rita KoooI"<3<y, . .. ,h.nkable beyond thank•. The interlocu.
fOI"> whose: kk •• h.... provided an endless ",source rOT thi> w()I"k include

St~ph.n lIorbor, Lau",n Be,I' n!. Judilh ~mler. M")' Comphcll. Jonathan
Flatl.y, Adam I'wll" Jon.thon GolJberg, Tim Gould. Do.-;d " "",&ky. Joe:
Li,\"O", Melis .. Solomon, Andy P.rt.~r, Cindy Panon, Shannon V.n Wey,
and Josh W~r. Then lhe", . '" Al. n A.,rnw, M.rk Sou e' , L.... me Berry,
Mondy Berry, R.f. eI C. mpo, Ty ler Cutt.in. Cathy D. vidoon, Eric OJ'''·
man. Jennifer Do)-le, Denise Fubrook, Cbudi. Conson,,Ioe G<>rdon,Jan<t
Hall.,... Neil Hen~, 1>1 ....... llill,Jim Kincaid, W.yn< Koc:>tenhaum. Nina
Kopc.ky, Song",ln and Noom lUy Koso(,ky, Adam, D.nxl. and Il<><cmary
L<bow. Men:d;'h McCiU. C"'go.y Mem,,,;,,,..1<*' M.moz. Joan Richard-
son, M.ry Ru ..... 8.arl>a .. H~n Smith. C""lbrmo. Dan and K2ren
\\.'a .... " ea....ryn Williams. Carrie .ndJoe: Hi' W~ne't". Eric Wi"e... and Ken
Wisookr.•• among ,he frnnds ...·box •• '" hasnooris/t.ed ..... ,hrough.he><
good ~a". 1'"
impc' ......... ' /Ioo'ing <IOf1S«tari.an sangha , ha, ...... ins
 my Buddhl5f Im.~i ... t""'. bc"dc. H.I.nd Mkh..,1 and Mory C . indude,
S~ ."'n C.meron . Oon t.op<z. Tin. M<l"'r+.oIf. N.ncyW.ling . • nd. b.. m -
ingher kindness. M.ry Moon,
r.oocIti,,& Ftt/;~g is • p.limpseJ< 0( p<eviou!ly published and unpublished
"..,cri. l. Ahhough I ~ fek (roe '0 ~ise. tlte essa,.. app"" in ,he order in
which they _ .. originally ..,lin.... The .... in bon'owing:s /Tom published
m••eri... a.. as foIbws.
The ;",eriudc .ppta~ as por1 o( "Socn,;c R.lpturn. Soc..ric RuptUttS.: IN TRODUCTIO N
"'olcs toward Qn«r Pcrl'omt.ti";ty." in ~uIo ,,,,,,,,, • ...r 00-1. ~, Joru.tIun
Komhohz and Susan Cublr (New York: Routl~. ' \19').
II. ""rsiQn af Chapt... _ published 0$ ""Queer Pcrfommrnry in ell<
1'1 ..... York Edition Pn::r,,"." in HntfJ ;.-.. S ..... ront ~ T1tt Coo-
SoI"",io. oflu<i/wmidp. f<l. DMd Mc.Whlntr (SUnfoni: S,onfon.IlInMr>iry
Pn::<!..'II96). aft.r.pptaring~ .... In ""'O ~: " Inside Henry jomn: Toward
• l uicon IOrnt Ar1 ofl". Nm." In N'l"'i.oli",I..<$Nu...r GoySdj.rn. ed.
\ionira O<.>rt-nk.mp and Rkhanl Henke (N<'W York: Ro."••d",. '1195). and
"Qnttr Pcrli:l<rnali.iry: l ~n'7 ).om.,• • nt An ofillt NfMI.· GI.Q 1.1('99).
Adlm Frank and I lim publUhed • w:r"Iion afChap'.r J in Crilir4II",/.iry M uch of ,Ite writing in T...dIi,,& Ftdi"" orifIinallyo pp".red in odI .... conlem.
(wintt. '1195); it I..... ppcarcd as.1te introduction '0 Frv>k and Stdgwid. But ,h;' coUcoion of auyo 0110 "'f'I'tSCnU a diKinct project. on. tha, has
t<h.. S/t<I"...."" 11$ S!4lm, A 5i'"". T-.ti ... Rt"'tI' (Durh.m. HC: Dult Uni. occupied a decade. worIt. which has nonc::thelns. and with increasingsr"b-
...rsity 1'tuJ. '1195~ bornn .... rc(UK<! 10 b«<tme ~n<ar in lU"Uctun:. I think i. iI hr: .. dtscribr:das
A versioo orClu pter •• pp.... d.s p,;tr1 of the intl"Oduction.o 5<dgwid. • p<'Oj«I '0 e.plore promulng .oo/J and '.chniq .... fOr Q!:nd, '"Ii',;c though.
ed .. No>YtI 0"(1,,&' Q>o ... Rtodi".!',i. ,IN;"" (Du rh. m. KC: Duke Uni ......;ty .nd p<d.tgog~
Pn:: ... '9\l1), No doubt 'he ambition of ' hinklng OIher ,han duoliSlially itself m.ped
O ap... , was c"IllmiJ5iontd for Donald S_ Lop<' Jr..• d, . Cri'ic~' Tmru ,h. prnjKt' . ... ilt.ne. 10 t.king ,he fOl"m of. book ·length . linear argu"",n'
for I., S,".ry
of B",IdI, u m (Chic.go: Unl"er$i'y of Ch ic. go I'tuJ. fOr1hcom- on > oingle 'opie, A lot of >'<lieu ,dl US to think """du.lul ie.lIy.• nd ~
i"g). ,,'10.. '0 ' hink in th6shiOii'> Fewer.rc . ble to , ..",mi, how to go . bou,
Some p.rogrophson puform"iYi,y from ,he in,roduoion .nd Ch,pl<n it, 'he <ogniti"" a nd .""n .lfecti"" h.bit •• nd procticeJ invol""d. which . re
• and "n: bor, ...... t<l (TOnI Andrew P.rker', .nd my in,roduOion t" OUr I." th.n 'm<nab!. to hr:ing couched ;n'preKri~ i"" for ..... AI heSoi. I 'd hope
coedi,rd Pnfo<..."tiYily ~"d i'rrfo''''''''«
(New Von: R""'I~dg.> '1195). n.c for ,hi.book '0 pr(lmpt n:cognition in lOme 01 the m.ny people who suc -
diocuWon o f H enry ).omes·' ....1" rntid$m in Clu pter , both """t in .... and cossfully work in weh w.y. ; , nd when: II(lm< ' f'P"W'hes .....y br: "" ... Or
borrows from the d iJcu/llion ofT1ot Wi,,&, of,IIto- in T~ (Dumam. ""anicu l.,ed . • ICIISt 01"possib;]ity. The ;dc.l r m envisiooing lten: iJ • miod
NC: Duu Uni""rsj.y Prta. ' 99'), "'copti"" ." 'houghu. ..... '0 nul'fU" and conn«< them •• nd .....,.p.ible ""J
h.ppineJo In IIteir . ... enalnmen •.
£Jpccially .-..:t ,Ite .96Ot .ny nu mber of WC>(e.n academic. popular. and
pn>feuion.aJ di<coursu t.a>.., ..... n cumlllo,,-. dy in""'ing nondualistic op-
ptO>cII<I: in phyan. gtndtr . ntI ...... ~,y. on. po,.:hology and psychoaruly-
 .... <krorut",,<tion.po>t=ioni.ol ",I>,ion'. pNagogy. religloo.nd >piritu-
.lif)'. n«. mind·body pn>bI<m ..ks. <II< l'\'ro'I'try m""'"",n,. md odc~{'C
",udies, among many od>tr ."'... 8u, of c.....1'$< I,',
f•• easi~r '" dtpl'eCl'.
,II< confounding. ,.ndontioou etfens of binary modes 0( ,lUnkng-.nd
'0 ~'P'*' thrir ol1m ..ultifymg !"""Y''t''IiQn - ,han i, is '0 al'ticuU,~ or
rnodtlooh.. >lructurn of though •. ~n.o invoke.."..!...,iom... pt.=y 0(
BuddhlSl .n.. r.u point ""', is '0 ,umbic right in,,, • dIU lis! k lnp_ 1'... aho'a)"
' J$lIrI1f<Ilha, ,II< ""'" useful work of thU ..... is btu.lie51 ' 0 OCrur .... r tlx:
hound.>ry 0( ",ha, a ,.Ti,.. an', figure uut how to ..y ",;>dil);_n<:Ya'.rnind
j><C5<ribe '" ",h~ ..: in ,he Jacoolik. wrmling _ or ,'ai chi. -;. I, may be -
,h.. c<>nfout><i< 'g<ncy w;,h p....i.i'y, the ..If wl,h ,he book .nd ,h. " ...rid.
'm: crnb "f'he work wi,h il< mea",. a" d. m.ybt moot .larmlnSlr.,ntelli-
go"..e whh s'upidity. If -"'. maybe ,he",', bee" klm.,hing e ncouraging in
,II< """<tun\l """I<itnnc. ofT• ..",,"! ftt/i"f
Among the IOnru "f "ubbornnt.. ,h;, book .mbodiH (~,. I'm a Tou.
rus). one of ,I>< muot olMoo. is its fintioo on. ,mall numberof theoretical
,uu,.l1 of ,lM:m in pM, by '990. I'm fond ofobstrving howoboession ism.
mosI durable form of ;",di""",aI capitll. More or Ie.. explicitly.• n thr$<
....,.. upkm. R"'" of uciting md ... r... unexha .... td pos.ibiIi<y _ ",
wdI .. frustration - otim:d up by four dillic:ult ,eJ"" J. l . Aus';"·. How to Doo
TIll,,&, ,..;,~ \\.ImU. "'" i"tnxluctory mlu"", 0( MklM:l Fouaul. '. HUt""",
S<.notliry. JIhli 'h Buller', GnoJ..- T"",hit, and •h. Ii". Ih"", 001 U","" "(SilV>!1
TomkiN" 1I.Jf«r [""'lPJ C"""""""<u (Clccrp<td inTumtins. S""""'~ Addi-
.ionaUy. excep' ("" the Iess-i<nown won; "f Tornki .... ,he c"'Y' respond to
'he eritie.l and ped. gogkal n:C<p1iOl\li ."d uses uf.h .... infiu.n ti.I 'cn, _
.. spond.o ,IM:Ol ofion wi.h ",h.t ha. been. for ol. "'
1"". a .it.l iz;ng if
iI<>1".,inICO("''''' or un"""I)' . u ..,.... ion. What I ",WI ",ert "'!u.Uy ...; ,
de:nt ("")~ ;t is in ..,"'" places);' plain gutitudc "' ,1M: privilege of being
an interlocutor in rorn-nutiuno I've Clperic_d •• '" poIiliaJly. inc.lIe< .
'u.Uy. md imagina,ive/y nuda!.
A, ,he sa"", 'ime. one 0( m. cumulative "oriel .<lId by T..... '~ F<cIi.:
m.y bc of. ,,·ri, ... ·, dccrra>ing ....... ofh~. 1In>ng cen.ero(gnvity in
a ponicubr IntcllMual field Such enroun •.., '" ,00... "ith monoJify and
wi,h Budd!t;'m. "+tieh .... p" u..
two I.., <hlp'.". ~ had ........ >lip-.tidy
.~cu, br bener or worot. on m. .. rong consciousnc.. 0( \«>Cation .h..
made: a book lik. F.,.u'""oJWv""'~ Clout oound <on~dc nt of it. i"ten.. "tion
on <llOltmpor.nco", "'..... of ..:m.li')' .nd critic.1 theory. By contra ...
,h<,...,.n;. r ... done in """ Ilcl w ith Tc..-lli", !WI(", "",r tilt po .. dc<.dc has
,,,,Iu<lc:<l $C>'I:ral ro;,orial upcrimcn .. in «>Il.boration: • puett}" book; the
c .. ~ndcd. doubk·YOiccd ...(bot" of A o..? ... Loot: I 10< of allCcr jour.
""Ii,m: Ind. in<:n!Hingfy. tI", nonIinguisOt W(lrk of .c.nilc .... At ,he Ume
.i..... int.~. my"'-ruum m..... """'" conoislently """" ,oonUK<i
.nd .. lutd. While I've sttuggt.d.o .... tu. ruum in Toodt("! fft/to: r"".
,.,.,... 0( ",.Iily ,hal ,.,ook! .lCJude ...",. of.1wK ~lc:mcn ... I'ft.lso had .0
unG"'P my hold on ........ It'ud... 'hOI lI!N '0 be oclf·noldcnt_including
,I>< aboolutc priYiIcgc o(!he wn,;"g la i'sclf.
In her ultb""ed puem "On< AI.; Elizabeth Bi~·. "'pea,ed ",frain
1$"Tl\c art of ""ing i,n't hard to m.ster: In its i".i .. ence on a rurg" ;-..o
.... he.ie, if. ,he on. poe m of h e.. I've "evcr litu.d: 1 piau", I, Of] • n:&ig.
owor mas"et. uy. urginG diete .. no! to open 'he door. A more oOl1gmi.l
",rsion '" mc wuuld invoke ,he: an 0(1o<u1,,&": and no. as one . rt but • e1u ..
Ie< 0( ",1..1!d on"'_Idcilly lif... !u.n. and idu, might thm 'it rr.ely. for •
..Me. on tIM: ",,1m "f "'" open lund. I wuuId ~ told To..n.i,,& MIl,,! '0
be ao open .. ,ha,. Ind .......... o""""n.,..,td. In this in,mduction I anonly
unfold I ..... of"'" .... in 'opoi tha, ~ f.ilc:d '0 !>«orne cillM:r diopct".bk
or qun. plxnbk during irs ..'riling.
, ".,OUUflV'TT ,.l<D P . . ' ' ' ... AO<CR
T""'*("&" I'MI,,! is rooted in an i", .... ".;I:"I>I f.scination wi'h ........ tffcns md
Implimiun.o .urroundingJ. L Au,,;n', foundational work on perfurm •• ;ve
U[ten"..e .. While ,1M: roneep' of pcrform,,;v;,y h., propclkd notably di-
"'<Ken' ,roitu of thou"". in .. ' .... I d;.dplin... I h>w: be"n most rc<p<>n.oi""
to om: line ,h .. extends throUGh Ocrri<Ja '0 ,1M: carly work of Judith Bu t-
lc:r. aline th .. f""I"'d p.rticularly infi""n,laJ In ,he dc,'tlopmcnt of gender
..udic,md 'lUttu. ud;." throoghoUt ,ht , _.
Th. "queer" "",cn'''1 of pcrlOnna,r.i'y II nidcntly ",t.<1!d ' 0 tIM: 'ellU-
ousnea of ilS on,otog;cal ground. sill""ll!d by ,he faa thai il begitu its intel-
le<tual ........ Ubm rcpudi ..c-d in ...t>.. na by ,Iw coinc.oftlM: ,nm. Ausrin
irnmduccs pcrform:at;"i,y in "'" Ii..t o f his ,~~ Harvard lea ureo (10'... pub.
Iw..d o. How.,~ IN TluW wit~ ~im!o~ only ,0 disown it """<Whe,,,
..-ound
.IM: cigh.h. He ,Iiso..-n.ordismantks "pcrfOrma'Mf)': that is....1>< name
uf. dlSllna .nd bounded <a1egotI of un.r.nc.,--,hat mis!!, be ~ '"
i,,,·
,he "",,,,Iy """"".. ~ ~~ive. "",inl:( ,hot ,:!!.. ~,uin •• pttm
 ·ct is boIh ' ('47). Thus lhe u,", th., deconstruction h., hod for ·pcrl"orrn • .
1i';ly - beg;", with lhe =ognitkln"c It "" propeny 0< 'spe<t common
10 aU ""c.. nrt•. Ungui"ics and onaly.1c philosophy. by <;onl .... , in spilt
" f Austin', dtmur,.,,1.long ",maintd imc",,,td in the pn>CC'SS of , b .. ifying
.. t",,,,,,e. as pcrf<:>nm.liYcJ ""mo. ,oo,.. ath,. ..
Vel. as Shoshana ~Iman poinu OUt Ito Tv !.it.... ?, SpmA Nt, Awtin',
"".., pcrlOnnan« in lhe ... lcnum if "nythmg but. simplt one. Qn<, of
tt..ir slyc~ia if a "'P" •• e<!trop;.m IOW. nI .• n evident fa<cinarion
willi. • putlrular do .. of aamplet of pcriOrrnat;'" un.~_ PresenfCd
firs! as 1"''''. originary. • nd dt:6niing lOr 'he conrcpI : ~.' Ir.. bot
as no _ tkon -a marginallim iti"' ..... • of iI. if indotd either tt.. a-
.mpks or the concqx n n be said 10 -suni\,," the ....Iytic optntion of
thc Iccru..,. II aU (AUJlin ':!O): """""helt$J """ncd 10 .,.,.... and ....,. as if
no "'l""""n. or .noly... no d«omtruttion oo-dismanlle"""", could "'oily
vitiate or..,..., ch2lltnge the .. If,evldence ofthcirenmplary fOn:e-the ..
..,ntenen:an wh., Austin', won. lruulls m It.. mind as pcrfurmarivity toot
coun, ..,..., ,,-hi\c ",odeting nominally un .... bk: the CO<Kc-pI of pcrfun-n • .
'<IU' coun. """"""Iy. tt..se .'" • clllSlerof K1ltenen .bout ",hio. ·it;
.ivil)'
sec"" cle.r that to uneT It.. senlen« (In, of (OU' ''. the appropriate <i..
ru""unca) is no< to lit...".... my doing(. thing) . . . or to "ate th" I.m
doing it: it is to do;t " ()). Enmpl •• lndud. - I promise:"J bequeath . , . :
' 1 <hti ... n . . . : " 1 apologil:.:"1 da... you: "1 sent.nrc you_
In the pre..,n, book. depaninG from Au'lin ', u.. gc. I ",f.rto Ih...,,,,,.m.
,,,raJ
p lary itUu n .., ... r.rp1i<il ri"","-",jvt .1I.... "J1'~ T hey ho"" .. 'y" .. ok
.nd .. montic fcotu"" in common: Ihey .rr in th. (') first·person . ;"gular
(» PT<<cnt ()) indic .. i.... (41.oi",,: (,) the ,'.rb in cach one nam« rTt~ly
th. ort (in AU>lin', I~rm, the illoc-uliOfl) th., th .. uuer.1lCC it .. lf perl"orm.;
and (6) 'ho adverb "heT<by " could be instntd In tach oflhem withoot di,.
Inrting thcir form or meaning, Thu •. " I [h.tn:by Japologil:e' apologize>. ' 1
["".-.by) .. ntoneo " .. ntences • • nd so un .
Ifthe€Otegory ~xplitil ~Ij", .11 ....""""""'" d . tifying at oil. i. "';U
no< do so by ",.. oping t"" . abk: clt. r of dulMouo co ..... ",.", "" pic"'}'
of ... nt<no:'c> whose £OTt. SttOU uoprobl<m .. iaUy pcrl"ONNIM in a da<.<i.
cally Auainian ""'" bul tNt vioIale eorh of tt.. ......... ",I... "no. ......ing
if adjqurned- vIol .. CI , and • . for.>:ample; "The court ..ru come 10 """'r"
vioIa,es t .nd 1; " y""',,, OUI " vio l...a, and s: 'Present!- viola,es •. >. and
1 . if no< aIso<l.
Uut ,he mu'l o f the n....-.wcd category is no< to introdu« yet .not""r
1e,.. l al whirh to play 'he g.me of .. eking .oroptions .nd "c, • .,;"g ""t
qualifying from "",nqualifylng u"ora"_. I n....d, Uhinbhe.ca'cgory is
mo<t u..,fulin •• patialil:td mode of IhoughUf... A\Utin him ..!fsay •. then:
is fin.lly no yes/ no dislinaloo bet", • .., prrl'ormotivc .nd nonperl"onn.u..:
"tt.nnen. then it; could be l1lOOl:.bdpful 10Jmagine a maplik.o set: of ",b-
,;.,no: • map 'hOI migl" rca{Ufl' upIInl pnp._ri... """,""u, conform;"g
" rioly.o ",Irs t Ih rougb 6. al !I$ middle , and. "",llilude: ofather un .....
ance< K'ucrni 00- clulleml nnr and far. dtpcnding on , he nrious ...-.ys
they might rtSCmblc or difli<, from lho« uampb. In e h""" I ofT"""'·
• iot f<tIiJI&. -Around It.. PerformaIM: 1 go f1,,""'" with this spalializing
...
in'pub< . posittng I new dau of ,...,-~i une~ ",hast COI11f1IeJ:
effiraty d<prnds on ,"";,-t~ to. .. ...,U as Ihci< difli:",,,,. from. lbt
aplicil pcriOrrnatives.
E'en 'h" broad 1ew1 of inlernl in 1Iw: fonns of pcri:>rmalh-e bnguagc
"1"""'"n<s I depo>nu fl' from . h. deconsnuoh-e/ q"" .. lin"gc towtrich I Tt·
"rrt<I.artier. For from jacque! Drrrida 10 Judi,h 8ull... ,t.. In;«""yof
b\ ••• ry and gcndrr Ibcory has angltd I"" ....ingly ~'ay from (what migh<
be (alkd) the gr.mmatial mome"t. or the gnmtn.ltical impulK:. in dis-
c ussions of pcrfor.".tivity. leI """ <M'>1-implify "",,, ;" f'O'iting that both
drcOfUt"'Ction and gcndrr Ih.ory h~ invoked Austinian pcrl"ormativity
in Ih . ..... ;.e of an .pI... moIogic.1 pro;e.:' thot ran roughly be id.ntifiood
as .mie_nli.lism. AU$llni.n p"rfo,malivity !! . buut h£.wJanguoge COP -
$ITU«. ouff«<s ",ality "t heft ~ on "",,,,Iy describing ii, This dirrcdy.1_rod.,·
Ii", .. pectoflIngu.gc if ",Ost .. lIh)g.Jor_llllie*n~l'rojem. when the:
uUe ranres in qurSlkln art (1""''''0 claimin ~ a . imply.descriJuU:c:..rtl.tion
' 0 tom<: rn: ..nnding .9S1ttUlbly auadi"u .."'" ",.lity. An alogously in the
. Ttl of hi"ory. d.... me .ntlCl<cn,i.list proj«1$ h.ve fuo-cgroundtd r-ou·
a ult '. "'prote d demonsl "t""" of the: prod..,;", faTt. both of tuonom;",
.nd disciplines lhal I .
 fOrm>!i.." by »ying. -8uI lhe only molly inlercscing pan of it It how all
langu;og<' It pcrfo. ""In~-; and judi.h 8ulle,as adding. - No. only ,ha,. but
i,', ""'"' pcmmni....~ ill pcl'furm:otni,y It lu« e"fllicic - i~<lN<I. ar'
gu ably. mOS' of .1I when it isn', e,.,n en,bodied in O<1ual w"""'."
I h..., "0 qu.,rel ,,, m.k. with the.. f'O"'erful dem<>nStra,ion$. r>Qr in.
d<<<i with \he an'i .... ~'ial;sm thai impc'" them. I would ",mark. though.
on 00w boIh Ikrrid;c 'und Butler. pcrlOrmali";tieJ" boa .... ,My.", in the
..rvice of.n ... ' ..... ntialisc epistemological mOCn~. can Sttm ' 0 bt CUI in
the: ..... oK im;o&c of,he hypoolatiU1l gr:omm adc-al,uonomie1lh.c h....
h. raooriz.d. for example. Joh" Searle', or Emlllknvenlsl". positivistic
u... of AWlin. Tha," '0 say. Ik,rido and Butle, Sttm 10 emerge from a
junrtun: .t ..mm Austin ·..ynlaCllc .... llnOrrtieo. " 'hich .."'''' originaUy both
I""'isional and pb)-ful. can pcrsioc only .. n:ducriotly ~lWrtg; the:
_ from ""'" Iongu.1\'" ",.U w'W"'g< ..em. rtqui"'" by .hci..mie ... n-
,ia/i" pro;t:<:l. Perh'p.."ending '0 ,he "nm'., .nd drect, of porticula, bits
,,[ language. a.s I try '" do in m.ny "flhe.., CU>J'''' "'quir.. a "ep.o.he $ido
of .n'i .... nlialism. a n:1'1~ lighlening of me epistem<>logi<al dentlnd on
....-ntial ,ru,h.
I h:" ... abo .. U n a dislincl .ocp 10 the >ide of lhe dernrutru<ti .. p,*",
of analy.;ns 'PI"",nlly nonllnguls.ic pI1enomena In rigorously lingois.ic
"TlTH, .s when DUller anall"" • partkui"I:"t'\l.ral style a.s . """e'Y ,,[
l"'rformaci.. ulteran«: r Pl:rfl)fm.ti .. ' ~;n.-7J). like much <kcono'ru<ti.-.
",-un, Thwfoi'\( ftdi '\( wanlliOaddress.spKII ofupcriencc and ""~'y ,ha,
do nOC ponenl Ihcmoel"", in proposiOOnal O<~ in ..rbaI IOo-m aIong>ide
ochers Iha. d<>. ra,he,- ,ha,o ",bmh 10 ,h. 'PI"",n' common",,_ tha' ... -
qui..,. ... ric, .. p.ra""" o.lwe~n 'M tw<> and u.u.lly impli ••• n omologica1
pmikging of' he former. Who, mol' 0. iliffe",m in the presen, work . 00w'
"''''', is a disindiru.rion to ........... ,~ priorilie. by subsuming nonotrbal
aspects <Ii ...ality lil'rnIy u..... , ,hc .egis ofthc Unguhcic. [ ..... me lha, ,hc
line bet .... n ",..,ods and things 0< be",'ffn ~nguiotlc and """lingo ist" !'!>c-
""men. is e n~)'S!I."gj ng, p<: 'mc.ble.• nd rnt i... )y u~£!i1>I. '0 ; ny
definili .... . .,lculation. With Wingcru.cin. how ...,. I h... an inclin;uion '"
deP"'OIC rho '",gnm~1 of .....ry spttiaIvalur. my"K]uc. or thingnt.. '"
m<aning and Language. Many kinds of objo<u and ....... -.. ... in rruny
l ttnu,'g,',,",ou. ~ys. and """.at", ' nd.1 Stt """" ,..:tue in "'" ",ifying or
mYOl>fy"'S tbe hngu"<>c kJnds <Ii m<."mg ~nncaw.rily.
Up '0 thi. poin. I haw been ,,,, .. ing pcrform 'liyily as if i"I~.Q",.icai
~ .U (Ome ",,,,,,,Iy from ..-orIr. on spttch KII ron-ing A""in. Vel
in mor»' ron .. mpoury ....ga. ~y in I\"'ndtt and cuhural .rudi<s.
it .. ems 10 be l ied prinurily 10. moriv•• ..J primarily by.he notion of.
perform>"« in me defining i'!1l •.n« _,mu'rical, BUll .... c.rly .....,rk a~;cu:
I.tel.n inyi,o,i<>n \0. in her words. <"""dc, gond. . . . . .5 . .. • n .ct,
.. il we ... , whl<h is both 1n!~,ionaIand p<:rl'orntlriot. whe ... 'pcrfi),m>..
ri"'" itsoclf can-ir:s m. doublt·mtaning <Ii·dra .... llc· and ·""".",I'c:n:ntW·-
CI>erforntllM' '7'-7)). - Pe,fom,.,; ...- 31 ,he pn:sent rnc>rno<n. carries thc
. uthurill' of ' .....0 quite cliffr",,,t di5CO\l.rseS. Ih., Gf ,heateron the ooe hand.
and 0( !pCt<:h act Ihrory ."d d.cormrucli<>n 00 'he otho<. Pan.king in
',he p<""ige of bo<h discou....'" i, nonerhe\ess. " Buoo sugge1u. me.ns
,"'..,. d;1K",nliy in each. "T'hfc SI ... lch berwttn ,he'lri<:oI and dccoN.ructn",
m.."mgs <Ii -pcriOnnari..- <an Sttm ,,, "1"" ,he poWiries of noll'tftbal
. nd , .. m.1 ac,ion. It .t..> '1"'110 ,,,,,,,, "f. at cit"'" "'reme. lbe txI~iDn
of the .CIO' (.imed en,lrely outward tow.rd the .udien,o) .nd th. i.,,,,·
,..".iDo. .,(Ihe Signifier (if " I a~iu" ooIy apologizes. " I ..",encr' only
.. nlenru, .nd ... .,..). Michael f rioed·.oppariIion he, ... n lheanica6,y and
""'""rprion Sttms CUOlOl11 ·m:;todt for chis ""r-adoI about -pcrformalmty": in
its d«on"ructi"" <moe p<:rform.ti";ly signals abJorpti<>n: in ,he Ylcinill' 01
Ill. >I. ge. h"""".". tile pc"",m.';," ;. the theatric.1. Bu' in anocher range
.,(twgcs ••• eXC such.., Lyotlrd', Thr """..,.j..,.
C<mditWn U$e1 'perfor ma -
.mcy " I" mean ... eXC ... "", ofsomcthing~ik~-p<>I,modc:m "'P"'.
scn,ation a.s. bnn.,( capi,aI;" eflicioonq _ .....hile, agUl. ,he deconoc.-ucm-"
' pnfurmativity- of Paul de MIn 0< J- Hill;' Mille. _ .0 be characle ...
iud by 'M di.Unuge pr«iscly "f c.u"" and eff«t hc:,v.-ttn 'hr Jignlfi.r .nd
the ......".td. At ,11... m~ lime. I,', worth ke~plng in mind 'hat even in de ·
<onsIruccion, mon: can bt ,.id of p<:rformari"" specch .CIS ,h.n lha, ,My
an: on'oIogirally dWinked .... in,""""";".,1y non ... ~ ... nti.ll. FoIJow;nS on de
Man', dtmon."".tion of'a radical ""rangem."" bcno...,." the me""ing.nd
lhe: perform.nce of",,)· 1<>1 ' (>98). """ mlgb' ",·.nt '0 d..-cU noc ... m",h
on .he """",ferenee of the p<:rf"nnati...., but rath .. on (what de Man ",II<)
its nccnoarily ",berran, ' (,)0. ) "'~tion 10 its ""'n ",f.",nce: Ihe lonion.lh~
rnu,ual p<:n-cnion. as """ mig!lt ~. of ",k,en«: and .... 'r.:.,.. .... liYiry. The
lint {VI'" rhap<ers .,rT~",*i", Fnti'\( . ", espe6>ly in,ooI.-..I with 'his un·
>ctding .btr.-.o<c o.l......,.,n pcrlO ..... ' ..;,y and ,heatric.ali.y: 'he fi .... in 'he
lirelons, profound ....and un"'qui,ed longin" with "'h;~ H.nry J>me. fon ta-
sized .1:to\J,
'M Brilish ,hucrr: ,~e second in,l\ .n.)ys,\> "O'Ol1rgcois rna ...
riogc ond . .... nel slawry 10$ rwo""_ of mobilt dle~'cr _ of,he ,......Iing
p<OSCmium - in nint, ... ntlHmtury nlIrn,t.....
I ... vc al~.dy indicoo,cd th .. , 10< all n. in,c,", in perfonruttrlty, ,Iw: ,hrost
ofTOOidti.o: 1'«/;. is no< '0 Uf"- =idu.11Onns of ~ialism lu"'ing
behind >f'I'>~ndy ~w.I;'" forms of aNlysis. N<><is i , '0 uncanh un -
coorcioo. drivn Of compulsions underlying the 'PI'''''''' pI.,. of li ..",'Y
for ms. Norag,in is it to u ncover 'iolent oroppre .. ive h i"oric.1 forcel mos-
quc.... ding undtr bkral ~thctic guise .
Wi,houl .. , .... pring 10 dtqluc ouch <riricol pranitts. I tw..: ,ricd in ,his
projtn lOupion: _ .... ys .round """oposol depth 0.- hiddcnness.!)'pi-
cdly ful~ by. drama of exposure. <ha, h., been $Uch. ".ple of cririaol
.....ri< of,he p' " fou.dec.de •. Bnlta,h and IotM ..! a~ h. rd enough In I., go
of; wh>, .... been e'"n morediflicull is to grt alittle di"anct from~. in
ponicul:arthc boosy fPture of·~for· In imminmtly ~m:a.d crirical
or revolutionary pn<ti<c'N' """ con 0I"InC1i 001)1 adumbncc.
I.....,;ad, as its titIc wggnu. the ""'" soJicnt ptepo<itioo in To",*iPI& f'ffl-
i~ it proO.>bly ltoiJ~ Invoking I Dtlcutl.n imeres' in pbna, rel>lions , 'he
i=du<ib!y spOlial position.li,y of IotsUh .1.., .. emS '0 offer some useful re -
n...nc. to the: .... with ,,-hich Itt.....,," and "':>o>n.I turn from spatw.1 dt:Krip-
tor> in,o implKit narraoiws 01, mptttivdy, on"n and ,.los.
8tri<It is on intc=ting pttposilion .bo boaw;e ,he:re'0 nothing very- dual ·
iW< abou, it; • numberor clements m . y lie alongsi<lt one '!1QIher, though
not In infinhy of them_ llt,id. permits I .p.d..... 'gn<>Otkism about OCY'
e",1 of the line" logia th>t enforce du.listic 'Mnlting: noncontradiction
or ,"" law 01 ,he ududed mi<ldlc, ca .... ""....., clfut. "'bjooa ."..... ob-
ject. Its in,nnt doa!1Ql, Ioooo-",\'Cr, depend on • ran,..,.. oI ..... onymiraUy
<'ga1i ..';'n or""'n pod"" ~J.rion., os any cMd kn<>ws who', .... ~ • bed
with oiblings. lltliJ. comprise •• wide rangr of ~<iring, id.mifyin~, ~p _
...
",sen';"g, re~lling, poullel;ng. dilr.",n'ia,ing, rI .... ling, loaning, twiseing,
m;nudting, wi,hdrowmg, au"""ing. .gglCSSing. warping. and Other ~Io·
SpotialWng <iscipIiMs such lOS t;tt'graphy .nd .nth"'P"logy do, though,
h.\oC t"" """antage of permi'ting eco!ogkal o<.y.tcm •• ppr~h"" to . uch
u..u ••• , iikn'ity .nd penorm'nee. For in"ancc, the .n,hropologl" ESlh<r
NC"~on include> ..." ....... "'_/\ he. 'n'
>cudy oH..... I. ;mpersonot.,...
in the U",,«i Sut"", the IIoor pions of...., drag dubs (7 '.119). The plans
• ... port .,( her field dll. on shows at each ","ue:.• nd one of the Sln:ngths
one. 'P"lany pred ••• n.lyslo is a n ..,'" .I."ne.. to 'he multuid,d inter·
.cti<>I\o among people ·wide· each Other In • room. Thu., whU •• per-
1Ocmc' in one kind 01 room remains oJonc _age and ,ft<r" ;aM doa no
",inng ..i1h lhc,udimce , the pnformtrin tIM:: Otfln room "'.... insin nca<-
roou .."" int.r>ction with the band leader. dub lOInage-. "'.m...... of the
. udimct". and ",her performers both older Ind younger, in . nd 0' " of v. ri-
ou, kind. of drag, . mateuro lid prof.$<i<..... I.The effect underl in.. New,on'.
, rontinUOUI assumption \h .. drag is 1.....ingk kind 01 XI th.n • he .. r<>-
~ 1)'$'..... In eroIogiul field ,,"hose in,tnlivc and <ltfining rebtioo-
ality is intemal .. much IS it II dirteted '_lnI tllte norms it may , lull.,n&,,_
When Butl.. dn",' on Newton', work .t ,he .nd o f G<>ultr n..!>It, on 'he
othor h. nd, ,he ecological ."cntion to .po« conarse' i n f.."Or of • ,em 1"'",1
emphasis on gen<lcr .. ""y liud rcpcririoo· . nc! •sodaltem!"",1 i'y· (j. But·
i,.
ler , .... _.,). Wi,h the loss of spa'iality, h~, the m..rnoUy complu
r..:1d 01 d",& pof",,,,,,,,,, JU/krS a ...,mingly unaooidaI>Ic simplification
,hi,
.nd ... ificarion_ In faa, 1 think I"" of dimcnJion mIJI explain why many
<. rly re,derS, wrongly, intc'l'"'ted Bu,ler'. di"' ...."'" as p"'",ribing • • im·
plistic volun .. rit}'_Ahhough temporal and 'P,ti,1 thinking arc ~. ~.Ily
al'erna,;'" to e ..h OI""r, I'vc consi>,ent/y ,ried in T.,..o,i", f'ffli", '0 push
bKk ag.l .... an ocrup;otion.al ICndcnq 10 undc"" .. nd '0 ,"" rich dimmsioo
of <pace.
The jnkes tha, Aid in peopk', minds I~ the on .. ,hey don't quite get.
Toll<1U", f'ffli..g displays. 1 think. _thing like ,hot relation to Fouauk's
Hurory oJ'St.......
lit)', \'.10 .... t, Foucaul' '. "<lIume """indo; mt of. joke be·
caU .. I, "argun.. n, i, so promising .nd economic.l; my .. nse of n.... getting
it comel from ,he way itS ""'" .I.ga"".... ml .1>0 to make Its prom'"
unfulAlbblc.
To mt, ,he .lmost <ltlirio ... I""""'" of the book is most ."..hod '0 """ .
caul, ', Idcnrification 01 , he . ... pn:ssivo hrpod,..n" .nd his ... ggestion that
'he", might he w.yo of thinking .round it . "ccording '0 ,he "'pr<!S.i .... hy.
poth .. i. ,hat Fouc~ul' dcpree" ... ,..., history ..r.. <u.li,y <o~ld only be ,h.,
 0(11", "nrg.,;.., ",..,ion" bnWftn powe. and IU. 0( ",he imioten« of the _ hcsis through iO "",n1. ~y r.odiral.nd dio<on.inuouo dis·
....'thY~~b ....... - ....... nal)'lic. and libertarian. a$"'d as lik.-.L _ ett_
ruIt: of ",he cyd< 0( prohibition'- of -the logic of ""~" and of -the e<>\I....... _,
uniformityo( tM 'PI"r~tul" 0{ k'>nity .nd prohibition: "Whether 01>< ••• , . indo,,"I" t""~,...-
,"" L'_Lo L _ '
p<OjtCl '" " .. 'wl1g 01' ........... rem>
inrd
• 1'""'"
'

'nbu,,,, f.,
it '" ,he f""m "f, ho prine. who formu I.teo righu. of 'he he. who
..,nl). . ~f hi ... udr. And '0 • <onsi""r.
""",,·atiOll
... b'-
'" .... n.. h".. "'",I ngo. fiI.,
., .nem,' """.rv Ihat pro]e" further. But the .numph.ny <h ••-
v , •

forb;dJ. uf ,he censor who e"fort .. ,ilene•. oro( ,h. m ..... .".ho SI"e' .he ,his ,',," un'" -,
. . _ _L- t(),.;,,1 forre of VoI~"" , ab<> ouggesu ,h.. I'ou<:'aul, ro,,,,inc~
law. in my ax 01>< Khe .... tiuo powe. in. juridical fOrm. and ont deru... ,,>< ""r "" Iwconv;ncw monyrtaden - w ••
ill .ffecuao ~- (8. - .,). Foucaul •• on .he Othtt hand.. .hough he is
;sm;ooc
_cc....
hiJ'nSC1 ,
reprcs<n'cd a n ac"",w-,.
.
of ",,,,riling ouuid< the I.P'QSI'" by.
;">I.ncr: 0(
Iv . .
Iu........, . " ..
"

far &om ewming -dla. sa Iw flO( bct:n prnhibit~ or lurred or mukcd or

mis>Pf'",heNlcd ,~ 'he d . " ical .ge - (,,). is mon: "ruck by the: prolifera-
,ion of nt<><k.n discOUI>c1 of ... u.lily .h.n by th.i. suppttsslon . Or. mo",
irl1e", .. ingly. he p"re~ .1\;1. ,he", may ",.Uy be no "rup'u"," b«wttn
"rtptt>Sio<t and the <riric.I ....lyois of """"aion" (to); ~ing W the
pa<3doI of I sodcly - "'hid! spc.u....t>otcly ofill own oiIenc •. (.<><11ukcs
g"'" paiN to ",I..e in de ..il ,,,..hing< it doo:s n01 Ay· (8). he {«"he mod.
e rn p"riod "' <kfined. '" the con.rary. by -the mu\tiplic.,;on of d!soou=
ron""rningiU in ,he Eckl of •• ere;'" of p"".. ri,..,lf an inSIi,u'ionaJincite '
mmo. .0 spc ok .hou. i., .<><1 to do so """" and mor-.: ,de<ennin.ation on ,he
pan 0{ a~ncie< 0( J"l""'<1' 10 ..... it spol<:n about. and to ca ..... it to spcak
d"wgh •• plicit anicul.,ion and ~ oocumulo<e<l ,,",aiI - (18). Thu ••
•he ,..wld·be libe •• ",ry "'I'","i," hypothesis i ...lf come. to be Ren ' $'
kind of ru .. for .... nd.ting ever <nOn: orthe: OW ....i ........ rh.1 proIifer •• ion
th .. h.d also gon< on befon: and .round it,
For. pro;tc< of g.tting rK'f from dualislic modes of.lU .... ing _ cope_
ciaUy ahou. iU - ,,-ha. bene. pain' of dtpartu .. ,Ilan .his diocussion 0( ,he
rtpttU;'" hypo<h .. i,? y~ in ",.ding FOUGoult', book mo", "",fully. • nd
"ped. lly in 500ing .h. wurklng OUI of iu probIomati'" in ,h. writing o(
",he. schol;u-s., i . ... m~ ine""Jingly <k ••• n., !'ou•• ull·, book was div;<led
"g~inot luelr m ,,'ha, it ,,-..n'~ from i.. brood. It""'"' infutiloly .-.mifi<d
and...,bd. critique of!ltt ........si>" hypot:hesis. I knew ,,-hat r .... nt~ from
it: son .. wOY' ofun<km.nding human <k>ire ,hat mighl be ~ui.e 10 the
'ide of p<Ohlbilion and "'p",,,ron. Ih," migh' hence be "ructured ~ur,. di~
(""",rly from ,I.e heroic . "lihf,..tory: inc..apabty Juan.li. rigtl1MWn ...
of hunting """... and ,,,,",klng pruhibition/ rtprn>K>n in .U iu e h....... -
onir guil4 If the criti<al .... Iysis oJ rtprnsion is il>elf inxp.!.-.bt. f"""
"'prnsion. ,hen surely to think wi.h ony cfficuy has .u k .0 'hink In $<;>me
distinctly diA'ere", w'Y,
I'oucauit ·, .u«hingly critical . ".Ir';' of ,he p""'istencc of the "'p"",.
"",h.:,t>, hoY."""'.
, R• ,'''', Ihan workingoutsid< of i, ' , Voi."" '. 10k.. mu<h
of fuOC', ul,', .,.ber ",ork. might bener be <k""bed .. p'''I'''ga1tng ,h.
",prno~ hypo<~ ....... more broadly by mc art5 of di~mcnt. muhi-
pIic",ion. and hypos<·,i"tiorI. _
If m j'CYal....ion i..<cunte. hClt .. . ~Itluunomyo«(!.. """'"'~.
moo ",.y. o f (m isl)unde ..... ndinS Foucault'. dil<U!$ion of .h~ represswe
hyp,>!h.,.i$. Rec.n, ,h~OTi $" ... nt '0 fod ' Ul't 'hey unde,....nd h,. volume
....""ing on< of.he following:
I. E'..... beyond !Itt reprasiYc hyporh............ \'tr>ionof prohibilion is
IIIU.he ....... iInp<><1.n, ,hlng.o w'd....u<><l. 8\1. it opcn,e'lho-ough
pmJ.nng ....Ilt. tlu.n Ih"""gh .liminaling Ihing>/kirxls of PC""""
beh"'iors" ~ bj«tivi'ie! .
1. 10"", beyond tilt "prn$i," hyp<>ehesis. ~ version of prohibi-
tion iI ,.ilI ,he: m"" imponaru ,lUng '0 undenund. 8u. it opcra ...
.hrough ",,,,,,,,'ft«' and .~.ly volun,.ry mcthonisms. rathrT
Ih.n th.ough ..... nal. opc:<ta<ular ne&.' 1vt sanctions.
l E,-en beyond the "'p.."i.... hypo<h.,is. lOI'Ile """ion of prohibi'ion
i, ..ill ,h. ""'" in,!""".nt 'hing '" ynd ...... nd_ But il bubble, up
.hrough ...ltipLt. often minu •• elu.nnd! and discoun<S .-.."", ,I\>n
through. singuLar ~ i""""",d from abo>~. , _ .
• . E....... btyond ,he repm.sIve h)l"'thcsis. """" ",rsion ofprohibttlon IS
..!II the""'" imporun' 'hing to unde",~nd. Bu, i. OPC:"t~1 through
•• lnst •. ".nsmod.,,,.l ~ihition (loltlJU'S" iuelf. ~. o. ,h. Nome
of ,t.. F"he. ) .... t.., ,l\;In through local. uplicit ones.
._ E'..... beyond .Ilt .-rpres>iw hj'p"'hesis. ........ ..,.;on or pruhibilion
Is "ill ,he ""'" import"" thing .o undt ..,...d. Bu. it open'"
I')' d;"
gulsln~ iuelf .. "",." (i.... .......ncr:), N>tu", and .... n'!.I •..., ""'.
.nd h."•• Iwo)', k.n. ,to< defining 'u"'" of "'p",ssion/pr(Jhibi'ion_
,.,......m..o "
 It snms dear ,''', . ......-no<r hellrisriaolly I""""rfuj [hac t"'"'
of
''''''''ghtrNY be . ......eolthe:m ran fullill Fouc:ou~ ', implicit prom~: u..t
the:re might be way. of "'wing outJide tM .."",osi"" hypothe,;" to form>
of thought th .. would no! be mIKtu .. d by tM que"ion of prol1ibiti<>n in
the ~NI plxe. /I ....hen. why ,,"OlIld .nyone hope .0 do..,' Ci"", the pbin
.-.ality of prohibition. ",hic:h Fourault admits, :as • "' .... re of ~ hu"..n
diKoune. 1<1 .Ion< ,hose: of SUII.li!)'. it oeems os though interest in ,;de .
"epping th' "'pre.. i.... hYp<>Ih ..i, could "Pring only from nal veto . wheth"
wmfu l or si""..,..,: from. tenni.... 1re lll(1a""" to fae. rtahty.
8u. in rnponding llO strongly to Fo\ICIult·. implki. po-omi><". J ..... . anu·
ally not moYe<I by d'IC f.ntasy of I world without rq>rt«ioon or pt"Ohil>;.
tion . My dis<ontont with the interpretation. li".d.l>cwe i. noI. oi'hc: •. th ..
they.re tOO p" ..imulic or insuffICiently utopian . INlCad. im"",sxd by Fou·
... uk·. Ikmon<rr;;[' ion OftM ",icTUicss/y .df-pmpaga,ing.• oiIp<i ... $lN<'
t.. ", 01 thc [. p' .... i"" hypooru,,;.. J <am< lO >CO< • cogni' i" oiIng<'r in ,hew
i"'.rp""a'ioru: • moralisti< tautOlogy th.t boocame incre.,ingly ino:ap.bk
o f reCognizing itsclf O! such.
O. ben ••• han "toutology: dnwn From "'" SUtK Ianguagt 0I1ogi<.
might be • .,....ms
descrip<ion. Say ,ha, .... ml'" to $lOP asidt from ,he:
"1'rnsive h)'p<llhcsis. buN on conrin .. ing rigo.-ous "udy o f ils """. an in·
du.ivi.y. fonn on Insoluble loop of politi'" r..,dback. It:'., if A and /I 'Te
in bed 'OS" "''' under. du.tl·ron'rol elrctric bLmk... bu. with the <OrltroU
..:<iokn,o\Iy rn.1W<l: if A gtlS cold and 'urns up ,ht '.mpor.olUre. B', Jidc
or,ht bIanht wiU gt, " ... m .......-htreupon B " ill.um do;N.... lhe .empera·
lUTe. making A', si<Ie even 00I1k •• 1IO A .urns Up'M ,cmp""'ture fu rthc.-
on B's lide. and so 0" .d in~nitum.
Ch. p'c,. ofT"""i"J Fmill,f .nalpn such conccpcu.1 fc«l>xk ioops-
~lf·n:inromng. in Sil .... n Tomkins. tc.ms. as "f'P"Kd ..... If·fulfilling-
in gn:ate. deuil. Bneny. in ,he rase of Foucault·. volume and iu clf«>. •.
I would ""1 .h.. his .~ .Iy.;. of thc pscudodichotomy be",·.. n n:p .... ion
and Iibe"'Iion h.. led. in m any cue,. 10 i.. C01"Irrf"'ual n:imposi.ion in t~
... n more abstractly ",ilied form oI .bc begtmonic.nd.be sub'iC";'...
The snming .. hkaI wgcncyof such terms rrwb their gr.uIual ....cuarion
of $Ubs<a""c, as • k ind ofGum.d.,,·Fou<.uldi. n «)""giOl1 'urr" "hrg<"
m<>nk " Into .nother n. me for the I-I"U' quo ( i.... ''''''Y.hing t h.. IJ) and
dc~"., ".ubve~ " in. inc",. sinJ!iy. , pu",ly neg.,;"" ",]a,ion tu . ... , (.n
c. "e ..... of . he: ........ """I";''' rela' ion" u..1 n.J. in Fouc.ull ·••.-gomen••
d<~ned "'" tqnnsive hypott...is in .h. ~ ... , pbc<:). I, '. ,he ... me Wlhclpful
,,["\IelU'" ,h;r., used to undergird h....-..;cal .rgo.tmenu d>ouo ...iletlo< •• gl .... n
period w.. one o f "continui,y" or "chang<'." I ...,OIh.r problem wi.h ~ifying
,I>< .. at ... quo is wh .. I, does lO.ht middle rang'" of'gene)". Qm:. n:1a·
rion .0 ...... ' IJ mb b«oming reacti .... and bifumo.cd. u... of. comumcr:
one·s choice> n.arrow ,0 '«<pUng or refu.ing (buying . ...... bu~) 'his or
tha, ",.nif."ation of il. drom.tti%ing only ,he ".",mCS o f c<nnpul.x.n and
,"()lul1t.ri'y. Ye' it i, only tM middle •• ngel of agency .ha, off., >1"" for
dli:.......l cre.tMty and ch"'S'"
-r.. r\J ~ ~ AND A,nCT
A gu<><lloh Fouc.uldi.n oubjw. I'm nthr.al=.hc:d , h.t Taodoi"J fttli"J in·
clooks 110 ~"Ie su. A lao oIche ~ is ,ht quo<;di." chonce of my O'OIn lili< .
.. ...nox. ,he",py .ha, " ms 10 blot up ......,. Ir":. 01 cin:u]a,ing es<rog<n
m. k. . .. xua~ty • l.ss .nd I... ";muIOling moti .... of ",11.<1;on. 11'• • 1£0
seemed. with tho .. megic ban.l izol'on of g.y .nd icsbi.n poli.i" al _U
:as thei. """,,ute disn-ow.! of rela,ion to ,1M! historical and rontinuing ~[ o.
q>id<mtc .... thou&h in many arc.. tbc momcn' rNy be 1'"" when theory
" ... in • ''''Y p«><!.oaive ",I.'ion ". lOUal activWn.
The clo .." thi, book rom .. to. su".ined. dirc(tly ... u.l ,he m .. lc i. in
Ch.p''' I. in • dGcw.slon of Hcnry J.me... fudn ation with the image 01.
hand .ha, pcroe<r.. cs a rectum ,nd disimpacu or "fishes 0Ul" ' M '1\'O$IIre
im.ogincd as coIlC(ting IIM!",. In . n essay th.n has in/l....-nccd me • lot . Ittnu
lion uscs J.>me.·, intense r.",1 intereS' as hi< poi'" (If departure for . ",.
m.rk.bly product' .... diSCu,"ion of.M "'hole ;,.sue of'UIU"'. I·' . dew:1ops
the obscr .... ,iooo u.. •• o p"rtt ..... "••'ure is al ..... ys. immcdi:...,ly. • nd de r.ctO
to be im_,""" in • Mid of oai'IC .... mo,;,,, hll""hcti.oing. '<Sling. and re·
lIB<knnnding ofhuw physical prop,,"ic< a« and Ire a«cd upon ""'. ,i",.,.
To pcrr~l"" tell .. '" i. " ..... ,onl1'o . sk Or know What is i, Ii",,? no• • "" n JuS!
~Io... doc. iI impinge on ""I T• .,ur.l ptrttp<iooo .!ways coplon:s (W(I othe r
""... Ions os ",eD: How did it se.,h..wa1? nd Who, could I do .. i,h it'
These a", che l ind of inlrinsic>lly inte,....;,,, propenic< ,hal Jamn J.Gib<on
"lied ". ffonl.na:." in h i, '<>66 book. 710. Sno><-. C.... I0',.,.,-d <u I'I'm'r " .<l' Sy"
'<>n.<•• nd. like ·IOm. I...·• ",-ort. 011 .ff('C, . ,hi, .pp.....,h tf} p"r.,.ptl<~' "w..
• gn,., <1..1 '0 ,10< posowu momcn, 01 cyban<,'" and .,.... ms ,hcoty.
Ai II-on', cso.ay """"... J ,,","n', pcn:riw"d. ,m ..", .. "'~ r", ...........
 nrou.l), h}'i'<J(he.iud whether .he obj«f rm !,(I'(civing was rim<nted,
enrudt<!, lamina.ed. gnnu.L..ed. poHohed . di.. n:sscd. kl.ed. or H~ffed up.
SinULuty. '" p<1'C<'i.... <xlu"" is W ~ or h)l><Jlh.esiu whe.her, .hmg "iU
be e;uy or lurd. Ak ...- dangerous •., grasp. ,., !I;>(k. w (lid . •., .tuM. '0
dlmb.,... w ...... ch. '0 did • .• o ooaIt. E..." ~ itnmoNiia.tly than oll...
~rupt ...1<ymms. it l«ms. !he on.... oI.ouch makes _ au, oIany
dwlis... undotm.nding of a~ncy and p>UiYil)' ; '0 'ouch is ."'..,., .I ... ady
'0 I'(;>(h OU', ' 0 fo<>dIe. '0 heft. '0 "p. or II, .nfOld. and "","y' .100 10 undtt.
mnd Olh<r peopI. or ... runl ron: .. a. h.Ying d'1«tU<llly dor>e SO bef~
""".. If. if only in .he making of ,he ' ..,ured object,
Walter !l< nj> mi n ch'ncteri""d """ "... y of"ploiting''''' ... , .. " ible prop_
• .,Ies of ,e.,ural objre" a nd .ubj...,.. when h. wrote, "E ... n if a bourgeoi, is
un.t>I. to give his e• .,hly being f'<rm. """, •. 11 .. onlS ,n be a m.".rofhon.
OUr wi.h him '0 P"'''''''' .he rrac .. o f ru, ar,icIo • • nd "'qui.i.o. o f daily USC
in !'('l"',ully. "TIl< bourgeoisie cheerfully ,.kes
,h •• mprts.Uoo 01. bo<t 01
objecu. For sI'ppe ... and pockt, wald..... ,he'momelo" and "" cuI"- CUI-
ieI")' and umb....Lu it lries .o get..,..., ... and CIS<$. I. PI'(r..f'J ...1"" and plush
CQWf'J "hidt .-sc"'" 1M i~ orev<:I")' touch. For d", . . . It)'" o f ,he
end 01.1>< I«ond~. a dwtlling beco",u. kind 01 casing" (..s). 'This
otyle Yi.,.... /Ihe .t.... llingJas I kind of~", k>ra ~""" ."".mbeds him in II
'08<11><, with all his app""enan<os, tending his 'race. as """CC tends do..!
f'una .mbedded in gun;,e. One should no! nil to ..-cognac .ha, 1M", are
'''''' oi<Ie< '0 lhi. process, The real or ",",imen,.1 value of,he oIljre .. 'hus
prest""'" is omphas;"ed. They acc rernr:wed from .h. prof. "" ey... nf non-
OW""t'$, .nd in p.>rticul>r .hoir ou.lin... cc blur ... d in I ch" .ct.Tistk """y.
It i.< no! "'''ngo ,~ ..... si"ancc torontrol .. oomc.hing 'hat berom.. second
"a,,,,,, '0 asucW pct"SOns. return. in ,he propertied bourgeoisie" (016-'7).
GoIng from Viclooan plush '0 post'modcrn sIli"". Bora _.s ,ha,
-.mootho.... is t.xh • 'ype of ta,,,~ and '''''ucc·. <llher- (!III). His CSSlV
maw • very' .... ful diotinction bn,,~ '''''' kinds, or ,.""' .. 01 ,a:rur-.=
,,'hid! h. labtJ. · 'e .... r<" wi!h on• ~ and -.,...t u... • wi,h ...... ~ ... T....... ~
is ,he kmd oI.,..."cc tha, is <iefw with o ffered inlOnnarion .bou, how.
subooln' i...ty. histooicaUy, "'"'cri;tlly. i. an>e in,o being. A brick or a m",.I_
won. i'<J( that ..ill bea" tho ""n .nd u~n lh«n of its making ,,-oukl
.... mpUfy ''''''tUr< in 'his ..""'_ 11,,1 ''''cc .. ill>O ,/>t 'ex'ur< - W>C • 'his
,in,o - ,Iu. de~.n'ly 0.- .... n invisibly blodu or muon """h information:
t ...... Is 'C<N.-.. u,,,.lly glos"y if no! 1"";'i...I)· ... ky, ,h .. irui ... inst.ad on
,I>< poI. rit} bc'wttn sulm.nce.nd ""rf...,. '...
ucc 'hat ,ignifKs./>t willed
r r.su'" 01 iu history. One ro.-...quencc of 80n·$ ' ... .,men' oI,he COOCq><:
"""....... high ,t... gloss. ,I><", is no <uch 'hing OS '(KI"rallKl.
I\o<Il"'rfurms a bra"" ... anaIy<i< of .... '",'u ...1M'ory of 1M concept
orkcishism. including both I")'Cho.tnaIyt and coo,.....,.jil, kli<hism. ,h..
,",,1m '0 make 1M dispbc .......... olk,ioMm mD\'C . ... if., the >pe-ed or
liglll . alonfl 1M displace""'ntI of ,he manuf.ctuccd or....,m;ghligh'ed our-
f..,... lIut the ",,"rive·perform.,i ... density of ,he ....... kind of'. UNCC-
it. indf...,<.bI. historicity-al", herom .. """'.ptiblt 10 . kind of r<lish-
v.lue. An ex.mple <>f llle I."er migh' oreUr ,,·h ..... he question .. """ o f
b<.>lkism, of ,he p.> Ipable .nd highly acquirable .... u.. 1... <ON uf ,he: <h.,p,
p... ciou, work of m.ny fO"'ign h and< in .he lighl of m'ny d.maged fo.·
oign "}r5.
!!.of.,
,wy.J,., emph • • ius th., although ,.~tu ... f«m.'o h.... some
kind of d.~niliorul grounding with ... r.r'Ot\C<: to .he sen.. 01 ,ouch. ".-
.u'" 1t..1f is not rotnensi\.....im any single 1m!I:. but rather ,.nd< to be
liminally rq;ist.",d "on the: bordaoll""'f'C""" or.ouch Ind vision' (ro.>-
Indttd. oil... ~ bq<tnd the visual.nd hapric acc invol~ in the pc"
<option or or
,extu .... as ...-hen _lonIr ,he bnWt·bnWt CO<du..". Cmusmo
or
or the oundt eJ ...·cri:spy chicken.
If ,... ucc inYoI .... more than one ......... it is ill>O true 'hac the dilf....",
propt"rtitt. .nd .. <fically d;",ogort' modem hislocits. of iliffo",n, porcop-
tu. 1 ' y•• enu .... li,ble '0 'orque..,d 'I'l1y.he hiltory of .... u... as ...... n.
The ,.,,'" of phy,;c.1 ,ouch il><lf. a' I. a" SO fa,. h., ~on ... tn;trkably un-
, u..:epiible to being amplifi.d by ,echnology. W"mon ..... ho do bl'(as, ",If.
. .. mlnali"" ,'" occui"""lly tough. '0 u... r.lm of liquid ""p. a "'lua",
of ..,jny do"h. 0.- '-"'<n • pod of thin plastk fillc:d with. La)"'r of wa ... tn
"1>k. ,he con.ou ... of,),., b", . .. m<>cc ..I;"nt ' 0 ,hei. finS" .... lIu. 'his mini·
m.l..,nsory ~nhancc=n' is me ... lyaddilioecomp.>red '" ,ho lit.... U)·upo.
... n".l . n... ne. .... nl> of ...... aI srimulus "ne. I.... u..."n"""k and Nc...-ton_
T1w .......,or of MiJJInn.:trrlt, on. 01 ,h. ddinit .... ....,..,10 of .,..,...... can
- in a ........ t"", stn"'nc. " from ,.Iesrop<- '0 microscopt: (EliOIL 'J).
Once JUth ~ ranges beeomt ~ ,he au.hority or ,... lin·
ge ... " .iI.l tteV"t1" be ,I>< wne-.ho ..gh ,hOr "'1")' ............ ,n amplification
.... y mean, ha, they rtpn:-stn, on. kinc! of p""'.pt".1 gold It. nlbrd. rndttd.
the iner.a""giy dmorgen. physial ..... l.. (and lilt hl!;hly diffc",n,i.1 r"es
of ,lIcir <h.ngo) .hot eh.ra<'~ri>~ ,he ",l.,~", betwe.n .ouch and vision in
 ,,,," mcdrrn I"'riod ...ouh in "ndotm>nding> cl """UIT ,hot, mah ;, a< "I"
'0 ~..,...nt crix< and fuou .... cl muning '" rn<1onymic con,inui,ies.
Thus, ,,,," nttd 10 di..,.... ,..'u ... acf'CIM ..,nse. brings wi'~ i,. "••d '0
,hink .bou, '.x,,, ... • cr.,., diff.... n, £11 ... Technologic' of ,,_I, {or 'x.
'mple, as ,...,11 as cl vlPon ~iu tha" .Ithough 'u,= .... ~'Y'hing
'0 do with ocaI<. ,,,,",,, is no on< pbysinl oaIe ,ha, in'rimicolly is Iht Kalt! or
'UIU .... A. YOU'pla~cin:les""' .. n airpon. , ..." ... is wh.,a wl><* """ of
'''.s COn provide. 8u' wh.n lOu·'" chopping wood .• • ingle liN nuy COn .
.,i,u,. >hal'" or """""IT within your Yisuai 6cld. wh .... as tca'ure pc,uins
10 'he ~I of Iht ( ......g~ fibers of the wood in ITbtion '0 ,he slttk
bite cl ,he He.
Funhe,.".,..,. whot~, ,he scal., on< bo.lmp Of> • ,urf,ce. or ~n th,.. •.
wan', cons,i'",e tca,,, ... A "'pu,ed pallern Iik poIh dots migh'. but it
dotptnd. on how big ,hey .... or- how d"se you • .." from KroM ,he room
you migh' I t t them ... Aat lhect cl g.. y: aI a ~w ..... the <Iou nuu a
visible ,enu,..; '~rough 0 mognifyingglo .. you'llltt an underlying ta,u",
of ""pt , or f. !nie un",l .. cd '0 ,h. ,wo Or t h",. rounded "'. pt. thai nuke
o big d,::lign. T..." .... In shor" com~ a n orroy of I"''''epruai do.. ,ha,
indudts r~on. bu, ......... do:grtt oforganiution hoocrs;u<' btklw ,he
"'"d of shapt or- >IJ'\ICIu ....
Ina eh.lI<nge to lie"jOmin', idcntifica'ion of Ie" ".. 1.. lienee w i, ~ bou,·
gt..u privacy. William Morri< make •• "'opian usc .,r,he.. ,.. tu ..1 prop.
.rties in his sp«ub,ive _ I ,w..fr- ~. wIw", political tqualily.
ronununi,arion .. hics. productive Xllh<ric pit ...."'. and psychological
tquo"imity mend unbroken from on< '0 """,he, surfac. of congruent
seol.; and the ch ... ctcri"k M","tis pa"ern of cq uidi".nt. un {""'grounded.
unb,*n. and pt rSp«Iivelcso or-namen .. ,ion drawn "from no,ure" $J>"'ods
from lanochapt '" .",hi<rctu... '" Interior design 1(1 mole and ~nule rai·
ment '0' he body ~If.nd back 'g.aln, With . heir lillt..,ory.• w,;,; aenh ..ic
of ,..t"n: •....., char ........ aprt .. "inlense and """rweening love of , h.
""ry ",in .nd surface of the e."h on whi.h man dwells. ""'h as .Iowr Iw
in the f.ir flesh of the ""<)man he loon" (IJ.I); con''frkly. "".i,
do<hing is
<>maII"ItI>tM ou, of " ~king.""'" ,Ilt "",..,rings "four bodie. lltau,ifulliU
our bodin .... - ju", as • dr.r·. ot In " "." .kin h• • been made be.",iful
from .he first " (16,).
1,10'00 "'"Onn ""'ing how un""poctedly Iht dcfini,;"" ofptrfurmo.
om., it><lfisinfleocd by ,he longuase(l(,,,.,un:. n.. ,bcmotia,h.. Auorin
I
. prlid '" his tuOrIOmic """'"' on ,he p<rfonnaci..., an; cl" mucky """.
.G,eney ,ho' ""'~C$ ' ...
"Iing oontraJ( wi,h his dandified fas,;dious .yn·
..,,;,.' 'hounh ,he: dimemions o(true/false ({or ,he: con.,.,I",,) and
<>'. .,..
hopP1/ unhappy (for ,be perfum... rivt) a", .Iw.y. in danger of wiping OUt
.r.ong ,,,," confOunding His "f ",... /dry. According to Austin. for.U ,he dry
J><': s ... ny"likc hilari')' of his ..,le. with his pro;..co "'" .'" ~.bIe '0 find
oul1tl", ' "bog! ging). by logical .I'ge'. do...,," ('1), Of 10 ~."" "two ,..,w
kql in ""r han ds. 4";, of Cou .... , ,im"I1.,..,,,,,,,y 'WO new . k i<h underour
foOl" (:as). "To !t:el ,he firm ground of P"'judicc >lipping ....ay is Itlhil.....,·
ing." "'" ,,·rit.... "but brings it> """"'SCI' (6.);"1 WJI only: he promises
11,.... "g~ you . .... n .round. or- .. ther . IIound<r .round" (I~I ). CIe.rly for
Au>!in , , .. onomi. work wi,h particular sen"n<C' i. not . rigid. s<:.l'iean
.. ific ..1on of ptrform.,;"i,y, bu, .... her lbe filthy W<.><1uhop of iu C",,", Ion,
cri<s-""""'! with sIod nuru. full of dichot:omiot ,ha, on: "in noced. li~
OIl m"'l' d ichotomies. cl.!imlna,lon" (,.~); it; "ptue"'. ,he .,.;,01. perhaps
pain{u I. not·yet· diff.n:n,iat. d quick from whieh ,hep" tiOrmati"" • merg ...
In w'Y' like thue, ,u,ure seems like • pcomi:ling t.,.cI of a" entlon for
shifiing ,he emphasis of some inte~ """"'... 'Mons _-ay from
lhe I"I:«n, liution on cpiIIemoiogy (...t.id> ougg<$IS ,ha, I"'rfo...... ,MtJ/
p"rformonct: can show ". whetheror not lhere area.sc ... ial mulls and !>OW
w. could, 0, why".., can', . mow ,I,.,m) by ",king new qu ••';onsabou, phe.
~nology and .ffect (",hat motiva'" pcrforma'jvity and ptrNrmonc •.
lOr rumple. and wha< lndividu.1 and roIkcti ... diMS an' rnobiIiznI in ,be;,.
e.ccution'). n.. tille r"" chosen for ,hese essay .. TD""'i"!: rrdi~ .. cords
the in,uilion t hat a p;onlrular inlim.cy sec"", '" .ub.... betw... n ""urn
.nd """"ion•. But ,he same d""bI. meaning. ,.coile plu. omot;"n.l. is .1·
re.~y ,he", in ,be single word ",ouching; equally il'. int.rnaI '" 1M word
"""ling." I am.1oo tII(OU . . ged in ,his o«ociation by the dubious "piohtt
"'oumy.fttly," wlth il$ implication thaI ~n '0 ,.Ik .bou, . ffect vinually
. mounts 10 C,, '.rKOU$ <"n,act.
If 'ny,lIing . the aosoci,uion be~en ,ouch and .ff.", may be tOO obvi·
ous: iu Common ....... ....,ms '0 offer ' 00 "'Y "'ppon ' 0 modern ..... mp-
'ions obou' 1M <c",,,U'y '" ouual dtsj", '" .11 human con,act and fffting.
n..»Oft.Roman'k"~'J\nowkdg"" .. gim. th., roue.u!' . " . Iy"" ,he
<me: ,h., "'"Clu''' and pmpaga'.,. ,he "'pressi"" hypothesis. follows ,he
F",udi,n undotnt.nding ,ha,
one: pbyoiologicai dri"" _ >tlUOI!ity. libido.
dcoir.- - is ,he ultima,e """",c. and hmcc in Fouc.ul, ·. word is ottn '0 em·
 body,he -,ruth: ol hum ... ..-iva'ion.. iden,i,y, and ~..-ion , In mY_T1
lim book on ...:ru>lio:y, fOI' u .. mplo, I d",w on ,his mO<km con<tnsus in
apblnlng ,he 'erm -m.lel>omu<oci.l desi",-, -Foe ,he mos, 1',", I " 'ill he
using 'de.i",' in a way analogous '0 'he psycho,m .lytic u .. "f 'Iibido'_not
fOf • raft icu!.. affi:cti,.. ,..,. ()I'cmotion, bu, ro, the aff.ctivt ()I' socl.o.l (orre,
,he gl...,""n "'hm ils manif...... tion is hostili,y ()I' h:l1ttd Of IOm<thing
less emotivtly m.~. ,h.:t, slu.pe> ... impon..... ",I;n;oruh ip· (Sedgwick.
lktwmt M.-. J). no. ~ view don "'" odudt o"""ions. hu' ;u the
qU01'lion JUggcsts. il view> emotion primarily IS' , .. hicle Dr m . nif."._
, i"" o f.n underlying lil>idin. l dri"". E.cItement, u!,"', ",.. n indiffc",nco .'"
..en as more or less equl ... ic", tramform.tioou of-desl",; The n.. u", or
qu.lity o f,he.ffi:rt iudf, 5ttmingly. is "'" of much....,..,~. tlun
th<c color o f the airpla ... _d to >peed .""""'" 10. cIt<tinrnon.
Rrducing .!fret '0 drive: in thi. w.y !""miu a di.g ... mm.,ic .h.~
of thought lh .. may, h"""',,,,,,, he tOO im~rishing in qu.l it.!ivt t .. m •.
E""h e""y in TO>Ido;II,f FttII'\!l,ric. in ><>me ""01'0 off., .Itom"ivel '0 'h,"
h.:tbit .... llUl:w>rdtnation of .ffi:rt to dm-., Ch.:t.pltr l o:IiscusRs _ ""rly
SI.ges of Adom Frank 'und my Oncounl<1" wi,h the wriling ofSilv.... Tom·
k i.... ,he JII)",hoIogi<t .... t.osc: theories undcrpin ""'" of ,n"", .pproaches,'
ForTomkhu, ,I>< diffc",n(, bet ..... n 'he dri", sY$1.m ... d t he .ffoet system
iJ not th .. on< is m"", """.d in ,he body 'han the other: he understand:!
both to be- thoroughly embodie-d, .. ",en as ....,.., or less irKtnSiwly int..,-.
~ with togn;';'.. pn><nse:<. The difli,rmU instead is b<1 ....ttn rnon:
<p«ific and rnon: gen<~. mort and I"",co,,,.... ;ned: he<wn:n biologically
b ... d5)""'''' thai .... Iul and mo", cOp"ble of g....... ting com!>lexi,y or
deg"''' o f f .. edom.' Thu$. for <I.mpl •. th. drivt. a", ... 1..1""ly n~rrow1y
corutraitKd in th.;,- .inu: breathing will not ..,;.fy my hunger, nor ,,;11
sle<ping "'isfr my nttd '0 e'''''''' ...__ e. The dri .....'" .1<0 n:U. n-.Iy time-
conllnined. inasmuch as I need to brt",he ..i1hin ,he nut mj ..... te. drink
5(,m,,,hing rodl)" .nd .., wilhin the nUt few " ,..ks ' 0 ",,,oin life, 1.4.,...
imrornnt , th.lr range of obj.cts is also ",Iativdy constrain.d: only a t iny
subset of go .....,iMy my ne.d '0 brt .. the or of liquid, my .... <1 ' 0 drink.
In ,....., and several other W;ty$. ~.I~y is clearly the lea., c_rained
(moot .ffi:rtJik) of til< dn..:.. - liad Freud not smuggled ....... of the prop-
<ninof,.,. .ffretJ)'llem intO hisconcrptionof.iI< dm= hio .ystom......,kl
have .... cn of much Ie.. inte,..Sl: Tomk in. w"'e', and h•• lso "'.1 r ... udian
'heory o. d.magcd by wing ..:ru.Ii,y '0 n:pn:... nt Jri,... in 1:""",.1 (Sh~mL
But .0 tiI< ( ~mited) okgrtt ,ha, It. uali, Yis • dm-.. ~ ......,. the immcd;.
... ,.......
oil). ,otI;.,
......
'
,he defining one .... t;.,.. t ___ nli op«ified .Im and.nd
d'ffereTl t from tl .. lf, th., fin.11y di ..;nguUhe. the dn..:. from the .ffen>.
, Short "f. <:ompl«c .umnw)' of Tomkins. ,he.. dlmen,ion, m.y ".nd
for ,I>< Jigni/i.c-.. nt diff<cn:nces be-' ...... n affect> .nd dri ...... hffe<u havt far
g'<>'" fittdom th.in dri"..,. ...i th n:spe<t to. (Of «amplt, tim< (anger can
",.. . te in _do bu< ""n also moti"",u decadeJ.long .",...."of....",ge)
...::'" (my pl.,..u", in h.. ring . pie<. of music can mUc me wlm 10 .... <
It repeatedly, Ii".n 10 other mu.le, outudy to become. compo$C' "'r.. lf).
E>,reci.>lIy. """'....., .ff""ts h.... gn:otcr freedom wl,h n:spe<1'o objee,. for
unhUe the dm-u. -any .!fro may ,..". any 'objw: This is the ~ KlUfCO
of C<Jn'(,luityofhuman mociVll,ioon and be-h.:tvioc" (7). 111<: obje<t of affect<
.uch ... nget, • ..,.,.....,.,. exilernw<, or slu.me is "'" proper'" the affe<:n
;n ,he .. me .....ythot .iri'the ob;cct p<OpCr '0 "'spiration : - Thert is lit .... lly
no l:ind of object which Ius not hi"ori<. lly be.n lin'<ed '0 """ or ."ot~~,
of 'he .ffws. l'o5i,;''O aff«t .... be<-n Invt"ed In pain and evtry klncl of
hulTl.ilR m~ry, .nd ncgotive affw h.:t. been e xperienced a. I ronseq'""""
of pb. .. ", .nd ~ kind of triumph 0( the humM't spirit .•.. 111<: sam<
mc<hanum. on.bIe r """'* 11u invt" any and .vtry up«t of cmt"n(e wi,h
'he magic o f e"i'em"'" .nd joy oc with ,h. dn:.d offearn.- slt.m •• nd di.·
,,,,,,- (501), hffe<U can be, and ' ''' . • ttach.d ", thin",. peopl •. ide... ",n5O·
riono. n:lalionl. activitin ambi,ions. institutions..nd any nWllberof other
'bmp. mcludingothe. affi:<:ts. Th .... one con be exilod by . nger. disgwoed
t.,. ""'''e. or ourpri>ed by joy.
Thl> f!'Cedon, of affects . 1"" gl".,. ,h.m a IIrucm ...1 pot.nti.l nOl .n·
joy.d by the clri,...ptem: in <onlf ... 10 ,he InsIrum'''tAI;,y of dri ..... nd
thrit-din:(t on""...;"" ,,,,,,.. rd an.int. differmt from 'hem ..l'..... the affect<
can be .utOltlic: ""l'be", is no '"'" 'lUlog in .h. alf'ttl oys<em fOI' ,... n:.
.....,-ding dfttl 0( drWe con$ummation, It i!; n,hert"'""" ,h.t.Jf«t d.......,l
."" ""'",., art iJ"'tic:.1 ;~ tilt rAM of P"';';'" aff«'''' whOT >rt;vo"s1""itlvt
.ffects '. .. \sA •• · .. (58: emph ..11 add.d). In Tomkin,', ... e nded thought ••.
peri"'ent .boo, how <0 en:>le • genuinely hum;on .... omoton,
(the mochincl...-oukl TT<Juu.. on aff<rt 'fit..... WNt doH thi<meon ... terms
"fa ip<'rific prog<>m' The .. n..... to< buill intO sud> • madtinc • number
of .. sport .... which h""" .. If·n:warolng and .. If.pun;shing ch'TIC1''''tic>.
Th;, n",., IS ,,, .. th.", ...1" ....... re ;nl><"""I)" a<<opt.bk or inh.r<ntly un·
 ><<<I".bI •. ' ~ .'" eaenoi>Uy .... h.. i.c ch>rKkrisl;o ul, hoe alroni.., ",.
'f"""C"-~nd In ""'" ........ no (un,,"," reducibk. J............"."""'" of
~couJd "'" be (unhoor duc. ibcdtoa <Olot-t:otind ....... 1O d>e~
'f"o'Ii';" of ucir .......... jay. fu,. sad....., oIu ...... ODd aft&"" co""", be fur-
."","duc[_if"",, is mitsii>g,ho: -=>I)'.Irtno..nd ~or'pp"rat....
This is "'" to .. y ,h., ,ho: physic..! prop:rti<s of lb. ltimuli .nd ,ho: ....,.".
be fun"'" .... ly •• d. Th, .",Iy'" is witno...tlimlt , I, is ,.ther
''''"' <annoI
,h. p""lKImc-nologlcol qu.li,y whi<h We .re urging h.. intrUulc ",warding
or punhhing rh.rormuti<t.
If ODd "'hc-n th. ''''Om:' '"" Io.ms EngWh _ """Jd ""I"i.... spon ...
nrou. ",,,,,ion to joJ or uei"....,." of oM >Ott . , likt ,his,. ODd '0 feo' ODd
olume ODd di1buo . \>.'No ....... ,his is. I don', Cii'" m.- II.· W. CiintlOl dos...
1rnmNU,.
ibis quali.,. in ....... of,II< beluvior.1 <q><>noes 10 iI. sifICf: ~ "llor
&o'P ""'-nIt""- <tJ/«tI~...,....,.. .......,,,,,",,,,,,,, ...,.,.un ....d ...........1)'
if II is .o function lib. human motivo.tion.oI ~ .., (": tmpho ... oddtd)
It m.ko, «:n"'. then, IhOl TomkitU con.id,rs "', u.1 i.y . , he drivt in ",hkh
lhe .ff«.ivc componcn, pl'YII"" b rge .. role· ' 001 only .. it "the I.", im_
periou. of all .he driw:J: bul it .. the only one · in which ac' iv•• ion of the
tIrivt....,n withool c",,"umma,ion 11M a ttwaiiling rolhe. ,h.n a puniohing
quality. It is much ~ aciring and ""'",rding: he undel$Ut ... "10 (ttl
It~~ , roused lh"" 10 ful hungry or tlur>ty " (110). E~ .hough Sttu.l
dcsin: is uswoBy orientN ''''''''.... n aim and object OIM ' ,h an ilodf. it is
much more maU..bIe in i... im , and objects th.an '''' .he OIher driyC$. and
also. like fl,. po.lm-e . 11'...., has ,"" polenli.1 of beiog , u,"'elk.
Th< moot irnpoM.ot co",m~o,kal . "umption ,bou, drive• •h,t
Tomk im ,I",,,,... 0 be f,l", is 1ha•. be<au", 'h")' "e 010 ... immedi.,cly ' ied '0
• uf\·i,·al. ,hg . ", ,h...core uperiencood mo", di«<tly. 010", urgently.•""
"""'" robustly .han ,,~ .ff~(1s. Common snt>< holds. ,ba,
Is. l h••• he d rive
.youm is the prinury mo ....."" of h uman behavior. 10 .. hid> oM ,fI«ts
.'" ~abJy oetond.lry. Tomkin!; shows oM opposiI~ .0 be ,ru~: .lut moo;-
v.,ion ilStlf, '""'" .h~ moriv.,ion .0 oa,is(y biological d ri ...... is tho: business
uf.he .lfttt .y.. cm:
I . Im"" f.11 <>oJ. of n,y ,boi, in .... <pri .. . oJ •• " t<m,ml when! . uddrnly
"". liKd .hat ,h. p. ni< of one: who .'l"'ri<O«.I .... ,"11'.,..';0" cK io"rrup_
,ion of hi. ,it. l ai, .... pplY ha. nothing 10 do ... ith ,"" ."",ic drive Jignol
p<'" ( hc:-nu,,", g,ad .... ..,.. uf"'YIP', ...Tn ",hm f.~I.I""""""" no pon;c:
b«'_tltc.-e "notVr m.-,hc.lI«tofsurpris<~ ... I. ...... """" O!q>
,0"" [Iu. e»:rtemm. h.ocl """'inc pet .. ", do "i,h JUU.lily OT with hun·
/1" anJ .n.[ th. apfIO""" " 'I""<Y ol ""'- dmo: J)"'~"' .....boi,o •• d from
iI. ",-.._mbIy " i .h WOf"laoe . ffects as O'>e<'eWry amplifiers. f ",ud', ;(\
sudJ<'nI)' ' pp"atm 10 be • P¥" tiger .j.......",oIi11.•, he be" koew. ...,
, .... rna" finicky of dofuoo. ... ily ",nckred impotc-n1 by .n."", oraru~y or
bo~m or"'I;'" ("Qu.,,- JOI'l
In ohon .•he drive 'y" <m c-. nt'IOI be l"'¥t1y unckrscood as , prim.,), .. tuc ·
.u" in ,,·hieh .he .ffi:<t5 function as SUbordinalC do,ails ot ... ppon .. In fact.
brau" of thei, frtt<lom and complniry. ·,If"", ""y be ti ...... much ~
(Dual dun .ny drive coukl be or mud> """" monnpoIistic.... Most of
til< ..... """tristia which F",u4 attributed '0 the Unconscious .nd ." the
k1 .." in focr .. liem .. peets oh .....ffect ,)... e", .. ,. AIf.... etW* booh
InuliabHily . nd e n ",,,,,, I.bili.y. licklon .... nd finidti ...... " (,.).
If, •• ", .. and aff.c •. touching . nd f.ding "'em'o belong .0S.,h... 'hen,
II i> 001 beca .. se ,hey sh.", • p, nk .. l.. d<li'.,y of s<a~. ,uch ' " W<)u1d n.. ·
<!SOIril), c.U fot "dose reading" or "thick description : Wh.a. ,h.y have in
(ommon i< tha,,,. ".t.: ,,..,
wI"u ....... ~'u"...dtJ "" booh .n: inWucibly ph<.
norrtomc>Iogica. To dDcri~ ,Isem prim.rily in ........ uf...uc,u", it :oh...y.
• qual;...tM rru....prc.. ...... ion. A, .. nding '0 ps)'Choiogy ODd nulCrioliry at
.he Inotl of,fICo and .eno~ if .lIo.o n\I~. ' conceptual ... alm ,h.. is no<
.... I"d bj' lock nor by rommons<nsical dua~.;" of 1Utr;<a VC1"IU' ot;ec, or
of mcao' '''<SU' eod,.
Differen ce, .. nong III< 'u<c~ui,,: emy> in To.cl.inZ F<'tling ",.. n '0 ,ra..
CO"".."..",
..." .. ,,1 narrative, whe>«: m .. nins i> not ovid<OI .0 me , Th •
'<' .... ) intc~ of ,hoe e>s;[y" .. j',.. meo.ionod. s«ms'O .... ,.... , wher...
,h..."", of pedlgogy d<rpmt. AlI.~ ....", an:: ''C1'1 inmlvecl w;,h alfect.
bu. ,.... particular .ffect . .... me. ,..hose f..arurion loti m"l10 /'at in,o 'he
"""" ol, ffi:.;t rJw:.ory le, go~:j hold on me .11<",. Byt ...... ndof.hr book. ,II<
pooi';"" afI«ts (intclQl ·u(i•• mco. and. ~Iy. e njo)'Jn~ '" ,jay. in Thm·
kino', oehema) "'" much more im'Olving, Thot ,he ... an:: not only ,he h'm'
bo, .1.., ,II< .u lUlebc .ffca... ~m. """"""' ,..i.h .his ,ulu"..·, pb""menl
of Buddhi,m . If ,u,h n.,,..i,'c. 1'.n be b roided ,osether. ,..h •• ' Pl"ars will
h.nll y be mon: 1i~ar th. n til< ""'.... 01 I .ried ,,, contp"" In ... OioIlo>~, ""
I",,~. whe,e lhe lheUpit", n"te ....... the end in"'"
 SILK ..0 . . - '~'lil"-" •• UIC IIiTO M .. n .U.,C I C" 'C<>HOOO ....."UT oo<P'ion. 'Tl=t: it no sing le w.y 'U ,.,""'.... nd I .... -~" <>f'h_
"" .... TH ' >ATlI< OI S ",~e I lOIN .. "..-en f "0" "UO'" - ....0 ," " " fOT"'" C'I"~ 'hough one of,Mm ..... m.d< by ,h." ",her. Th~ a~.CI
.",-0

"'OOLl~C. " .. ... .. " ",,,.1' 01< IT I .... SAT 'O ... TH ISC AloU T 11001 ,ju' ..,uralu 1M p""'u" mrs,.now.. ..... Ie .., mul"plo, In qu.lny. be -
,, ~ ~ C. , ,,~ . UIS WAS . 0 . TOUCH; . ' " AUO A-o'" u~. I.. V"'C 'H O oj .... the ~ ,Cfdtm... wi,1I '" hich Scoo, embt-ac"" .... sculplurt, he,
. . n"'H, rd. ",d mUKIlI.N"" and bov.-d M.d ,uggeSl .. <!ness. f<w . nmpl •. ' " ptr-
<COA .J o • .,C. ' SO " .HOW T,, ' J IU A,..I> . "" CO TOCIIT'''' _ Til , WAH . h.ps doc. 1M . bandon wi,!, whkh oil< allows her fea<"'" '" lK "lu.wd
~"O"UCTJ, , . " ,."U O . . . c, >" " 'CI'..-C' . "OT O"U"O"'. I .. "H ISC .gai"" it. The heigh, :and bre.d!h oll><:tntt~ could ... ggcst: dthtr '~'
,""U"""roCUlo. (>D6) Jht is conooliDg or herself ....1u consol>tion from !he "",lpru"', wIIk ll IS
_, _.~ " ... ., ~ .. _ ~ ..... "hor"".., fecI; th.
~ igh.ly e>nlw tow",~ u.. "' ," 0 .ue ....... upn& ., 0
Io<»r.join,td bread,h of """ embncc QTI oIso he r..d ~j • sign ofMr Down
JU O .... H 'COTTo TInIeR AITU'
, J)....Jromo. \.. . II.. ;''''''y 'OP .nd bonom pain" of <.... rounded. >hopt .",
The "",,"OS ... ph on ,he fronrUpic« ofT"""';~gFtdiw& w.u tilt m.aIYll lhot only ,he mosl visible of lhe . uS8Cs'ions that Ihis oobctly ",,,,,d bl lKk and
fmpell. d m. to . ... ml>l. the bo<>k in;IS ~u:n' form. It i. one ofmany white pIlocograph it a, ,he ...... ,imt ablau ",ilh 'riu",ph, J;llisf..:tIon. and
,..ken by lhe California J>h<>coinph .. leun A. ~in ofJudilh Scon ",Iic:f_ fro
(b. ' 9<1)) ";,h her ..m . I~.bly. both before .nd . in« he. re<m' recognition within lite me·
Th~ oculplU'" ;n lhiJ pktu ... " fairly "hancWisli< o(Scott', work In i" W""' of ·uutsldc:r ~rt . $0;011 Ius bt~n rcpu.edly d;,"grIDS<d in '~rlTlS of
ronslTUCtlon: a con: .... mbltd from lali" . h<1.e. <>gt.ltous ma'ni.>1$ Ius Lock. H.. d.. fn .... the one &lid! ,hal wenl undi:agn<>""'d until middk: ago. .
bftf1 hidden under ma"Y .',nppt'd or domed bycn; of muhirolo.--.d pm. led 'o~ .. ,..,me u.ggention. of'M ~y of he. ",,,.rd.tion; d~"
cord. ribbon , rapt, and OIhe, filK" producing. dur.blc thltt-rumensional -i""du~.l:>I "" in ,hildhood. sit. ms w.",bo= d in. CrushIngly n~gh~n.
&h.tpc. usuolly oriented .long a single nlJ of length. ".. hose cu"", • • nd Ohio asylum JySlcm for """r thiny./i"" run (MacG..-egor 49-}1: Snuth).
pUnes .... ~1c.alIy """"..., and ,,'hou: tcaIe b.... Ulrrlplrison '0 E'o'rn alk. she- ..... tg<'d .. OIl .... '" '"; ,h tht 'lIf'I"'" of CIlifornia·. Cr..tM
S<OIt'. 0)0,.., body. The for mal Kh~nlS Ih ... ", con';"'er>, in Mr an Crov.~h Art CCTlto'. M' mo.tcncuu ... gingond •• cited ~ach ••. the fiber .n·
include her in'''n'~ ,uhniques fonecuring lhe giant boundl~•. MrlUbt!c i>< 5yl"';~ Sc,,,nty. ine.plicably dodded that she "'.. ",lOT blind (MocG"'gor
building:and modublion of eomplu lhrtt·di .... miun.lIlines.nd curves. 69) m.:! unobieto decide bhOlWIfwhen. p;t« was Iirt~ (7'). Aod John
ond h<!, .. onlingly origmal = of0010', ,...he, her bright nr muted, " itkh .. n M;ocG",gor, ,he psychoan.lytic oi'" of An lIru. who ..,. OS been Iter JlrDng'
n"" "h OCf'OSl 0 pi.... , . immer deeply through Ihe mullil.yertd w rapPing. .., proponc nl . iJ non"hel." cornpuis;"" in applying ,,0 her ,he l.n.S "age
or d,-uzJ. gr.phically along an """photic SIJ"''''. of empha,i< negation: 'Th~ iJ "'" the slighlUl possil:>ili" \ha, Judj,h m-
-l,"OJ)'-Jndithwas
All of'Scot ......-ork that r ... teen on i.. _ .., Ius an ml....., ptt<en«. bu< vUiom ,be ",-...rual olllcome. , he IinallOrm. of hcr _ ~ .
II><: SlJbjr<'< or thi> pholograph also induM. hc, rclarion 10 he, cornpkttd .
rtrt. inly nOl eng.ged In Ihe producnon 0 WO, d 0 r " r art " (n )' "Judith i.
' ,
work. ond ~.ump!i""Iy"1so the "'.",cr's ",Lo,ion '0 t!'Highl of ,ha,
d)'~. rompIc:l~ly una,... ... oflh. a iJItncc of s<ulplun:" (9~)'; "The ""'''''' of:-
For~. tOUpeI ic;"u a SlJbjNt.objecI dist>n« from thit inugc ;" no """"' "ract. non .•~ p'EiLnt.. iorul """ if. compl.. id.. 'OI~JJy ou<Side ofJudi •
pI'Ui;bl~ ltun 'u envision .ud. a ,..!'tion bc.wttn ScOl' .nd Mr W(rl;, She . biI;,), .oeonccptuolizt " (II",). MacGregor also .. em. , ..o«",.;&:rlh., ' .n of
.nd her ,,..,,ion he.-., pr1!kn•• hemu:l..,. II> o n• • notM, "'ilh equ;ally n . ScOl" " "iJtk Ktivi'y _ maybt.1I h.,.Cli.;,y, In facl - ","USI be <altgonud
~ wc~. Through thtlr ,Jou:ne.s. the ....... u sigh' it ""''' ... dis. .. "unconscious.- ptm..ps boca_ she docs "'" "'" b$lgu>g< (.06. ' " ).
""''''' in f".... ofthot oft<>uch. Nul only the .n... ·• handt.nd 1>;,,,, r-....". , don', SlJpp<»< 1" 1 n«nJarily InllOCUOlU ,,'h.... ~ fun y lI".n, . ..",U-
bu. he' f...,., .'" bu.)' with th o """.«ioo of textun.: . Po",,,,, and b.bi",. "",,,,rd.d langu.ge lucr. who h.o. nove, l..kcd any cduca tlOnal opportu ·
lwiru (ScOU is • •,..in). or Jc-,,,,..
migh, <ommu~ through .... h t.:.plic ab- nity, r....... ,,;th...eh a .. TOng ...... of idc:nt;li"ni<><"", on a pI><>tog... ph.
 an oru,"", .• nd. n...... tl... like the .. of Judith Scott'. _ Yet oxIdly, I lhink
my Id~ntilic.,ion with ScOI1 is less ., ,he ,,,bjen of><>m< kind of pti".tion
Un!}': fo< hi! .",101 ~""'...,., ol,'" ..I" ;",, bt<~..." _ ' " ..'" """P"";ry, I«

5'-""1'.",..- .Ift......... ,ooI! .,. ••"".,. ,......, 'ppruao;h ,owho! L""=«I

th. n ... II>< hoI""ror.n obs<:tl~ '~aw",. or a, a penon =ep1i"'ly held w ,\IrM ...,,,. ",iddJO .. op of 'e'''<J'.
1»' it. T1w: drama ofSCOII '".Ien, is ",... ly hdgh"nN by ......."r,,1 history. , ..,......,...... """,,",t... .wk."••_.m.,
011<
_ , ,,,., ~;,. ,''' ""........ not """ _....".-.. quo __ n.;,
_ ...-.... ..- i<It .. TomU-., ""'" ""
I><r iooI.. ion from language .• nd .... h. t 1 ..... m< mu" be frequent rogni_
live fnut .... rions. But thco oiMou. f"llness of hu ~i< <onteiou<rKU, 1"''''''''' lOilh. .hIIoup., ...........I'Iit,t-«<ll"'1 ",odm.. "" lOti . . . ..,.. <.. mil:<
her O(ubbom!y confidenl :ace_ to >",o,<Ii< produ«ion. her anisl', ab~i<y '-' _"" w.. """"
10 conn""" asllng _ . ,roubIing quurion< of ..... ma,eriols will be ,h.a,
diffiNl, and JI'isfying fOr d.. m 10 I"....,r _, hoe privikga IIttm ' 0 tad ..,.
at somt >ngIe: ,h.a,
is onhogonal m the '"is of di.abili'y.
Barbau I-k..,.".in Smi,h is IOnd of 'he nocion of the -""';Ie subIirnt:
.. she call> ii, and r""",,,,")'5 been >unn"" '0
i' , roo. She "S<S il in <on-
''='I,ion 10 """"rib(; variotu ..-e or .... ;.".iUgilJlc perforrnancn by old
brill"n, po-ople. "",,",00 anisl .. Ki.n,iIu. 0< Intelk-ctuals. ..... '" the bo",
oolline$ of a ~"i"" idiom .... m Anally lOem<~ from " .... , h.ad bem the
obuuring puppy fat of pellOrlilble_ lim<ln..... or oometimes ....... or
CO/>O:"'"' ..nse. Who ,,"OUIdn', find ~ an.-.ctiw. the ide> of .m<rging in'o
a <milt ."bllmell do reel do::oK 10 Scot, in ,h •• -=
evIden.ly "'""' . . . n .
• Ibility in which Abe1s and ,exl""" h...... portiOlbr val ..... "'''';''In,dly .rod
somehowaloo OIuologically. BUI in acknowledging Ih ........ or tcrKkrness
,,,,,..rd . u .... u"'d giii , .... , " .."to .~oring, I suppos< J ~ i""nrify with
,he '-'ry ..p .. -I$I ....""""'!oS.nd fatigue in thi' pholOgr.ph, !'rob.bl, ont
",ason &on', piau.. WoIS atalydc for ,his h.nt·lo·aninl"" book: i, ron-
"'Y" an arree,i..,.nd ,,"he,ic f"lI nell,h. t can ,""h even to •• pcrieru:«
of rognl'i .... frwtr" i"" . In writing lhi, book r "" conlinu.lly f.l , pn::=d
'g.in" I~e limi .. of my ""pidlly. c'-.n .. I've fdllhe promising elo<e n.""
of , .... n.<mi<llbl. girlS.

NO'- U

I. So 1... 1 """ bun -""S """"""" .... in ~ ",!fro " """ "..,.,.."," ",,,,._
'n
~ Iht .... ""hIo .......... _ _•(_"" ..""". inll>mb.;·, .......
fo< TotrIlJnI.. , _«I "".... of ...... - ....Iosoon '" "" <i<_ of. p<rio.b<
...... - _ ... I'f"'I""' ......... -.....y '''''''Po of. , " ' _ ' " .-hich. w.."""
pioyoi<.t .............. "'"""" from .... _~ '''''''''-''-.ny'''''''''''''' ......,
s..T......... _)< . ~ .
•. "' ... _Tomk ... do....o. _ ·r.....,·"' .... ..-of....ob,-t ..." .....
,..""'om... .,
 lNTERI.1.i DE, PEDAGOGIC

She ",.. mble • • ",cu",:nt

$(m< from my childhood.
A seen< anN Mo,ht. H.. F. inlN.
1>10,ht,. body
W.sl'rg<r. now it no long.. moved:
Br<atllcJ, somehow... if it no longer b.."htd.
H<r f. ce no looge' ,milcJ .t u'
0, fr",,=d .t us. Did .nything to ..s.
H« f.ce w" quttrly fl",hed
0, elu: queerly I"'le; I am no longec «n.in.
not it wa, que" I .m «n. in
_ kA~OALqH~.LI .. "Hop<"

' " ' " m(lOI dc.marie thing tNt lupptntd ' 0 .... in ...., .wn.... rol 199' ......
,,"' .... I p.u$C<lOUI fur tdevision. nw, n ·U....... ftum'~ loa! roc...., shooo..
"t.."", th~", btawt ,,~ ....,'" Ming • demomt...ion. ooganiud by an M
HocCo..lition ofBIJd; Lesbi....n4 Coy .. with ~tion from ACT u .....
T..w.gle. agalnst,~ Univasity ofNonh CaoIino,,1oa! nJ It.'ion. ",hich
..... musing '0 air M.rIon Riggs .. T""P'f U.rinl. t~ n film on the: al.
moo< gtnod<l;oKy Unck"tp .. ..,lIItd topic of blxt: g>y men in the: Unittd
St.ttl!. It ...... muggy SOt>t~m .umm.... fitmoon by,~ sid< of. high",,>,
in RtM.",h Triangle Po.l. J hod .hough, I wao !ttl;"g strong """"gil be
..·ha. Iooktd '0 bt • Std. •• dtl"l"lOrUtration (no ctviI disobNi<"'t). in spi.~
of..,..,ral mon.ho of chorlnOlher.py ,h., Nd I"""y muoch dtdmated my
blood "Us.
!luI I gut .. r d forgonen or "'I""No<d how .rd ........ ,hing i, iJ .ny time
• group of pt""I'lc rry.o project .-oILt:S . nd bod;t.o In,o. 'P'ct of ptJblic
pro"" .h., '0
n,., co,ulnu.lIy bt rt:in",mtd from "'"tch.• "'n thougll (or
bt,"u",) ,ho: p""." Iv""i"" i. SO ''''',lIinized and han.Hzed by ,h• • me and
m<di. in>li'",ions ,h., e". bI. I,. You know what Ioco l new, .how. look
like, how nar .. ,,1 i. ""enu ,n,.. ,he.-c >IIould b.. "OW and ,hen. ,host shUI<
or ~rim , di"l'lrI'ed pt"opl. wovlng si!:,,' and """"ing 'heir mou.h. , I mean
movingou. mou,h., I mean ~Iling.
Yot ,he fOII,in"";"" of 'hat IIblt.u <k>t:Sn·, "",.n a 1.d of danger '0
the people or("llpying it. Arriving, I n•• hed "".0. ",ry iliff.... n, seen< from
Now Engla".d a few wime .. urile., ",hen Amherst College. SO p~lIlt and
""por";", in matt ... ("II.ml • •. scony ,nd fU.hle .. in ma" ... managerial.
had.." OUt to do ....... (>llCauful ) ~n;u" b.... ing .. 'he '1D.;".I..ordJ<:ffcry
""mhcl""l( Inn. On • c;wi>hing Oi<~ insonian "i"'~caft~rnoon ,I>< «>net""""
focult y_ "",)·bt ~''"' 01 u. and AU<Jt,,,. g.thc:Kd on ttl< ""m SrNn, hold-
ing ,;go<, ' 0 silently-,,·i,......-
'ht civil di>obtditnct of. doun union em .
~ ..+.o "..,'" going 10 b&ock , ... ffic in front oI.ht Inn ;md get • ....,..td.
n... poI;c., hod a )..,11ow td>oolbu. ,hr"'. ever)·, hin, ..~ ......Jr. and • b..u. .
tif~I, thid , .Hom and likncing snow btg.n 10 fIll. It wa, on. of'hr lim
"1'''''
dc"",ns, ... ,i<>ru I'd b.rn ofthat W'$11 ·I. m ... dcm<>rnt ... tion,.nod my
h~.n, in "I'i,. 01 nl<, .lmDSI bu .. , with "".I,.,ion .,.he '1"''''.nd indica'ive
Americ .n,.... ofrhe .Jail<, Iikt ",ading 11>O.... u but .100 like a """·ie, .t ,~
P"se.ntlik Ind In,lm .. ely ""ltd dtmOO'n'ic >pact of.ht t"""II com"""""
at ,I>< I"'tience of' ,he highl)' doortos",pI>td police , at ... hat SC1:med III<
'hoilling S)'mbolO: l(:YI!roge, wi,hin • 'ightly mirub,.d ItgaI dii«>o~ .nd
hiJ'O<)", of the p<Otwe .... ' InOJI ...... '" spttdo aeu _ ple",e. immobiliry,
rd"us;ol _and .t, I JUppoot' •• t.. ",culariztd m igk>li<yolmrown functionol
-"itntSSinl( this scmr, ."",lI<r plene bu, .pp"......1y ~ perfurmali\..,
, thot tnadr sunding sci. with my m(II,I,h shu, feel like embodying the ,..hole
Bill of Rights, I, " ''S ,he sroow, profuso, g.. tu ........ ~Ullizing, thutric.olly
,r"",forrmti"" , .... ,I«mtd IfIO>t '0 guoronttt ,t.. totality &nd oymbolic
...... nnC$S of ,his PU"', signifying ~ •• I, ..at abo. """..,...,r, ,t.. co.nin·
gen<Y of the sroow ,hit , in ,II< $low unfoldin, of the .ftcrnoon. projtcted
"'...·scoppingly on,o t'" Largnc sc-.. ,t.. ambiguities abou, ...., "sym-
boli. " $t.nding of ,he pro<<<ton' ~fUllb. Wook/ the: traffic ""I' for !hac:
onornaIoul figurn in ,t.. roadl C..IJ itl Ok! thry ahr.iY' know wt..ther it
.ooJd' We~ nt.,-., fnyingl .... , protUIOfS go< ",ad tll<irri,htt. handcuffed.
bundkd olf into .t.. icing ochoolbu .. '1uuri<.>n. of st.nding dtvo/,..,d intO
dln~r"""'1u.mon. offoo<ing: It <k>t:Sn', .. kt much .ta'e fom:, in ,II< twis,
of a policoman·' ",.n.., in ,he limple not·,be"' ..... or J)'mmctrkal •• fus.1
'0
of. puliceman·, .rm, ,n..,nd • h.ndcufftd I"'non c..,hing the .lippery
ground. And it sum.d puuHngly as iftt.. c"", ... ,< . nd '''ry contingen'
d,mge .. of 'he oce ... , In •• n'''nS on ,h. pu ....ymbulic regiJ .. r of cj>il dis-
n!,.dirnLr .•"he same .ime som.how wo .. of its .... nee and indctd actu·
ally con"i,u,~d It< .ymbolic and perform . ,;", power.
Thatw., New England, ,hough,'nod .hi. was Nnnh Carolina ,. N"...
Sou.h "'hils<: stringy and dtwltory >pice. "",med .Irnd)" dt,;gned '0 pro_
vide • ch~kerboard of,tdi~m .nd >ioIcnL<. NOlI 'hit w •• a IJbordi'pute,
... hose: ;"u<"$ ....... alw.ys within ~rerring ilist.""" of.1I< g"''' ... hit. scour-
ing.botn","'" Money ; this ...... ~gh'.bou. blK~ncu.'1U..,mess. and (im .
plicitly) AIO.: prvpcni<"$ ofbodie ........... of,hem oucbodie>. ofbodies tho,
it ",< .... d imponlIl' '0 say InOJI pwpIt .n: "'1 ...illing, .nd some pwpIt
murderously r~, I<> su nco ula. I go< ,he", latc , hugged and k;...d 'M
foicnds.nd ..udcnt< I h.dn', _n in a r. .... "..,.,I:s. and Brian ga", me his
~ ' 0 ca.ry. I can·, n: .... mbcr - I ...."'y noti<cd _ ..·ha. _ on i'........
'hough when I w.o • • kid I ",_mbc, ,ha, """" cl ,hot 'lmboJic p""'.."cl,hot
pickrt line> I ".W used '0"""" '0 inht'" ... ,hot ""'um.ry ... If· ....... ion. Iht
,hotn .1"""" ;neonui~ .....ilbl .....rnption cl stigm>.
'0
rn.,
rc~med " ' _
be ... >01""" in .ny<>~ .• c<KlIC1l,ing ", go publie as" ...·"'teo·upoo body.
an . mbul.,ory pl.c.rd _ . fiSU'" I. iU • ohild. coold associ.. ~ only wi,h ,I><
di"'iplin ing of children. I wonder now how I ",I..ed 'hat volunt.ry " igm'
'" 'he nondiKT<:tion.ry .. igm. of skin coIor_,h., ... of skin color ",he,
,h.n whi,e - consi<kringbow fuUy, whotn I was growing up In ,hot ,~and
~.rll '960s. "I'f""«''''" it.df impMd bLodcivil rights ~w. It _
distance from thaI childhood 'erm< of ,he writ'en· up"" body. I hough not at
.t_
.n in/init. di.n ne •. ,1m. a1u.dy "",.ring the black "Sik",~ _ Ou, h" T-shirt
cho<cn bee'UK I ,hough' i, "'"Quid ",.d mo", graphically from . dist.",.
,han my whi'. ACT u.-
TNngl. T·shi<1. I gra,dully ,ooldlri.n·, pl.cord .nd
commenelOd ..... gging i, around with <"I"IttgY and ..,;.fac'ion. iU if .ni· '0
ma,~ i, with the animation of my_n body and make it speak: to ,hot r~
nmt'""'" to ~ in t"" ,ha, ......., passhlg.
GIn to the ~uJ~ liM of dem-
""',"',,.,.cross tl>< road. "The 1><,",. t"" highW2j'. the OII,door$ .....".d to
blo' up YOke> and ge"'UI"eS and the chan" ,ha, .....
hurkd OIl, of OUr lung> .
• eying e. h, wlin g Iy to c"'''e a se. mlell turnln of fOI ge and demand: - We .'"
he",. w.'" quee •. • nd We won·, ~d~ t hu )"~a.': 0< belle •. "Snap~ Sn.p!
Snap! Who< is 'his ,acis! crap'" The", was abo a lot of AU u ... faroril.
funny dwII , which nukn Tn<...,ry ncl"YOUS. a colhnd·mp<IIIX ............-.,d
from a hKkltr a, an uru.. dernonMr.rion of 011'" """ IIicIc fQU5lngly )'db
"Ftttdom of spe«"'" and the ochot. side fCsponJs "Shut up! " _ "F",edom
of "P'e<h" - Shut upl-
The space o f,h e demon"ra,ion w.,
riddl.d. n'" only wilh ICou"k. 1
>inkhole .. but wi,h ,~ unbrid~.bIc saps cl "",.ning. It w.o' in ,h.c:.. g.ps.
.... from OIIt oflhem. tha, ,ht fOrtt of any public pr<>tW migh, nu,erlaliu.
hut into",·hich. as .... U. it romuntly ri$k.td diwJMng. I lhinkoflhe "'''Y'''''
~ "'... a-.,allOd.nd d.~a,lOd. """inuaUy. by the ... king alt~nlions.nd
wlIen "i,kdfOlw.ols of. 00 I"" one hand, ,h.c: ,tate troop'''' - Ihot po.lhetica 11)·
100ng and .,.."rd"'... d ,,"hite ... te 1""-'1'"'<1. who at .he .. ",e lim. looked
totally out of il in their , ,,,..,Iterin;; unlfor"" and y.t effortle",ly. Ihrough
II>< ~ unifor"" and because thoy had guns and radios. <ommmdrd all
'he physical I""stntt and symbolic: ......i'y m..t "'.., ... re .""ggling '0 ac:.
crue. ,. ..ho ma'" a ~ 0(""' .. own ,..."",.tiowIy "I""from Ih~ demo
O",,,aton. ..... n'.tioud)· """, .. ,,,,1: unlOU<"hab" by the furc. clanything
....., could .hout: bul who had also the function 0( radiatingjags of me_.
in ourdim:rion. shards of YOb,iIe possib~~y t ..... boo .......... ng.-d. around in
,h .... he. of OIl. c:<prc:!Iion-.nd on ,he ocher hand. from _hot.
tion. tl>< ~v camera .. acru.ally • romplco of trud... tripods. por,able and
dire.:.
...,ioo><1 n,.<hine,. and while f"-""I'le Iu occupy both ~nds of lhem: c.m·
er. people. inM>lent .... ilh implici' d.", Ind promi,.. to ..ke tl\cm for " .. n"
oIong tl>< line of OIl' f., .. and bodi . .. Ind I""'ty g irl and boy "'P<>"en I<>
m"'e a foreground to ... hich OIl' angry bodin rouId ... rw as b.<kgl"OUnd.
SOncnting tl>< del"h offield. t"" assn .... ",e of pt, Sf*Cli. . .nd ,en·foot·paIr
di".n<e. for .... hicb ,ekYision M" '" KM' iU gundian and gu.nn'~.
The urc. we: had (0. thu novo·. "P!"ralu •. • , "I'I""'"d to tl\c u.... i, had
for u.s, I e<mden .. d in my mind under ,he double (oTmul .. ion "sh.ming
and smuggling." Wilh the fon;e of our wom- ",re",n'i.lly. lhal is - oo.
nbjea w.. '0 di$cfNj, ,I>< prelense II representing the public maintoined
by OIl' locaI " public " broadcasting .u'ian. 10 shame them Into complia",e
.... negotiation on the $UC of airin;; this film. With the lOote of OIIr bodi<s.
~.• nd in ,haloense ptno<m.tI",ly. ourobj«t was nOC merdy ,ode ·
Oland ~.. n'.'ion. represenlation elsewh.",. but 011....,1",1 10 gi"" to ..
"I"".. nl .. ion: l(I"",how to smuggle On lO ,he prohibitive I i""."" • ..,me
,,,<>ion ofl"" ' P!"",ndy un"'prcsonubly dang.rous and .nd.n;;ered con·
junction. qu«r and black.
Our n~ ,0 be ~mpbry bodio:oo oprang from the hi>rory of radkaI de·
nial 0( ..empbry func60n to black gay bodio:oo at ,he inICt1eCIion of 'wo
kinds "'community lhal ..,.,m .., ""en to CO"" each oc""roul of ptrttp.
tu.1 exi"cnre: I I.citly rae;" ",-hite ga)" commu ni,y fo r whom a black quc.:r
body. hov,..,,,,.
eroticil:ed. mighl sc.nd n I "'p ... ~n'.lion of bI~kMu but
<oold net.." il«m to ~mbody qu~rne" il$<lf. and a more or Ie" upcnly
homophobic African Amotrican communi ~1 by ....bom the que ... _ of any
bbdo: figu'" tnUSl be denied. stI~ ..... """', ,ddtn for ,hat fogo""o be
aDo...-N to fu nction ... n embodimenl cl hbd i&miIy or ""'ggle.
The ambi,ior>. of QU' group of dcmonStUIOfS - shaming .• muggling-
"''''' di"inet. bU I for either ambition ' 0 be elfeai"'. they h.d IU Ix: pre ·
"'",.d .., one . Th~ iUS<nion .hat bI.ck q""er .~ g''''' ,he lie to 'he
c].,;ms of. "'f'R'S"n,a,w., .... cllhc ai""."",could lake il> point ooly from
the ",te... avaibbilil)'. indeed ,hot aoKni,.. prc.<r,u 01 stich bodits. "The
pt"Otest function a~ however. <4:n:d pm ...... and legitim...,. 10 the pta"
cnc~ ofiUCh bod;",s: i, ..., .... Iikdy thaI OIIr ~ ......... 'Ik A.... orco>ion 00
 whkh local TV in co", ... 1 NOrl h Camlina wa, ron<tni""d.o off.. im.gc<
of pcopl' txpli<itly Stlf·d.usificd under .h~ rubrics ofb!.d Gu ..... i<kmily.
st.aming. 'muggling: Ihe lwu ambirion. gt'>Iu", >t. and in a .. n.. can
.. and for. a .... <!i,;"n ofphilofophkal/!i nguislic pi.,. 00 ween romI.,i>,. and
pcrfunn>IWe utl.ronco. Shaming. in this ins.ance co",u'i,"'Iy: "n.. indu·
si... "'P'"<"'n'a,ion you. Nonh Carolina Public Tde,o.ion. h;o", dairn<d
.0 o/I"e. o f this JOdfty demon<.nbly u:dudes a rorutil\lenl 1"" of i.· _
a ...n6.abk. ",r.",... ill "",rrion about st>mo1hing -'1""'" u.c..,. Smug.
g1ing. pcrfomutiYdy: "P<u.nt! &« """"'" _a...
If.vllid."ing. henco .. If.
",Ii:",,,,W IOnn or meaning gua ..... lcN by it< ""moo 10 embodi"""".
And yn I (an', claim for the twmM<l ambitions;!>.hind thio de"""",,",,·
don .he stlPJ>O$CdIy ckan distint"lions bm.....,n COttSIativt and pc. fi::q " ..1M>.
oroo..-ttn "'~"'n« and tmbodimcn,. ""'" words. .fler.ll. could he ""''''
pcrlOrma'i.. in the Auscinian ............ n -s.hamr:·: "Shamr: on you: "For
"'"-.• or jII$< ·$h;lmtl". ''''Iocudons ...... gn., ocnsc: 10 Ih<: word. do not
d~ or "'~ ' o .... me bu, tllemxl..,. conf•• it...... the urnc tim •. our
o""uggling· activity of embodiment. how""", .. If·rc:fcrc:ntial. could 00-
of no au,onomy from ,he oblique cin:ulll of """".. m ation _ill It.ul bca....,
a majori' Yofou. ""uggling-intenl bodies werc: not ' ... msel.... bIad. many
of u, who had 00 much n«d '0 make. new 'I"« fOr black Guttr rcpre_
.. n.. ,ion w .... hopleuly.mbrnikd in I""
proc<s.<U of rtfc rc:nce : "'f."'oc.
to other boditUI.nding b..ide our own, '0 lh. words on Our placords. 10
wlul We could only hope would hc Ih. :rufficiwtly , uhs,antial """'-if.
indeed .•"''' .... unde ..loo<! It righlly _of our own inl.n •.
AfIe • • while I rould ,. ill w :t.S feding,ired a nd diuy; ..,n,ibly. ' .. 100v.",_
The", Wa, wm~thins .«> .bS<>rbing . lId $(l ... dic.lly nctoroge".ou, .bou.
,hi, spac. o f proteSllh •• when. nell thing I kocw, Ihe urg.nt sound of my
n. m. and. slowly d""·nlng.., .... of ofunricnt.'ion , uggnt.d Ih., I .. cmc:d
''''Y oddly ' 0 be "",,,iI(d ou' in ,~ din -coming to->I1rf.ong >iokntly
rro", til( .fup pi, of lno<iI(r ""rId _ "i.h • ,Ia" ~r t.king my pul..
and an Imbula""" al",O<Iy On t"" ...
oy - .he gaping. unbridg.. bIe hole left
in my.,....n «>nsc:oou .... S$ fd, hk. miso·en·.bi....., image of .... " huIc m .....
noo<l; no< I<:.~ ~. u .. <he i ....g<'. acompdlingonc on •....hich boIh TVCOm.
..."" "'''''' """"",ing. hindered by prot""<>rs who .. ruggled '0 block Ihtic
sightlin.. CNow ,10.0,', «..->hlp. -1""
U pt<>pH: rumhiN. " .. h _ _ jus.
'icc) - Iha. image •of. mountli"""""gu,,, .... p;nc. block.dad. paper-whi' e.
weirdly hold (my nicc Africon ho, t..d I"1chc:d '0. di<lan«). s;Jcna: _ Dc"'"
embl. :w,,,,d. mO,ioI'Il .... app"",nlly £<:mal•. u"". nnily Sf1v;d .... i.h mean_
ing (bil l wi,h wh .. """,ible meaningl wh •• usable me. ning?) wa, available
10 ...."'Yl>o<Iy the", excepl hel"$Clf.
A. pc<>pI< a.rtYo. no m..... only sile.-.:t
,hour .....
11h...do ",'k .."OtIl siltncfl.. ny .an. ,hem.
~ in my ,w-., Bu •• Io! po on dunns,bern.
- .. 'C .... L U~ CH. in$In><tions roo- hio
memorial xrn... FebnIary ,_
dttcl_.
""" The muning wilh ..-hich lhol body ",.uodcnx. '00&_. was in·
10
usableonc (caR me.he fl« on <he culling''''''''' R<-) in ",Lotion
,I>< c:ompluly ~ ... phed pcrformniw: :agendas and elf...... of lho.
de"""",,""ion. YCI 1 like 10 brood <Ptf , ... n:romtruction of tha, momen,
..t>cn I f.in.ed panly bccawt. Ihrough my ob6cntation. iI seems.o place
me. ~, briefly. at lhe cenl •• ofl"" ...on. of prot." _ .. ,hough I w..--.
Alice Walker'lluml"""l vacuum uf I ""«>ioc MnidUn. say. whooc n..-.;o·
il:l"k pr.St"",,{lbKDCe I«nIS ,he pcrl"cCl condensalion ofherronl'giou,
UIXon.oow.nc5I o f r•• r. he. uDC.nny ,.l.n, fOr <rySl.lfizing 1oso and rag •
• • <O(WI)" e mbodied dc:6.ancc .nd _ n"' '''' .
I wiob I h. d th.,.., meridi.".llraits. bu. can only wi<h i, ; if th., ."...... ,_
ing body olfered teSlimony. it w., kloSlO. triump),.1 purpooefulnc .. 'han
'0. c.. tai~ "'agnetic que.m ... (by m'gnc,k I me.n f"Odu< th"t of dc:vi-
aIXO) in 'he process called d."""' ..... ,ion. Wh at f<ll to mo like a n almosl
lelC"'<>pk .o~" .. t;oo of 'he p""e'l ",'.nl embodied . a, ,h. mM. radic. 1
mndc:rualion. will. I.... he J'OW<' of coo<l< ""';011 ,h. " of t""displace -
mt:nl< of mo. ning Ih., In •• tli". il. (Oi'pl.c."",,,": the white . kin of some -
"". '0 wh<>m blo<k qu •• r iny;.ibility h.d rom. 10 fttl-ponly .hrough
"'1'",.. nmion.1 ....-on: like T."",,, U.litd.ponly in lhe brutalirie. or every
<IoY·'l"pcr. I"nly Ihmugh Innsfc",,,'ially ch.~ imerae'ion, wilh <lU-
dents _ like In achin g g.pin Ihe rcal; I""'egible bodily >rigma •• not of .. , D'
but ,,(0 "r. ....I.· (0""" ""~ ~ {or living p......,rfulJy ....i,h I (ound
rn)""lf. ' 1Ih" lime.lea.ning '""Fly (rum men WIth .. ,O,;.he defamilior-
lu,;"" Ind indeed .he gaps of de·ruugn"ion to..... nI my "" .....- · f."",Ie"
• ,,-hi..• body. ~.pcncnccd undt. ,he prnsu'" of ampu,al;"n and prosthc<io.
0( drugs. of. he g<:n"""imploding Uptri<nce of km.k: hoIdn ...: ,he ..'a)' in
""hkh . ...·h..""". <IrK" prmkgt . • ~ IIHIg with. g..... diseOK in chis
pooniculor culN'" is indue,«I ~'" """" cooucioU>ly. ""'" more needily.~,
"'lIh ",,,r more pmfound ond c... ""fonnarivr =uu,ion in'" ,h. monglingly
dilli!..,n,i.l world of healch are undt. Anw:rican api'o1iom.) I, was wi,h
PI.wi,hdr'grin. with incmoc dirromfon 'h'" I ...... roming '''lffl .... hdiJ-
pl:lccm""" more and m" ... in che co.l<lcnling ond compie.ly ""p"'.. nc .. i"" CluIpt<'!' I
.poce "f , h. d ....oom a, ",.II _ a d''''l'OOm "Fcc rtgul.. ly rtCOTUli,u,ed
by chre.c .nd mourning ond by rhe b...,nw ofrhe cogni<iot and I"'rtonn:.. $HA~B . THBATRICAl.tTY. ANO
,;." raisfana:s we ~ . . . to mounc co chem. FlI1ding mys<Lf as cud><r.
Q UHU. PERP Oll tdAT'V'TY : H£NRY JAME$'$
as uemplor... persu.dcr. as , ..dc. co be Ins Ind Ie» II ,he center o f my
"",n cll"'TOOm. I wO$ , 40 findinglh., the voice of. (cnlinabysnl dUplacc-
melll - ond mi<>e,,~ ccnlinly no< the only such dbpl~ccrnem: going on in
tilt .. cburoomf; - could providc dJ«u ,1\0, mighc somerimes wn;nch rhe
boundaries of diocou .... I.".,nd in produc,i.." if not 11.... y, obviou' W"Y"

In ,he couple of week, .f,,,, the World Trade Cen,.r w • • d."roycd in Sep.
,e mbe, 100'. I h.d • d..iIy re p"'i' ion ohn odd apcricnce ...... ,ha,
was p<ob-
.bly ..... rcd by many ...... Ik.e" in.he ...me midsourhern b,iwdt:s ofMsnha,-
,an. Turning from I ><fCC' " ' HO Filih A,oenlJ<. ~oen if I w.. he>ding nonh. I
"'".Jld fed coml"'Uod fi ..11O look >OIl,h in the di"'Clion of 'he WQrId T",dc
Cenlc •. """,' gont. This inc.<plic>bIy funlve glance "'.. :t$$(I(iate<! with.
<On$riom "'ish: tlu., my ,..,,,h,,,,,rd .........,...Jd .gain he blocked by rhe
r.mili.. >ighl of ,I><: p"' - s..p'eml><:r " twin .owers. """"h""" corne NO:
to loom """ ~I in .u ,hei. complaccn, ugliness. But . of coo .... che ,OWe"
"'ere 01 ..... ,.. .. illgoo<'. Turning ""'.ay..... nw: ..... ",h.. I would fffI.
Why >homel l think .his ....... in dl"CCI. <IrK of rho:Iw siruarions in ,,-hidt.
as Silva" Tomkins 1"''' it ....... is .ud.d<nly lookod ot by one who;1 11 ....,ge.
0. . One wishe, to 1ook .1 orcommune w;,h >"",h .. person bu, "'d.d<nly
' ''''no< b«.uoe he i< '''"an&",. orone ul"'«ed him '0 I><: f.mUiar buc he $Ud.
do:nly appel'" unf.miliar. or ..... ".ned tosmile bu, found "", ,,,,,$mmng
.,. SlunSer- ( S~ ..., tJ,). No! that In urb. n ,·i".is quite the , .me .,.
kwcd foce. bul il ;""1 quite diff.ron •. eithc" the despoiled .kw w" • IUd·
denly tQOthlc .. (.... say ..... JUddcnIy p""occupic<l. Of suddenly do:.d _ '0
..y no<hin g. ",,,n. oC the h iolonc;ol implito'ion! wrrounding ,lut l"'nkular
eh'''g. of 1.nWn!"'.
 which, wh"~."r "",,'. pmtlcgt; • ~rson In'mg .... i,h ~ 1':"'" discue in ,h,.
pnticular cul.u", i, UWU(lod ....,,' 111O<C ronsciousIy, ewr """" ncWtJy, )'t1
~nh ....'eT"""" p<Of<,und ond tr.rWOnn.ou", ......'lI1$;on 1III0.ho, manglmgly
d,ff~""'ti.>l " 'orid or ~al!h ca'" undrt "menan OIpot.UlStt'L) It ...~ with
joy, wnh d"'gnn, .."h im.".., lti$comfon ..... 1"~oom.ng'u kd _ h ~
pl.cemrn15 ""'"' • ttd """" In the condcn ..... g ~nd compluly repcaoen••• ;....
sl"'c~ of.~ cI . ssroom .... ~ll-a cl.ssroom .poce "'I>",I..ly ",c"",mu'ed
hy .hre.. and tt.uurning .nd by ,he barencss o(,h. cogni.i .... and perro,,,,,. .I IIAMB, THEATJUC,,",. IT Y, AND
.i,,, resi".", •• " .. ",ere . bl. to "'Ount '0 .hem. I'indi ng mystlf . s ' •• cher,
as """"'pi ... ;oS p,,..uadcr. as re.d.<r to b<, Ius and l.ss •• ,he Crnl~r of my QU~HIt 1'~RFOIt M AT1 VlTT : ll HNItT JAMES'S
OWn dusroom. I 'o,;oS.1so findutg ...... 1~ ''Oiccor. cenain ~bys.A1 dt.pl~.
men, -and m, ... "':11 Certamly noc .he onty....:h d~nntn. gotng on in
,..... d:mroontJ _ roold provide elf....,. .ho, nus'" 50~ ,,·reneh 11M!
boundo~ of dUcout1C around in produa;.... ,f no< ''''''y' oInious ...ooys.

In the <<)Uplc of ..... ks oIier the W",ld Tr..d< Center " ... dc:i'rtl),od in Sep '
.<mber 100•. I h;td • .uily I'tpe.irion of.n odd "'1"''''''''"<.
one ..... , ....... prob.
ably sh.rod by many ..... lk .... in the .. me midouu.bem Ia.i.udc$ of M:onh:II ·
un. Tum"'g from • It....,.""'0 Fifth "'''nu......'CT1 if! ...... heading nurth, I
,,'OUId r""l rompelkd lim 10 look $.,." h Itt .he dircaion of ,be world T..u
c.:"'.r. t"""· !.~m<. Thi, ",explicably furti>" gl.",( was :lS50ci.:.. od ...i.h ~
conscious wish: ,hal my ,",u,hward vIM. would 'S.in be blockd b)· the
fam,li " "ghl ,,( the P'" Sep'emilcr " t"'in toWcr.;, ,",,,,ehow co",. bock
to k>on. OVt:r u, {II .11 thcir complacent UgilllC$S Bu., of COUfsc. th. '(J\\'crs
""'" aJ-.,,·.y ..liIl gone. Turmng ~".• y. .... rne was wh>l I "'ould f<:tL
Why ...."""1 1.hmk Ihis ....... ,n .11«1. one o/".IMM situuiom in ",tueh,
as 5,1>.... To."bns puts i,. -""" is suddo:nIy look...! a, by ant who is >l.rmgo<.
or . one .... .....,. 'Q look a. or commune "ilh IJ1(Ithtt ptrson bul suddcnl)·
Q.ntIQI 1>«0_ he IS >I. ... n~. oronc .xp«I"'! him.o be f.millu bul ~ sud·
denly 'l'P"~rs un(a""II.r. .".Or>(: $t~nod.o .mile bu, round <)nt ..... .. ,miung
., • " ...nger " (SHam, ,),). Not th ••• n il,""n vis •• is qui,. th. "'''''' Of a
lOVed fO(c. but 11 is,,', 'l"'le dHfc",,,' . ci'her: the despoiled ,lew " ... a .ud.
dcn ly ,,,,,,hies, r..c~, oay. or .uddenly p"",,<cupi...!. or Juddcnly de;od _ IQ
••y """,h1l1g, ..",n, of,h. h".orical impilc•• iono .urroundlng ...... p;onlcular
ch..n",,,, ofbndK,p"
 The.\<' fi.i>l><~ uf .h.me d,d,,', ..em !",rt.cubrly ",I"td 10 prohibilion Or
"'''ill'''"i"". i,
11<:)'Q"d ,n.. , ,hough il "., I " 'ho r~h 'he s"'mc. "'-'l5n'l
""peci.lly "'yself! was .sh.med of II ""ould be cloKr 'o .. y I was ... hamed
for Ih~ ... r~ngt"d .,Id <knudcd >kyline: ,ucb fl..,ungs 'llIcrlincd. of <DUn<:.
,hi: pndc.lQlid.my. and gritf'lu, .lso bound "It '0 11K ci'y.lRc shame hid
10 do. '00. w;,h vujt.illly .,Id ~(,;ock - ,1It h.pl"" ..1>ibt~ly of ,lit ''''''~.
.b<cnce now. lhe shocktngly compelling ,hI:.. riaL,y of,heir destruction.
Re"",'" wort. by Ihrorw, and p5)'(hoIot;..u of ......... Ior.ate> ,he pn:>eo-
font! (eyes do,."" heotd ilYCtltd) of,hlS p""'"rfulalfcn- ...ilich app"'1"$ m
,nf.nl! '~ry e.rIy. bet ..."~n tho:: ,lunland K'o"tn,h month of lik. JU'l aft~,
It.. inf.", ..... b«mnc .bk ' 0 diMingu;,;h and =<>gIltU the bee of ,IS 0...,_
g '''''' - II 'I"'rticubr """""'''' in • f"rtocu.b, .-..pe•• ed n.lmou,-e.l1w is ,hi:
momen, .... he" ,he omlll of ml,roring I01pre»ions be,wttn the dllld', fac~
.nd ,he CUtg"''''', rec~'11"c:d r.ce (. mOIll ,h ••. if ,. can be o.Lkd • fonn
of pri=ry n.mSS;sm. "'~J .n~ ..... rrls>"m rrom It.. '=r first .hrows
,,,,,If soci.bly. o:bngt"rowJy Imo .he g=~wion.llliekl of the OIher) ;,; bro-
k~n ; ,he rnotrItnl ,..hen .t.. adult rx" f.ils or ..,f...." 10 pt.y ft. f>M' in Ihe
ronlln .... 'ion of mll'u,", !?"c: ,,'hen. ror .ny 0tI" of nuny "'...,.,., i, fori'" '0
bc lUosmz.bJc '0. or ..,wgnizing of, .he ",f."" ",ho h .. been. so '0 <pe. k.
"g'ving f. ",,· ~d nn. f,i,h in 1M <on,mui,y of,hlS circui •. A. Mich• .,
F.... nz 1I....:h "pl.I",. - TM Inr.nl', bchJv,or:tI.d.apl>lion;' qUlle ,ot.11y
dependent on m'(',,~on'"g ~ffC<1'''' romnlUnic~,;on w'lh .he u«uth'\: ."d
c\>Oroonating p.r, of'hc 'nf"'!·mothe, 5YS'~"'. The ,h. mc-humih.'ion re.
-'PO""" " 'hen if al'f'C''''. "'presem. Ih" r.ilvn: or .bsmc~ of'he .mile of
con"c" • "'~C!lo" 1<) 'he IO$S of fccdbuk from mh e .... (ndic.ring 5OCi:al
i",I.t io" . "d .ign,ling 'he 'I<~d for ,dieffromlh3t condllion" (~). The
pmlo. /f«. sl, .me il thus IlOl ""fined by prohibilion (nor. as. ,"",,11, by
n:prusionJ. Sh.n1~ floods m'o Mil1g as. mon>cnt .• diJ",pl''''' moment.
in • dT\.'Ui, of (oknmy.cOltSmu,mg idenllficotory rommunM:."on. Indud.
hk<:. i,i!,"'''.,h.me;' i,,,,,lf. font! of <:OommnM:.uoo. llI_of,lume.
•he "farlen racc" with "yes down .nd head "'''rted _ ~nd •• 0. ks$cT "",en •.
.ht blu.h - 3"" semapho<es 0{ lrouble .nd a. ,hi: A"I< limoo of 3 destre to
""'OflJIi,u,c .he 1"'e'pel'3O<'l>ll bridge
II". in ;n'e''''pting idmunnllon ..... mc. '00. m>.kes idcnbly. In fact.
• h31I1t .nd iden",), ",nuio in \'t'1)' dy ... mM: ",L.lion to one aoothtt. a.
once dcconsUl"nng.nd foono:b" ..... I. btta......... mc IS both perub:uiy
con"giou,.nd Jl<"<u~.rl1 indlvl<h.. nng. One of.hc .....,p ,., •• ,,"" of
b It .... rh.('I.,fO ,he one Ih., offcl"$ ,he 1110.' <on<cptu.ll""""gc
;h,,,I<. ' ,-- ~
roi";.;.1 pt())"O" is Ihe ...·.ylnd :",.. men! of SDm""."" el",. b.u .rc.t-
W '- <>,,>cOtlC cl ... >OI11<:01l(:el"" .""'N'......"'en', >I.'gm" deb,llty. bad
",""I_}' .. _
""'C beh ...·lor. ..,.m,,,gly h.vmg IIOIhmg 10 do ...,th me. con
"-
""'y
,nl< • or
" "
•
ikood nl<' iI5$"""ng 1 m a sh.",e.prooc penon _ with
•. ,.
- thl:i
. ,- ~"~ I
sm·
. hose YC'" .uffusi'"'''''''' ..... mS.O uc m~3tc m)" ptcO"'. UKI",.,U'
J;>lton " .,
, _~ in .he mt»1 isolaung ...... y 'mlgin.bl~.
",,".~. . -
UCI"nng"" ..... mc. I u",d to ... k "'.e""l"$lo P" in. thoogb, apen·
_n •• ,,,:~liztng an un ..... ,hed. half ltlWIe nun....-ho ...-ould ...-...dc, 1n'0
.he lectu ... hall n,umbbng loudly. hIS spttdl mcrcasinglj" .ccusa,ory and
d>SJoint~ol .• nd publicly unn"~ in ,h. £ron. of the room. then "'Onder",,.
,.-_. "red .he ucruci~lion of",,,..,...... d ... lIl.he room: tach look·
. I ......
.g~m .
Ing do",.". " 'lShi"g '0 be ~ny ...""rc else )'" ronodous of the """""",ble f.."
of bc,ng <:",aly .he.... uu.idt ,he ind,vidu:al dan of ....-hich e.odl " ... burn·
,ngly ...."'''''; a, .h. "'''''' un,.,. lhough. "n.ble to .unch the ho::morm>gC of
I"',nful !dcnllfocmon "·,,h lhe misbc:h."ing m." Th.t·, the double """''-
men •• n~",c n.. w "",..nl p3lnful indr;(du~lion. 1"",--anI unron,rolbble
rel;",,,,,.'111·
The ,,"'...."''''''.1...... y of Jislinguiihing shame from gu~' '" ,h.. sh~n'"
."acr.:. ,0 ~od s""pen. 1M SCIUe of ",h.. OM is . ....-he..... guilt ."adles.o
""h.,""~ do... Alrhough ' I'omki", i.lc .. inte","cd than an.hropologists.
moraIiSI$, 0' poput"p"r.:hologislJ in dminb'uishing beN",n 'he ' '"<>. ,he
implk.!io" ,.,,,,aill' ,h,1 011.
1.0 "'.. tllti"g '" ~I"'ricndng .h.rrIIO. lhough
"n~ m.y fit nlOY "II, h ..... 5(,U'" hypolh ....... bou. ",h... In ' he d ..."lop·
men,.1 proc<,s. sh.l11c Is no.... ofIon considered .h• • ff.., ,h.. "'llil d.finco
the .p:t<c whe,e;" a "'"S<:
of .. If ""ill d..."lop (" Sh.,nc is 'u ""f ps)"hol"l;r
",h., .nx;"ty i, I() tgo psychology - ,M kcy>tonc .ffe,,- [lIrou<;ek J<i9U·
Which I ,.h
.0 me.n, not a, .lllh.. It ;, lhe pb(e where ide",;ty is most ... •
cu",ly 'lIached to cssenct1. bOll .... 'ner .hat It IS the place .....hen: .he tpoafi,,"
of identily .nsu n"I<.ISI orig'n''''Y .nd """:' ...1.""""l1y.
Allhe .<;Imel;m......nl< both <km.,. from .rId .,ms '''''''ard soci.>b;!i.y.
A. 11'''h wn."" " TI>c sh."",.hunulialion re3CIion in inf."'Y of hanging
,he: hear! and "'''MlnS .he ~yn docs not ...... n lhe child" consdous o f", .
jcaion. boJ. IndICate. tha. tffc<1.'" ronlKl ....·"h .nother pen<'" ..... bee"
btokn. Therefore ....."'" h"mi~ •• ion Ihroughou. life an be .hough •
ofas.n I""hol"y lOeffc,o ....,ly .rou", '''''OIhupen<''''. pooit ...'" ....,mn".."
00c 'Hom mU"\c;otionl. TI>c I01qulS". l"'inf"I"""" of Ih." 1'C3CtIOrI III L..cr hf~
hukJb.d to.he ~.rli"'l period when such a coodltion is not .imply unrom
ron""", butlhlT.le", ~f~ Itself"" ( )'6s-66). So .1>:01 w""ne...e t the a<:<or. or I he,
perforRUncc .ni>l. or. I could :add. 1M a<:<,.w. on an I<knu<y poIu><:s, prof.
fi:rs the, spc<1xIc ofh~ror h" "Ulf~ntilc· .... mooUrn to 0 spcCC"Ulg el'" lite
Sf. g<" " sel (so 10 spuk) r...
cil h.era newly dr'RUI"ed flooding of.ht ",hJ«l
by lhe sh.me' of n::fus.:d mum. or lhe SU«1,ssful pull<luOfl of the m.rroring
reg.,..:l thmugh" n.n:Wb.ic drcuil n::nden:d elliptil".l ("ilich l>1O ...Y' ncc_
[$$;Orily diSlorlN) h)' .he hyperbole ofi ... origi"..1 c",I!;I. A~ i>n.1 des.:ribcJ by
Tomlins, sh.me dfucs ('54'1(, sh."", pointS.nd f>tOjcrlJ; t.l,.,nc ,urns itSelf
slin sidc Out: sl>:omc "nd~. sh.me .nd ilignily.lh ..... :anJ 54'lf-displ.y.
,II.>..... nduhibiliQnUm.1T iliff.....,nl in'cruningsoflM u .... gJo.". Sb~.
il mighl finaUy be $;Ihi. ,ransfonn.,ionaI ~ ..... II rnJi."1r-tta_I mun'M-
atric.1 poerform.>n«. I'I:riOmun« in.rrli"",~ ....... """"' ,lI.>n ju« i"IT'
suIt Or. "'.y of _ruing i, oW. 'hough import.ntly it is t"'- thlnS'_ $h . ....
is the . lfeo .h.1 rn.nlkcs the 'hrtShold be,,,''''''' intl"O\'Cl">MIn.nd ""'T()"I".'
sion, belween .hsorp'ion I"d thc3Iric.lily. bcl",•• n pcrform ..,,'ity . rnl -
pcrformath·ity.
.~ Hmry jmlCS undenook .t.. Ne-o,' York ~tion of h .. work (0 h~
!On1e ",,:rny ro.. ...."O!UJ1l(' ronsoIidation.nd ......wan. ,,·ith """. prduu.
of ""I>:ot he $:I.w as his .non importan, r><7'I..,Io and .. ona to <1;"..) ., .t.. cnd
o( • rd •• i,,,I)· biwful period of li'era'1' production ("1M rn.jor ph.>sc" )_
a blissful pcrioo p<.>iltd. hov.·e,..,r, be,ween 1"'0 dcvuwing bou .. of mel-
ancholia. Th" fint of th.lt ltouring depressions ..... p«'rtp"'lrd in '895
by what -,",m". ~pcri<ncrd . s the obIi,.,-.,;"c f.ilun:: of h" amb"ions as •
pbywrighl. be.n~ howlod off 11,,,
st'g<' ., ,1M: pn::micn:: ofGMJ D,,,,..
,IIt. 8y
'907 •• hough .... hen 11M: mlu~ ofllM: N ...... Yoded"ion ""I"(:
beginning 10
'ppcar.pmes·.llM:.tr>Cal s.:lf pn:ojcCltorl " ... ",fficic"drlM:alrd ,I>:ot he had
acIuaUy begun ......". round of pb)"wrighl.ng ond of nq;olia,ions with pro-
duars_ ..."n.u •• ing, irtdc-td. in peMorm.ar>Cc . The MlCt ofj.~·••• rribI.
depressions ..... triggrlTd. not by humtlinion on .he "a~. bul b)" Ih. b.l-
un:: of ' he New York .dnion nself, .1. ' o ul f.ilure.o..,lI.nd its 'pl"",n.ly
'ern,inal f.ilurc to c,,,ke '"Y rerogni.;on fron, any ",.det>h.p.
When ".-e n::.d Ihe Ne'" Y""k ednion pre(=.. Ihtn ...·c n::ad • ..,nc.of
,ats ,h., .rc in .he I1"lO$l a<:<;-'" inlOgin;U,k ",b'K>n 10 .h."""
Marking and
Uldttd uulung 'n james'. "",,(".-cry £rom a "" .... (;"01 epuo<le or oh.J1I(' in
th<, lcr. the pn::farcs. gur);"...." with lhe pl>.yful sp:oade of. produc·
.he _~ a1rn<>'1 rromlSCllOtUl}" enlruSlN 0' "thrown- au,horUl narrlssi>rn.
",,,.II'"
, .Iso u/fcr the spc<1adt of ,""';ring (.hat ... Io'\"Ing t""mx]'~ open to)
~h'" was .n fa<:< .he.. and their .u.boo-·, ;rnmrdiatc r.le: annihiL>tion hr
,he bbnkn;t of nonrcrogni>:ing TCsp<>n<tS (ron, ony lTade •. The pn::facco an::
1'" oul .he ..... til short. ond 'n more than a couple of5c1tSCSof oue.
in 'he Ill • • 11o.s, .wod./fCl"Cnt circui,soflhc hYJK"rbolic n.tciss;'mf sh:m,c
orbi' on:: bei"g cn.CI~d. and In" volatil. ",blion 10 u~h O1he, The first
of,h=.• r"" s sugg... cd. is 'he d.--.ma ofjon><s'l rel.ltion to hi> audience
ol .....odcn. In using the I",m -a..wcncr" helT. I won' ,0 RUrl;. James', 0 ......
m>isten< them.1t-u'K>n of clements in thIS " -riting as sptofically ,~tnc.l_
,,;,h aU.t.. irnrlicalions of acuemen, . .....,nm..,.,men,. dang<'" loss. and
..... l.Indwli. tlul. aljo>eph U,,--.kll.>nrgucd inC4M&~1 iR tlot Alt. ,htthe.ter
by 'hts ri ..... htld for hirn. 1"be snood and ITlatod n.rossi>mf~me drrutl
dr:tmatizN in the pn::f.«s is th~ perilou •• nd produoi,.., on~ .h.. elt~nd,
be. W"'n the 'p".ker 0".1 his 0..'1\ p.". jam.ss mOSl "s".1 g'OIUIT in In.
pt"'f.cc$ ;, 10 figure hi • ...,1.lion \() 'he p'" .s th~ i"'.ns.:ly ch.rgrd n::l.tion·
""P be,"","n the author of the p...,fares and In. often much younger rru.n
... ho ",·toIe the "",,-.,Io.nd"Grit.
[0 which ,t.. pnfKUalT .ppenJc:d-or
bet ....."Cn dthcr of.hese men and a yr' )'O"nger ~gu", who n::presenlS ,he!
ooion i,self.
Wh", uoo"ruk.ng could be more n~rcissistically '"""iting or roo'" na._
ctssi>tioi!y d.ngcrous .h.n .h>1 of ITTC.di1\g ..........ing. and consoI;dating
one', own "(OIl.Cled works"] If These. Or theIr conJu...,d J'<>ung au.hor. n:.
turn one 's longlngg»e wnh de.d. ind;lfl:lTn •. or"..,n di>tncted ry.'.wh••
lim" C.n there be to ,he .h.nlC (of hirn. o( on .... l!) "" II1currcd? "'1u.llo
Ih., d.n.gc •. tto...·l"\"r. ts Ihe dang<:r of...,.'. oWn (.ilun:: 10 rcrognizc 01" 10
des;1T Ihem or h,m As Tomkins writes. "U" disgust . [lit..... ] opent'"
only .!i.e•• ntcrnl ot enjoynlCn, has been a<:<"-,,,N . md inhibitS one 0.- 1M
Olhot or both . .."., innale :K,,"'lor of s1uJ1l(' is .M incomplete rcJUClion
0( ,nte...,., or joy. He,,« .ny blrricr '0 ( .. nM. aplor.tion which p.ni.Uy
",duces int • ...,. •... WIll .o;,,,e ,n., I""..,ring of ,he t..ad .nd .,..,Sln >Iu"",
and reduco fmlhe r "'I'loralion or <c]f-e~posu"'- (S,""".. 'J~). To coruidcr
;l\t.r'$1 i.""lf. d, •• in« .ffcC! .nd 10 posil .n . ssodallon be,w..,n sham" .nd
{t h. ( inc omplt:lC J.n" ib,uon of) in tc "'"" rna kes s.:.,.., phcnOffi(noJog><:.lly. I
think .• bout <lrpn:ssion .• nd >p«IDeally aboul tIM: depn::...wns Dul of ",hich
Jam .. had "ncrgcd 10 " 'rite h" - major """,,10- - """..,Is ,hoI do. tndt-cd .
5e<'n' 10 """", Ih~ effects of ~ «,,"!,ilened hist"'1' of <hstupuoru ~1l<I prodi.
g.l n:med">non< in the abib.y 10.m an .ruuol. lruo .uch ~_ .,
w~U. """"","",. he ,,-... g"~' 10 bt plunged.
Thtj>mt. oflhe pn:f.,es "",,1, m Ihe ... me St.rtlmg me .. phor ,h" . n;
m., •• ,h< p,c..,m·d. y popul.. h'tratun: ofthe "inner ch.ld ", Ihc me"ph.."
Ih>! pN:~nu one's rel.,ion to O.... ·S Own pOl$l as • reLa.jo.noJ"p. in\ersubjec '
1M: as 01 lJ ,mergenerationaL. And. " might bt adJrd. (Of most people by
d.~rution ~roti.c. Ofieo. the younger .utbor i5 pro:n' In'hese prd".
""es as. figure '" hirnstlf. bu. I:\"n.non: fttqutntly ,heliaioos tht-rnsth-es.
or(h,,~cw'$ ,n lhem. are g""n his fonn. 0 .... ro:cdn'l be '"'~'ed (u pop
p'ychology i,) in • nom,.I"'ing. hygienic ,deology orhe.l;ng Ihis n:1"ion-
,hip. in , mawki,h ",..,,,·.lu.tic)n of 'he "child"'s .cee" 10 n. rn.;,.., ' U'
thorily.1 lhe "'pense of .h>! ofihe "~duit: or in a lotahring ambition 10
gel the 1""0 sel\'CS pcnTUI1cnlly rneow:d in.o one. 10 lind lho, Ihis ligur;l'
lion optns ou\ , nrh lomdsc.pe of n:blKJn;d position.llIlCS - pcr!taps ope'
dally . round isJu"" of sh>.me. j;lmes cen.inly displ. ys no 00in: to heron ••
"nce .g.lnlhe young and mysll~ed .Ulhorof his c.rI)· prodUctiOlU. To Ihc
ctm l r~'y. tht "cry di" . "". of tht~ inner ",1f.fib'UUlioIlJ front Ihe 'peaking
self of lhe p ....5Cnt i> m. n:cd. t .....S\ln:d. and in fm erotic;.,...,d. The" di\·
lance (Iemponl. figured osin'crsut;«t"'•. figunod in 'urn asSf"'''I) ><cm$.
if anything, 10 ,onsti.u,e.he ....IUhfd in.erna] ~ of j.o.nlCS·s ~b<c,rbcd
$llbjcctl.. lty. rc' fo, aU .ho, the distort« iUO'li is pnud. J.t1JlCS·s :speculation
. , It) ",ha, iliff."'n' outW""" ""Sh, b< ..."Ukd by ddf.",n, kincb of fNff·
' u'" across 'he di"~ncc -by d,ffertnt runs of solk".. ion. diffen:n, fo,nlS
of 'ouch. U"ere>1, .nd I",,, brlw"",n ,he I"... nd ,n. mo'" initia,ed figurt _
p"",;d.o. g"'al dea! of <he In,I''''w 10 lti.thwn:IX.1 proj"'" in IMse ......ys.
n.. >pC"akms"",lf ofltte prd'...es tIoo not anempt 10"",'&" ...·"h >I.. poeen
, .. U)" ~.mmg or .... med figura'""" of '" youn~r self. youn~r OOOON,
younger Mt'OC$; ,IS atttmpl is '0 k"'e 'hem. Tlut 1Qo,.., Is.no..... '0 ooxur
both in sp"e of sh.me .nd. n.. It"< rcmorkably.lttrough n .
Not inf...,qutmly. as ."..-tl .. t. ,h. undcrtok,ng 10 rep"""'. ;as i, wen:.
or -...,iss"c· ,h~ basc.rd inf.n' of (",·h.. IS pn:st"nled Of) Jo"",.', jU\Tnil;.. i,
dts<:ribrd s'mpl)" OS m;). par1unuoo. j;lmes ~ .... pons findmg In hirrlSol'lf
",h •• fi .... r ~idenlion h.ng.ng in 'M parcn,.) breaM >bou, the maimed
or s1igh,ed. In. d,.ligun:d Of dcr.:..cd. 'M unlud.. or unlikly dliIJ _ ""h
'hi' h'I,I ....",.11 mon.1 ,hough, offurtMr-.. oomchow 'compromumg' "
(~" So 8, ).}J"''' otf.... a '"''''''Y uf n:aJOI1S fo, being cmborrasocd br 'hese
"",f~ .,(hlS 1"'11. bm lhe p<""''''cnce ",lit "'hidt sh.me ocromp.o.nits lhe;r
..-pc..cd ","jura,ion .. m",hoed by lhe pc ...... cn(C wilh ...·h"h. In rum. he
d<:s<"rihH himself;oJ (.the<llng or cl"Olicizing It... , \Try sh>.me ;oJ a ""y of
(on,;ng inlO ]o.ing n:la'ion '0 qu""" or "~ontpromising" )"Oullt.
In • numberof pi",,,,. fo,exampl •. J'nlc, mort or 1.ss ""pl;cidy in,'oks
F.. "k~llSIcin and .!lltte pot.n,;"1 unconni"" .. of ,he violen,ly dis;;,'''''o"ed
i,.
",.k birth . BUI M in,~ ,h., unc.nru.....s. If! order 10 undo or a' I~a"
dooonlC,hmg funbcr wilh II. byoffering!be sptaackof_ not his n:fusal _
bul hIS Cl"OIicized eager""" to rtcognttt It.. progeny ..."n lit Its oddneu:
"The 'hing daM and dismissed h ....." •. al ,he bal. for lhea",b"",,,,, """,,
",.n. " ,rick of Iookmg dead If,\Ol buried .... ,h., he .Imosl ,hrohs ""It
ec>"S~ when . on 'l1.n,iou. '"t"kw. lhe nmh oflofe rt.ppen•. II is wrily on
rccosnmng ,h., flush on • whol~ oid. 0('11K A"'k "'ard Ag<' Ihal I bra.nd
it aU . bu, t:'IC' to ,~nokrly.;oJ morutrou," (An 99). It .. :os.f lhe COIn)"'
inducing p""·~.of ,he young cre .. u .... ·• -fhWt of I,fe." "tuch rtferslO ..."n
whik e-"OI:.inl; ,he pot~mially >hamu.g brand of mtIC.Krosiry... lhe n:flUI
o{,1It )~"sh of .h.me or n:pud,.',on the old.r ntan ,n Ih,. .... writing doc.,,·1
feel . SI ,"ilo,I)·. JJII ••• wrile' ,bout his mortifyingly .xlr..·. g.nt mi ... leu·
lalion, runcen.ing rhe Icn),~h of (wh.t he had IItt.gined a.) a .non "ory:
"P.,nfuliy .sooci"ed for me 1us""J"M Spoils of Iloymoo" n:maincd. unlil
lUCRI n:pcrw;d. ""h ,he owk",.. rd consequence o(,h .. fond error. n..
....1>;«, h;>J cmerged _ .. ~II suffused wi,h a flu>h of rrtoe.lning: Ihmb '0
whkh Irrc$;Kible 'or. as 1 could bul plead in tM c,,,n,. 1 found myself ...
beguiled and kd on." "The .hing h.d ',ome: " h. conclude$ ,,~,h an und" .
gui~,1 O<!n.uou. plea.ure bu. hardly a .impl. on •. ",he "ow.,ofroncol"jo.n
IuJ bloomed" (124). And M bribes his ,...... ision of lhe carly ooion. both
u hu (or ,h~"f) .....r of "rtmainmg II.w...mtJ " and "OJ a proco.. by ",-hid>
they h"'" ",U J010USiy and WOIJI!u,#] n:n.,,'-cd .hc:~]'"CS" (J.I,: cmplwil
added ). Who, jama stems 10 .... 01 hen: is ' 0 re..........., ,he blush &om ,,< 'e'
Itt;n.l place.s lhe l><'IO)'n'l; bl.zon of a rupr.urcd n • ...w;'tic ciKUII . • nd
i",,~ ••1 to pu, i, in drcu lation . , ,he 'ign of . ,.n"".l)" "n:n~;lhencd and
i""""d "0", "i"",is,iblc" bond be,w""n ,he wri'.r of the pre"",' and .hl:
aba.hed wmer of the pasI. or bt,w...,n ei.her of Ittem and !he qu""" 1",1e
<-..",....
You nn Jet: 'he displ.(e"'cnl .. "'ork In ,h,. puoasc front James's mt»I
·~'."dcd<kKriprion of h.. pro«:IiII of revt>IOf"I'
 Sinc. to gfl.nd ", ko:q> finl<h<d ;md dwnl$$N ..-on.
w<ll bohind OM. and
to h....... 1",1< to A'f to" .nd .bout it ... """,bit. Iud ~ for yn .. on6
only 10........ dunng thot fbt int.nq;l1um <fftpong<up"""""" ... to
...·Iu. " might ....lIy Iu,.. ~ Iud II .... to ,rowup;md ."Iouruh. MK I<~
~mong u.e.. riot"" douhtleu tho food fur llut .ny uJymg.up of ,ho un
OInny bnx><1 •• ny rcmov.1 of ">C<:umul,'~ du" .• ny " .. shing of ,,",..~
f..... or .. r"ghltning of grizzled Io<k.,. {If ,w'tching. to 0 ho" .... If<><:I. 0(
. up<:, .n llu. ,cd g""",nt1, migh' le, onr in. o. tilt phl"' " is. for uperu;~
"'r>O\·.tions. I ..... ~ use ho", of'lIt ligu'" of.ge;md infinnity. but In poin'''''
f.ct I had Mhorv."...~ the ""PI""'r>tICtof tho fim-bom ofmy I""S"'Y ...
.... deocent 0(OW b"Dll one..... &om tlot nu .... ry to the dr....ing-"""" u.",.,
tho hod .pp..10( cnqutnng. of pos.W>Iy in.. "",~. ,.."ton. I Iud Kronl·
Ingly ",ken for g......,,~ ,IK ""mmon 11«....... of such • ".",- !he respon .
•il>1e glatlCC of IOn,. 1'0".... ~ from """ nu!">lUlg '0 onother. the rapid
n"hof.tt .ruim.. needl •. ,lit no< imp<r<eptibl. dr.Ct of 0c<rUtn .uJibl.
.<pi>sh of lO.p·. tt<I·".. tcr....
"11.nds oJf .It<1.,,,,h.. on ,lit nu",,',!>,n!" " .. , ... .. rictIy <oncei,·.blc;
hu, only in the ltgh. 0( tho truth tlut " h.d ~r ,.len .ff«t in .ny f.it
and SUt.1y . ,..,·ossuc 0( .nything. n.c",ro.-., it ,,-.. nor I<> Ott ,hot ""1
such.poI<>gctk ouf'l""'Slon .. m.t of the ".ltogWtcr." "'Y such;od""""",
. , tlu, of. >digit: dol> of ,he .... p. I<ft the do<>< ""y m""h "pr. (AU Jl1- JII)
The p. ssagt .h.. begins by conjuring the unnnnintj4; of on .b. ndonnl.
" unltd. old/young Fr."" "",.ein brood <",mini... nt of the "'pud;"led or
abu$l::d <:h ild",n In Dirkens. such a. Smtk" .nd )t"ny IV",,,. wh"", de·
formed bodiesSI.nd for d",,,lop,,,,,mal n.orr "1'", at once acrdtr.ted and
frozen by. among Otlw:. ' hings. "'''"(me m .. eNI wan. ) modul.t"" ",U$ur-
ingly Into tht ...... m. OI"'rpro<.ct~d Chnstophcr Robtn rozmtSS of hour-
gwis EJw.nli." nu .... ')" rinul. The ",,,muoJ,,y 0( , .... unnnny <:h,Id's
..... u.1 HI"""'" .0 10111 ude and <iestilUuOIl h;.s b«n dell«t~ by an ,,,,"Ok<!
dom<"ltid.,. Invoked wi,b Ihal dont<-stidty. in ,Iw: ItOYo. fos.="
and nu'"
.u nt:d.nd thcn:lU", "childllk." child. IS a new.p)e.,u",ble form of e.rubt·
lioni'lic 1);,,",;0,, wi.h .dul.. ,h .. dn m.,;"., ,he rhlld·. \"Cry d"laoc~ from
.b.ndonment and "'pudi1tion. In the pl;occ wh.", ,he .ye of 1'"'",,,..1,,",..,
Iud th", .. eocd to Ix wi,hheld. the", IS now 0 b.,h whe", .\"Cn.M nUN''''
o".nlion i$ .... ppl.mented by ,lit OI",,,,,"""g car of ;nqulnng and inter-
e><ed visi'ors. And ,n ,he pi"'....·he... the fc;or o( ""'tt~ expooun: Ius been
ed off. thr"". n",,' ,h. playful ""kedrlUlo 0( ;LbIu,ion and • door Ilft
,,_.rtl ch aJ.r" for 0 Ilt,le J<>k<: about the ouppt"U$ion of tM "oJ'ogo:thcr '
" \"'';:;';~n<l1()ned 'n'ergcnC11njo....1flination ,cprncnu .....I.~ chord
ric'" York ~.ion.j>.""'. deornlln ,he bIond,o/unt ... ofhi< finLWd
",!he _ • nes ,hat . ..... rikingly like Ihe ones wtlh "ilich. in his kl1en.
"",,\:.s ,n 0
'.n bt.n .ddresstng I !e,,<lrik Ande,.....,,,.jord)·n ~rss<:. Hugh \\'al·
hrh .. a.~
d .he o,her younge .. men who ... his s,age of his Itfe.'" setling Out.
pole.....
""ith happY luCCeU. 10 ."rac, him. NOLe In thIS \'"!$I.g. (from the A..!r<tsJ,t·
J ..... p,d;«) ","" ""npudence" is tht glamonzmg ,r:a"
j>.mcs ..,ribu"" to
Ius ..ones- impudence .1... bcspcili not tM .absence of $h;t ..... from "'is
,,:one offli..touon. bon .... 'her tI, plumr.bly rttircul.ted afterglow: 1 Tht
..ory] "'JI>kC" 10Sttrn ' 0 offer i~lf in. ligh,.IOJ«rn 10 knOll;. and ,,~th
,h.'"..,. lost Ir.n<no·led~"', wlut tI'>aboUI _ 1,.bI••• it )'t1 ts 0\ roo ..... nts to be
caLlghl by u' " '"h tU longut m its che~k .nd .b&oIutdy no """mn, bu, ;u
spltnJ;d impud<nc • . l.cI LIS gr:m "hcn th. "N: impudence 1$01\\.. )"•• hen: -
then:. so to 'pc"k. for gra« and effeCl and .110,,": Ihen: .•1>0-.., .U. beca .....
1M Story IS J"" tht If"'il.d chtld of O<t. and \>o:,....... :u we.'" atv...ys di»p'
poin..d ,,·hen the- pampcnt:<l don'. 'play up,' we hkt ;., to th .. enen'. 10 look
aU it.. hor......... It prob;oblydoa so. in lr\I.h •.-."Cn ...·ben w" """'" fbuc<our·
.d"" m......e ntg"....,' ,,·t"';' by ueaty" (Arc J',). To w-.matiu tt... o"'ry
.. ''''roo/("IIl in ",!aIM'" .0 its ,,,,..or is .bo .0 duman,c . ... IUIUrious .Jos.
tance bt:twecn ,I.....ent .nd one of ,..,-liD';"": 11u: rontt;,·.bIc s1ume of
• F't .. If. a1''''produ,tion. is being ,augh' up and ",circula,ed through •
h mbcnt In •• r!"',.."n.l fiS" .... i"" of.he in. in, .... Indulged mutu.l P"'''u,,"
"flighl dHfe,..,,,,i.1I of po\\"crand knowledge .
pm •• Wnt'" .bou"hc writing oflli Amtrif~K. -One would ~~ 10 ""00
b.d su<:h hours of linc pttcipturiort. . of lm.gcs "" free and confiden,
and n:.d, tlu, d'le)" brwh q..... ions 2Sidc .nJ disport ,he",..I,= liu ....
.nk.s schoolboy, 01" C ... y"1 be.uuful Ode. in oJl tM «St"'Y of ,he Igno-
ro""" ""end, ng • hem" (1,). (Or bout. of"n.c Turn oflhe Sc,...,.·": "another
groin. would h,," spoiled the pm:i<MI'p'",h .dd",... d 10 itHnd- ['70).)
.so,ncl imc. ,m, solicilude is ultim .. o1y fru.,nl<d ; " I 'L1"''' in "am ... '0
"mbro,1and .ill>", ' hI. young man On whont • h""d",d ingeniou. touchet
'''' Ih", lov"hed- ( ~71. The wooing ;n the ... ..,.,,<"1
of p<der~tic "",,,,on is
not urudi",clion.l. how",.., .. : ",-en the .ge diffen:nu..1 ...on be Ii!,"'nt:d quite
<hffe",n,ly. ." \\"hen ).0 ...... Ands humelf. OIl ",n:;admg TIot- tlotmaI ... "ding
i..g to my hero ••• 0. laU. prot.ern..:. good.natured clJtt brod,... ",,' rough
 pl.c~" (~). ur »y~ ofLu"ben Sirelh.r. " ' rejOiced In Ih. prom ... of ~ I>om
50 ",.m",. who "''Ould g"" m. Il>ord»' ,h. mO", 10 bite InIO· ()IO). j.lmes
l'Cfel'S 10 Ihe prolagonisl of·n.., Ik:ut in the Jungl." a. """"'hn p«>r"""
,111\" g<:nllcman. fi, indttd '0 m",~ " 'Ith SlI,lJUom of ·1n. Alta, [Ofll>o:
[)cad]: • addIng. "My allo .. ed J""dllcnlOll for poor sen,;I;'", gmd"mm aI.
tYIO)l ~mb.>lT".ssei me a. , march' " ("-46). n.., """dike",,,, yot. ...goC ,be ", "
With lhe Jul'll<lmo oCJohn ~I>rcher. lhe romamir painng off of ~':umc< in
lum ""h ,he equ.lIy """Mi",,,," ~helor ~ Slransom. II"'"
If any.
"Ullg an euas 0(g.y poUlt 101M" .Imoo! " rmb.>rruomcm WI IS. hoIo't\l:"
,mled, not as a preleJ:1 forau,horU!..,I(·"",,,,nu,,,. bul '" an apIri' <Oun:c
of ""w. pcrIQrm.I;'l:lr Ulduct<l ~ulhotul magnrUJrn.
J.mu.lhen. in 1M p""fxt:S is LI$Ing ""I"' .....""8 0""""""" '" a ""''''8Y
fordr.tm.>I~ng.nd ultcgr.mng,lurnr. in lhe.."".. of n:ndrnng uu. poten-
li.allr par~lyting affr" na""''''''lr. emoloon:ally. and perform ...."'lr prO<!llC'
""'. The ""I"'renllng $ttt1:lnO is also. in j.l","·s Ihcon:tiGIl writing. ~ ped.
craRirfpe<bgogiralOOJ:: III ,,'hirh 1M flush of shame be~ an affmmg
and Cl'OIicil:ed form 0( mu'ual dospl.y. Thr wn,ing ,ubjea',5C<iuni,,,, bond
wi,h lhe unlnr~d bul unn:pudi.,.d "inner" child SCt:rru. tndeed .• o be ,he
condnion of Ih., sub';':,,', hmnS .n imerion'ya' all. a 'P"tializcd subjcc.
,ivi,y ,hal (an bc ,'ha'.lCl<n7.ed by abso.ption. 0,perh..tpo r should ""Y'
i, ~
a condition of hos Ju,'"'y"'g ,lit Jp.!li. liud .\IIbjrct,vi,y Ih>! c~n be m.ue.
lertl.cd by absorplio" F(J' th. 'po(lad. ofJ~m..·; perfo.m",i'''' ab""1'lion
" P!"'a .. only In 1l:1~,ion (th(Jugh in a mool 00"'1'''''' and uombl. relalion)
'" Ih" kning of hi, p',.f(J''''"''''' 11I •• nic.lily: the naml$ismf.h.me dr·
cui, beIW""" ,h~ wn,ing ""If .nd it> "innorchild" Im",.",clS with Ih .. other
hyperboh< .nd dangerous na",wi"ic €1I"(Uil. figurrd as th •• ,n"..) perf"...
m.n,,(. Ih., ~Xlcnd, OUlW;lnl horlWCtn 'he p,.,.."lcd and tl~... (o"c
and ill .ud;cnr~
I .m de>'Ck>plng he", lbe hrpo,h",is thai J'rJ'\C>', ""nenions on po"
fo.mOl;.;ly " 'iII .ppca, moot in ..,rutingly i" his ""Y' of nrgot;.'~'g ,he
in'crs«l1on be, wo<:n • bsorplion .nd IMa'rical" y, hnWttn ,be $UbJ«t;"')~
ge .... n'ing sp;tt. dcfi,ttd by the ~ bu, uninlesnled "inn«child.· on the
one hand, and on tht OIh.r hand lhe fronul ~ of performance. ja"'"
,,'Orl<.s In t he p""f:actS on de-"'iopIng • th.:<wo:ocai "labu1ary fix- di.,ingms!t.
"'s ( ,n ,lit "",('1u"" of .... ~Is) bctWttll ...·hat Au,"" """I""',.;,,,,..lIy
€OIne '0 aU 1M mllSt>';"'" and 1M pe" "" II ..." ... , .00 hn .."ttn dtikrnt,
..,""'. of perl"or"tal",i,y. No". of this ddJen:n'oal """,,""Ia,",", """......, •• re.
. " .. ,.Iy'''" (OI1'l)t"'I(Y inl:lc' .. it g<:" re<ru;,ed 11110 ,he sconano.
,.,n, , 1$ • •
,,(,,,.,,,.
".,..farci ,,.noro,,,,,,. A",,,ng lhe d~'1Cll1 palnngs Ih .. get rno ...
or It.s.s III .ppcd ont(J d, Irere", .. I. around porfOrrnati"")" _ and, Ih .. ",Coin,
!Shed. j,"'t nK"" <I, kg eJ:p!icilly decOllS,,,,,,cd ,1>0"" _ are romance "",.
~,,,,.II1Y (e.g., An JO"J\), oubola"'. ",,"u' form (e.g. . Art 1l}" ,,6). ;ancc·
do" '''''''' pt(Cu ... (e .g., All 1)\11•• n«dOIl.."'...., (and nOIe lhe shift here)
dt>",lopmenl11 (•.g. Art >..11).
An eUlllpic of Ihe man: or leiS ""pilei, ""If·d«oouuuction of,,,",,,,, dlifn..
enliob; ... h S«"" ofTht Awt"",J AV, pr«i><ly ben ..... " ";obidts withou,
• moment'. dtfle~ion by lhe pnncipk o(the ... ge·pla)": II soid '0 "help US
.."" SlJhappily 10 S« ,"" 8'"'''' disunction betWtt2\ subot.",. and funn 111
~ ",ally W1"O\Igll1 ,,-oR. of ~n sign;tUy b",ak 00-..... I hold i•• rnf"""iblr 10
s.>y. !>dare 'The Awk,,·.nlAgt': " 'hc,,, one of"'"" dements ends.nd lhe
OIherbt:glN: I h..-c bt:en un.ble aIle"" rnpelf. on ",·aamilU'ion. to marl<
'"y 5umjoinl or ..,~m . 10 .... tM ,wo J;,m,.wJ offices .. oepar>' •. n.q
.'" Stp;1UI" bt:fore ,"" f... ,. bul ,he ........ men' of arcution indISSOlubly
nil''';''' lhem. and lit.: m.>ni.ge. 11k<: ~ny athe, rn;orrugc. has only \0 be a
'Irue' olle for Ihe sonoW of;l bol:.ch no! 10 show · (An ct~ '6). Se.mingly.
lhe Ihtmk.1 penonn;llivlIy ofTht A"*",,nl A.g< is rupposo:J .0 ~ ,,;,h
'If >(>Cern oct perform,"viIY. 21 its .ubstance i •• uppoocd 10 me.h ,,;,h it<
f"n". <1$ m." ."d wif~ .... suPJ'O"'d 10 be ",nilissolubly " uniftcd in 'he ~s·
."'pl>ry !-pCc(h ac, (Jf mmi.S". Flul on<: h.rdly has 10 look \0 T1tt Awlr..... rJ
A,v ; 1.. lf (lIwngh (Jr co unt on" could). nor necd one I()()k .heod '0 Ihe sI)"
dcl1.";"n ~ in Au>!",. [(I 50<: Ih.1 ,h. Indis..,lublo uni,y or m.ni.!;" offers
no \"t'Y ,Inul ),,,,a •• ,,lct of ,he Sl.bill,)· "f Ihis chain (Jf homologi ••. B.d
e"""gh " ... II1or,i>gc " , ""cra",onl of t"",, 'I~~; bad enough ,hal. only ~
sc,,'" of words ~fl .. i, has betn pronounced indissoluble. maniaS" 'urn.
OUI 10 be ellic.cion. nat '" p,<,,,nling a breach, nOl c"""' in p"""n'ing Ih.
SCa" dalatttnd,ng • bread.. bu, only. for ,..It.. i, '. wonh. ,n ke<:p'ng ,he sca,,·
dal of a h",ach fl'Om :ihov.·lng Bul ,he worst m'wS is that 10 gun'''IO<: "''''''
Ih.,.., I""hed benefil$, lhe m.rri.agc "h .." ("only ") "to be a ',,,,c' one: 11><:
Jame .... o ... re quO\cs CIoU attelliion 10 """,. .,,,,.,,,,Uy the qua)'fia"ion is. In
"'ho, k~ mu>l • n'~m.gc be: '. ·,ruo· onc:" <0 gu.ran,cc Ihat the scandal
(Jfo brc",h not >howl PI:: .... ps 1I muR bt:.ruo in,he oensc: ,hat;ts ~
are " e""," '0 cach OIhe •. or '(J the,. """'s. or .ha,.M marnagc · uk ... • at
lOrn(: "",ff.ble k;.,,1 . in lhe k nk . ....1 IS. of ~I'S' ren&nng their ,..,..-.
WnM .. ""ly p<n:osc docnptiono of '''''i,behavior. Thus thcK', no omtSIO<I
 fora brcach, ~n.d the gu ....>!<,.. IS gua ... ",ttil u"""~"""ry _ Ih'l "IO"'"y. .os
• guar.nlee. n..,."mg!ess. To bring in 1M INlh qu.lt/lealion 01 . Uis 10 rug_
g'" .hat a sp«<h act nuy ... performau,,,, dlicaoou. only 10 the dog"",
of(which ;. U) s;ay. only """,gil) iIHOI»I>I;v" v.aJidlty,
TM ""'" <U<lained of, ... dlIIf,mu ..ls Ihrough ...-hod! j>mt$ "..:>rb OUI
Ihe ~.nmgs of paionnalMty IS [ ... "". .·ubiquitous oppo<ition \:oeN"n'I
dr.m. iucl( (or- [he "scenic") an.d "poet"",, " Tht hlsh In ... b.Jity and hlsh
mUlu.1 lorsI"'''''$< of [he Iurns o( [htS 0f'P<>I";"" a", occasions for both
sha"", and ."",.m'nt:
I h.."n'[ lhe he .., now. I conr.",. 10 adduce lh. del ..1 of.., m:my 1.psN.
impon.n<to; ,he cxpl.nation of mOIl of whICh. after all. I [.k, 10 h".. bt"n
in Ilk- cruWly of. m."h bt."ng full upon m. Ihrough lhe", n:ronsidt ....
lions. Ilk- odd ,",.. Icrary wilh ..'Iud! pktu ....... lmos< any lurn, IS j..\om
o( dr."",. and dram. ([I\ough on IIl<- ... hoIt ",ilh gr"'tr I"ticnce. IIhink)
... 'f"clous 0I1"<ture. lIt,w...., ,born. no <looN. th<-y do much for [Ik- [hem.;
)'" e.eh b..me. ~ ,he oobo ... ide.1 .nd ..." touIJd the oodgo:s 01 it<
f'O'IOOn. (Arl .9S)
Ik.uuful CIC~ng1y. for ,hal m.. ttr. ....... o«.siom "'"I"''''' 0( an ()CQ.
>ion "'lk-n the bound>ry line btnr.un pinur~ and "".... bun. bn)e lh.
'HIgh. of,,,", double !""'>Ute. (JOO)
Ch.r>Clcristicolly.j.m .....esthe.k UOl"'" ... ,ion of lJt" beauly of lhe
"double I'",.. u"," b<"w~n piclu,.. .nd ,"",.M is embtdded in 1"'1'"holo&i'
c.1 lurr>!i,', 31 se,,,r.lt l:Xtu.ll.,,,Is. It .dh"",. to. pc-dor.. tic ",I.[ion bo.
I we.n (h .... (lers. and equ.lly .goin H) the one bel"".n the author and lhe
""hropomorphized n",,,1. the ~no(hing (hor.>e'.r. Rc .... ding TIlt .'1 ......-
uJ~ ... J,m.. notes ,...... "II>< c:quI';,e [n:>chery n"" .. tl>< stroight~st
ese<'ulion nuy ...,,' be truo,ed '0 mOocr .,,,n on II>< """" mnu'" plan" (An
j2sJ, He lo..""s this lap>< . "'him is .lapk In authort.aJ t",hniq..., .• lapse.
he ...p. from 'M "1CtTtic" into "d.. non-scn'lic 1Onn" o . s). at ~ p.l"irular
f'ound"ional CTUJ' of the l'IOVI::I; II>< ""'rot in " 'bN:h Sln:ther. whom j>""'"
(:lS "-..\,, alre..Jy noted) findllov.ble for h" m,'urity. suddenly become:!:
mfatu.,ed wllh a young ""'n. Chod Newsome Chod. """·.'-..r. isdt:Sl1ntd
10 di""ppoint in luming OUI '0 be qU"".1I ordinary. ,,,,If.igr><>T;l[1t young
1><Ier<>$<:.u.l. incap,blt of ""pondl"S 10 S, ... ,he", inlO""i!;". ""en •• he ..
il\C~I';lblc of ,Ioing ",,J jUOIice!O th. I""" h. cvokes In Wl)men. "Th. es
u"tle t"'ochery CI'<" __ . tlk- .. n.ighl." ... n,.y .,... be .ru"ed 10 UlRia
~..., OIl Ihe n>O<' nu,u ..." is .. <>nC. "''''''thing Chod ,nllku on Suethe•.
",,,,.,, hing til<: "",,,I (or lIS ,ho.acten) mOocr onJ''''es .• n.d ..,""'thing .... t
"pictu,-,, : .. , dtscrip""" or f""lI'OIitioNl prioople of COtnpO>l1ion, inRio<u
on ",...",," "". perform..;'" one. At e.eh In'el. in. choractcristic Ioru-
uon. i' n:-prtKnts",\e,iolion (from tOO fond .... orig"",1 ,isioon)" U 'S). T'hot
.ulhor', (O!KI, m .. urr origi",l ,isoon of .n unron .. muu,tdly "scenic" ,ech-
nique suff.....1k- .. me f.l e as his malu'" hero·, fond fir'$l ,is;on of Chad.
.,,<1 is tkstiMd equ,lIy to be "diminished , , • compromised ... despoiled ...
,.., th,,'. In ' word. Ihe ",hoi. economy of his aUlhot·, ",I.lion to him h••
at import. nl points to be retielcrn'incd" ()lS" .6 ). But nOte .g.in th •• lhe
tre.chery i, des<ribed. hO"'cl'<'r amhiguously, •• "Uqui$i l": and the cer-
I'''''y o(t",uhery is something U\ ",hi.eh on. ;'l",'ncd, how ..", irononlly.
to "Iru .. : It is the wry '''''\abilily a",ong I~ ",lations. and in partieu) ...
I infer, Iheir .bility 10..rut <lear rep~scnlalion at any g;,"'" ""git 1e>,,1.
th.t CO<l(e'" ,'al~: "The book. hoy.e." •. crilkally ";cwtd. is 'oudIing'"
fuD
of t disgu.scd and ",!'.l1red losses. lhese louidious rttOIo"ri<s,!hex m-
t(n""", ",doempti'" COfIOislCncics" (lUi). In J.",.,.', theorizing of dw: ......:1.
CONI>lellC)' is the name. n"t for my hool.ogenrouo punly of ,Ilt >pc-«h ;oct
~1 • given 1~1. bul ... ther for ,he i,.,..ducib!e. allachlng heterogeneIty .nd
indeed impunly with ",h im each lIl«ts the "tourh" of another.
u " \Vh" sho uld also he >-pcrified il 'he i",.gcd ... ual zoninga nd",,~u.1 act
in "hkh lhe"" rda,;ollS ... pc-.tcdly d ... nmi." lhemsch... in Ihe pm""'.In
• fOOl""'" to . previou, .....y onJ.me,. "The Ikast in lh. Close.:
I qUOled
•""'''''go from J.mt$'. no<cbool<s. wnllcn during' "iso, .0Cabforn;' only a
few "lOOlh. befo". bo SlOrled on ,he Nt", ron: edition. ",hich still ""ems
'0 me l h. best conden<2Uon. of wh .. ,hese pn:faas press us to rerogJlize ..
his most rn.r.K\Cristic an.d fecun.d ",lItion to hos _n .n>J C<Olicisrn:
I,n """..• ftulong ,,=4 .. <>I1Y"' • . in fi;)nt of mp"".n. ..~th an ;"""nl
""cu",u!.."on 0( ",.. Nill of " 'hieh I f..,t ,Ilt ",,,.Ith. Ind .. 10 "tuch I <....
only invoke my f.orruh .. demon 011"111''''''', who alway • ...,..,... ~', hc~.
when I <011_ He is herr ""h me: in (ronl of,h" cool gte.n ~"';Iic - hc olIO
<I".., '00 I fed hi.! soft b", .. h, ..'h",h cooll.nd .. <.dies .nd i"'l"rt:S. (In "'Y
check. 1!''''Ythtng >in .. In : I"" h"'i; i.l""" "'''I)',hinK ahid....n<! fettil;.<o
 .. ><I ,~ ,,~w. i" goldrn pmmi ... m.king m~ !honk ,,'uh c\o;cd r:y<>ofd«p
.nd g,,«ful ""'s,ng .. hen. in !he fuJi ,umr=r d. yo ofLlombj l-f\""'<:j. my
lonS dU>1y od,.. ",ul'!' "''''. I $h." lor ahl/, to [plung<J my h. nd. n'r , nn, in.
d<q> and r... up 'O!M .hooldh_ lnto tbe, lorn} bog of I'!'membr.ora_
of .uSS""ioo-ofim'gon"ioo-o( ~n _ and ~!J1 "'" n,,'Y little 68"1'!' . nd
f~I;c'tty. """ry Imk fXI .nd fancy ,h., can be to my pu.post. The.. tI".'Ill
II'!' IU ~kN a..-.y. now. thicket th.an I can prno:""tc. dcq><. than J can
f.. hom •• nd ''''I'!' ~ !"'m rt:lllortht prtoalt. in tlt.ru$.>CI..dcooi cb.ri:neos,
nU I ","llltt tn upo<t tllom t'" mild J1~1 hght of du«.1d Lfomb}1-("",<: _
in .. hich thory ..·ttI begm to glum and gIlu ... .lnd.n., bm Iih tht go'<!:>tId
je....1s oh ""II<', (N..n....ts J.I)
A! ,110 "mr. I qUOIn! ,hlS:as. du<Tipiion of "!Wong.:u.&r. •• rr" (Eru'"
..""'v ....l; I.m """' II IS th:il . bu! 1M Cott['""[ oftht P"'f..:n bring> ou!
I"", DIM' ..!t"ncr' of IhlS ~ of lUting equaUy J1r()J1gly - ..liwces ""
blro!O neh DlMr.nd. ofC<MII'X • .also 10 tht wti. ingprO«:U.- n.c.. ",,,,01,,,.
fir>!. ,,·c . hl>. and """ond, I"'ttunlion . Onr of tlx: rnQ<' audible int .... ut:o tn
lhe 1"'.....:. i, .urtly "Full f• • hom /i,.. thy f.ther litS: with the cmphui..
I""rl>. p:<. ott "/i,-• .- tllo Ii,.. oflinS" ... TM exbe" imporunt int""c" ocenu
l<l be fron, !:look 4 ofn. 1)',"riaJ, .he p......i,~ ",hc", i\ nniu. describe, the
"",ok rom. he h •••.,...I1""..,d !u prol.ellh~m from robbers .nd .rnicipotu
the'r be mg deli""",d. tn I"" rou"'" of n",uTe, frum "the h"mph';n. - o(hi.
gu t ", Ihe m an who has ""Ughl Ihem from htm .
Ihis our p.unch bcforr
Still be.", Ih<m. fallhful; .nd lh' llh",,! '0',
1$'0 ",fund 1ho Mccb.ls with the meOl
To P''''''' me, G<xidesJ1 d.orof.1l design.
lJid me wi,11 Pollio fUp, :u .... ll ., <hII<':
Th..... ,11,'" u,.m·d .h:.lU ., ,he I.hour ...rnd.
And Oougla, lend his ",fi. oo.,.,ric h.nd. (Pop<'. book • . n. jS]_9.j )
In ,h<c ron.,"" ofT1lt D.II.(fdd,'''' otmClri< h.and feelml; for ,.....1<11 Ul ,he
reclum ..,."m; .... an •• o '"'1"""'<'" ,h<c Ditinu,e in ~ andgl"OSO-oo ••
bu. undor the f"'I:SSDre of jlm<i, broodmg II ha. dtarly undtrgonr a .."
change '0 b«om<: • ",nDally ab$olu,c .ymbolof ''''''1;'''''''''
""luc_
Sharply as 1M lhematlt emphasis ""'Y <II"", from • ...-ai·... d undo ...
... ndmg ofJ.otne,'. IOIhelic proccol"' ..o...., "'Y I<'.odn- inI~ed ,n Henry
J.I " '~$'S wwtls os. '$ il turn. OUI. In fine CQml"'ny. -I blush to s:.y: Wilham
J.,,1<" wnl~II" I knry m 11169. ".h.. delalled bull.u"s of your bowels - --
.rc of .... n1()1;1 .,,,hr.1Iinll inl.""1 10 r=" (Crrrr.!l"""""" n )· MO\'he i,
~ntJ. 10 W" ... an <XId 511e for such <'pI;"'lion. bu, I "'oold """"thd....
.1'),"'" ."end
111.. 10 pU5iol1>ldy or ...-dl to muell ofJ. mes·s """'ges< wril'
",g OS ""ccssotily. as il ,..e .... alre.dy. '0 be in Ihnll to ",h.. had long been
hoS I"inful. fussy. imm<n..,1y prod"""" focus "",he scru;t,ioru, acltonS
.nd I"'n lyl/;$, accumulatioN and probmS' and '"'pulsionsofhos""·I1 .....'u
di,lPl"" U>CI Tht ,"",enl publ,CaUO" of ,h .. two bt-ot!Kn' "arty"" lopotl'
dtn<C . mcluihng "''''''' upon I"'SC' .bout l-knry', COIlJ1ip.atJotl r ..tw )'00
,crm..o h'pp'ly my lI'IO'"U1g 111lcst mal drama" [IjIII). bo:gu>< to off'onn obj«'·
,,,,, COf1Tlau,.. - SI.nl111g tn iIJ dou;1 and Intimacy. ,f not in its.<Ubsta"'c -
lor wh.al had bdOl't been Ink..."".1 l<'admS' of lhe (Ctltnlily of "" arut
pr'I:«"'l"'tOotl In J~"""',,,,,,,, ofh .. body. 11.. pro<htction. and hIS pkuurr_
""en from Ih= urly ltll .. rs, II is ",'m"l thai lhe,-c is no such thong:as
, .... JI .. pi' f.act ofjan",., C01lJ1iparion: II inlornlS no! only Ius nung. cUr·
.""ncb,..:..
cioc". ;>od ",od..:~1 but al ... his 1.......1dcstin~tions (during ~ part
or hi, hfe defined hy tn,.. I). hIS rudmg, his family "'t.1ions. and the rom-
po'Ii!i,on .nd {ltrol.Il,,,, of his w",;ng. The n«d 10 disro ... hll cunwlion
"mh lhe broIhor II h"",,,. for irlS,a""". mob,lius" dnm. of oe<:n:t rom-
pl;dly (Willia ... :"1t mak•• mt sick 10 IlImk of )-our life being bligh,ed by
Ihi' hideou, .ff"c""n. 1 will $I)' ""lhl11g !O Ihe f.mily about iI. :as th~y can
do )"uu no good. ~nd il w,lI on!)' gil.., Ihton I"'i,,- [Curr<Jp;md",u J '3)) Ih ..
hotl1 m,m;" Henry 's ',,,"rn.l blo<kollc .nd ~~mu,gly inwkc.the .tmo·
'1'1... ,,,, of. 5C.u.I5C~rel, Willi.... . d>'I5Os H~nry, for inltan<c: "A ~;ood pl.n
;, fur yuu '0 W"I ( lueh on "'p",""I" slops ofl"'l"'r n,..k~d pri'" ,e, SO tha,
I nlly Ihell g"" fredy ,h,' rr>l of the lcucr to Ah<c 10 carry .bout Ili. rr-
",.J, _ If y..u PUI it in ,'''' mlrul of other ... aUcr it p"""nlS ,he wholt I~n ..
from clrcul.tion . Sur~". [);cu vou. garde- (8.l), ".. rug.nizing quest!Oll
'n ,he: b""he..·long eo""ul",,wn IS' Wh.1 ...·.d.hl.. lechnoIo!;y (chemical.
ckn .... , lherm.l. hydraulic. manual) c.n ~ t... moblliz~d to I"e:><h intO
and dlS'"""e! I lenr)"1 1)0,.,.11 Wilhlm .<1-....,.: " Injea . .:as laW &: hoc
an ontmo as you can he .. (not gc'1 "~. mQrr ,uo, ..,aldmg) of ""'p suds I'!
oil _ Eltnriory Sot1'IC1imcs has " ","OIIderful clf..,., . • pplied IlOl 111 tht
piddling "'''y you recoll..,., 1.11 ..-tn'er bu, by. scronggalnniccu.....,,,, from
,to. 'i"1IIC' to ,he .bOOm"...1 n,,'KI,... or If .... rtC"Ium be ~d one pole
put inside 'he rN'lun, IfI ....,.., you I ,,'t!. T<SOI1IO it " ( IIl). .o.nd from Henry:
 .t'h<: die, hc:", is good _ hoch simple& I"b,.bI~. lIu, tht only ""~, ....." roo-
my rompUln' is the "uh;o,h. I ...... d... ppoon,~d ooc 10 ~nd hett oome iU<h
.....:n..u.m (l.<. ,11;0, in)ection -douchc):u )O<IlOund .t 0.,,,,,,,,,_ (6J)
I ""'1 OCIuaDy say that I can t gel • 1"1'Iagt.. My "bld< ''1U1n" .... Ct-.l to
11;0,,. mott 111m • nornitW _ _Tht ..... t.,. .,,00 """""'" altogrthn-oo- corne.
out ... innortnt <IS II ...,«ttd. for til< I""' tm day. I 11;0,,,, beromc: 'lW'c <1<-
rnot"".I .. <:d & h ...'" brtn ft-.antical.ly 00."'11 m1"'lf ,,;th pilli. lIut thty ,oo ;an
.In..,., UKI ... Ili I m.y taU: a doun 8( h.rdIy lItor ofthtrn. ... Somehow
or otll<. I muot tak/, tilt thing in h.nd, ("")
\VII" I h..·• calle<! the -<ri.i." ..... brouw<, 011 by laking' ",.""Iled "onti·
biliou,- pm,. .-.comrn<ndcd 1m., ,he Engli.h druJ;8 ... ·.. Th'1' f.<i)cd '0 ",.
hcvc "'" 8( wrnpletdy dl$llll",<d ,,""h rn< - brinll'''ll on • 'p"ric$ of .bot·
ltve di.Jnhoo., That is I rclt til< rn"'" ..".ra,ed &: moot vioIen, inclin;IIjon
'0.,001. ,,;,hou, I>clng.~ to .If<:n 'ny,htnll """ ,ho: po-os>g< of. b,,~
blood. . Of rou .... I ",nt for- ,II< . lrit.h phyoocun.. . H< nude: m/! tm
an "'joe"on. of ....... unmO;"'1TI ~ .."""'.....iuch comploetely f:Wed. to """'''
ITlIO. I "'i"'"ed it brgdy - ...·hoIl)' In ".",. He loft m/! b ..... tht"''''''''I: •• p-
porrntly qullC in ~..•. .sn-.ral days ~ now f'W"d. 11u,,, ""'" tht
dan .... "'J"'aledly. <IS he II<CmI ir>clu>N (00 ,,'1\;0, uten, ... . fnrnd Ii: to ...·hat
... tlocIor&lcl l ,~) tok<.p .... in hand .... Ii..... mtned(myb<M'.uJ
(•• for .. he could) by the instnioo ofh" lin!:,,' (hornJ ..I.!) 6: say. th.",;"
no pall"bI. obotru<tion... _ I lind II h.rd '0 make h,m (a. I .hould .ny.,.,..
whu h.d·n', ob",,,,TI1 i' ) at all und.ro .. nd ,h. >!ubbornn ... 11;: ",,«n, -,be
kn,,~h 6: b",.d,h 11;: dep,h. of my 'rt')ubl •. (,08)
Fron' 'his ""ense:. ""u,ely u..... ppy n:l.,ion of. young "Ti,.rtO~ I"n of
his body ,,'en: .lso '0 .m<.-gc. no..'",.... pl ••• u",. and nd,.,.. In p.n;rulo •.
,II< ,.. knc .. ., ,:>(hing '0 di~'i'''' O«U ",ul~,ion .nd,o lT101t1u.J I"'"" ...."ion
" " .. '0 undergo ~ proIOund ch:ingc_ t..., ,t.'''y ye.n clop$", and mort. '"
'hr .-.1«1" of this dttply inlagi""d .rou, .nd ....n'eoty tll<matir. ",.. c.""
I."en· :>(rou",,, g'''' """;rul,, pot ... (.11< point ofdistancc and ''''''gum'''''
'r-...."'umion... mudl .. til< poin' Q/".,,,,ibrily) 'o , passogc w... "'" ,~
oocdxlOk entry "i,t. ....hlch I ~gan dw se<llon .
By the ,inlt of,h~ Wn'Ulg oflbe p""facu. tM im.Il'" of,he ob<tt'ri<
hand. ,h. fi".d t.owd m .. eri.li • ., as ,fhoiognphi.c.lIy in tilt ron'''rg~ncc
"ft""o ineongnrcnt sp .. i.li,i •• - ,h. ""'Iul" Yof ,n,ide .nd ou"id< on (a. i,
,...,..,1 the one h.nd .• nd on 'he ",h.,. 1M sp.>-li.ltly of a'l"'cu ("aspcCl.-
ununnyos the: ~nle '.nn "");h' sound" [Ar' 110)), or p,.".."ttd and ","ncd •
o((o<c and back. Th~' go ,ogethe. Itu """o.nd !'ttIum.
Tho condc-rwlion of ,h<1"'O!p;o,i.l'\lcs. fron,.l ."d
"'Ierior. adhen:s in·
,.,Ie" tl)' 10 ""'OCitOons of ,be medal or ""","nlOn. pc'rhaps 'hrough an .....,.
""U'IlI ""h lhe o..llLi<IJ ~gr '1"",ed .00.., In,he I""foce '0 TN \\'i",Y
of'W /An", for itW.u'Itt......... suggesu tha, lhe """",I', "'... plots a", lhe
,.x, Q/" an engn,'cd and finll,n:d coin: "Could I bul ttt:.Ik my mc<W hang
f",<, ito obv<!...:- and it< ""'...... itS fac•• nd ill back. would ~.u'ifuJty~_
N"K' op,i"" .l for 'h< spect.,or, I someho.... ,,-.n'ed them rorn:spondingly
t ",~d. w.llIed 'hem inscribed .tld fiG"",d "'tlh.n ""Iu.1 ..li,n,. , le, tI
w.s no"c 'he less visibly my ' key: os Ih.,,, pid. ,h.. 'hou);h my n:gencra'e
YOU"!! New Yorker I Milly ).• nd wh., miglll depend on her. should form m)'
",nm:. myc",:umfe",nc. "'•• "'''ry whi' '"","able.. , . 1'n:f"T'';''C»' .nd.
... " "''''''. )'t'.rningly - gh'Cn ,be whole: ground - one: begAn in the .."m.
" it h u.. otuc.ring. a~g ,he Ctnt", ,husby nalTt>\\"inll drwm ... u..·
tOO"'"' (_ J. To rnm any """" of how a gt'og"'phy of "'" ronc<!"'ric. m·
...:01'1"11 a "key " and ,be I"'"",n.ioo of rings innet and r.>U'' '. SUI"''''..-ntS
in thos f"'S>&" 00 • n.." ",-o..idtd geography of o/:r>-.ont and =.~ Vlnu·
ally rcqui ... ,ha. om".... and =''''''':- bt ",.d'i ttetO and ,,,...,-and tha,
"n:<Io" .. the (lkpthkss) fron .. 1foce ~ un.dor>lood .. upcning f<ttl)" 0000
""'ClUrn " .. ,h. (f't1"I<'".bl.) ..... J..".,. "Ti'e•• bou, \VIut/ MaW"""'" of
',h" brigh' ha.d ",.<1>1. of so s.ran&" an 0110)'. one racc of which is somt·
body'. righ' .nd e. se and ,he o.hfr ><",lOl><>dy·' p.in and ,,'.ong- ('4J). If
indeed -faee" ."d "back" "h<:. uttfully become op'ional for the 'pc".tnr:
11,.,;,; boc.",", "'<to .nd ' 'I'!l<>. ,he s,,.,,,h, or -rigltl" ond ,he -turned" o.
PO"" ned Or "wrong: coo''''.-ge JO n. rruwl)· ""'0 what i. no< " men: pun.
n'ng ")·Il.b!.:. 1><" n,lItr.n anatomicol douillt "",endrt whoot int<rest and
dt ..",btli,y J.mes (and I can only ;010 h,m in IhiI) .ppu... by ,h .. 1m>< '0
h.." apcricnccd ... inuhaUStib!.:
li~nl '0 CM:nW. the importance- 01' "ngh'" and KKn< orb.,. ,,-ortb (do·
"'<t. CTCCt) from the Lalin .. C1 ,n n>roJi.""'1l for ........ 1>rr,,'Cm. .. io.
...... t'ttlo .nd ,"'..., of"'" p ....scn'cd anol <'IlJO')'cd body- "For ,],., d ....... ,
t", .1" . y.. by ,be wry J."·of h,, &""'u" ~!i",,,. no< only in" po<Sibtc rillh,
i....., ftom ,n. riglltly·concc,,"cd 'igh' plac!:, "" Joe, much ttlOr'< than tlus -
n.:, belt"""•. ir ..... iSlibty, in ,h. rltec""ry. ,be I''''Ciou, ·ti);htne •• of,1Ie pI.ce
(wh"ever 'he ;.s"e). , .. So 'hat 'he pol", os nu, In 'he Ie." what '0 make of
it. but onlr. "'..,. okhglllfully.nd ,"'..,. donln.bly. ",hOTe to put onc,.lunJ
on it " (A" III Ill."'" possibk nglll iwI~ from 1M tiglllly·collCCl,,,,d ligh,
pL>c~", ~ phr.ue like ,htS one """ ",fer a, ,he QIt1CC . ilt1CC .o...., "$I",iglll-
(propcrOfco,wen. ion:>l ) '''''''''' of ~ from.he "$I""gII. - platt of con·
"'pt"'"and 10 ,he ",cui i ..... from <he ",cui pbu of COI1C""J'1K>l'. -$Ini,-
onl)" in ,he ,.,n"" ofplt.o"nl>l)" ughl. Wha,c\..r ,he "Wtu: - nothingis tigll'
U'·<'I we tightly im.gine il .-
This f.mily of words. ,nslS,ed on :as in ,he"" eOIUIT"ct;ons.l""it lvdy
l" ",,m in j ame" I.te wtiung (the [IO"o",b: • • well"" the p",fac..) • •• if ouch
sylLoblt$ cnjoytJ so"", prN'kg<d :accns to "th~ ...,., ......".., of f.n':HY-·
- This is 'M chlrn"ng. tM tormmting. tht ete.rull",k nuu .... to be nude
righ'. in.U , .... " ..,.,....S ofsil,..... thrt..... nd 'app,ng on goIdm ruils; .and
I should take 1"',1..1'$ tOO f.m'$Iic a romfon _ I mean ""'''' !WK tht «>m
fo ru of ,he anise ju.. 0( til<: r;aw......-net off"",,..)· ,n .ny g~mp'" of such
""hk,-.:d righ,nc~"'$- (69). Nor.:as wc·1l ",e. il,lI<: a<$Ocl.[td i,.,.. ".,.. ioo "f
.he h,,,d a' .Ilk", hquent.
Considering th .. TM An cftM NOvtI is to""n (whcn discmsed at a U) ""
the pure" manifcs,o for the pos<ibili.y of "'b"nic fornl .nd the POW"'- of
the OJ},... ni>mg <:cn'ero( rOtUCiousncu in 6ctlnn. " tS Slnkmg haw much 0(
"COn<,i,u,cs . ntC,,-"ndllm of misplacnJ midJl.,. Thot", is nothing "".
problematic .bou, <:ClUtrs orC\fC\lmfen:nccs in any o(.M prd"ac.s. James
"'I""w of
• particular vic. ofth • • n;'ti< 'plrit. again" ,,·hie-h vig,I.,K. Iud bc-tn <1<.
,h..t.
tined from the firs, 10 el ." i,,,,,lf in v>in . • nJ ..... eftm of",·hieh....",
'g,in . nd .g.in.I"'"...... ly. tnCU .. bly. th. cen'", of my Slructure would in·
sist OIl rI.ciog itself n<tC • .., ""p•• k. in tM nUJJI~. . [ urge m)"Klfto tlu:
("".oold conf......, ,h.. In ,~,.,. b · ofmy~.'o my "}~. "'" tht
"'E""'< <ftI1'" .u«1!Cdcd in grt."'Il inco proptT J'IOSI'1OIL
Tim< .Ii.,
ult1CC. ,lint. "'" tIM: ptttJOu< ...~tb.tnd or gtnlle. <Nddod anJ
b..dl~.nd rI>«J for bn,.. OUt".. td ......... 1""><1""U)· ,,"O!\CJ u ..lf. :onJ
in 'l'it. of deopcnt. "".IOO ..... nc•. or in other ,,-ortIo easem,.} couTlter
pIoIung. to. r<>'nt I"'ril"">ly "'''' <h. knou. Th .... production< h.,.. tn
fac •. if I may be.., bold .hot.tt it. ,ptcl<>u< and spurious ccntrel .ifog<"[hcr.
' 0 m.le up for.n. f.. l"re of\hc true. (III' S,~86 :
"Cen, .r" .. clr~rf)· beu'g....,d In • multival~nt ..... y m ~g.. likt~ . .1$
much as ,,·hen it Iud CO<lJured.he impoo:sil* on6c~ by ",·IOCh. I\.a, round
.,.tc<I.J1Ion"l"'ttStlUlltttodepth. He'" it offersa p",te" fOrtht romally ""
rb"" M1,hropomorpluzation olthe """",las a body. a body c.1cbrated fOr IU
.....1ofbcUlg ''''''Y' """" dun at risk of "pc"""",,,- .......g.ruzation around
• -p"nlou>ly" dBplac-.d and kJ.,',kn,-n zone But. ronfusingly.• hue spo.
0;11 melaphors ",fer to ,I>< in, u,,,I .. ion among ch.1r;oC\ers· poin .. of vic-....
(e.g ..•, "<em"l1 of (''''SCiou''''''''-) but .!.so (.nd qlll10 incommeru"nbly)
to ,h" rel.t ion oct wce n t he fo rs, half and the 1.11 or (or• • n ,hropo:>nlOrpni("".I1)".
the lo'..... r and /or Im"k) h,lf of .""h n<n·eI As when j.m~ in th. p",f.u '0
T~r \~lngs <f'~r D.wt t1i'b""".ic<llIy probes - II>< bller h.lf, that i:s <he f.lic
and JcfOrmed half" of the ....,..,1. nuUllam,ng h.. - fr« h.1nd- for - <he p"' .
1t11l111'<)1 cunnmg qtJt$. for <ht -'P'" " ........ okfonni.y .... bq;un- (jO'- l ).
m.
[oro ........ n. :;u 11 is. no-.."",r. ",13,,,,,, bet .....,.,. t .... hill... u not ,,"hose
,.,ry I"'rilsC3n bcplc-;uu ..... and "tIosr pl •• w ........... . hr m)~hmofd,ma:Jt:
)<tn..,. cdrbr"C"s In TI.t 1"r<tgir AI",,". cornp.ctnas into whkh <ht ,mag;·
n"ion nUl" cUI .~ick. OS ;n,o the rich den"'y of wc-Jding·C3ko. Tb< mo..1
of.1\ ... hich ;nd~e~. 1 fear. " .l"'rhJps tOO 1I,,,i.lly. but th .. ,]", ·thick: Ihe
f.b<:. the d~mbling s<:cond h.lf of Ihe work bef"", mo .. . 1'''''''''''' th.1
</fon •• ., In. w:ry 1011 • q"lle <on'"lIb.i,... )~I m i15 ..... y highly 'g",e.bie .
"I'",m- (A ).
And""",. the .nthropomorphic fTUpping of tilt.., ....1>"""" (n.", C<>ll
K:t.IIt:ly hottl1 .he ~.. n n,.,.... ilKornmc:~ur;abk in,,1\" gf tM !heater. -n..
lil"$l hill" of • Rnion ,n.iSlI e>.. ron figuring 10 mc: .. ,I>< .ng< Of ,he.,,,,
fur
,he ""O!Kl h.lf: j.m~1 writt$. fOr irul3n<:c. ".nd I h",.. in !,,,,ncnl g,,,,n SO
much ' p'ce to ",.king .h~ ,he"rc prop"io", .n ..
m y h. h ... h.,'C ''''' oftcn
pro"ed ",.ngdy unequ.l - (Arl 1!6 ). Or. ;n • ''Cry ilifl"eren, kind of ""I'P1l1g:
"l"lI.c novd. as brgdy p.. cus<:~;n Engh.n. is ,he pcrfect I"'",dtst oflhe
Joo.e enJ. Th. ploy cot"",n,. to th~ logic of but """ ".~y. IlUtn.rrul""Uy
nglll. and .... ilh til<: ",,-.nd [aJgross ... iml"'nlMlKe on its surface" ( ,,~).
T() trOct 'M r.m.lk'ationsm,hr:so im.>ga through ,he pttf.as .......Id
"".... .... quoting from (b,e ... lly) ~..ry .inglr I"'gt: oitll<:m. A ~ efficilon'
'1'1""0.<1. ","OUIJ M.I"',haps. to offer someth'ng b,;"f in the w..yof. k'; ·
COt] of. few ",fthe m.in ,,"Otds and ""man,ic dus'.rs 'hrougll which ,ht
fisting im .ge work. in Ihc"" p ... faca-siner Ih •• ccunml.ted and digested
rodolcn<o of I"'rti.uLor 5ignifict'$ is One of 'he <kl.gh .. j a"'e> mo.' t.o..slS
of <njoymg in "my .. r uggle 10 k""p cOlnl""""'" rich. if IlOI. Mner .. ill. to
kep . «""lo,u Wlnp"' .... d- (~J~~
II, .. in ''''',Ott
of oK.nng thIS Lu;ictm. I fUI'P'* I .......Id u y .."..,. ·
 thing .bou , wh., II i.,o hfar ,I..,... richly ,cCf.""d.• Imo.t .kh.",;.,..llr im.
bued signifier>' 'n Ih" highly ~.h~"d ""y - and m= g("" .... Uy• • l><>u,
Iht kUlds of~slSl'ncc Ih.llh" n:.ding I suggell he~ may offer '0 a psycho-
'n.lytic ""erp"";",, pro;ca. In her psychuarulyll< wort. on james. ""i'
511 '" rm. n ded. ~ htrsc If (lOr OOX' ""rticu I.. p.u..ge 111 one I"'rtirula. pn:f.
ace) wilhng to ·n,k ... viol.ung a fund"nen,:I.ltmct orJamacriticwn_
'ht '"net Ih" no m:mer """'lundly "'S&"f"'" lhe Moster's language. il
c.nnOt h"... sau.1 import" ("Too E.rIy· '65). I'm un''''1r with 00 on
lILa, one Un"plllLa, S~\ttr1Un·. ~aW11CS:l' ' 0 hur how vny oprnly sur
James's ~focel a~" nude: pos!Jbk only by he. strange lmistrnc:e , .... ,
... couldn', ...... knov." 'hey wc~. jamn's crolJc..ed m..lion .0 his .."ri!,
ings and clu~c ... 111 her ,.."dlllg. Ii go'I"...w
by "uncomc:iou$ dcso n:
"',.... ,h.n an org.nlZlI1g C<MUCtOUoncss': •annon:d .g.1t1SI un,,"an ted ..If.
knov.'k:~: ja,.,., is di.lg:nosN by Sd,,,ntWl as h,...ing Jus ·def....... • "... _
<\I,dy in pl= 'gal... ' surh .n u",,-cirome <fucU\"ry. (149). I am "'ry ""ger
,h., j.mes'. sauallangu.~.., "" he.rd. bu, th.t il not "" heard with this In -
sul""S pmumplion of ,he he,,,,••
q>I"emolug'ol ptiYilcgc_. pri,;I~
an "hed, f unhern",,.., '0 Si I'",m. n·s W1a1tir..1 i"'tslenee on 'iewmg >CW-
ali,y elelush"ly '" lerms of ",~iool .lId 5<;lf ignoranee. When we tunc
in '0 Jan'e.·s I.ngu.gc "n the ... ~uenci"" i, is not •• 5Upu;or. pri,-;Iegcd
.a,,,sdropr:r~ on • 5<;"".1 n.... 'i>.. h,dJcn from himself: rathe r. it i, as an
,,,.Ii.,,,, ol](..,d the pri"il~ge of Ul.ring in his "" hibiliOlU5lic ""joym.n'
• nd perfomu",c "r . ..,.ual"y orgJn izcd .round ~h. ",c. Indee<!, i, "'"
~n ." di.nc( desired", .I" ",, - wh,eh is 01", ltappily ''-' 5-:1)", ... an .udi""e.
'ksirl:d.
Somr ,rrm, that partlcul.rly clamor for indwion in this liule I""icon-
th""gh Ihen: could be n)~ny mon:o and indeed, any ", adc, of ",,,n lhese
r~w p.I»OIgcs i. hk"ly 10 be able 10 gene"'e ~ list ofother n:pe.,ed, mag.
""Iic.• nd oli on enigmatic "snifieN: Ihat would need 10 be added _ a...
fOND / FOUNDAtION.IS.U ...... 'IT. F~"C~"",;T .UCIU"T. CLo'·~orc .. c~.
'lAlf. aoo, a. We 1La,-e aln:.dy Ottn.•'C"T and a group of ,,'tiNs .round
/ n:q/. CENT" .:C'.CU"fUI.~CI ...... c;T. "(0..... ! pick the!.e ,,-oms OU'
not brc:IUSl' 'hry an: commonplace " Fn:udJ.an· !>grunc.. In ,ht ro",..",·
"onal phallic tttOde.• tttOde , .... , "'as K~""1y Jamn ... but mst ..d bea .....
each undel'lll'cm lOr h,m "'hat nl)-.cir. , .... , ·e... m .... r chang<' . ,be relt
r"'mrnt.tlOl1. rver inte~'''g. bmll.gr.....ly ... on <he <:umpie before .....
t.... t mabie>: , ... ..."... ong,,,:lllyronununlCoted to make fi-t:<h .uxI possibly
. d,lron'''' Icrms for the new cmploynwm lhe~ a""''''''g it" (Arj 2.19).
quote
... h "I"'n. 00110 - " i, condc">e> - a junelu", betw. "n , ... erotic f.m..,·,
~.!"'~I;On 1"" $t, ."d ...""C OspcCl or upcru of its p",formal"" dimen·
,~
1'0' eumple, mN f) is one of Jamn'. most chcnshcd ,,-onIs. ~lIy
"Iotn oued ... If-deKrip,,,,,lY' w"',"", 'WIKd to the Y""'ng .uthor',"6n>;
fOo<l g<><><l f~lth "fcompo5l'ion" ('JI , to the oIde-r"fond f.bulist" 0 ,8). 01" to
,he" ·fond complacency" (1t) ofa p"rsoo,fie<j fiction_ It marks II", placo:
of the au'hor:' pk~su", in d", ..... ,izlng lunuclf as ill but I\oodcd wi,h ..,If·
.t.sorbc<ldelus;on ~nd cmb.o ........ nn11. bul equ..tly ,,~,h plcasu~. Whm
he .peaks oflumsclf as hnmg had ~ "fond ""'~: you don', ~. ,,-hctl>er
you'''' ,he",/Qn: mean, ,o...,;t ...... ving been a bd idea at " .... tl>er you'",
....ring. in James's phr• ..,. tbe "iU·rum:nt "uJ,ibl1" of ·an ebuon J105""
siI>Iy p~J,t.tnoplUOU'" (JO). Bu, ,..., ... Ir"bso<bing " fOnd ' marks htm. 1:»' tl>e
5:1"'" token... all but 1l00drd ...,th I.......;" .... cath«nc ..... rgy. ,..., .....'K).
of inte~. fond of . . ,S<>mn>tte - UI ""n)(UI~r. as lo\'U1gly and ;nten:>t·
cdly ",d;n,ng 'OVo'"nl 'ho other. usu. lly younger nulc figu .... tions in lhis
in.. r /on, ~. person. Id .... ma ,1m ""g and ;nterested ":ill sublimely and r:rhap$
• II1lk f.,uously" (111). The f.t uous "fond· ....... tion of deligh' and >elf.
dtllgh, .!n:.dy nv,.blc '" t"" C:I.lifOl"ni. journ.1 p..s>ge Ii ""orp ~nd woof
OhM f. bric of,..., pref.rco: " ' ncloned '0 retn><p«t. he fondly uk!. under
,hi; h ,kw.rd VH:w. his ",hok unfolding. hi; pro<rs5 ofprodumon. for •
' hrilling ,.1." (. ).
Or. " "h ~ d,ff"",,,, u5<; of ( mph ali.: " Indined to r<1msp<<t. he fondly
,.ke •. ""d'rth;~ ",r~"... rd vlcw. hi' wOOle unfolding. his p,-oc.,ss of produc·
,;"n, fur. ," nUi"g tole ,- T hat }'"'/ ,j 31"" Iht F",,,,h word for bol1om m'r
~xr], 'n i,~ .m"lIy w;,h ,he ·n:lro>P"(I : the "backw.rd vie"': ",,,n ,,;th
'h" "thrilling lale: Th~ fondness: Oflh~ Ort,,' .... j~no", "","ph"$<;< j, in one
pn:foce. noay lie ,n his ·w,llingness '0 """ m.",1y for .n 010$· (Art 83).
The ~ssociation be,,,,",,,, foooMSS aoo lhe fundament u,mds. ". "'cU,
10 james'. Int,,~jt ,n ,he fOU"OAT'O". ,n ,..., highly (and a"'"y' :m,hro·
f'Omot"pl,,<oUy) ar.:hitcttu .... l ''''''~'''' " '''h which'" d••a;b.. his ornb"ioru
for the: Mruo:IU~ of h .. work" "Am~mct11 """pi)' ~ I thmk. ,n an)"
"n",lC ~ttcnll" 'he baSLS and glou"",",orIr. of which a~ roruoous of 01"'-
Il<Ula~ ~rmneu. It "the d,fficulty produa:.! by tl>e loooe founda,1On .
'ha, b ....", ,..., hean The ""'m............g on tl>e ....... ofh", ~
I.'e ..... wrily '0 ]"',L/. is con,""ucd to .ociutccollJ"C. '0 ro..."uction
 a' '"Y OOS!, to driving in dct:p hi. "tTlkal suppor's and 10)'1ng.CTOSO .nd
~rmly fi.ing hIS horizontal . his .... ting pk(e< - ot th~ ri.k of no matte,
wh .. vibration from tilt. "1' of hi. m ....tcr·h.mmct. This make< 'he .cti,·~
,·.Iuc of hi' hosi' immense. cn.hling him. ""h his n.nks protCClL-d. to ad·
.:lIKC" (Ar! '09), !'{lnd, 'hen. i, • nod~ whe'" tho <he .. rics of ,han,., . aff,,<;.
' ion. a"d dhpl.y are brought tog.'hcr with a eomposilional prindple and .,
' he .,me tinte lodged firmly," <he 1~'..,1 of the ,ignifior, in a pankular zone
of <he eroticized body. (See al>o, tf this were a <ompleter lexicon, J.omcs"$
quasi ·arrhitecrur:tl. quasi·amhropomorphic use of the tern" ARC", BRAC • •
P~ E"U R E, WHtC"T.) Anolher Ih;ng n ",. kes..,nse 10 me to sreml.,e . bout
FON": that <hi' 'yll.ble PfO\ides ,h~ vib",tory b.", nOl~ in <h. "fun" 1I"'t
James was so fond "f pUlling'" Aina,ious scare quotes: "For <he inf.TUa<ed
.rtis<. how ",any <opious 'prings "f our n~'..,r·t,,-~-sligh,~d ' fun'" (p~)'
"1< all <omes ""ck to ' hat . to my .nd your 'fun" - (34J). AO f~",I.
An importam pJirof pi'"Ot word. ,n ,he pref3ce< is I.. ul< . nd ASSIST. Each
is significantly charged by .1Iu.i"n tD Ihe obstetric scene, .s wll." ,II~ in-
ju,,,<ion "Hand, off .ltoge,her on th~ nu'""'·. part!- (Ihough "suictly c"n-
c~ivable-) IS said to rtnder imrossible -any f.tir .nd Sl"ely , .. r~-;"'u~ of
.nythi"g" (Arr 337- JII), Each , too. like "~oo".oo CO.~C"'VE, ..'hidl ough r
rightly to h.ve "'parale iexicon entries. i• • 1>0 'p"dfic to 1M compositional
or d",matk sce"c. I\" ",marked on hov.' the ~is>u~ rum ""i.ion of tbe
books 3nd the. SO '0 >peak . "'po", nt' ng proc= "flhe prefae~. see m to conte
together in the signifier Is,",. The "is>u. " is nOt only Ihe edition .nd the
child nrother c milt cd n,.lt .. but the binh (~nal. the dl annel by which the
i'luc issue', 'he "I",<\ible right issue from ' he righ'ly·(om;eil'ed right pl.,."
(1' I). And as wi,h the "b.ckw.rd view " of,h. fond "n:trrupttt: as also ,,;th
<he ",,,,cis' " I~"cr " hal"" .. the ,empor.1l co.n be mapp<:d .,,<hropomorphi·
c. lly.s 'he .p.nal. tht pasL issue ~ooming the posterior issue: "When it
Shall <Ome to fitting. historic-.lIy .• nything Iike.1I my many .mall childre n
off<mC)' with their pairof progenitors. and all my n:produC!i'" UntOn. wi, h
<heir inc,·i,~bl. frui', I sh.ll ..em tD off~r my backw;n-d eonsciou$noss in
the i",.ge ofa shell charged and recharged by the Fat.. with son'~ p><en<
a"d ;nf,lI iblc e'plo,i,,, " ('75).
Like IISU • . ASstn seems '0 ~gin by alluding '0 'he scen~ of birthing:
" 1mb the obstetric h.nd ""h the applauding on •. d'e dllld~d with , not
pnblic.,;oll . b", ,h~ ,he.,er. In Ihe rn:face to TIt< \~1~g.< of rlt. !).-ny, J.m ••
seem , hOI h r0 ."'u me 'he all ~ nd in g 1"'-'";011 of, he 11",,,1". maslC r rhysici."
Sir I.u kc S,ren , ~nd "' ,h~ ,a me <ime. tllrough a chain of 'u gge'"'''' seman, ic
(hoic~. , 10 ""write MIlly The.le'. fotal iI1n~ .. a •• pregnancy ., which -on~
",,'Quid h"'C qrr; te honestly' 0 ...;,,": he r ill n. .. is de$ignar ~d a, -,he interu,"
in); ""t~." with in ten$iti .. th., "Guichn - .nd ,h.n "crov.,, ' : het P:O" in ,h.
""ne r i. ",h. un.-urp>S<oIblc aCli\'ity of p.>..io""to. of inspired res;"ance,
Thi. la" f.ct was 'he re.1 issue. for <he way gre w Slnigh, ...- (189).
lI u' it is Ie .. c",y to 'ay whkh ","""of"."i".- tho 0bs,etric OI" ,h. t!>n'ri-
" I, is op<:rJli,'" in ' his .ccount "flhe play of poi'" of view in TIt< Ammran:
",~ I the wmdow of[Nt:wm.n 'sJ wide. qui<~ ,uflidemly wide, eonscious" ...
,",e ore .... cd , from ,ha, . dmirable posilion we 'assist: He therefore suo
premely ",atters: all <he re.. m"".rs only as h~ feels it, ,rr... II, meets it A
be. utiful ",r"uation tbis, Jlw.)'" I think. the inten,ity "flhc creath.., effort
10 gel into 'he 'kin of <h. crealUre: rh. act ofpe=n.1 posse>sion "f one
being by .nother at its complele ... , .. So much rem.m.trUe then on beh . lf
of m}' in" inc, of nlul'iplying <lie fin. touehes by which Newm.n shouldl;'-.;-
and communkate life" (jII). -As.i,,- is in ""are quote. hcre .• ltd ,, ', not e..y
(i< hardly e~er is;n James) 10 see ....·h)·- unless to point'" the ,,'Ord·. double
mcaning (obsretric/ lheatrical). or unl.", to ,ignal Aic keringl)·. a. the SCalC
qllo,"s around "'fun" do, <h ... n01 quite I<-gitimate Freneh pun is slipping
'00", III Ihe bad,ground : in thiS eose , the associ.tion hetw.en being "".,ed
:It ' he ""ndo...... nd . -from that . dmi.. hle po,iti"n: ."'is,in&- A<ri<l<r (a,-
al,
,."don g. as "t ,hild ~d or the r) and, """,i, (It> 'it) attn", .ct"ally'" I>,ed.
"Ven 11\ French. hul thcy do sound . Iike ,~. the resona", syllable /W -. And
firm though i, mo)' be wi,h . n orrh;,eClural lirm"",,". <he unC>p"ctedly dra·
m.tic ossocia,ioll' of the sca, . in pankular of the ... lished ''''pl...at. the
"imm.",." "b.,is.- -wide. quite suflido",ly ,,"id~: are well attested in the
prcf,cc., A, one "f the wind"",•. for in"~~<"•. al which J.m.s has done his
W"''''g. -. 'great hou." ... gloomed. in dusky brick. "-' the ex«nt of m}'
vicw, bm with a v." <on,..,nicnt n"",,,,I;,)· which I found. soon enough.
protective and not lnquis;<i,,,. so <hat whate,'cr <h.re WaS of my ,.,dcn(~'Y
M. and ""gular h, hitStook . >on ofloc~1 "".lth of <"olour from ,h. !ptcial
g teyi<hob rown to" e of, h •• urfac ••Iv.")'$ before mc. Thi.,urface hung the ....
Itk. th" "'Ost .olum;nous of curtams - It ma.ked the ''''Y "~ge Oflhe glC>I
t!te"re ohhe town . To .i, forc."ain hour<., one', d•• k ~fo .... i, ....."ssotn<:·
how to o<:<upy ill the m,,,' ,un,ble way In the w",ld the proportion .. dy
ample i"'''r."" of the mightte", of dram .." (A" " ~).'
0"" !<:t of . ssociations fi,rall,his scatod bbo, h., to do with the procc..
of digeSTion .nd Il~ prodoru: ..., k~ ..bIt amoun' of'luot:ltion could oIf~r "
..,nocofhow fuDy thut I"'"u"", 1M bnguagr-ofd"'l""f..:es: 1 ArtJpio<k1
ils m:>lcn.1 in lhe: gankn of bf~ - ",Inch m:>,~riol ~b~....he:", gm-o... is
Slal~ and UMafAbIe. IIUIIl h .. no S<)O)ntTdont lhlS' .... n " has 10 I.k~accourll
of" f"""'Xt ss ... ,hoil ..flhenpttssion. II><- h,tral squen"'S,ou I. of ,oa]uc . •• •
This is I'"'dsd~ lhe inf",ion Ihn. "" I submu. con' plt' cJ ' he .. rong mLl·
lure . , .. II"• • 11 . sede""ry p.n" <MI 311). The mOSI .".il. ble l:tngo. ge fo r
digcs"ol1 i. , h,u more or I... os,ensibly of cook "'g. e. ch "mink.bl • . .. -
<0 f.. as ,h,n k.bIe " .1I _ in cl..mka1. almos, in mySlical,c'ms",
W. can ,urely ",(OUn' for no1lung in 11... ...,..... b"·...m!lu' ~ n', 1"""<1
1hrough ,t.. moribIc ofhi> ;""'Sin.auon.lw n·,.In Ih.o,~· $im..-.
ing "."I.Iron hIS onl.Uomul1"' .... jn. bem ~u«d '0 """OIlfJ' fusion. W.
t..re figorr lh. nlO<Wl. of 'ou",". ROIl as boIl.d .0 notlung. bu., .. . ~.
in rei,,'" for ,h. "lit;' gi,... oU'. '0 ' new.nd richer »tU,·" ion. In 'hos ".,t
;1 ;s in due rou,.... pkk~d QuI and ", ,,... d. and a "">gre ..... m will.,,-. il ...
if il do.. n', 'p".k 11\05' nf its I..e g<'nial medt"",. Ihe good . Ih. w""dorful
<""'~ny i, hu. <It I hln'. ac>thctirally ktpt II lui .n.. ~. in ~ne. In'O new
re' '''''n .. " ,·.....'¥"S 1"0< """,'one>. '1< fin.ol _uur hu bun ronsmu,od. 00'
its pnmt ide-ru;ly dest"")-ed. ... Thus if Iw 1>«....... ditr.... n' and. tlunb
,u a .... re . k"'my.• be,,,,, 'hing. (An 1)0)
Th. rroductS of cooking .nd of dlpion ",em imcrt .... nl!":.bI.-and
''1ulll)' im;$\s'ihle_l>«.u,", neh is Ih. resull of ~ pTOCQ< of rrcirruJ.
lion described ai if i, could go on endlessly. ""Iy adJing '0 Ihe ridUl~" of
y n.),
(wh .. Jam es usu. 1I c. ns
he ......iduurn." ' he Ihl "pieked." "pi ueked" (II "
I}j\. or." in ,lit Cahfurnla pa ....ge.nd m""y 0I11<"rs. "fiWd- oul. CThe
long pole of .... mo' y ilirS and rummages 1M bonom. and ...·.fish up sum
f.... gmcnu and .... Ioa of ,he submttged bk .nd ,I.. e>l,nct ron1Ciou<nr:l6
as .em pt us ,0 picee ,lI<"m 'ogtmer" I ~)') In II.. an1M', ,n\dltrtual Iofe.
J.mes $ay .. "The 'old' maner is mere. ",-acccp!ed..... ·I~o:<!. uqulSilcly .... .
assimila,ed .nd re·enJOllo:<! the ....holt gl'O ...·'h of onc', ·usr.e::» o ur
fa, he .. u$Cd to ny' a blessed eon,p .... herulft namo for many oflhe ' hing:<
dccf"''' In us. T he ·I."C· of ,h. po." is.,. bo11om and SA> f. r.S lhe po,,, in
him I""'·.il, ....·", "'''''Jlhing cI ... hi' aah." ""_ oflife: in .cro...... ncc .... "h
"'h",h ,roth 10 kup one'. hand on i, is 10 hold ,I.. .ihoer .I"" 10 1M .... hoI.
bbyrimh of hIS con>ciousna:>. He (ttl< 'hIS h'nIKIf. good ~- :JJ!hO")'
To .race ,I><- career .,r,he "..,..-d ..... cu '<T (poDlhly mdudmg ,t< ".,.,n
... pI;c;,Iy. ,ndco:<! n.mingly p<rtUnn." ,"" Va""", F.... CU .~~) """"gil the
p<"f.£c< ".."tld be 10 ~I atle~ ...,.,......·ht.... " 'IIh ,he dip,,",, pIo!.. One
",lnllM''''g u""'SO:-'
11K fu rthcr .nal",1> Of for ,lut nutt ... .al",.,.. .",•• ,.. ,II<" ''''''h of r.pture ond
vICtory.• s 'he .n is, " ~m' h.lnd grasp' .nd pby. i, _ r mun "",lUr.ally. "r"'"
,n.o,h...:J .. I" " ..... nd lh, oboru .. victory. rnJO)... d .nd celeb..,ed not U1
'he "reo' b.II before "'n" in"" m",., , hril"; Ihe odo.!s being. hundred '0
Orl<. '" .1",,,,,,. nyron,...,.""". n',
'ml " does 'rTl\'e by any eur
fiT"Sl procw
.. the "'" .... iduum of lru,h. Th .. " .. , ,ho dunn. 0CIUibI~. of1M pi<tu'"
,he e!<m ...", 110 (OU1dn', bu, flush. '0 ,..." '"CT'f surf.att. " 'im ....... dftpt.
d<p<h of lfOrty ,han , ... "'"'" ob>ious. It lurked III ,t.. crude p<>!Nl> .. bu.
bunrJ """n,. , .......... thr att..",.,., ~ the ..........·.re it btcamr of
lhe r..g...."'" To .... h"'h r m>.yadd ,h.ollhc more: I scr.,chcd Ihuurf.oa ond
pe"", ...od. lroo "",no poICTl' . '0 ,roo in,oIl«1u. 1"o>lnl. I>«.",e this .,rru~
At I•• , .•cro,diltgly. ,h....id uum . ;u r h"..- "lI.d il. re.cl><:d . r ....., in p.....
cnore of Ihu,d d, ."",l< .p.rk that g lowed.t It.. core of "'y vision . nd IhOl .
•• I grn'I)' blow upon i,. oorno:d hlghor ond cI" . ... '. (Arr ,.»
1 don', .. . m 10 m.u me I'"'f:act"Ssound ~oo much hu TIlt 5;k.....,fdl~
1.A",b.<, ool}>mcs don ~" a ''''}. graphic ""y of ligonng aut",,",,1 ",I.
'''''''' in 'Cnn$ uf tkrm:ll .... botation. All "."',.,, '"rt, he ronsodcrs" ".... In
""'ity or,hc Crt>"',,- efforl'o gtl In'O II.. ,kin of'he en:'ru",- \0 be ".
b"Uliful inf' '''>lion.- mJud. -II.. acI of pr...,..all"*"$<"'" of on<! bemg
by another .. its COIt'ple, t,," (Arr )7). Alllh~ blu,hln!;lflwhing 'hOI mark,
the ,kit, ... primary org. n for bo,h 'he gtn"'>lion and the con,. !;ion of
. ffert ""em. linud 10 • fan'Uy of 'he skin's bo'in!; cnl~ .... d-.nl.red '1""
cifically by. hano.l .• h.nd , .... , ,,,,,eM.
Some ...·unb}>mes f......... for lhi.
... b".,,,.re clo'·a. <lAC". Prench ~g..,"r: -Tha, wu my probItm. SO 10
$f>eok. and my gap ... - to pl.y ,he snullh:indfuJ of,-aI ..... reilly for.n
'hey " ..... wo<,h - and '0 WOO my .. ' I"",,,,,t..degrtt of f"""SW" on 'he
<""ng of inl" .... " " ()JO . JI ). Indeed. ,h~ gl~ or S'~ \S. for J'1tleS, • prim~
"""se of "g,'S"""", of '"'e",.t. 11IOI"-,,ion .• nJ c.the.is lao! .""pI~-of
,m, "'rilCriy "charm ,h.I1 grow. in propor1l0" IS Ihc "1'1"'.110 i, te,,,
."d
"r~lchc. and " .. i", II. pu •., il I"""crfully 10 , ... \<Iuch" h u ). E",,, mo",
"""·.. rfull)·. it offers" durablo inlOg<' for d,,: ''''"'>On (...
·hkh IS 10 Ny : ,'''
'''ten''g of tho ,k,n) of prnonit'icd characlers. A. ,,-hen J.mes sus ". ,ag
qUie, . I'm .....Lou. you"g man of admirable ,~." ",-ho oII"en haho,.,iQn
 10 ~ dt~racler wnom J.lnes h.d bolO" ba",ly w much .. im'gin~d, "Owen
WinS""'" ncbuJO<Iund fluid. n..y only. ~l ,lit ,........ h_ found '11OUtlfin
Ih,. g.:ndcm.n; found. Iii>, is •• fiSU'" .nd. li>btt. ~ IOrm • • fMc., f.tt"
(''J!I 60; fint empt... ... addrd).
lind. of CDUtk. the 'nlma"on of cli>r~er by "">dUng. band up n••
b>clu.idoo h .... thn,erof it' "",'n; in ,h..._ , ,1M: flUl'P'" , ......ter: "1\0 pn,,-
kg.: of thr Idlcr of ..1<$ and lhe li>nJl~r of flUppru .. mort deligh,ful. or
h>s ~ of lhc 'uspcll$e and thr 'hrill of. g~~ of dtfficulty brt.thkss.ly
pl~ycd. th~n JUS! 'his buSiness of i<x:>I<,ng for lhe un..,.,n an.:! the occult. In
• $Chcrn<: h.lf·gr:"l"'d. by lhe ligh' U'. SO 10 "PC.k, by Ihe dinging ""enl. of
lhe gogc .Ir..dy in hand" (A n JU). The secnllh ' l chnSS 10 gl",..,.10 hand,
I,> puppet may nm :lCCm p.1nkularl)' i"eJplirabk by ,his lime. II is the $nlcll
of ~hit ,'"..,n as i, is 'he $mcll of .h,,,,,c. II i, Ihc Imdl of. cherished idcnmy
IlI:rf",,,,,,d Ihrough a pro<eo. of luming Imide OUI.'
Ckony. Ihe", .'" mOrt kxiron em"", IN. could be ....,...·n 10 "..".k on
cump.... bk ""'Y' in the prt'focrs: [me",,,,,, only "'''TU. '·HEUn. GU"
UIlS. u .. e .... " •. TRUT"~"T• .,. ... ,,., UP."".....UllC" lhe HlcH/ u n
H" .~", " .... ".O.,E. U ... (v. ). co"n,,·•. TOGCHI ..C (adj.). .'CH . • , . , ..C
(n. and y.). • ·.. nE/ . ·.. '.,.. "".,.O ....TE, "."'Huon, ' 0." (n.), PAS<"" ..
• nd 'O.UHo.n ... The ''''_y of .hese .. gn,6~rs ""'"..,,., '0. among other
.hmS', the .onge of "'mol ' mu, obJect., body parts. .nd bodtly fan"""e>
."d pleasu",s dw;.mng h"",,~t ~Iy .round the fi>1ing pham>Sm •• ic:
th.", a", Aickersof Ihe ph,lIu., Ihc WQ!l)b, ,he pr<m ••• , ... " 'eU .$ Ih. bo"'d
and "WI: Akke,., belw""" >!c. dy .nd cl"" ••• ic rh)"h",s. be''''''''n In",rtI,,,
• ",1 Il.'ecpli"",, between ac~umubllon and rdc.5<'. bel"·""" Ih" .110- and
the au'otru.ic.. I hope il' evidenl enough Ihatlnc p,cl"oc •• do",.pond 10
Ihis ""y of ",.ding. ·whene1,.,t the nun<! is. <IS I h.,,, ..!d. KCessible_ac.
ccu;b!<::. Ihat,.. 10.hI: finer appe.1 of ...cumul.ted "good Sluif'.nd.O the
In.c~, of taking il in hand II .U",
For m)...,I(. I am promptod '0 """, 'hr/ "uking" .... been.o my conscious-
...... 'hmugh!he ,,'hole ~ of,h;' ... _ . !he .... Cp,anoCtlruff.""
un<k< che ~ .... oudtoC the spong my hondo ""'" Co kd thcnucl",. full,..,
mOlCh """'"' did i. bttomr 0 '1""",,on, on In. I"n <>fIn. ><cumui.t,.d good
Sluff. of O<'cmlng """'endy .0 II"" ~nd g"~. {.In j4'1
'111e .implc>! truth about . hum", emilY, a '""'1""'" "".n"... _on beh.1f
"f" hith 'he cI.,m '0 <h.rmed m"ntlon i. ",.de, .. ",1m e,.. t. u"J", one.
hJnd, mute Ulw,.cly, .,"'c i"""..ly. 1<' jWllfy that cwm; ....Ul. "'''', •• it
"",,,, .• "",-:or<! the uttermo>1 end or .im of ooc', "",""'ng or <>f 't> (I'III'n n".
me""" conn<::XIO<>S; >lIuggko., el(h .. q...and ,n delia""", of ooc', f"I..N
;oJmotutory finger, fully and compktely '0 eol""'" iudf. (0\" 1]8)
,'CI , hott",,,. ridtIy.he 'otIl "'>pOnds '" iC. th,. cumuLa.".., and ><cumU -
l>u,,,.I.,.icon -drit,,n ",.ding "''''''.. " a porlleulu, hen« a p:tnl>i of "'oJ
",. J,ng - not ..,much btx.w.r " .. organil:.d around "suuili.y· as because
il I~ org;rnized .round the scn .. nlic unl. To 5:ly ,ha. "is te.hered.o.he
o<nl.ml( and thematic is perh,p"bo.o say ,hac n IS ur1<ub);""".bly (how .
c"" IInstobl)') ,e,he",d to .hc imcn,i,'cly ~oncd hum.n body. H.rdly the
",nroc for that. re., obviou.ly ."uugh, 'he .rgt'men""iol1~1 mOmemum of
che prcf.ceo i, impeded >s much a. f.cil'l>1cd by • ",.drug .hat indulge. or
hO<lo", Ja""''-' in,...,,,menl in ,he abwrpt,,~ or (ao he ~",,~..u)' puts III ,he
· lieh· (on.rang<') .ignifier."'" dum.y, "fond· rhythm of ",.ding enf"",r<l
by any ..,,,,,,,,.ic .bso.-poion or ;ulh~ seem. neccssanly to OOnstlluCc.
,""o",tkaJ oo·iancc.
OJ" ToS'"'fU'" a. a ,umming up, Th., .hlng IIr: ... t W'~nl fo be heard .. offer.
ins here is a ", hroryofnomo>ou.lity." 1 n...~ non.r: and [ ....an. notlC. W""n
I ammpt 10 do some jus.ice.o I"" !ipCdf1cI.)·, .he richness . • 1>0\" aU.he
"'plkll""" ofJ.mc•• particular er<)tia. It is no! wnh .n eye to "",king hr.m
'n atmpl"of ·homQRxu.U.y· ore,""n ofOll" · kind " of"hom<»Uual"y,"
Ihou!;h I cert.inly don 't ,,-om, eith.r. to make him ""und as ifhe ,.,,', gay.
Nunclhol .... I do mCan Co nom", .. c 'he J.mcs of Ihe Ncw Yor!<. .diclo"
preface. >s. kll1d ofp""OlYJlC of, noI ·homo$uuahly." bu. quccm<'$S, Or
queer pcrfomlaCivl.y. In Ihi. u""S", ·'1uccr l"'tfoo-rnotiYily" is 11.. name of
• Slt'lcgy lOr the production of rnc~n.ng..,d being. in ",I •• ion CO II>e afftct
"""me .nd .0 the Later.nd ",b,cd fKl of SliS"'"
I don', know )"" WNt d.,,,,,, m.y be wO<1h ""'kmg. on.oIoginUy. abouc
.n. qUttr pctfur"""i"lly I h.,,, b«n dncnbUlg he",. ",ould " be ..... ful '0
>uggc" th •••orne of the ;woe;,.;o.u 1'", bren nuking ,,~th queer porfor.
m.".,.;,y might Klually be katu,... of.1l pcr1Orma,I\1'yl Or useful. instud.
IO. "ggcst ,ha, tM tr;m,fo, malion.1 g .. m """of"Sh.me ".. you" rna)' form
<~tly part nf .he perfo,m.,;".., ac.i,·ity leen .. mus. intima.ely ",I •• ed '0
q Ueer"e .., by people ..,If ide""r,ed as queerl The usefulness of 'hi"kmg
 .bout shome In rel.tion to) qucer- ~m",vtty. in ~"Y """nt. doo<s "'"
COtnt from ilS .w.J>ng any utr. ctonainry 10 tM qutSttOn of ..... t Utt~
Of .>CIS may /)CO cb!.xd as "perlOmuu.,," or ","'t pt<>pI< may be: c~d ..
"qucer." u,:l<t of all dot, it p ... tend to cit"""
tlk- ... btion bot",~ qu~.
nUS and .. me·so 100.... nd tIt.,....
WI.., it dQes. to the rontrary. is pe.h, ps
offer sonIC psychol"!;1n.1. phenomenol"!;in.1. ,hem.tlc density ""d motn-...
tion to ",h.. I dC$4:nl>ed in the in,rodu,tlon a, the "to"ions" or abc:";lJt(c,
betwe~n ",fc ... nce .nd penormati,·ily. or indeed between qucemeu and
OIher .....y. of uperwmcing identity ant! !ktire,
Rut I don't, el1lw:r. "''''''" 'o.sound U Ilw:tugh my project hu mamly '0
do ,,;,h reruper.Itl"g fur de<:ons<rurnon (<>tatOO allliQ.senu.1lst proJI'cts)
a queeme5> drainN ofspectfimy or poIlIical ~rm,,,,,,. To ,Iw: £Ofltnry: I
... ~t ''''1 '0"""",,
penorm.u,""y "'lemU ofhabt,ual stutnt and ilS tran ..
(onn.,;.,m op<lU a 101 of new doors for 'hink,ng obou\ idrmily poIi'ics.
It ",em, ''''Y hkoly ,hal ,he StfUCturing of o.-;.tiO!t • • nd . tt.chnt< n,.
oround ,he olfec, sll.mr IS among ,hc m.m telling dIfferential' among cui.
tu"".nd timel: not ,h" the entire ""rid (;in be d,vided betw«cn (.ul'fK*
"dI)' primi,h,,) ",h.tnt cultu",J " and (suppoxdly tvOI,"<!) "guilt culrure","
bu. ""her,h,u . ., an .ffeCl . ...."'" is a COJT1ponm1 (and ddfc ...ntly amrnp'"
nent) of aU. S1utnt.I,kc "'Mr aJfcm '" Toml..,,·, uUSC' o f tbe tum. "''''''
a <liscn-cte In,raf'S)"Chlc >lNC'U .... but • kind of("", radicll t"',
(in di~ ... m
people and also in d,ff,"",n' ruhu~) .ttaches '0 and po:munemly inte"",f"",
oralters 'he meaning of of almu<1 .nylhing: 1 %""" of the body. a ""SO'1
.ystem . • p.ohihilcd or indeed a pe' mitted beha,·ior. onOlher .ffec ••ueh as
anger Or arous:ol. a n~"'cd identity. a >«ipt for inl<rp .... ing olh~r f'«>ple's
beh,..;or to\>·.rd oll~ .. lf Thus. on<: of (he thmp th ... n,..,...'. ch.racttro<
pe ••onohty is is .... cordofthe Illghly individu~1 histoncs by ",llleh the /\«C ••
ing emotion of shame luI tnS! 1'U,ed r~r """" durable. stfUClu.iIl chanS'"'
in one', ... bttOnal and ttllCrpr('th" .,ratcgJCS , ........ rd bach ..,1f and <Xhe ....
Which means. an"""g OIher ttungs. tha, thera""u.k or pobtical>tralC'
gie • • im£d directly ., gening tid of indIvidual Or group sham<', or undoing
it. h .." ",mclh,,,S P"'po!'tCNU' about them; 'hey nuy "worl " - they ttl'"
,"illly hove powerful dfect5 _ but 'hey ",n', "",k m the " "y 'h'1' $.). Ihey
"'urk. ( I . nt think ing ht ... of. range of """",menlO ,hat dtill " 'ilh sh~me
... riously in .he fO.", of. (or '''''.'''''. the communal dlg~ity of th.. eml
tigh .. _ment, ,he inJt.vidu.nng pn.J. of " SI...,k is Be.utiful" and ga}"
pridt": ... nous fonru of n.,,,·;" ......." ...... ,' ,I><- """""mglye.hibtted dj'<"
.... " thc sLnhead
,1O"'8"",ndu'g
'
: thc uri)" renurust upenmtnl) Wllh ,he n:anung and
of .nSC'r .. a response 10 shame: ,be tncCSI """"'"On ~.
,.n' " e!""cmolos,eal >In:IoS on , ruth.tcU,ng abou, sha"",; and. of coww.
:.ny m.nyOthc ...) The fOml$l. kn by sho"", arcnot distU1Cl "tOllie" f"~
of. group or individual ;de",;ty that "'It be clrtscd; they .'" ,n,..:ad tn
«gr.l lo .lId ....idu.1 in the proce""", by which ldenn,y. itself is f~ed.
They .1<0 ,,·,1I.blo for ,he work of n,<,",norphu;I~. ",ftammg. refib'Ur.'K>n.
",,,.,figuration, aifccl;,,,.nd >ymbnlic lm ding ~nd defom,.lion. bu, per-
b;lJ'5 aU.00 p"'em for the: wo rk of p<lrg"ioo and drontological closu...,
If ,Itt "ructur.I,on of sh.me diffe .. "rongly bctw«cn cultu..". betwccn
ptriods.• nd bel"ffn dtifer."-,, lOrn .. of poI,uc", ",,","'"CT. i, d:tffe .. ilia
somply from one pnson '0 .nother "~th,,, a g"""n rol, U'" and litnt. s..n.., of
,.,. I"fant •. child ... n. ~nd odul .. in " 'hom sha"", ren»ins tltt """" ...... il.IDle
"",di~tor of identny .'" lit< ones ",Iled (a reLutd " urd) $hy. ("Rememboor
'he fifue,)" Lily Tomlin uStd '" ask. - No on~ ""5 g.y in [he: fif!;".: they
w<fC jm' shy.") Q u~rr. I'd suggest. migh' usefully boo \houghl of ... refemng
in ,he: first pl...,e to ,his group or "" ",,,rI'pp,ng group of infant> and chil·
d",n, ,~ ,,~ scrtSt of idcn[iry is for oon,.. reason lYnN trIOSt dur.bly
to the notc ofwnle. W"'t i. '" abou, ,bern (or us) ,"'t
mak~ thn 'fUC
... mauu '0 b" >p«ili«ll me"" thai til 1M sen... tM' I ",n'l teU you """'"
""""t it .. - II «:n~inIy ;.,.., a SUlgle thing- but abo In Ibe..,1I5e ,Iut, lOt
!hem. il ... m.ins to be lpedfied. '" aJ.... ys b"lated: the wme·dtline..ed
I'loee of idenmy doun'l de,ermine (he consiJ.ency or m. ' '''''g of that iMn
Ii.)". and r••e. g~nder. , I. ... St>u,l;t}". appo: .ra n,c. and .hle<!n£:I$ a", only a
few "rIhe defining soc;.l ,onSlrunion, th .. will crpl.niz. ,here. d",,,Iop'
'ng fro", ,h .. originary .ffeCl ,h.i, panicol.. >lructufCS of e~p"'ssion ......
ativU)" plcuu .... and >trusgl<:. I'd .'Cntun: Ih.t '1u_ss in this smx h ... at
thi, hi.lorica! moment. 5OI"t>t dcfini.tOn.lIy '''ry signllic:an, "'''rllp. though
a .-;branlly clastie and temporally ron,niuled one. w,th tltt rornpIcx of at ·
tribul e. t<><by rondtn..,d ., .dul, Or .d.:tIcsan, "g>yneu.* Evcryone: l<no\I...
Ih., , .......... son,.. lesbi.n< and g.y ,nen who rould ItC'o'Cr coun. :l< queer
'0
' nd o'hor propl. who VIbrate ,he chord of quur W1lhoul h.ving much
"nt< · ..,x ero"d'm . Or wilhout routing the", •• m e·sex eroticism Ihrough
the id e"'i,y 1.b"I, lesbian or g.y I'e< m.ny of the penorm.,i", idenmy ,,,.
n~cul..,.. th.t .. en, n'OSt rKogntubly "Hushed" (to u>C p.mc", wonll " 'I,h
""'me cono";ou.""", .nd sh.me '"' .tivity do du.. ertm lnutely around Ie..
bi' n a nd gay worldly s~.,. To namconly. f......, bulch aItjrction. femmi·
'od<. lu,l\<,r. pn .... n •. ling. mll<lC~I"y.Ii."ng. aUiludo. 1~ h",non;, J",n..s·' aomplc SUggU1S. ha. ,u ov.'n. l""'"erfully producti,~ and po••.-. ...
cum. "".. ridsm. s.. .. p! cuhore. wv;o "'~p. f10nd relogiosl(Y; =,.
"'''rd. fuUy soc"'! mclan""'phic poNbtlil..,.
fla'"'..g·
And .«ivism.
SII."", ;n.. ",.", me poluically. ,I\<,n. btc~ust i, g<n"r.'n .. nd kg;"m.,,,,, ,...,f'"
,he pb<~ of !den, il y - Ihe que."on of ,"'n",y - a, "'" orig,n of!he impu b.:: 0"""" <In Pi...,k '" "'" " " _ .._ ... aid ""'J load b<m pobIo>hN -I
,0 ,he ""rforma"',,,. bu. docs SO"'Uhoul ginng "':" idtn,,,y ~ !he ... nd. ~rndy Iwd til< m.n"."o 'Iook ",,·I.r><! """' ...... ""_ .........1 lOr 0I.:I...., ...k.
ing "f.n essen.,.,. h coru,;,u,,,,, " .. 10·be-Corul;'Ul~. ",hich is also '0 "y. ,hor m""",,,my .... of ..... p>d !nu...,..rwl "'nn< ""'>< ~ "'" .....
of "'" .........
<,~" "".., ,I>< m«.,,' /ru, .. , of on< "',I><u .-ob<; ho. btcn ;",', "",d, Ioooog no O<r' p
a • • Iready there for ,he (ne<'c>so ry. produo;'",) mi<con5lru.I."d mi.«:(og.
'" ... ""tity r", m< •• pro(c ... by Ih< ",<1<1<", of my """'5 "'y.wlf hodlh< honou, 10
""iOll Shame-liv;ng. o. il doa. OIl .OO ;n the mu,cI." andnpill.ru:soflhc
oIl<' tII<.;"w" ,1>0 ctwr· ("" ."
f;aa _ KCms 10 be unI'I""ly ront.glOUS from""" p"NOfI '0 >nOthc:r. And
,hc con"giousnas of wme: is only f.oal".,~ by irs .... morphic. proI~an
, 'fh>< _ ",~ ....... 1ht""""''''''<m<IlI'''' .....,."'--~EUPI""I'"
....1f«1. " til< I"""'I?' I·"',.... ~«I from """"""". "No dr.><I\d aid pw,..;, 01
&\,sc'1"ib,lity 10 ""w .xpresstve gro,nn,"rs. ,h <hoJ.I<n .... ,~ ~"h bk..dhound..tId ,1>0 tag 01 • __ .oon <on ...
~ . for ·""".m,,,,,.
1'10"", f. clS .uggc... Ilhink. ,h.. osk;nggood que.llon, .OOUI .ham" .nd ' j udg<, h,,~ be11.rwl I. or it< be.. - (Ar' Jn~ "b ..... .".".nsly """I.., on "'" ..", ......
lh.mc/~rformaliv;ly could gCI UI son""·h,, .. wi,h • kJl of 'h" rer.ldl.an, ~."""", , .... ...<ii, me"'·
(MI< til< Ie"" .........) .<UChor. '" tho ""':J«I po>ttion '" "'"
knoIs ,il:II ,;. the ..... I,... ""0 Ihc gulJ of itkn.ity pob,ica - yt"1 " ilOOUI <It. "<>f""! 11M- or cI.1>< .....u.inll purtU<1 Th< Wf"1, '", """""" "'..,..! "'" "'*'".
icgn,ma.ing the (cit urgency and 1"""'" of ,he l1OlJOr1 ·~n",y· itstlf. The "'''''II' I "",1<1 bt """. ~"""" ..... bod. up .."b til< nuU<!" 0IP"I'P<"T )0 ..... .
dynamICS oftruhing and "fidtological or in,riru,;"";'l pogroms.);1<o. Ihe
01""- """"'....... , m..It. ..-;,h ,I>< ~ pI>r_ "1-#0101.1 I"""""- 01"", 11>:1
.!en ,""'. io "'" '0 ""~ry i"dr bu, ,~ , .... 1"'1"'''' fOm,. 01 ,I><..ric>t mtlodt. ml
d)·n.n"" ... of mourning. arc incomprehensible wi,hou, 'n understanding
• ..oJ .ud""'" . ""1", 11 .""" b.11«1 on (I<>< .,.<M><r) IJJo</t 1"",', CAIo .. Bu, «IIklcnwd
of . han"". Survivors' gu,l •• nd. mO .. !,'encroU)·.!he pol"in of guilt will be .. ,I>< fl'l'P"""Y "',hi> "....",II< ,..., 0<,_ 01 ........ "'" ....,. ...Jurin& ......
benc. understood ,,'hen we un sa Ihcm in sonY rdllIon '0 ..... .sIippery b- )om<>: tint. tb.I! to. dod _ ...... ~'Iip ., til< C,.;t "'or. .n.. br dto<"b•• ,.,
dyn.micaof shon ... I.u~ .hot , he Ame: i5(ruco/"l'" pol"icaofsol><4rnr _I><, p<d>< ... til< •.i<1"5" of /itt ...J bk...:I ....! 'can· _ ' 0 . «>««1- Mo.'«)'
and ,dtn,i/ic.rion: p" ...... ps 'hOK." well. ofhumo...rnJ hu~, I'd (A., .. , ). onrI ......,..j, ,I>< """""",,,«1 b,,, on"" fir""'ir ~ ..~ ~ of
.l",~ if l"'""n. hc.;e.lly. W'n' '0 .uggc.' ,hot 5hame/pcrform.n~;,y m.y g<1 '" OWn. ""ficJ '" "., P"PU'" no<looromllK form;.tId n.J;olon>,
us. 101 fu"h~. with .he dus'~ro{ phenom<:no generally coiled - ""'p· 'h~n
, ... norion of p.arody ".t!!. :and mol1: ' 00 ' .... n "iU any OppOSition be""""n
"dtp<h" and ·surfac • ." AnJ can any""" ... ppos<: .rut " 'c'U .."r figul1: OU,
wh., ha~ around polilinl COfTe<'I ..... if we don', sa it II. among
Olhe' Ih .ngs. a highly pohllctzeJ eh.,n ",.oion of .h,,,,,, d)·n.m;q;'
I, h •• been .11'00 eosy for the psy.. holog .... and Ihe few psych""".ly'"
w","klng on WfTJI' '0 " 'n,,, il b.ck in.o ,he rnoraJl>rru <>f,he "'f""'Si'" hy-
1""""'is: "he.llh)'· or · unMallhy: sh.me can be ..,..n .. good boa""" il
,m
pcnc.""" pn'1ICJ.nJ ~m<)'. bad btc.u~ " coUudu ... ..,If-rep"""'"
or $OC1:>J ""p""ss,on. Clearly. ne;,h", of ,\\est. ,...luarions IS ,,·h.\ l"m g<nong
.,. I w.ttl", say 11,.1 a,le." fu.e.,,,;,, ("qu~cr· ) pc"!'l •.• h.me is 'in'ply
,he fir'S! •• nd rem.iru a I"',m.ncn, ... ruaunng fact of idt!n,,,y , one .ru•.•,
 ehnp"r 2

AROUND THE PERFDKMATlV E :

PER TPERFORMATIVE VICINITIES IN

N INET EENTfI'CEI<TURY

NARRATIVE

Bu!. in • I.'>.",. ..,0..,. ',;r con""t dcdic>te -

wr cannOt coo.«""'""- we C.llIlot hallow this I(rnund.

"Rut. in • IHgcr SCtlS •. v,,, cannot d"diC"~te - we CiUllOl conseCrJle - we

Ca"nOl hall"w thi' ground: I begin with this :Ie",once'$ on. ofth. belt·
known tx.n,plcs of 3 kind of uttennce. a<\\l,lIy '''I)'common. Ih .. seem5
",orth thinking mOre about. Tho unCfJnCO' I explo", in th .. eh.plfr do
nOt fulf,ll the condi,;ons 'hO! 'he Briti.h philosopher J. L. Aust;n ~rtku ·
I.,td in his, l,ssie deseript ion of cxplkit p<rform.livc une..,n,'" prop< rl)" $0
c, lIed. In H~w j(' Do n"'g' wirll I',\",!'. 1he explicit p<rfornlOti'" is • • empli·
n<d in • clu",er of sen,enCe' ;n rhe fi""p<<>,m sin~,'ubr p,..sent mdi"""ve
OCtive .• bout whkh. Auslin "y>, "it seemS dcar,h .. to un.r the :lemence
{in. of course, 'ht "!'Propriot" circumstancc<) is no' 10 J.... rib< my dOing (.
'h;ng] ... or 10 " ... th .. I am doing it: i, is 10 do ;," (6). Eumplcs orth~
AU"ini.n p<'rfOTm.,ivc incl u<k "[ promise: " I bet . . . .- " I bequc"h ... .-
"'I christ en . .. .- '·1 apologize'- "I d,rc you: and " I ..,,,,once )'Qu ... .-
The "''''CnCe' and sentenCt con'pl~~'" I discu .. in 'hi' ch.p'CT do nnt.
a, I "y. f.U in'o this "",egol)' of uno..,n« •. WhO! is distinctive about ,hem .
 t.
:"~.ad. ,is t~t '~ all...... r~ Upl ... p"~ .... t"'" uu~nnas' nQ{, that It.,
"''' ""<lieue or ,," """,by CORS4'<n'~. bu. ""~"""'" dWica ....." ca~
con"'c",,,, Ind""d, it i. beOIl .... they ref.rto ordcKnbt elplki ......r- nor m,."'"
'i""., os much as 1>«."", they sometime> ""8". ,hem. th., thty do 'lOt
,hom..,!...,. f.J! on.o lrull category: thU$. -W,,~. a kick OUt 0( ~in
•hos ground- or · We wish ..... hod comc(r'lcd ,, ' Oll: smtil>rly not p"rf,."
rn •• i,,, un" ... ",..,. """" though (or. J am '''!;g0.,ing. cnClly bteall..,) th
c.plici, ly ",fer '0 cxplid'pcrforn,.,,,,, ultcr,""e••. J am '"'"'' gOIng [0 a:.
mit the AU'linism of ;0.""""8 a "",,' no."., fOr <k kind of uttcl'arIQs I
.n. do;scriblng hoe",: J .."OU.Id like 10 caU them P"nptr/Omu"'ti. "S"ifYing
.h':II. though no< ,hem.d,,,, pcrfornu,;"~. thty all: 4b"., perform" ,,"eS
and, n",,,, properly. ,I,., .hey dm.cr aro""d pr,form"i,,,s.
Why might .hls he.n intorw,ng group'nl) to m.? M r '<gUtd.n,he
in.roduaion. .ilc:n. may be ...1,,0 on .. mply ",,,,.roduang ,he: ~ialifT of
CUR«PU .h.. al'(! C'WIom.nly .hougu of in ' ......porod '~nns, pcq"~5 D.,..
rid~'J and Judi,h 8ullers imr(m~n' dis<;uuioru of perfo,mail.lIf, fOT ~~.
an'rle. I~f\d u, proceed IhlUl,gh analpa of ilJ .empo!'".d comrluuy: i•.
e... ,iorl. ciutionalily. 1M "~ho.'~ ~lr'UJy: thai whole ,-.Ju.>bIc "'ptrt'"'"
of cono:cprual "'""Ie moo.'tmenl5l1u. cndlesoJy WC;n., """un .M (u.,,'"
~nd 1M p.... By rom ...", lhe Ioc,l"" •• of Ih~ pcrip"rfo,m.I"'t "' lodged in
o IIItiaphori'" of 5p. <e. I>criptrfo'm31i,,, UII.n""rs o..,n·, juslabou, P'"
form. Ii"" ullcnnca in • rctf:ffn" ..I ... nstc: Ihq d''''er around tlltm.1hq
aR' ""ar 'Mm or nt.I. 10 lhem or (..,..'ding ~oirut them, IMy .... in the
neighborhood of 011< pcrformolh't. Uk<: the ",·,ghborhood. in "'.1 elWe
ad'.l"'ripc:rfon .. >lh't neighborhoods h.." prtSl'gious <.me .. (.he: uplio.
~rfOTm.Ii"" "II...."".) bUI no "tf)' find <m:umr.:"'n«>: )"'1 lhe: I""fri8"
of ,he: rem.rulcnJ. u"",.,nJy....'to "lIJ""'hnahly Ihrough 1M ..... <.of the
nclghhomood,
h 5«mSICmpllng 10 us<: th~ sp;ui~l regiSlcula way of "ring 10 ..,figu re
.. >me of .h. n\Ofl IIuhbo,n of lhe: issu ... he."lom artlcu",Icd O<dy in tern
porallcnns. In philo$ophocal ducuuoons of pt'rfornu.n-uy proptrc iMuc1.
for ... mpl •. of mimI. of upuk<:. of the "'"'lion of illocull,," 10 ptrlocu-
"on , " 'l"',i.l1>:ed and 10c>lperfor nlalj,;,), jj .1110 hkdy 10 off.r $(Ime neW
COIICel'",al'ool. f<>r moving back .nd forth beN~n 'pe"ch act l!Ieo')' and
dr:Inuturgiocalperfornunc,,: idully. i. m.ghl ....,,, nuk<: room ro..
lalking
abou. pcrfol'nu,,,,, .ff«tt,·,.y in. ""y tho. ,,'OUkl no< ""ntroJuce ",,1><1'
Intenl;o".l or dc$cr1~i...., f.n":I.". h aoo "rike. m. Ih .. ,hi, 'p.llah •• d.
" ".J th e p<'rformo.';",, " f..mewoR. migl" oIfer ~ ""'" ~1WIe and
.r<>" , • )'S1h~n w~'",,- had"" f.r"fpushmg funhe:, wnh III< Ahl>U>KlUn
"",nlO<""''' 11 ·
.""n.
<pi "f ill l"'?" """"
(OIl' me .. an wllh .h~ ALbI;ni.n u:\mplc of Edo", you. Edon: you
_..,--r
g«"
V'Us<lficJcunl>rily.a1ongWllh "'u<_fy•"" protUl.· "du.ll< ngo:. · '" A......
",he' pe-,
nnk'. behaviour and fO,lUn~. and of .nnude. and c~p,c5SlOn. of
, .
"' •
..,..,;0"
ofl'" t.. ... hol;'..... whkh " include lhc notion of . 10
.• "( ~ , 1
..... 0 10 <O"'~O1" ds<:' p,j, conduct or Immlnen, <,,"uuct , - •.
"t".......
Bul 10 do JUOIict 10.M perform.,,.., fore. ".1 ':! !Ill.,,:," ..........--!
as......r-:- '0 "'
_
co, """" .. "'~ function of apressmg attnude<. ""I"nu, d ... mp;>C '
.~.~ " •.~,'" as wdl .. the act of uncr.,l<t. To begin ,,;th . • 1' · ·· h - 1
'''''''g
,ion <> r,h~~ ~ . .
d.", )'()u" "".nsibl)' in,·ol..." Imly .. singular first .nd "'ngular .JCcond per-
,on. il .ffcct ....I1)· depcnds .. well on the .acit denura.ion of lhe: 'p;><e of.
Ihint'pc"",n plural. a-they" of " 'imcS$ - " ...., heror no< 1I,.,..11y praer>t. In
d,ring you to perform lOme f""lhardy .ct (lrllS(' up""" yourstlf ... ",.11
,,', .. y. , Will') , "I" (hypothetically . ingul>r) ncctssanly in'uk •• COn<Cnsus
<>fIll< rye. <>f OIh .... h inhe"" c)"'. through ,,·\tich you risk t...ng..,.", ..,..
,,""; by !he .. nlfe loken. iI ;,: !U people ".1>0 stull' "'ill> me • ro,"cmpt for
....... ma. ,h'lllI<5<' olhen.", inIC'pcIL"cd. wi.h or ,,;t!IOU' ,"'"oonsrnt,
by th. act I h"" pe,formed in d>ringyou .
Now, th~ 1""'1'1•. supposing them ",ol.nd prncnt. may OT m.y not ,n
fKl h"" any inl ...... in "'nctioning against WUWncH- They m,g.,. ind«d.
.... m... h"s!>e " 'ussr and proudofi'. n..y nuy ",;.t, .ctr>"1y 10oppose. so-
d.1 o.der h .."d on ,,""'''mpt for Ill< wuss, Thty ",ay <imply. for""" .....on
"" ."",hcr. n(ltldt:n,ify with "'Y
comemp< for wu"~:S. Ahcm.,i,,,Iy. lhey
m.y ~ .... ptioc.1 of my""n "~I!ding;n tilt ongo... g woron wu!$inc5s: .hey
!my ... un,,,n,ng '0 1c:;r.'C tht won.. of it< .rbll,..'ion '0 me; may "..,.,dc. if
I ".<bur "''' 'mh Itndencict mpclf. perh.ps """.1.01 in my unres.ing "".d
10 IOlt Ih" w.quollcm of OI""'~. For thaI m.ltCr. you )'()u ... lf. lhe PC""'"
da..,cl , may .h~n: ""i.h Ihem '''Y ofthc.e ..... ~iral ...im<klt on .he: .... bJco
and nuyaddlllonally daub!. OT ~ unin.creslnI ,no d,ri •• 0thor11Y 10 dmd'y
you On • >cal" of ""\1SS,,''''''
Thu'. "1 dJ1~ you" inmxcs the p""umption. bUI only Ih. p",ulllption.
of. C.".,...n rus bet""..,n spc.klr.nd "';lJI<SS<:f. and 10 some "".on' t..tw..,,,
.U of thcm and Ihe~. The f>K"'m~1On OS nnbod~ in Iht LICk of
a formub,., ""gall'" ""1"""".0 "''''g dom! or '0 bctng u".rpdb,cd 0$
"'It ... ", '0 ~ d ... · In d.", ;,.n ""plicit peno.n.al"": to not ]I< d>n:d, to un
 d,,,, <.>ncs<lf or .nOlhe •. is like I... 10 , ...... 1M form of "I"'np<rfurm..'i",,: I
w",,', ,~Itt y<>u up "" h. Who "'" )'001 to <1.0", mco? Whoa"", ,,'lut you do",
"'" to do? The fa.a,ullng <lJ1d p""'-.:nul ,t.... of "'P'''''I"'nonm,i"",_
dUo,......... I. dc:mu •. rmunci .. ion. dc:f"«"tion. repu<l,a"on. "C<lUnt "'" c....;
gh'ing ,h. Ii. _ .. mar\;.,.j. in II"....,.. c..'''J irw ...... by ,he ~ynun.tric>l
proper'y "fbeinS much less pro"" '0 bttomins """"ntional ,h,n the "",i.
,i.., perform "i,-e •. T"disime'pdl.,. from 3 peno.m ..;'.., $C.nc WIll u.u.lly
"''t''''''. no. on".he. e'pliri, p"rfo''''3,i,,,, nOr .imply Ihc n~g""'" of on•.
bIll d .. n<lnre .•d "",mi.l act of 'I"'nperfu,-ma'i''''. NeS"ti'''' perform.th",
,end '0 h.,.<: • high ,hreshold of ,"'".,;.",_ {Thus D.nte opt.k$ of refmal_
~..,"'" refusal throush ro-."nlicc - ,"" something -p"t "). If "''tu""" hnlc
p"'",na of mind to lind the comfooubk formula ' 1 d.1", )'0\1: but • good
Ik.l """" for ,he d.... ~ ,."n,,., ,odisimerpdbtc ...,th "Ooo't do" on
my account.-
Not...,h.kss ....,h (.,,' ..,' f'\",,,bl •. arc mack ~,ble by 'he ulle .... occ
il..elf, "nd to th.. eXttnt II i. necess.ry to und ... IJ"d .ny UIS.ance of " I
d"", you" os coIJS,itYling • eri", in ,h. gmund or .~. of .u.hori,y qui ••
.. much.s i, CO"51ituleS. di" ...,. act. for in donng Y"".1n un<lcm klng
through any gi,""n ite ... "on to ",tn$Cribe • framework of p"'sumf'\"'" ",t..-
tion. fl"I()tt dttply.• nd the ... by 10 e ... blish more firmly my""'" ,u'hority
,0 ....".pub.e ,hem. 1J>bce undr ... """.he conscmwl naru", bothofthooc
,."Iu.tlons .nd of my O.... n .u.honty. To h ...... my do", g"""'.,.j ,,"h a peri.
perfilrn'a,i'" wi'TICf.SCS· choru. of - 000', accept the d.1 ... on I)Ur ""roun' "
w<)Uld ..die.lIy .l!cr .hf 10('. .1. ,he poli,k.1. .h e in1r.locutory (I-you.'h")')
'I'J..,"of our encounter. So. In a d,ffe ... ", """y. wl)Uld Y"'" calmly "aom-
pli:shing 'he d.", and coming bock to me. in 'he .p;occ dcmarcned by the
p ..""nre of ,he ..me witntS$ts, with the e~pccu,ion ofmy..-comph.IunS
it.n ,urn.
Or I..... join AUSlin;n ....... ning '0 his fi .., and mo" "'n....... ,..J. "'K"-
ably the founding. =nlplc of.he Clplicit penOl"","'''''': " 'I do (IC_'.u ,Ins
W"""n '0 be my Jay,·fuJ ...."Cddcd ,,·;f.)·- •• utlered m.he cou.... of1M m.,..
rial,'" ceremony " (, ), The: n,am'gc: "."'mot,)"". indeed. JO cent .... lto t""
origins of -perform>ti" ;'Y ' (g'''''' .hc ".-.nS •. dis.o,·ow"d hut u".ttenu • •ed
!,",'I'$is' "nre of lor .....,'","'? in .h.. worl) ,h •• • n..:on. .au .... '. name for
/I"", .0 Du Thing...,I. \\\mu migh' h .." been /1_ ,.. 141 ('" ...,.;,<) ./ d~"
hodmlJ of 'i""...,,""", win.II"S op GM1 m~rr "",,,,rd d... ~ ,.... . ",,.,..d "",.
n..... true both bcca"", most of.he ", do-, (or - ' pronoun« ,hee man and
___ ) in ,he boola ... offered . s enmJ>lc> of,J...
,,' 11< • _
doff"",n' v,-'Y' ,h.ngs can
_
..~ " ';,h pcrform.ll'" u" .... nreo (._g_. bonu ... ,,'. ''''. say. married
., ... ,..... <lJ1d not the <;apt"'" '" ho is conductmg 1M COC ... -
.1""'"" . or;' IS ,he ,.. .
- [ " D' bill c.."", mo ... bee,,,,",, i, is .. =mplcs ,hry .... offered In 1M
o""'Y .
6.. ' pi¥<: - hena ". perform"i,,,ly. ,"Oided to ...... ncc. ,,""" M 0.. Tln'\l:'
"". \\\",11 ,1\",
pe.fo.ms .. lea.... ripk S"OlU'" ""h ""'!'I'ct '0 marri.ge:
in;13tHng mo.mg''''''us he.erosexu.1 d)".dic chun:h. and s,.\c-..oction.,.j
·,,'r .1 the dolinl"on.1 cemer of.n emire philooophical .,.j,Iie•. 11 Y.'
Ill>''' ~
...... the firs, n.,urU.ic device: of th.>., ph,losophy .he el .... of .hongs (<:.g..
rSQI"I.1 ch;;u";lC!ens,>o or object chole..) tha' un preclude or viti:",c m~.·
po!-'
~ge_ And " ronsITUCU 1M pMosophcr hlmKlf. 1M modern Soc ... , ....... a
"",n _ p"'scn'.,.j .. hishly comic: - .... hooc ",t..,ion '0 the marru~:e ''''''. ,,;8
be (HIe of COrIll"'ui,.., .• ~"'ntl)" "I"""'P" •• "'PC:"""" and Y'" of ul"matl:
exeml""""
So. os Felm.n·, work in TIt. til,.",»' S"..m. /1« ronfi rnlS. the " 'e,,-d cen_
trality of the m'l'ri.g~ cumpte for pc:rfo.m.,il-i.y in g"n~r.1 i",'t enoly"
Ii gn •ha, t hi~ tni" of ,II< ,ugh. is fo.edoomed to otu lfitinlloo In 5<xu.1 onho-
doly. Au>Lin keeps goinS M elto ,h.. formul, "fil"S"persort slngu~. p"'sen •
indio.h,,~cti"": And . he nurn.ge: =mpk: mili. me wonde •• I>ou,!be
'pp"rcJ111y ,,:.. unl w.y the tin'·pcnon >pe>king. K\U'g. and poonllng ...b -
;m. g... comtitu,cd in rna..,.I," ,hrough. ronfiJ"nl 'W. lto .....'c au·
.hom}'. ,hrough the calm .n,erpellation of ",hen ~n' •• "w.,,"".....:
."d . hr",'gh thel<.>gic of the {hc.eroKXU.l )supplcmem whereby ind,,;dual
. ubj«';"" agenc), is b'UJr.ntced by .he welding tnto' cross-gend •• dyad.
The ... bjen of "t do " ' s an "1- only iI1$<Jf.r •• he or she . ....1111 in becoming
1"" I1f . . .nctioncd. cross·gende. - we" SO const;,u,cd '" , ..... f""C5<I>Ce of a
-'hey": anJ lhe I "Jocs. - or h .. 'S"1lCJ In the m." ... r. only by ",u. lly mysti-
P""'''''
fying.,-, ....",;de..llfic•• ion v,ith 'he: (for ","Inch no pronoun ohultJS)
of >Ute <lJ1d fn:quently of rhun:h .
The m.nUS" .umplc. 5<1f....idcnlly. ,,"111.trike a queer .... drr.' """'"
Ill<It"C obIiqu~ '''Slc or ."gl ..... Person< who ••:iridenllfy . s quttl" ,,-ill be
lho..c wh",. subjoCtlv,,), ij lodged in ",fu..1s or deflections of (or brl ,he
logic of . he he,.rooexu .1 supplement, in f.r Ie...in.pk • .-.oci. ,ions . nach·
ing '0 S' .. e , u'honty .nd ro1iglou' !3J1Ction; ;n f.r Ie .. co"'placent ",I.,;"n
'0 ,h ..... i.n ..... of other" The cmc'"S"ncc of ,he lir" 1"'''''''' of ,he .<inguL. •.
of, h•• cti,..,. and of the ind;,-;,,,,,,, .'" all 'tucnioN ... ,he' 'han presu mpriono
for 'tll<.'er perf""",,, i"it y_
 Any quo:c, W"'.>"'SI"'gg!cd '0 anin.il ••~ IU frit:nds or f~mdy "'by he: or
<M ""'"" them bul jusl J.,...,,) ''''~I 10 Irr~, I~n. ,.....u'''l kno-o.. from
,he !poti.lized d yn.tmicof compulsory wi'"eSSlha, 'he mor,,~~.. u,emon~
'lUi""
;nv<,k« . CompullOry w;lneSlS n01 Jus, ;n ,he::IC'nR ,h., you .",,,'1 .lIowcd
10 .men. YOUr:l('lf, bu. III .... w.y r1.., • much fuU .... me''''''g of " ..itnQs"
(. fuller.,.,.. ,ha" Au ..", ......" ."'.,,) gel< .C1n·.,W in .his protOl)'p"a1 pn.
form.",,,. I, i. thc constituUon Q/" . community Q/" W'tnCS$ ,h.. In . kes 'he
tn .. ri.~;.,: the sil.nee of w;tnc .. (we don', 'p<:.k no.... we fo",'", hold OUr
puce) ,h.. p<:nni" it: the b."" ""g"""', "",en, bu, undiKn'tOO<'JU)' spttch
act of one', phpoul presoen« - nu)"bt ...."'" aptrioolly .... pn:M:1"I« of""""
pc:ople ",hom ,he ",.. imUon Q/" n,.,ri'ge defines ' ...... I( by ""duding- that
ratifies .nd ",eru,tJ thc legit,,,,,,,,y of its pnvilcge.
And 10 . "end, aJ we h.,,, bten he",. 10 ,he: ~,ialized <ok of ""i',,",
in roNtituting the ",1.,ion:aJ "iciJmy of the ~h :loCI: ..-he", <loa tha,
get us bu, 10 ,he topK of nurri.ge ,......If 4t the.,er _ marri'ge .1 • kind of
fon"h ",. 11 or ;,w'lible pr<H<cniutn arch tha' rnO'l<!S 'hmugh Ih. " '"rid (.
he'cro"""".1 rouplc .. cu'" in their righ' '0 hold h.nds in ,he """',). e.....
'inu.lly reoritn,ing .round i~lf .... surrounding ",Lni"'n. of vlSibiU,y and
'pec,.,orship, of d .. txi •• nd the ""Plied. of <he possibilityor im possibility
or. s;""n pc:rson '• • nicul3Iing. S""n enunci.,ory pMi'ion~ M.rriage ;.n',
""'''''gr,&'",
.l w. )"' nell . bu,;, i, .rue 'h" I. ltJ """." lik~ " pl~y. "'"rri"g<:
~.;ru in .nd for II", eyes of Olht:rs. Orw: of the ....".. inr:r.Id,c;able IOIk boo·
lien of'he "",mc:d S«ms 1o boo lhat ,I IS no ",.ne-r.of-f:loCl ,hOng, bu. rather
"g"'"' privil~gc (or .n)'OI1~ 01.., 10 bthald. " 'eddmg or. ",.rried roupI~
or 10 bo< pri vy 10 ,he,r ..... ".,lJ-;nd "ding opprosi •.,. o r .bu,i,,, soc"',,, the
pon.ble pUPPC:' 'h,,",e.ofPuoch .nd Judy. bu, .Iso ,he .00..'1 open _
of the "h.ppy m.rri>.g<:_" un ,he rno>$t <om'flll .... :aJ ... finll .... of . ploy.
",.ni.S" IS romrituted 0•• 'p«!xle th., den;eJ ,,. .u<\Jmtt the . bi!i'y
either '0 look .w.y from i, or equ.lly '0 ;n''''''''l1( in it.
ll ll<:n 'he .prn~mology of m.ril>1 ",I.,ion rom'nu .. '0 b<e profoundly
" •• rpcd by the force ~rld of lhe ""nloJ pr<IICC,,,um. Acqu .... ng ...orldIy ..-...
dom ronsi;u in, "mong othe, 'hin8'. building up " us.;oble "'PC:"OO'" of.po'
thegm•• Iong ,he lon .. 0(' Don ', "'pe" '0 be (o.-g;"",n n .... if )"W »y u, your
fri"Tld X. "I'm gl.d you ,,,,,0 h..", broken up: I n....". loud <he w.y Ylrea,ed
you '''y'''"''y" "nd your friornd "nd Y<hen g<"I b.ck Iogo:thcr. !-oow(,,,r bric:fly.
lIuI "00: Don', ""pc:.:o '0 Icnc- .. ha ... nOf'l"'mng or gomg IU happen boo·
'Wern X ond Y on lhe I»,i. of ",h" t X .. U. you IS going on, or"'t:-n on ,he
I
of Io>qoo.-cy or snrify>ng Kend rha. nl<ly b<e gnung 5l:Iged ,n ont
bW"
".-")",.. .
-~hcr "for ....... beru:~, "( Not, ofooo ..... tnol any Kl",,1 bc...Ii,
~ ,--
.U<-". '" )'-''' from ,hem.)
":'Think of.lI ,h" Vk,orian ~Ls "'hose ,..u.1 pi<>< clJm.. u. r>OI in the
.......' of .><Iull"ry. bu, in the moment ",hcn the prose"';u", :m:h of lhe
mOO "'" 0<. ho"'••,~tl<:ruci.un .. ' dl'.-p1><:ed: " 'hen the fiKI of. flUrri.agt"·.
",>tn" .. - b' •
• I'I',,,"SS , ..SCI 10 be a p:lC'UdoseCrcl or.n "pen ","efCI .nd beeom..
u,·"a _ '
. bond of m u,u, ln y witl. """,W'''' OUlJ.dr ,hc ",.rn.ge: ",hen ...-om.n
~, or in,illlates tor"1IClhmg obotI, "ner nurn.g<:" '0. friend or 10>", rha,
<he .."(IUld no< -uy 10 he. huoband. Tht-... ",amtngtmm" of pcnorma"''''
,'1<""IY lend 10 be ,II<: "'0>1 ",r.Kklng and eplSltnlOlogi<:~1!y ,II<: -bigg<:It"
mom"" .. Of,M ""rriage novt:l. Such ~ tc~' , Ih~" . • Lsowns,,,UI .. an c. plo·
..lion 01 ,nc possible grounds "nd pc:rforrn.uw "",enl,.1 of pc:riperform.·
,......... f.... l:5. frxtu",., ...,,<pinS' of ,ne mobole proonon,um of mari!;l/ " ....
~.
The emire plO! of Henry J''''ci. n.. Gol,r ... Bew/. for ins,an,c. is .. me ·
,u",d by an Clltr..ordin.ry pc:npcrformau,,, .,-;, utre",d by Ch.rloue S"n{
10 Pnnce Amerigo, II<:r CI·Io>-.:r, ""hen sl-IC h:lf persu.ded tum to >prnd :an
.fiern""" aJoo", ... Jlh hcr on ,he ~vc o fm. marri.ge 10 , nI",",r "''OmlJn.
- I J",,', c. ",,, h., you m,ku,(it . • nd I dun't .,lony,hing "+o..",,.o[you -
.ny,hing bul 1M. 1 .... n. '0 N'''' oaid ;,-tho, '• • 11; 1 wonl no< 10 Iu...- foiled
lO .. y iI . To _,.... once.nd bt ...nh you. '0 bt ...." an: ....... arod ......
USO<I '0 be, fur OlIO "". n hour or soy lOr ''''O_ lhat". ,,"h>t 1 h"'" t..d fur
"'«'u in my ""d. 1 me.n, of <Ourst , 1o g.. il "'forr- bd"", wh" )"QJJ''''
go"'g'o do. T""" "'''>1 r... got. T1W iI. ......., I shaU . 1"-' 1.h"", Th ..
is wlu.I I lhoulJ ha .. mioKd, of rou ....: <he purSued, -of you h.ulchoson
'0 "'.u ..... "',.. i•. . I hoJ.o ,.u the n.... WeD, you'",.n 1could h"'"
l>Op<d. n", ', ,,,h,, I "'., '0 h"'" ..id. I didn', " ... " "mply ,n IP "'y Ii"...
wi,h you. bu,l ,,·.nl<d you '" know. I ,,·.n'W you" _,II<: keF" " up, o/",,'ly,
softly, ,n,h • omolI unnorof voi«. bu, ...>thout tht leaM [.,JUrt of..".. or
"qu<l1tt _ -, """"ed)VU 10 undr",.nd. ! ..--m,ed you. tho, ... '0 htar 1
,lot., co .... I ,h,n' . ...1I<:,htr you und..-",. nd <It ""'. If! ..k "",hHIS of y"" I
<1<""" _ 1 ",-,yn', - os>: <vcn II<> much o. ,h .. , Wh .. you may 'hink of m. _
,Ito, ~'I in ,110 Ie... ",-,,,or Wh>. 1 w .... is .Iu." ~U ;aIw.ys 110 ,,"'h
}"OU-IO ,h., you'U ""'''' 110 able qu"c .0 gn nd of it oN, 1 J..L I ....,... '
"r 'h" y"" dod you flU)' nI>l« .. ];Ille: of'N''')vu hke aut .hotl ...-••
 "'"""""h you wI>< ... "", ... ,nd ., "''' .... _ 1ju>t "'l'lI1g ,h,,, _11>:,,', <ilL"
(~J ~)
Th~ ot'~"""OU' C1rcul~nly of e ... .tOtt~'$ p<'ripc:rfor"",",,,, .. ntt~ C I
"".,1 ro .....'" s;oid 11-''''1'. all. 1,,·.anl not 10....'" faile<!lo $;Iy it ... ...., 1
"'.... 1><", wllh you ",-he... "'" a", .00 ... .....,.'" 1JUS! ")"Lng Ih ..") 1"'''''
in
a ro'''plin'ed rtb,ion 10 1M ~m'''''", ulI~r.tKt of'M """rug<: ''OW
,ooulloOC<'Ur. C....tOUt 1><", fores,.U. and d1Sp1OU$11\( I'ntKt·. marri;og.:
\'0\\' bur w"hout ., .ll"""""ting it. H~r p""pt""r",.,,,,,, is 00 rtp"tiliou,;
and lruL'lt.n, bec.use she nn'l JUst fill in Ih. bI.nlcs of som. prttXUl ing
pcrfo",,,,i,,,, «>","''''ion, bul ..nh", mus, m""'" cl.bor.,01)· .thwart il. in
e,'N''''!: • ,"once , me , She parodies «n.;n f.aru"" of Ihe m .. n.ge \"Ow.
i" p. nieu!>r, 'he ,lippery int'phd,n"" wilh " 'hieh, '" ""h c' ''', .n'<:I of
ul'~r:t"« n"ke, II..: d.im borh '0 "'p"' .... "t ,ltd 10 ""bsun,~ a ""mot;,..,
o(un'p«;fie<! ~xu.1 acts(" J did [it l_,. J "..,.,', oay th.t)"'ll did (i,n, 5M
also ",aur II..: mllSC of, cntain I"',hos ("J lion', uk anything ...-h;o' evcr of
you") in h<-r d .... tKt from th~ ~pluou1logic of1M belcronoo-rnOfh",
suppkment: ~ 'genc)" of h~r '1" ~r 1$Il', '0 ~ gu.rantce<! bya_Mr
echoing·1 00· ,h.. ,,-ill coruriru.. i, n'tr!lXli,,,ly ""h", • subl< . ",..,." Rut
this ullOSlcd·on "obrian of (M ungu..,..anlccd "I" .bo ent.ils a Imrly im-
plicil ,h"", of oau.1 bLocbnail ("I ,,,,", .Illy [righ' I1(M'J Ih;ol )..... did [itn
I' unhermo"" Ch.n.xlt pl.cc, t..,rselrli'mly In a Gothic lradilion (think
of H< M~"" or F"'nlmtsl(i~) "tit", v.ri.n. allusio", 10 the nWTng< ,,"""
f"nCllon .. mJledini'"" Or curses, nt<Wing diagon.lly Ihrough li= .nd
'p.cc .110 1pn' •..,ming n.. m.ge but poisoning It.p""pt:nlve1y. ,elroactively.
Ihrough 5Om~ u"eXJ'<nM ~dh..ion of hl~,.ln<51tO 'he suppot.ctl-to-ht.
mobilc pc:rform.'h'C "~"'ifieT. Wi.h ,h .. speech , eh. t1ouc S,ant h.. done
"-h,, ... ~ OUI oo -and i, ', • lot -10 ;mull t..,,,,,,.,, ". " as a kind of pt''''''_
ncm ,hum OO"O$S Ihe ""'maS" f""'SCen,um, mining Ut< ,1ubnoId of who
nn or mu" or- nn', or mayn', regan! ,I>< dranu of " ......... hf~; ,..Iuch - . ",
.'" ou", _ '0 lit ronotl,ute<! annd by 'M .... mlpublic. ronJup· ..."'· ,''',
mc .... :lrlddocst,·,=.an ,he p""'"r of.t.., 'U't.
I hope my .... mpl .. from the Wtly>burg AdJress.nd Thr (;.,ldn; &nil
will ,ulliof,nlly h.,,, ilIuSlra,e<! .norh<r poon, .boo,
lhe nrighbomood of
II>< pc:rfurm.",.." th.1 lhough II has a cen'e' and a pc:nphcry. 'M 'P"-,,..r
logic of .he pcnpcrfor"""i'-': is nO! a logic nf ."nple ."enu>.ion. Tha' is.
. Ithough the p"'>1iS" of ,I" neighborhood COllIeS from it> pnnirru'y to
." ~~rhd, pt-rfo,m •• i,,,,.th.l p"':IIige. or m.y '''y Ihal rhclarial lOre•.
d<tc1 IIOt d,nlini,h .Iong.n ",-.:n gradient from perfor"""i,.., OOm<1" 10 peri-
pcrfurm.,,,,,, <'<4,"', Ra,her. 'h< .... Iorical force u,...fifs or concmtra... In
unl"'"dK"!'bIc: du.( .... OI.llcropo. grokIg",.I,,,,,,Ig.I\U. Henc. 1M alfumy
of'''" pt"rrperf",,,,,,uw for 1M m",b".p~nlum, 'M iuncran' "'S". II..
.r.splocubk •hn:shold. Hencr. '00. """"',,",,,,. lhe ponicul.r kind ofordm.ut·
""" of ,"" peripcrform.,;,-.: u'l~r.tKt _ .bou, ",-hoch, as con'rasted "ilh
,he t~plocil perform.,;,,,,, I hope no one will""" 'gonize .,.,'O,.t.., 9uation
of ",hr,her a I,,,,,<ul •• ..,menee is or isn·l. If a "'nle.... """nd< as 'hough
1('I'ftIb.bly pcnpcrform,'i,.. , ,hen i, '1 prob.tbly ptriptrform.,i,,, _ .nd
""ny, II"nl" SCntence. of .11 sons.", 00, '!lIe pcrip<'rform.,i"" is ·on!in.ry
I."~~,,gc" ,,,,dc.
Ihc won!,,,.-orthian 0' e",~)li." und."landing ,h~1 Ihe
"""' ord;nary things for 1anguag~ '0 b(,'n' compl6, helcf'Oj)cnMUS. re.
fl<..:!I"" mob Ile. powerful. anJ e,,,,n eloquent.
In f.. t, one of It.., d«ade.-Iong ob5eloSlOnS Ih., mO",.. ,.,. lhis projc-<t
for nle it ho,,·,t.., frankly miIt'd n~ighborhood de6""d by, bul not limited
'0. It.., ptrfor""'fh'O nn b(, 1M silt of f'O"'"<1"ful.""q;;'" ,h;o, o/i..", "--'rp.
tr.nsform. ",00 dupbce. iftbq do not OI"enhrow, the .... ppoot<Iau'!torU.
"'g oomrahry of lIul ..11lC p<'rfur"""""e. Of COUIV. Ih .. eh.ain of ~n'
"""" ,h.n fl,m "'Ith 1M J''''-dropping ,.otology ,ha".o .. y :onything~'
,II In,c"'"mg 0, unlnteresling -:lbou, p<'rfor"",'ivt untt""'~ i, often
will b(, ncee,,""ry !O {onSlruc' .... "'.IIC~I ,h., ,.Ik .boul ptrfor"",'"" ull"'-
'1IftS. 1101 I am nOl ",c,I)' tx"t..,,,,d by ,h~ ob\'!ousne" of litis. Th" uplici,
p<rfi"'nalh'~ , ., Or.nd. demon" .. I•• , offe" 1\",lfin the form oflraru;pdf-
c,,' ~If rCrcr""'ialiIY . nd pu", ",If prel<'n"e. whil. ill force ~c<wllydel"'nd,
0". ,.dl ciution urp",l.nd [u'u'" .nd.n ",eluded rtli;"'lICt '0 a .p.cc
beyond 1... lf, The pcriperfonn.,;''O. by mnlraSl, is OI"'nly .11o.d,,,,n.i.1
berltfl' i, i. ''')'lh'''g cI,.,. And I don', think we ~Id mul1lC Ut.1 We undu.
St.nd m ad.."d"'e. U il ,,-tn: by analog)' or- by simple """,...1, wh .. nn IMn
be ,'''' dfm. of ,t.., ""'8 of ..,Ir-",fcrt.... only half-con.:...kd m IU tail.'
In George Eliot', Dtt~id o.r.-/.J, fOr c.umplt. "''''' .... 1M cn&<tal pm
I'Ctfunn'l n'" in'cn"nlion OC<'Ur< 'M "'''nmg after the m.rriage ""'" ... ,t.."
lhan ,he afternoon IItforr II.lydia G~r"s Ie"c' 10 Cw.nJoIm, hke e ....-
int,.'.<pttrh 10 'h< Prinee in TItt (;.,U", Bowl, ctICom.mbul..,,,. a ,,·ide
"n~ of pc'(o.-m>li'"e OCt"" 111..... 0 n'Crui, • ptn""rform.ri'" fot-n, lju,
n\ .. ~ ch.lle"Ho Ille 'pp"",nlly bbnd, ~ffo"lc" .• u'horited ptrformati,.." . ,
<\0. lydi,\, who h., oc"n (he nu.lre .. ofCwcndolcn', new hu,b>nd C ... nd-
.lIO.oJ .ltr l'nfo'",~'iw 7'
 wun. W"te,1n a n"le fo,Cwcndolen endosc:d " ' ilh the Grandcoun {amil (an Oldy l>< I"'rformcd by peflOtlS: II. wn,,,,, -""d """iou,ly tn OU'~'
di.mond" Y ' of .. pliol l"'rf"rm .. i~ell thr UII"",' n,u" be: thcl"'rfom,cr- (60). fOLl-
ou ld,.'" ~1.1'1:I". ""<0""""<1"". pcSychoanalylK. ond OIher l'tC.m ,he<>-
Tht... di.mo"ds. "Iokh ... en: one.. givtn with anlont """ to lydia
C~her. """ I"'~ on '0 you Yo<> Iu,.. brokm """T ,,-.;ml to her tlut
,-- .
m'ghl f'OU"" ,,'h., on«' waf hen, Pctlups you think olb...ng h;oppy... she
"'" ro,;'JI rroi«'l II.." b.:oltrl'Cd at the ,;,:If·c:vide"", of that """'"tOU>iy."'
Mrs. CI.she" l"'rip<'"t>rm.l;vc ...,Iulloo. on ,he ",her hand. requires
.nd ~li~'u no tkmyottfytng ~ruc"on of,,,"'ncy by .nyone else_
on«' wu, and ofh»'mgM.uliful childn:n ouch a. he ... "00 ...ill thrw, hen
"11",,", d,.nlt)tLd •. wh "h "'cre 0t>Ce gio..", wnh o""'nt love to Lydia Glasher.
.. ido God .. 100 jwI for ,h;ot n.. nun you h;oo,.. rrurric'd has • ",Iho:u.d
she pa<OC< "" '0 you-: note lhe f"SS"'" ,,*c thol elida tilt origm ofLbc
hun. His l>e>1 young 1O'I't n. mint: you t'OOIld TIlII uk. tlul hom mr ,,'b.n
you took .he:,..,., II is lit.,..but I am the: g......... ",horh you. <banee '" ,hlmOOds; note the .......,nun: ofAT'St 1"'''''''' b)·thtrd 1"'''''''' (,,-hen: the tl-
pltClt I"'rf",m .. "," requtm .11I'OOSt tilt "PP"'''':
1M ront\c.,...ltOn of thrnJ-
Iu~ is bum .....'tU .. mine. You had you. "~. You h;o,.. mo...r,
'0 inju ... me and my <holdnn. He had ....an, to marry' ..... Ht .."OUld ~.,
pcroon ro...:..,.
.n " Arsl I"'rsoII Utle"'''''''): rt(IIt 'M LJl\,"""", In Lbc word
onltr of .wbJoect and ob:I«t. 50 lhal the diun"nd. IM ...... I,'" ....... dy:lttm
m.rric'd mo 01 lui. if)'OU had not l>roIttn your ..-.:.rd. You will h;oo,.. )'OII '
10 >"11> tn: an o:oril!'1 tn! and unc:anny .gency: nott thr double displaottm<:n'
I"'niohmont. I do..... ;, ,,·tth aU my lito"
,ht dLln>O<l<b . ".., ... given- Io I.yd" Clasher. but.he only -p.ust'S- ,hem
Shon you likt '0 .. <&lid MfOre )'OUr h~ ",,11 ,t.t.t tUrnonth
......g to C,,·c nOOkn) .hal (""'gmund Lhr n.attrialand leg_I probknu<ia
on you. <&lid Ihtsc ........... of'millC' in Ius d>ought> <&lid you ..? .• rOIl tooi
him wn" your .,....op<n. n.. ..illlng "'IOr\g,..., 1=.. dont mo ...-ilI br,...,r
of how ~ ,,'onl:ln "'~y be s.id rllhc. II, ""' 1'1 or 10 Ir"""""
pn>pC=r1y_ And
.",h ,echnique. utfnd throoghout .hI: kLttT.
"'''t, (.,:.6)
Likt her n'gn:lto, Eurip,deJ' Mc-d<:. wea>'mg • 1""......,.1 gown for he.
Th;, proS( .Iludes to ~ g"'" numlltrof txplkit p<"Qrmali.., Sf't""h acts: a hush:tnd J'" "'" !ICW bri~, Mrs. CI.",,,, "'quin:. a m.lcria!is. ,<dzni that
p. om"", • OJTSe. a ,,·.. nmg. a m.m.gt ''OW... rommltment to 1M gu,..,. a w,1I v;"hly.•",,,. oiolcmly. yoltc t .... ., J,n~nnll OIltolog,etll<:\..!i 'ogcrhc •.
d.~d of gift, ItlipilC uf e""ry oppt'nunilY and. it would st"cm. "''try mdu<c- ,h,. w,lI ~emcn'lht forer of. OJ,.,., to til" pbyoiCtl bod)' of. gift, th~ gift
m"m 10 do ...,. holO"w" n >lrielly ... f.., ;"s from prod"<'"g .ny of'them in of, babi' . ,,(something '0 wu,. fl'I)m wh",h the poison will thC1l 'p"'.d by
lhe lim,!"'r...,"I;ngul•• f>R''''''1 indiC'li,.. act;'" fnnn ,hat would signal . ,""cer oi';;" i,)' WII,,:b i! i"deed ,he clf""t of Ih', gift/OJ"'" on Cwtndolcn:
perfor",.t;,.. . ct, I ~uppo>c "'0>1 ",:Id.... "'",embering IMftirl DttmtJ~ .nd
She "', for, 10Tlg whil •. knowing Iml<o n""" .hm that .he "'as feeling ,ii,
tryi" g 1(> gi"" ." acCoy", or~'I rs. Cl,.hcrs lello •. would w.nt to pa"phr.se
.tld that th"'" wn"",, word. kept "'I"'''ing .l><n""l""" in her.
il as ..,ying ""m"lhing Itkc "1 gIV" you ,h" diamonds . • nd r OJne you-; y.t
Truly h ..... "·c""l",,,n,,oJscm,. and ,he: poison IudC1l,~reJ illlo thispoor
the leuer ,,~"'I to ..,tne Iynt~"ir kn,,~h. to "'Oid "Ih... formulnion and to
pre .. m i,,;,:lfinllo.d in tM frankly composilc. mock'conomh" form of' ,he )'IIu "g <"'.,""'.
Af.. "hat lonG whiie.them""." t.p .. tht door ,nd C,.ndt:oun .".. red.
I"'ril"'rform"uvc. 11'1 not euy to s.y ,,'Ily tM.c I"'ril"'"",molO'''' would
d... ... d for d,n"cr, 1"hc S,ghl of him broughl :l ~ ...""'" shock. :and
hen: ~ '"0"" potcntlh.n II>< I"'rfornlative f'TOP"" On. n:uon mighl ~
GWcndo["n ... ",.,,,,,d .".n o"d ag .. n ,.-It" "pttrica! vioImcc. H. had ""'-
.hat ,hey dram:nitt (""11 .. Ne>l Htn . n:r;,,, 10 u J 1M pa.1>o$ of u"" ...... n
ptaod '0 st. lit, d"",,,,,, 0".1 .. n,ll1'g. IT.J)' '0 lit led doom. H~ .a.... her
."",ney. ""hc. III ... occru,hng it as 1M ,""pI;"'1 pcrfurnu,,,," .1""", mus<.
pallid .• hriek ing .. j, ...,mcd ,,·,,11 ,......,... Iht ;.",,10 ..... ttcrrd around ht ..,,,,
.~ ... tm ht".,.,lf.• f, •• all. lend, '" t",al 1M $ptw., as"TIoC)'" .. If-,,,i<\eJlI.
as ,f he 0, .h. wen: all but ''''''''CIUI>," al lea". ront"'UOU$ _ ,,~th ,iIt
' ht Hoor "".as".
A, of m.t!nc»)
In oomr IOrm Of otht •• IM: Furta h.J crosstd II.. tIunhoId. 401;'
p""''t. by wh"''' lhe tnd,vklua! spc""h act is init;.,ed and a .. ,horiznI,.nd
may ~ .nforred. ( In.he rnosI au"m.....mpIe. "'" Ottm5 '0 suggcs< th:I, The bn-... h'ng of die ",oril.1 IhrW>old by .hI: Funes. lhe in\'OCOtoon by
war .. wha, hal'l"'tU when ,nd"'Id,,a! "'UlI.no tk<:b"'''·... (''''. '}tin
-Action< Lytl .. of C " 'c nJolcn -.. ond(ingl iItf""" your hwhm.! ",,,h , ...... di:amonds
 un you. 1I1d ,h~$C: ",ords o( m t!1~ in h,s though!> .nd you,..: aUc>I Sloll;.
d~"'ly to ,h~ I",,'..,,"ul ~p~'i.1 w.rping effected by Lydia'S peripctfo.-"",.
*.. yoking o( thc illocution,ry . m - Ihe gil1. 11>0 ru....,-in lhe ""~
t "" 0
"i<"inlly 0(. Iblrd illoru!IOlI.ry;an · lilt- ""'m' ge "",,'.
Rut the compoundIng of ilIoculion.ry ref=nn: i" Lydi.'s Iette. dotn.
orutnlc •• fut""'r dllference bo:,woonl th~ c.pbcir periOrm.:""'e and Ih(
peripctform",W'. The (or«, III<: "h_ppm"", - 1M ,nU$ioo o ( Jdf.rd"ern ni;ol
I.... rup.a~n<y ,n ,II<: e.;pbell performam" aU I"C<l'urc 111;11 ~Iocution be. i f
noo "imple 'hlng~~.f'" i, an """". he lhal_,hen a( least ~1v."2\"
• •
""'g\e dung. If, "'''h a" ...<plio, perfomu",,,. I.m promISing. then I can.
no! (al , .... k-vrl ofilloxuuon ) abo bt (hrc~tcn>ng: if my illocuuon IS one of
donan"g, It.." it ;, no! OM o( cu .... ng. To be "'..... td in , .... d",U1Cl""~
of , .... ~.pl.C1! periOrm.u,,,, ""'Iulln , .... bamsh"""n' of the.., compound.
ing acts (0 som~ 11:\..,1 Ol ..... ,h." 1.... lk6nUlg...,. of illocution_llq rru:y
be COlUlltd ''''''''g1M perioo>llotury tffi.,. of my >J"'<'ch act (bu, then.
50 mighl surh u,""ontroll.bk eonlin~" m)" Jh,o.o."nng you "i,b SI'"
",hile !pe.k"'g, or .nnoying you by my rcscrnbUnc., 10 your""-.:nlh -grulc
h",ory I~ .. he.). O r Ih~ wmpoundUlg;>(IJ ""'y b<: grouped ","h (he emo.
tion. I might fccl as I perr. ... m , .... !perch ..:t; bul ,h •• :. quit" • ""motion
'<>0, for il i, of ,h •• $$C:r ...~ of Ihe cf>nCcp< of pe.funn~m" ;lC" '0 J ..1ini
,h... fOl"Ct" «>fIClulh..,Jy f"n" ,t.. psychologk.! ques'ion of ",h.t feel",&,
I m.y ~'pcricnrC'1 1 pcrflJ.m ,hem. N,~ iIloculio" i. ",h.", Ihe .nion is.
", ie." "'he", lhe ~pecch oe! IS, In Ihc vietn"y orthe pcrfom",h"_and.
fn' Ihl' explicit pc"ol'mativt', ,h .. Itnn 11m;, ",em. (0 lit ono illoeu,jon pcr
""map". 'hcn, .nOlh~r " ..."'" ,h. peril"""orm.,i,,, doc. nOl "fttSSarily
rep",,·nl. diminulim, '" foro: from lho .. plic" pcrfornu'i,,, 10 wbkh i,
",f~,., is thll,""Ii•• the nplieill"""ornmi'''' it con In,d~ (if no! p,mici-
1"'" fuUy in) the fom: ufmon: Ih.n one Illocullon'ry;an And ,h,. ~lfcct.
too. h., to do .... i(h lhe sl""i.1111 O(IM pcrlpnform."~c _ IO "'" u te"'
[h.,. as 1m, n,,", rh.I"~' " '111 dl><"U" .• 'f"li.1 reglst..-Ius >0 much more
'I""U<l<: fo ...,.logic rep<nCnt"IOI1, in ronl .... " 'Olhe on,'olf. dig,t>! "1"'"
$Cm"lOn .... , ....,m. U) go .... IIh. lemporal ..-g;',• •. If the pcripetform.,i,,"
;, ,h. ncighbori>ood of" perfortn;l'''''. 1....'" !TUghl .."U be another pcr/Oo'
m ..i •.., ntighhorbood no! "" '''ry f.r 011" to , .... nonh or nonh"'tA of this
<>nt; U I .mlW fmho. from , .... mother look of my _." ""'ighborhood.
"""" " .. Jlc nlaY . 1"" (",",b1. wi,h Ihe .d.lcd m.gnetism of .nolhrT
",,".0
"".rer,
_.·... s ",,"er 10 ",hlrh I am the"'by
"~m" """
1I ,l." )tentS '0 ",e Ihat Ih. po:npc""'"'" i,,, d,n",,,.ion - .nd oddly, J>lSI.
r .S " 1",'Ok•• the il""i.1 .nd thc analogic - .00 h .. mon: '1";,,,<1<:
,~, I
, ,,~nli<:1t pc"o,m.",,, for "'glSlcnng h",,,.,.;.,.1 <h.ng<. By coou·...
~
I""n 1"
10 ,ht P',(or",.,""" 1M perip<riOrm.,,,,, ;, ,he mod<: '" which pcopk may
in'okc ,11ocu'iQn.;II)' acl$ .n 'M e.;pliol ronl,",' of OIM. iOocutionaTJ Kt$.
" .•.
..... " COn .1... acrompll>h ..,."."hlOg t(JlOo..rd undoing .... , f"..flll rdi·
an« of "'rhe" pcrfornu"""y on ,lit trtrrIp/Ary. on 1.... 1ingl~ aampk -
"'h",h SO oticn h.os mo:.n" for iMan«:. in 'M COnI.ngc""Y of pIulooopI>i<2I
.nJ ht.,..')' p...etl«". 'M =mpl.ri,y of ,t.. "",mage act ,,,,,,If. E,,,,, ,,"hen.
., ,hi;[ ""'pi c. luclf doo:s. ,h. penpcrform.""" ,nslsu on perpetualing 1M
I"">I'&C of marri.gt as a lkfin"'g Iocu. of ..... ,onal cffi<:lcy, il non'''MksI
h.u 1M I'fOP"ny 01 ske,ch"'g In " dlffcn:ntialand multidU"tCtlonal surmund
II», II1'Y (h~ "g~ ~nd d... ma"u ilJ me.nutgs and dr«tJ.
1'd Ilkt he", 10 1001< hritfiy., lho: dynamics ofw"', m .... COUnt:U one
of .ht n~ eon\~nlional, """" ""htle II "'''''''M fur ,oI11~ ",ader.; .mong
[M mos' elcctnf)'u'sly I'",onl . of Vicf<ln;on peripcrfOTmati'" 'opoi: I"" is,
lho: o"e Ih., yokts 1osc,her (h. rerfor"'~lh.. an • • nd 'lCCnt,,"'t <:ons'i-
,lItt ",,,ri.!:-c .mong Brit",h subjeCt$. .... oth (he pcrforrn.ti'" ;anund Ottn~.
thoughl 10 ch~r~" tri •.., the i"Slim"ofl of ch.l1el,I ..".y of Africans:md
lhe,t descendantl in tM New World. h "·0. inc",..;ngly lrue dunng 1M
fin') <:enlll'y of 1.g.li.cd .1..'.,y ,hat <me hum.n btinS" e>:plicit.ly perf.,..
n" ";...,, 'eIi of b"y;"g. selling. willing. inhenting, cl.tming .• <h" .. ising for.
" ,d "'"""nl ill ;"g .nol ile' bum.n be",/; cn: •• ed 1M <Ondll;ons for a k,nd
of <hro"ie inC; l'ictl~y of eri,;, in th~ ,,"dcr.;,.ndlng of p"rfomtal;vily toUl
<OIl" .•long .... ilh <..."r1 olhcr .ocial, hng''''lic. and 'I"',i.l form Ih .. 1""-
sume<! an ;mclliglblt notIOn of human ontology and .geney. 11 ttqu;,..,d
local, .helOrical, ."d ip«lflC.lIy pcnpc"o.m";",!: an., ...........",. 10 ma~
'o",,,thing of such. chronle ~lC.pi<:ncy. Wt £on look at Ont tsample in
m""lng b:tck and f'>rIh K~ the "bI""k Alumic ' "n:'ch ""W«I1 ,he li.-
......,,'" of An,eri.. n Il..~ry and, "'. "$Cf,,1 \ "w:tO!1.n e.;.mple. Oid«ns'.
Dmor..,.oJ s..... My f<XII. on n. ..Ioty.oJ Sort, opccifially. tnde.>;.,. ao.......
that among It.. nu"y - nu.Ngt.s o1:I""ry" pinto in \rlcton.fI "",cis. the
"",,,,,;,8" of P.ul I)on'bcy Sr. (0 Edllh Oombcy ;, <>nt I"" SUCttSSfull)' <1<:.
"""""i%<:s 'hIS topos. olknng .n .ltnOSl Il,.me de"""",... u"" of the UpllC'
 i,ly ~ripcrfor"ml"" "ru~I,' to d"pl..,c and ...,map 'he ,heat ne;ol "Pace "f
m .. n.!.",
I h .." jU<l llued • number of performa,ive .cIS ,h.. >lruom.d ,~
momh-,o.momh culm'" of New World sb,.. ry - bu}'ing• ..,Ibng, "~UinS­
",heri'ing. d .. ming .•d>.. numS for. m.numimng- J'<'I one 01',1><: "......
>!rik,ngond. 1woold ,,,,mu...,. dam.gmg of,1><: conde"..,uoruol'"1m1«nth_
cen,ury II ..... ry diIrourx ....,,,,,,10 ha... bttn the one ...-berrioy the sc ....
.nd an 01' ..1. come 10 H.mrilfy the whoit- ins1itu,IOO of.u...ry. B}' tho:
publleouon ofno,,""~nJ s.m '" ,s..8. the pn:donllnom ,,..,;01 iconography
of d.,,'''''1 .nd .nt,!.I.,,,,'1 lOr llrituh ",.de<J. at ;my ""'e. ,,'OU1d h3Yr: .tufted
from ,he eruJ.,..,.j mon In eha,.,.. depocted 011 pioh Wedgwoo,r, ubiqui-
,ous ' 787 nmeo -Am I No! • "lon "nd. lI..,.he.'· . to the~..,.j a""
",,,ned nude fem.k !.I.,,,,. ;oI"'adf romrnon in Rom;mtK anJ ~
p;>inling but mo., popularized ,n H,,,,,,,, I'mo.-cn·, "'lKh-reprodlKcd 'S4.J
kUlptu", "'The C"",k Sb,.. : ",., ;,.".I.ted ,.., 'p.,.k,"I: nult- 6gutt of·.... rn
I N<>I • Mon . nd • Ilro1h..l · ""'''Jlhe signs ofh,..urus in I". ltighl)' 'i>ible
chainund in his""l,cn, bI:ock color. HIS b'e' . u~.k,"g "'mok COUnter-
pon. -The Greek 51.,..,: " indetermln.te •• 10 ruc both b«-~usc she is
neocb s.sic.lly -Gre.k· .nd b<,~"", &he IS unp.lln,ed KUlpru",: h .. t<TIS<.'.
.yened p<)'tu", .nd dow",.." 9'CI ","uk. nut th. endunng ,Mh" of . 1.,....
bu, ' he d •• nJalu');!<:aIl)· 'p;tli . h,..,d .nd .ffro·definmS Jmtr orrOKed dis-
pl.y .nd the jj{' <lr .. Ie. In<ked. Ih" rheater historian joseph Ro. ch h .....
gu .. l ' hat ' he 'P"clade "rlhe .. It of 01""" C'me to define not only .r.,,,,},
llself. but .n CIUirt: COM U",eri;1 Ih""lri<~ of urb.n con, me«i.l.p,". by the
,8501: -'11,r cen,n.I;1 y uf " . hd nc.h .ib~'ific. 'he .bundant "'aiIAbiHly of
. 11 co"", ,,xli licl: .... <"r)'hin8 ca" b< PUI up for ~l" .• nd "''''')'Ihing Can be
c.am on,·d ."d h,,,dIN .,.. n by 'hos.c ... ho ore 'ju,( looking·' ('7~ ).
II " p.i nf u II y dr>r' h., . 'U metonymic "'prden"",," for II nli'" citiz.ns
of AmeriGOn ch, "el !.I..'t''1. rh.", u a lot the mailer ,,'-;,h thi' "'p<"alcdly
i",'Ok.d se."", of the forred dut,l.y .nd $Ok of a "''Oman. T1le pel'>ll-Ient
hghlc","g of the skIn color of lilt 'Krip!lvely Afric"n ",-om;", IS only one
due 10 wha, mu", b< dc$cnbN u the "!Ok", and "",ndaclow prurirnct of
such "'p"'S(:nutlOn:>j lI' •• - .... ,hat I ....,;m 10 Imply Ihat P"'""""c ,un}"
Ih,ng '''''1 Jlmpk as an 'IInbule or ",lotion. ell"'t. Pan of It. mendacny
lie, in tho Otlrnr..IOlI!.I)· plang<""' eondcns.;ouon o f,.. ..... upon gn>er'1ionS
ur " ..." ring I,bar. an intem,in.ablc: cemponl"y unJe",,,ncd by hopt •• com-
plex ip"t"'locy un.aniolLo,N by IO/'cory. nunu"". or the ground. of agtncy.
. ,he o"t hyperlrgiblc. hyper",I"io"a!. cmp",h.,icolly" wdl . o seru·
,n'o
II. hYp<'ray.U.blr f" m,1e r."",,,, whoso: corm:d run""nl U. /i",,"y. to the
~,,.r<: ,i,M)a '1 rep..::..,n 1>, io""II.OOrof """n!<:ally .mbodying fur .nyunc
"".me.
,,'\10 ..... n .. 10 vitw hcr. III<' mosc vot.,iI •• lfeel of
For Viewri"" Wnlel'l p"'occupkd "'ilh lhe domestic m ..""go plOl. the
eri"...1.urpluS v.l~ of ,h .. ,m. b", ...·01 .""lable foo-. ,-.rit. y of periperfo,·
n",ti'''' UOCI· Scven.1 )""1'1 1ft .. 00 .."., ,.w s..... in '8SJ~ 'II5S. Thadteroy
.ull eoouidt",d " to h ..", undimUl"hN (""hncs:tt ""aibble for 1m USC in
tl>< ,."' and IlIu.,n.,ions oI'TIIt N~ At this ."nc Ul the ugly'~
w.... " IInttsh publlC"!,,nlOl'1 ,n ~I Sn:.... mQ<1:JY"'I'.. l><:ucro ...... .,...-n·
;"g;and rna'" rt«ptn'C: 10 ICicnufoe r.tCUm - ,,·hrn Carlyk rcpubIi>hed his
I"mphlct ·Occ-.~ional Dtscourv on the Neg'" Queltion· .... "h ,he ...'on!
-Ne-g"" in lhe- t;tl. eh.ngN 10 · NIgger· - Th:ocuD)' '00 eme~ as a
Southern .pologist ,,110. u ~bar.h Thom., HpI;>"" in lh.--wy~..J
SJ,,''t')'. com.d"n:d Amcrk.n .tr...ry ,he k,nd of iss .... th:It one m.... """.
full)' "'rrcstn, both Iidt:o of Ounng ~k"".)"5 """"ricon rour of '!I>J. he
nm only ",f"sed 10 .Ilend . ......" nurk., in Richmond bult""d to keep
Iris ....reI"'1 from do"'g 00 U w~U : ooc fe"",,..,..,.uloion. bu, from Ih. Ie...-
of J."".&U'& tl><: """c~ .. of h .. ie(lun:: t"u' by .ppe.ting-through his
one .... wiu'tn of the >pen..cloe - Io ,. k• • judgmenr.I"'ll<e . gai"", sl.a''''ry
(0_ Thom>! tJ3). Thacker.y nonethelus m.d" thc moS, of lhe forre of ,urn
i""ge! •• rhey ",fle<ltd cnrrO!li"ely back on,,, ,he llri",h K."" of ",am.ge:
.. "n" "rhij Ch.n.<:lerJ dccla",s. "R.oth", Ih"" h ...... d. ugh"" brought up
10 ,he tradt [ufm~n:.n ' ry m",ri ' ge ,n London.11 ...-ould bring h.r down
fro", the w~1s .nd ~11 h.r in Virgin i. - ( D, Thoma. ,)8).
Uh n.ek ... y in the ' 8,0" Dick"". In Ihe I... ,S • .,. wriling D.>mb<y
0.. / So. put ;l lOt of f.i,h in Ih< ,helork.1 forre "fsueh. pcri~rfurm;lti''C:
yoking of 'he Iwo illorulion.ry acts' I:In,!$h m.rri'g< .nd lhc ..Ie of .<.I."".
In lh. Un"ed Stat"s. Th .. ' G"",k Sla, .. - dem".,,,,,, ,h.1 dn.m.ti= m .. d
d"play .nd merceJ co""''''. in rhe rense Itrugglc oft"" dignified c.......ge
wnh rhe .ha"""d ..... "cd glane •. ,. tht e~plicit keynote of the charan.,of
,he bcauhfull!dnh Oombq. ,ho 'ropR)' ""rond ,,;f. 01' Mr Oom~·. the
""ve[', "ponY""""1 ')"roOn. · t.oo... ly.nd gncer,,1 in an uncommon ""g='-
"dllh """".he kss •'P" rr( I Jher ""'Il .Ilrao;""" ...·"h he, haugn.y bt-ooo' M><I
I<p. ., ,fthey VI",,,,, a bo.dgr or [",,'1 she hated - {)1'}. Upbraid"'g he, mo, ....
On the "''t' of.he rn.rri. b", fur "",king lho "",,,h. $he .. pcnpcrtorm.,,'..1y
<>[>locit in ,n.';'ting on ,he wonp"No<'
 -You 10""... 1>< .... bou~. rno:, ,_ Onlu.htwiJl ,lomom:t'A· IIt~<.". . ,0 .\lend OS W1:II,o mhc.actsaOO n ,n''''''' ;nv"h... d in li .... '1'.Th.t
_.n'iI'G _.• _'-. . . - and
,;de",d ofh .. ~.in. he .... """"'" " .0 hi< Iiornd. he If C'-n'I ",thcr " h< ",as .OtuUy tlt!1:tHlnt in Arno:rican ~"''1' as.n 'R$tt!"tK><l
~I
ofi".ht thmblitll." .. ..." hun,.nd mayo. Nd"'ffic.n"IY<hc"P~ ",o~r;"p"nc""", ra'he.- .h.n jU>1 as • mod...
lode of rht,onnI .-ne-rgy
h< ,,,II buy '0''''''"''''' Cod .• ha, I tm.. b>'Od for Ih .... nd tlu. IIffJ it: • h''< "",d f<ll' Hnmh don, ..,,.. ust-,hough durly. M "--" .tliCtptibk
Co,"~..,.." ">t~ """ Iundsome fau .he COttS<JQU, . . tr-.IuKrno:",. >nd tho '
obe"'I.uer soIici'ation 0$ ...1:11. H IS I>orror.OO disgu" d,J ItO! m.>k ,m
h
,,,,h< ' , . , 1lQ{-'" d-" ,. h· , ••
kll' - ' e,,~;nh', compl .. ""o« I
burnmg indlgn;t'..,., of. hun;!rW ...-omen. "rong in p'!$K><la"d 'n pridt; In ... " " " " ' " .. PIa, to TO'
,n;! .h .... " h,d "",If ",.h 'wo "h"•• hutldeting '''~J. ::,.,. of ,84" he had (unlike Th, ekc .. y) knowinsly alienal ed much ~r hi,
. ,. -Th<: ... ;. "" . I.vt ,n • muk .. , .1><",;. no ho:", ,n • r.i" >o.ho-o..., 0fId • ,..riean readcflhip hy r b eing sb,,,ry" fron, .nd celli.. of h" >c .
hu~" "n __ .
()/fn.,d .n;! ... mlM<! .nd p>",ded. motl><,... J 1..,.. bttI\ for •.," sh."... «}Il'" of A"...ri<an <ullu .... L,ke ,1M: U.s. .bol,,>OI'IIS". for ••umplc, D,ekens
ful ~a,,: <Tied Edith ...... 11 • burning brow•..• -Tht IirnI« of i0oi< and ,ho'" ",.k.. a pc.....tf"l perip"rform...'" use of """",hlng 'hat h..! fasa-
.ourh: >he said. with J\uhing eyeo. -tm.. I Jub",urN '0" until tho: J.o;. ....,cJ hu ..: ,he """'SP;OP'" at/-...,,,,,,ng f<ll' f"gin.." sUo.'O - at/-.""lling I~
S'-'''' of seJf-tt>pe<'I i, dead ... th", _. md I Jo..tho: myodn' ')71 ) .,meJ. through the new mod .. of pubbc:ny. 10 ",thdn", 10 an mlinn. di<.
Edffh .Irudy.ignals. hovo-e-... r, .h., ...
nhin tM SCene of coerced rort>en. '0
.. nee ,he phy,i;:.I,h",lhoItl be ...... en being cnsla..."j .nd bc1ng r.... c. btl!
'h", pcnperfortll.tivt:l)' 9t101ed. also en,.iled ,he umntended effeo (in the
m.,ri · se. she is m.klnG .nd '1'Ikul,,;ng peripetform.",'C d>otc.< [h., oc"
~Jo' .1I.nwless en tlmero,;on of Ihe b ... nds. S<"a".• nd other ",util .. ions by
,Ie I"gllly charged Ih.-uhulds of me.ninG. NOI Ih. I•• ! highly ch. rgc-d. m
f~cl all ,h~ more .". when l)umber f.ils 10 perce;,.. or ... ;U nm .dnowl-
which fu,.;;' ;" "' we,e '" be ;deuufied) of IhTU"ing .j.,
,he pun.1 of 9u><i-
ed),,,, tM,n: r• ..,il,.1 priv,cy l>chind which Ihe ,·iol.o<c of 'he li.." f)',[tn, h.d bten
sul'f""""l '0 ,h.ltef unwi",.s.ed
-You might It..,. bc-cn ... eU ....rritd: Aid Jx.r """"",. ·' ..... n'Y 'unes at Surely" M', acci.k:nla.l. bu, I don', \\"n' .0 ....U"51lh .. i, i> ""'"' dian
)e .... Edith..;r J"" had S""" cnrour.~ enough..- <OI1g",.n, - 1 .hink i. ,dl; US iOm<'1hlng impunant.bout l)icu ...·• -"rue'
-No! Who •• "",II1C". rtfu ... Iu, I :om. md .. 1" ... U tX:wn..I<>O': .... an- I"", of ft:ding: oboo, .he sh'pI.' of his linguiotX .r><! ,.,.,;.1 ,m'g"''''ion.

'''-'rW, ca"'n~ htt head .•nd ''''mbling m hetcne'llYof sh."",.oo OI.orm,
prid~, ',holl ,."" mt. o. ,hi....." 00.:.. ",th no." of m,ne PU' lOt,h '0 Iu~
him_ lie ..... "1< .,
'he .un ,on . • nd he 'hlnk< it wdl to buy me. ,-", him'
Whcn h. "'me '0 y;~w me _ l'<'rh.ps '0 bid_ ht "'9~,,,,d '0"'" ,ho roil of
my ><compti<hn,"MtJ. I ~ .... i, '0 him. Whrn ht ,.-ould h...., "'" ........ on.
of'htm. '0 Ju<"fy hiJ pu",hase .0 Ius men, I "'9~1'" of hom lO ...y ,..luch ht
de",.nds..niI I"u,ibit it. 1 .....11 do no mo .... H. m.ano tho: purm- oflt><
(>0,.., ,,'m. md ""h Ius ""'n ....,., of ....-onh. md II.. p""..... ofhiJ money;
.nd I hopt i, nuy .....,,,tlwJllOint h,m. I h:n... not ,-."""..1and f"""'S<'d tht
b.o'l;'''''' (J76- 77)
C.n ,hi. ",.mage bt $>,,,dl
So for, .ltis is 'he .w,d.rJ-;s.uc €(llnp.rison of n,.m.g<' '0 ,I.,... m.>.kc'.
Ilu, one of'lM: 'hlllg. ,h., eon,"bu,.. '0 ,he rorr. ofth" clemen, ,n {)')",hq
~",I s.", is ,h.... lthough I)"'UN 01..",.1 ,hi: Victorian tropum ''''''.nJ ,....
:Ia,. . .nd act of.he AI. of li"""" he .1,,-, dtffettd from . .say, Tlu.<k.ouy III
"""" 'han .bou. his polttical.,.. ly1tu ,It.:i,
,t.. ep;c psycbomodti. ohh<
lJumb..,.. m.m.),,,,. 100, I~n" in", 0 ..as, ",""""hing penpctform .."'"
1t"'UI" over the 'p"i.1 del", ...;,," "f perfornuti,,, privacy .nd w;tness_
Unlike Ch.rlot'e Stanl ."d Lydi. Cb.her, wh" ust 'hcir peripetfo'm.n,,,
Ic.-.r-'G' rur I,,"~liing ,,>to ",.. ri' g" from lhe "",,,do,
I!dlth is .h.d)· ron-
fi'l<d inside ,he "wi<>1 '1"'«. TIw: """oder de.ermined 011 thrusling a.cn:m
Ih, Dombey" cOI1J"gallh,cshoiJ IS nOt a m-.l ...-oma", bu, ~Ic CarU,.
Oornbcy"sl.go.1ike lieu'enan, •• li«k ep;ttne ,,-hose .,m, Innspa."'''' 10
Edi,h, is to cuckold and cozen hIS emplo)... r.nd then pubhd), rum h.. em·
pI""".-', w,f.
The tt".ile d eg.,,,,. "f ,h .. Jt'1Up....h.. gi'''' .uch kroctou. ",,,,,,,nce
' 0 "'"Cry pcril"'rfornlJli,"C ~e,"'''' .tld "'''ry .bSh,c" <ltspl.cc",.", of 'he
conJug.1 p,,,,,,.,,,um, i. ,h... .eh of the three prindp.L; h •• ,·;sibl. con-
'<"'J>I rur ,he ",her ,wo. yo, tach .Iso h.., u ... 1Or lhe ",ht'" con<ernp<.
And an of,hern ....... uoc. 10 m.ke of,h. ""plirj'.'ion of.be gmunds of
m.rital "·IIne.. _Oomb<y displ.oyl' h .. po..-er """ Eduh. and wto., "" "'...g-

"' .... oJ.1It Pnfo<-'''~ "J

 in •• 10 be I". po".-er '"..:r C .. kcr, In .. rog.mly puning C:otkcr. whom h. "\ h"" p ..... u"'.J: .. Id Mr, C.rI:... "to .<01;.:;, .n '"lOn-ic\o.·
k"",,·, I!d"h dclpiK •. Into lhe 'f"a of ,helT '1u ...",I,. in'lSlmg on hi. ~ Perh.ps you .'" eh.",,,,J by Mr. Dombty "'ah ,...,," ""''''1;" of ",.
C<>ce a" he .. scenes and using hIm a. a PU0<1;'.., go·bo::''''«n. Corle, profill proof: .. id Edi' h, • r"" po!o>C" M,. Oomt..:y 'oeOl,fo.lmc. In SlId> 'n unuJU""
by Dumbey', bI,nd romen'PI for h,m. 10 " 'ind hlmsdf around Edi,h·s ..,_ dtgr«. !I'. Ih .. 1"u "'ould O('• ..;"ly jurpri$c me if,h.>, "" ... )""roo,,~:
<=L<- st'CI'Clll m.de ,isihk and ddldouJ '0 him pt'«Rly by''''' 'f'«h<k "I IY,.. no nk:»:l)," 10 ''''1'<1), ,,·hoohod>. I...,,.. upon h"""",.: ooid
oflldilh's hO\',n8 10 d, .. inllll./.le bcr Io.othiog and feu of rum. Ed .. h. mco", Mr. c.rt..r. "lIu, I tn,,,,,,
,h.. I..>dl'. on my " •..-n ""....If.• '0 rdIea upon
whi"'. Inpp:d 01 "'''I)' turn. Is lI)'ing lOnt.how 10 get Inttage ag.o.",. my ptrl'w helpkJ>l~ 1./." nigh, •• nd the ''''I"".oM"y of my ;r,oidio~ ,be
Dombty from Cark~" plOtS '0 cuckold him. w"hool '"'''''', surrmdering ........ ,luI "'.. forctd upon me In a "'I)'p'mful occasion. ; SC\.. ,.J p>n.
her person Or dlgruly or ""T,lmg ber hdpb>nas 10 Caro:r; m.:Ilrying g ..ph< BUI. kindlJludgt of my brew by )'OU' ....'" and you ...-illIOrgi>..
al lbe ""me ,ime 10 _1«.1 &om both of them her I..... moe"" of pro. mfm,e~ in hIm. ,(in III =ns." goa a, aU _r.y.*
,ceting lhe ooc penon >lit 10\'1 Oombty·, ncgl«ted daugh ....and"""""" Wh.>I' ,ub '0 berrroud hun. '0 >&1 there, f~ 10 f..: ....... h han. and

-~
The plc:uure of quoting [);Ckens tJu., ...,"u 10 I.ke "''', my d&tl<SX>n.
Hc ...·' JI»I lhe finl scene of 'h" plot .• ItttIC .fte.. fW'Y'
"I ,ruSt: [C ..""., pld. -1""1 ,he f.ugue. of Ihis d&:~ghtful ..mmg ..ill
nor incon'...... ncc Mrs. Donoboy ,o·""'><'tOW.-
·M .... Oombty: A od Mr. Oombty......~g. "!w. JUl!i.oontly ' I""'d
fw, .... lff. 'lguo. ,u ... liI:'." )'OU froon . ny ''''';'''y 0( tho, ktnd. I rogrn '0 ""-J.
M,... n O"'bty. ,hal I rnuld .... , .. "'I>hcd you h.>d r.. igu<d l"" .... lf a ~,tk
rno", OI' Ihh <><o,ion:
Sho k>okcd'l h,m wi,h . '''I'''mllow gl.nc•. ,h.1 i, .lamed tlOI w<>rlh
hor while 10 »NI"'I . • nd lurned ' ''''y hot tyeJ "'Ilhool 'J'<'.king_
" I .m oorry. m. d. m: ",d Mr, Domhey. ·,h.. }"U .hould n", ....,"
' hough' il you,d uly "
h>,.. hIm ,tndcrutg her fol>< ..... 'h al ,be alto, .~.'" and .g.... fOr hotacccp-
,.nee.• nd pressing i. upon hc-r Ilk< the <Iregs 0(. ",,""rung cup """ could not
...... n hN Ioa'hing of. or ,urn '''.'y from! !iooo' .h.>me. "'.....".... and f"'"'OII
.. gcd ...-"hin her....·h.n, upnght and 1tUJ<>&i< in hrt be.... ,y be/Orc him. she
kno ...· ,lu, '" h.. >pin' "'" ...... do..." ., "" fen! (~99-"" )
Soon .,,,n ,he p,,",cn.., of n..,;,.1 d&:f.ret>« is brexhed bcro.·~n lhem. ye1
,he h.,lng ,e"";"n of'hoor .truggl. do"" lIot ~ghtcn. -S,,: Ild"h .. gO<lded
,ntl' "")''''g 10 him .n a I.!e. "'''''ling.
· Why do )"01.11'"''''' ' )"ur,df to m.... . . y"" h,o,' • .lot,.,.• oJ ~.k '0 me of
lovt .nd du,y 10 my huob.ond. ond pn"""d 10 ,hltlk ,h'l I . m h, ppily m ..•
""d, .nJ ' h ' l I hl,"uu, himllluw..u ... )'Q" , .. nlu", >0 '0 .lfron' me. wh""
yuu know _ l du "'.I'
know 1\ heuer. ,It, .. _ ,h" in pl . .. of . lfeetion be·

She look.d .. hIm ' 8" " . "00 you know th. , Ih .... is ><>me <)ne he,..!"
'W"e" u. ,h<",;, ..'o1li......"d ron",ml'" .nd ,h,, ! despis< him ""rtlI)' los..
. he "" umed , IIOW kwlk,ng at him ste.dily
,lu" I <Ie.pi ... my",lrr"rbc;,\1; h"l_
She h,,1 lOW him "'hy h. did ,h". I·hd ,he not be"n blin<kd by he, prid.
"Nol C.",.,! I be~ th'l you do '1<>1 I ;tui>t ,h.>, l"'" do not: cried
.nd wra,h •• nd .. lrhum,li .. ion .... """Id h........ n ,he an ...·er '" 1m
I>lr. Oombcy, ~"I'F"ns ,h.. noi .. kss gen,lem.n in hi< ""hdra" 'iI. · Mr.
f.u. To hrinS her '0 ,I"s <led ....i"",. ( m )
C."""r. m.dam .•• you know.~. my ronfuknc.:: He is as ,,-ell at-
qu.un.d a. my .. lf ""h ,he out.;ro on ...'hich I ~.k. _ If. '00 !.mpung 10 ,race in opera,ic <k,.~ """. 'he *un" on<l"'g- l in
"I "'k you: ,he "'pe'IU, bcnJing hc-r disWin{uI ... ~y S"" upon rum. Oicko:n"~ ph......) of ,h. w=w ... ",;ngfsJ of Ih. cool " of C.rk~'. enl"'p'
"00 you know !ha, ,he ... 1$ ""'......., ~ .....r men, of &luh eonltnUU inch by inch 'hrough ,he <:vtuuntly ... Iined. pm.
-I mo" .n' .....: po.! Mr C.rk<. iI"f'I'U'g ror..... nI. "I m ..... beg. I m .... !",norma"... up/I(llalion oflhe grounds oflheor ron,,,,,,. As "'hen C.rI:.r

.,
<lem.nd. '0 be ...1e>Sed. SlIghl.nd u"'"'po""'''' .. ' .... ddIO...,""" is - - (' \LI- pmun,,,, '0 c'"pl.,n 10 her

Mr Oombcy is ",.Uy .'p.bI" 0( no _ '''''' romt<i=o'oon fu< you.

rN ,he "',., day. Car""r ~I> h,,,,,,,,If,,, [utlh: rn.o.Ln,. ,h." fu< me . The cump'''''''''''n CII'runc on." ! mtend" to be
 ...: bu. quit< jus' ~I, DvrnI:>o:y. in t'"
pietU,udo! of hu p""'~'. :W.cd ""'_ I
h,d i, from hit own hI'" J'"'mloy .....-rung~1O bt ha$ gubtn.wn '0)'Ou.
btc,use'" kno».. 1 am no! .grtt.obl. 'oyou. md bta_ "",ntends th."
I moU bt a pun""""'m fOr you. ron'Um.lCY' and btsIdc$ !lu,. btnuse h.
...lIy doeo ton>odo •• lIut! 1.1u. f'>id "'I"\.. n'. am "" .mba<i'OJor ,,-born " is
<krug>tory ,,>the dignily . ofh .. ",fr. 'p.an ofhtm.df. 'Ottech... You may
InlOSinc how n:S.rdb. nf mo. how oln"'" to the J>O'''hilny of my h' Vlng
.ny IndiVIdual ",nl;mr11l 0' Of'""on "" is. when ... ,~II. m•. openly. tha, I
.m ... rmplOj-.. d. You know how prrkctly inddl"",n, '0 your k.hn!:' ht: IS,
"'hm hr 'IlK,'.... you ,,"h "",II .1"tV<:I<'Tl8"'" •
Shr "',,<hed h'm .. ~la'I"""~1y But """,,'<hn! hrr'<IO;.nd he U\O' that
,h.. indic,tIOn of. k"""'Ied8'" on hi< f'>". of """'"tlung ,lwlud ~ br.
''''rrn ""ndf and htr huob.:tnd ... n~ld >nd ...,.nN in htt haugl>')" b"'.....
like a poi<oncd 0"",,' (m'9II)
Edilh look..< hke. ' urt loser In 'hIS g.tmc. cviokmly immobiJ'~cd In 'he
ritu.I.l"ral)"zingly (""""l1Iio,,"I. Y" none,hclesoleth.1 n.,mosotial crt>$>-
Ii.., " f !!Uri,a) wi,,,,, .. with "'hteh w i$ con'inually uW by boIh hU>blnd
and would·bt 10>=. Esp«i.lUy 00.", aU seem Ln:.t ....hen she actUally. htenlly
elopa .CTOM !hr thn:shold of"',,,,,, .nd rulinn to rtn<ln.""", 6n.lIy "itt.
Corl.r In. french holt! She 1e1is Domb<:y. - I ,,-ill hoIJ no pbu in)"OlU
house t"·ITl()"""·. oron any ..,"'.,..,ocr of 'O-ITl()fT(N. I ,,',U
ht rmib,,~ '"
0,
no one, Ihe ",fna",), 51.." y"u purchased __ If! kp'- my m ••n.,!;<' -do.y.
I would keep it ..· • do.yofsh.",c- (617).
Yet. dop;"g. ,h" .. ), .. m()l",aliy h"""lia,,,, Durnbe)' and exposes Carl<cr
to !)om""(' ",urderou. ugc. Arriving ""fon: Corke", the hotel. more·
",~"..ne "'I)" d.hbn-.,tly I3kl ron,ml "'~r wn., w;o know Ih,u the '" '' of
Ihrm . '" the", '<>ge1her. ,.·ho ..."U "nJc~ ,lut >hr "a fug""~ "'''i<:. and
"'Iu.
In ... lIy - door. to 'M" OWl(" ,,"ill be <>pm and ... Iu. dooo-l c:Io:!eJ
and ",him side!hr ky5 aRc on. Th ..... arran~"",ms ~nablt E.1.th. at m.
>uppootd ITl()men. of atlull""-"'I dun». to ",f"", her bod)',150 10 C..,ur.
- In .WI)" ">unt )'QU m. k•. - ,h. fin.lIy ."kulate'10 him,
- I h,w my 'riumph. _. Uoa>!. and rc'~ng. me on hltnl ,"uti know how you
r'm< he", to-nigh,: you know how you>l>nd"""<ring,hr", Boa.. ,hen
. nd "",eng< me on you ... lfI I h",~ ,hrown m)' f.",.,.and gooJ n.m< ,0
,h. wmdo! I moll hr~rthe Jh.",., , .... "'ill .n,""" '0 ",., ~,~ '0 kn<>o<'
,/1->[ it . "..,1"" r.I>ely-,ha, you ):."OW" 'oo_.nd!ha, he: doeo no<. ""'.,.
,>fIo.nd ""'.,. .... n. l"U.tit •• nd nukr no <ign. For th" I 1m )w..,.Ion. .."Jth
."". a' !ht Jead of nigh, For Ih" I h.a-... nte\ you he"" '" • fm.. """"'. -:os
.,.",..[i<:. For,h ... 1ha,~be(n>d!n hn-ebythooo men.~ld,)w.." Noth-
~ng "n _.., you "",,'. La.tly, t3U '"y ",.. nung' Look ' 0 )'0'1....11'- .....
,,;d •• r><! . m ikd 'S .. n, -y"" h",~ bern be, ..)~d 11 h.. bern mode ~no"-n
,h>! Y()ll .." in ,hi. 1'\>", _ If I live, I saw my hu.b. nd in • ""ri'ge in 'h(isJ
>!"'" ,o_mgh'!- (718 - 19)
The ,,,,,,,,",,ir. of.ta''''Y in II", n.,uti'~ " f 'M Ooml><-p' marnago: ""'..,
Jtf'>n ... gnilicantly from 11>< 5«"" of,hr m,"Olun=yuhibIl10n and sal<: of
• ,,-oman Ye •• hr periprrform.m" spati.h'"",K'" of dot mobile .hrtshold
... 1would a~ .•11••., ;tS nt..rn a I"n of Di<:k=s., understanding of US.
11""<1-.nJ cO"""tly 50 - ;tS of BnH.h !!Urmgo:. The forrt of,he perfor.
,,"','" u"eran~, thO! is. d<p<:"ds cruci.lly on ito swsraphte IOCa1ion; both
Carker ."d Ed.,h , lik. th~ pcrp<,nto.. and rcsi$'c", of US. II .,.. 'Y. coum
.mons Ihcir sharprst \>IClp<>ns 'hese ~""ngnphi<: diff.",n,iw of prnorma.
,,,.. hm •. ht ,' ",ma" NNtS, f",,,,,.m ple. Did<:ru RcprodlKd a U.S_ """...
I"p"rac<oum wilh 1M bllnd .id" - Im~n:sti"g l:o,,-c_ -: -An inttrntinll
<.ue l$!IOWon In.aI in Ih. Suprt"'" Coun.•"'ing ()lll of1M f"oIkMmg bets.
A grnll.",.n .... iding m ~b'1'lanJ h:od ~no..~ .n .gN 1"" of his slaves.
IUbs .."",) lhough """ It-g>1 f..,"<Iom f•..- ""~t:l.1 )" ..... WhU. ,hu,lrnng.
• J,ul;),'" "'~s born '0 ,hem. ",ho S""'· up m!hr s;lme hbtny. umil w
"' ~'n.d > f..,e n ,,!~ro. and w,'n, wi,h him to .."ide in l'tI1IU)·j,·,,,,,. They
),><1 .....c,-. I children. ond h,,,d ullntol."cd "m;l,h. orig,n.1 owncr dird,
"lItn h" heir au,,",!,,"J 10 "'&:"" 'M"': but the m.gllltute bc:f"'" whom
,"'" \>Ie", MOllgn. dc<1d<d ,h.. Iwt luJ nojurudiction ,n the c_. -n,.. ....'rIn
.... t,"'I.1ot """"'" a...t Iotr rllIlJmo ;" Ih. ~j:'t<. ~..J ",mnI tJot", ,.. ~l4ry/;1",r
,~: cn,phasis in ,he .mgm.l).
Olden. ";"" ed ,h. noobilo .h..-..hold. includ'ng the th",ohoId of our·
n.~~, ",.n as ofbonJaSC or.m.nap.llon. "OJ. (()I"!II1tU'"'' r. .. u", oru.s.
$1""'1, A, the Maryl.nd ,~se sh",,'5. hov...:vcr. ,Ius opat,.1 und ..... ~ndutg of
pcrfor", ."v't y i!>clf " ..',Is to bro supplrmen,ed ,,';th Ihe compl.. , ""cJ,<rJ.
gli(/, st " se or'emporali,y uffe red by <l«on"ruc'ion.
1l1e b .. iJ of ,hese .lonlCnlJ I, ",ORc ,h,n d,.""uil:ed ,n ~ rurr."h~ like
,h., uf Hani .. Fotobs. "'mong the -inciden,,- ",<...-.led", J>robI'. hmory
of ho.r .,....·n f;nnily and I,f~ .Rc 1hr foDo..ing clu.-..nens.." ones;
 I. H er gr~ndmocher ".11 kg~lIr m.nummed but ca!"un:d by >b..:"
~nd n .... ld whil" 'r......I;ng 'Q norid•.
l. Thor gnndmu<""' .• n ..... .,....".,. ~f, th<: g""ndmoo.ho. ITu In hor "ill,
bu, ,''' tlerolor of, ... -..,U pul ..... up mnuoio:Jn nonc:1 ...iftL She
" .• , p"rch.,w by a fnend ofher Inc nmt"'SS. ,,1Kt fret:<! ho•.
J. j:;o<obs·, broil,,,. c,u[I<"d onlQ • Ncw rotk-bQund ship. whICh w~
'n.... I1 •• en by a SlQrm .n d h.d IQ put 1nlO a relr1 In 'he SQulh. Rec.
'>gnizcd bec.use: o f . newsp'p<"r . d,.....wcmcn' , he Wa S relumt:<! ( 0)
lhe ship in ch.i .... H~ es.-.pcd from d", ch;,ins.nd WoOlm IQ .norc.
bu, wu pUfMICd. raplured. c.r""d Nck 10 hIS nusle •.• n<! ~n"..uly
sold. H e /i""ny eK.pcd suc"",,,fully IQ ,t.. North
•. The gr:mdmolher -f=<I- I"... of ho • ..,.,. by rnor1~glng t... ~
and purchasmg I"",": ,h""ronnnut:d frttdc>rn. IheTt/On:. dep<nJ.d
011 he. rem'lnlng cl".. of funh". ddt,.
J . J>cobs r.lI. in I",.., with. f",c·born bl>ck . n ,un. "IIO Prop<><C$ IQ
purch'''' her and ~';llInJhly. ,hough ,hi.' l,n·1 e..phdl. 10 frtt hor
W Ihoy c.n Ix- m.. ri.d. berau.. 'h" m>rri' j;c of. 51..·• h;" IIQ 1tg.<J
$landing. He. owner n:fUS<:'! ,o..,U her in", m.,rUge.
6. jacobsc<m>enulo be<:oo,c 1... ITUJ(...... of. ,,·h'le IIWI not "'.0.,,,,,,,<.
J Ie pnxnioc> 10 pun:h_ he. and 10 care fo... he .... child",n bu, is un-
.ble 10 pcnu~c he. ""....". 10 seU ht-r.
7. j:;ocobso:c:opcs. bul only ofiC"1")"'rsoflocal cunculmc:II1 is.hIe 10 8'"
IQ 'he North. He. grandm<>lhc. pureh...,. ht.childn:n with money
harrowed fnlm Ihd. falher. jacobs·, . ttemp" '0 pureha,., he"",Jf
from her o"""e,",,, unav.. ling
8. 'm, father oflhc child",n. IIOW mam"d to a "hite wOman. -'dopll-
one o r ,hem and ha. 1M OlMr -adopled- by hi> .m"... n ..,,,· htn
,,·hen they go '0 1,,,,, In lhe Nonh. th<:ir ""110 i> """"",.1>0", b.""wn
Ih" of "'''t"...,
and sbvc:s..
9 With the ~8" of ,1>0 Fug""'" SLn." Uw in , .so. p:obs.. ,housh
hv,"s: in t'"Non". become. once ag.,n subJect 10 ,he Sotlthern ~..
n·g'rding'I ....,ry.
10. JacO)h", ""'ne.di,,.; his widow and child",n ",wk. ' 0 ",UP'U'" h,,·
,I Northe rn friend (Comelia WiU;..) offers to pu""",,", h .. j.cobs. "'-
pudialing 'he equ.,l"n .,f being fltt ""h bemg pun:hal.cd by - the
right peTSQn.- ",(uses 10 be pu",h:Hed in th .. " .• y. bu, , ... fnc:nd pe"
..... ,n her nq;ori"ioru ~nd. "''''''''''Jacobs·, cooucn,. ~ In
p<>reh;,sing hn J.cobs w"'", of Ibis moment. -My t..art "'" acct:<!·
,"gly full. I """"mbe,t:<! hQ\o.. my poor f.. he. had lned to buy .......
...hen I _ , sman child IlCmemhorrd hov.. my good old grancI-
"IOlhe. had ."d up hoc •• m'ngs In putchHc me in "'e' )"ars. and
he"", nflen htr pl.ns h.d .... en (ru<,,,,,,ed. Bul God 10 onIers dr·
•..... n'.>\anc"'.s '0 k..,p me ",;,h mI· fnend Mrs. Bruct. 1.0\..". du,y.
gt"atilude . ,iso hh,d m e to he. 'Ide. It IS a pri'·ilege 'oser", h.r ",ho
r ilies my oppressed peopk.• nd who has bestowed Ike: ",eSllmabk
boon of freedom 0" me ."" my ch~dren - (100 101 ~
Whtn 1I•• riet juobs·. bro,he •. ,he ......., John S. p:obJ. ,,,,,,..,~d north
"uh Ius _ncr S:tmueL~. '" 18.!S........, friends in N..... York .d"i..,d
h' m .bou I ,he f""'Sibtlll)· ofck ~I" ..g "hcJc In ,ht North. ~Ic maJo hIS esc;&pe
pI.n Wtth Ih<: m and. as "" wril"'.
[The S'W)'crsj diru:[dJ .. ,he: A"or", th,..., o·clock:.t half·p.", fOIl, I w., H'
hr "" bn.>.,d t he oo..t for P"",·idencc. iki"g un.N. '0 wnl' n'pelf .. th ..
,il"•.• nd un wilhng 10 k."" hm' lIl'u,p<"rue. 18"" friend '0 " ·nte"" fol·
1"",,,_ "S;r - I h..,,, kf, you. not to ""urn: ,,"hen I h..,." GO' .."Jed. 1 will
gi"" Y"" funhe, "l1>f' l1lO11. No lonS"r Y"" ... JMn S. .JMobo..-
TI", note ..... ,n be pul IIltO the f"'O'-<>IIi<e in <imt fur tum to gtt it. !he
n.. t morning. I " ·.,,cd 011 tum and hIS "ifr:.t d,n"". M lho .""n dock
.. ruck fOur. r Idt the """"',. (.... _81)
...~ 10"&"" )'lull, Joh n S. J.col». how coolly 'h" d"l'mg >l..-c PC"O"'''
,hi.
ck,lrifyi" g re5ur. o'lioll ofmu" ing in . rormula ofinor! p<:>111C»C. He docs
W by !'u, hmg p~';pcrfor"'." ,·d)· ' 1 t he prosc~niu m of1he ("Ve ....t" ftmg II>< ·
"e, of human ownership. a. contkllS"d 1n. roUlimud 1""'''''.''011 of1o)·-
Ilty Ii"" ."'y. -1bcglO ",n,ai" "",'''''''Went se"",n' - _ ,upp<>:lCd ,., iruulal"
........ amng from Iht pl.," f:act ,h;" .ome hUm:ln bemll$ ...., .... in fact. in
tl.!S. '" ........ pit .... • nd "'" in """'n. hoIh Iogally and riI"«Iu~Uy owned by
oel'cr human bemgs.
II p.rt o f my mO"'" in IhlS chapter h"" been ,., upkm: h""" one com·
plex and !,rot r'~c\cJ h' >I,,,,,,.1 CnmC. the holding of African .nd AfTie.n·
<kscct>dcd , I, ves in Ihe WCSIC rTI Ilcm"pherc. gOTCd i,. m~rk (highly dlf·
rc"""i.lly) 011 'he muo", of mc.ning th., " .... re posstble for .nyom i" '..
po:ril'"'form .. i,." amhl1. Whelhe. Europe.n or African·dcso:enJ.C<l .• nd ,n
the Old World • • " .,,11 OS ,he N",,·. Sp"ctfinlly. , ....." JM.cn ,uppo<mg ,h;"
during th. tim. Qf .b""ry...1(1 for an uncuuunscnb.bI< limo:: .fter it> .bo. ,~"" .. i<>u< " _ ,<> ""'".,,11< ..
h<1l><t- ""' ..)'> J" 0< 110 '" 1<....'h«ha """
huon p,ob.bly c.,""d"'g beyond ,h" p~"'. ,he du.,,,, of """n..,jously ."..... lJl<, 1~1oo .. 0< 1 " " _ ..-!w, .... ,""" ..,.ru
It• .....".,...."'" ",.s.ru..
pOlen' l;nJ,'UI>t""":!s ,1m h.,,, ""<"
g""'p"d loosely.•1nCC J. L. A"Slin. '" .11«1., "''' >«00"' lor '"" r.... ,Iu, " io >p<>km..........
10 ""., ,.., iosu<.
und.r 'hc rubric of "p"ri",,,,,,,;.,,.- mu" "" un<krs'ood contmuously '" _(1 •. io ,he ""~I .n -"""'''''~ (.... - '"' n.. l'ooK.uJdUn ........ io - . o f _ .

"'lotion '0 th. u.mpbry i!1S'~ocC "f>l.."ry. They m,,51 ~ un<kr>lood if!
,ho ""y .. It:ut "" mU(:h :l.Sthey are uoo.:rstood already by p/l~ .... b...
gil"". atld "",oo.:r thwril:'1 in ",Iollon to th" ....,mpl.ry ;,uc"ocn of COUrt_
,t"p! m.m.gt and of Juridial.ru in a gt~I..,I\S<!.
I h .." ~en "" a»ummg this.;oj lAy..... ther th ... ckmorm .... 'mg it;;, Ius
CorullU,ed the dlln" ... iorul groutldmg of. diJcussion ....., "Im to rugge<t
..-hy Au",n·'qult. nr«mrydrpr«anonoftt.. -dr$01pth., fall...".-
and ....... Idn·t h ..., ,he: rff«t of h",ng off. dc~hzed un<I.-ntmd;nll
,,( p<'rfo,mall'" fmu from • psycholoj;ozrd and ~lIaJil:rd unde .... anding
,,(.ff""",.,fOrce. and IIUI a,nlS 10 ,hicun our $CtlK of ,t.. ",lotion among
><it",,,,,1 .. ,A",,;.,' ...... ,.... "'" .... wtat ,I-,c '''''" '" r.... -, .........,,_ ol aD ~tt=""""
.ot.! "' po.iOt-tt-u, .... foot<- • .it ~ eI)'<S ,....,... "" .. "'" "'" .."", ... .it,
""'pI»sooof ............. r.... Tht ,_ttKWeO ..... ~ ~ _".,.,.,
....... """Ii<...J ~-... I,....,. ......,..... 'I""""~ otdIo. ,,~....,.. >lflb.. boUt.-
""" fuu<.wIt IT"" ",.o.Irn.I000irnufy """ porb-m'I><booI"~ ~~
....t)ud br ,.... c... .... f'>1<ttoio&J ",,,", fin< lulfellh< ... ",,_~ " ' -
ro. .............. .........."""",, ."..... '" ~ ........... _ ""'.m«O ...... '"
0«"""', ......--• .,. p«fOnru.", """ othrn ......... _ _.oily _.1ifuIy oIr<n •
......"ut" - '.•rrIo<.... '0 "'1 .....-........ io .",.d".I .. IftmO.mdt .. "'"
cu .................. ""',""" ............ -, off""«l""'" ondll<mUOll. -,,-dt
,iI< ~
........ ,.... "... ,,-......... from ",. ............,. -oop«b of "'" '!'ftdt ..... "'""

c~plkn rerformau ...... unrnllUlth., surround and .Uudt 10 nplkil per_ ". C<IIl<"JI"'" OIl "'" IoN,.......,. ...."" Ih< ~ .....~ ..~ .....co<I
(Of""";,,,...nd ,he bro;\drr firld of tM f"'rfO<m..>.,h" ell"rru of l;angu.a&,!,
.. ....m .. ~ '0 lho iIIocubon..y """ eI,'" vt\<"r'I'C< • .-!""'" from "'"
J.mcn...,"eI~ .. ithr""'-I'<i·"
and discou~_ I h ••., 001 ulKlrrt.ktn 'hi$ Out of. dt.i", 10 ckll\O<U' ....'.
hi",,' one con"""""lll:bl O('OM and thtoty COn be fOlUd to Streich. hov,_
ew, ,n",ly. ,,,..,, luch dl"P'r>tr ontologic-.I.i,u..,,;on, _ritiun .nd challeL
mman,k ",.Ii,m .nd 'he ~.ring "r ".,,"".... 'he (O"'"moons of rourt.>hip-
and~.Jul tery and th" laWI of se,vi,ude 00, '0 dr.m>!; .. alikchhood ,ha,
such 'ca'ms m"tch", mUll ~ .llemptcd cwn 'hough 'hey mayamphfy the
echo "f "'""ry ugly incongrui'y-Indeed. c.."n where thAt homil~,k poin'
ma)' "0' ;,..,lfhc Ihdr ",.in olle.

NOTE!

gran rifoul<>.· In ,""

-)I lop ... 111.00. So< .Ito C",-.ft. 1"""'. "el>< I<a d '"''
n"",g- l")
• 1><>j>oI. , .... <"""'" " ••..npIro th"",W-' ,........y. I tIo "'" ...un 1O'~ m..
,I-,c", .. "yWog ~Iy .... .-nuow< """" "'" Iupdt"""" "I"" 1'" b II .. _
'",•.- ... '"'~" ... "'" _ r"....
,nq< A p>d ....."., """"'''''''''MY...".,ld be
, ...... ,.-..onluunly~m<dr<"1"n..rn.., ... ,_"'.. elM. C _ .. I'<.Jr
~"",,",.
J "I1Iough """ ..... ,..JJ.
f'M""' ........uy........ pool _ ......... - , . .. ,.....,......
.. K<m. <1< .. , .... "'" ....... ' " .wit • <nO . . . . . . . . ._ ~I)- _ Ih< >pO«

A_""""" P""_""
opm<d "I' "r "'" In ~
r""" II.. r... eI,I>< '"1-'1 eI" F<>Io<.oodt ........... - . . *""..,...",...~..,J
io
...,., ""Th<
" ... 0.1 ,,,,. 1'nJ<><-"'" 0'
 C""J'ltT J

SHAME IN THE CYBIiIlNETIC FOLD:

IlEADING SILVAN TOM KI1'I 5

Wriucn wi,h Ad.!m Fronk

l l~~ ~re 3 few things theory """";S 'Olby.

Or, 10 phra.. i, nlore f.lrly, h• .., a", a few bro.>d assumplion< 'h" "".~
Ihr heuristic habils and pmil;ng pnxf<!u",. ofthwry loday (Ihmry 00l
in the prirtUry lheort1itll lUI.. bu, In II.. roulinizing cri<ka1 pro;"". of
-'W1it'd theory": ,heory:>1. btwd project ,h.1 """. Sf"n, II.. hum.n~
Ii<: • • nd ">lends into hi"ory and . nthl'1lJ"'k>gy: Iheory .ft.. Foucault .nd
C",,," bbu . • ftc, F",ud and Lac,n. aflO' !.t"i·Str.u<s.• f,cr D.rrida. "ft.r
r"mini.",) when i, off.D "ny account of hum.n beings or coltun:s:

The disI.n« 0/' any web account from • bioloj;ical buis is ,"""med
10 m=I' I. nc .. p..,rudy \\;1111" I'<,nellliol for doin& jUMitc 10 dif.
fc!'t:nce (indi"idu,l. hiStorical. .nd cro •• ·<ultural). to conli n&en<y. '0
p" normati"" fore •. and to 'he pouibili,)' of dunge.
•. Human I,nguoge is ... UmNIO off•• 'Ik' mos. prodI>ClL"". if tIOI lho:
""I)" pouibk. modd fOr underst.nding ..".....,n'..iI)n.
J The birol ... I"Nil;.... ..,Ia,iotu of .ubj<ct '0 objecl . sdf to ",her•
• r><!.c,ivc to p.Mi,.." .nd Ih. ph)·$ic.l sen.. (1igh') u"d ....'ood 10
<<>frc'p"nd mOSI do.. l)' '0 ,Iw:..,,d.lioN a'" don,in. n, org.nixing
I~ to 1M ,,>Ient ,hoi their dlSmanlling "" such IS fT.mcd ., both
In utg<'n' .nd an ;ntenni....bIc t.st.. TM. prroccup.tl;on ""e"d!! 10
 • weh p,nc.~' ," ~ubi<'''ir.ca'ion. KI Ha>hionin g. objoclwntion. >.nd
O,henng; In lhe gOlU; '0 ,t.. CO'" of Klfhood wh",h~r c,m,ide "'d
' J a "",dopm~nl>.l 'ekls or os ~ ""~rous illusion ",<!uiring ''igila",
docon'l,uclion.
~. COI"ll'spondingly. t .... S1ruaur.olisl ",Ii.""" on .,.n'boJi~.'ion 'hrough
bIn.ry p"irings of ~k"...,nu. defined in a diaoitinl n:lation '0 Olio:
.. n",he, and no mon: ,h.n ar!);Inrily U$OXi .. ~d with the 'hings
symbolizn!. h •• no! only $Urm,.d ,h~ "'\K'tuull" mome'" bul. if
.nYlhing. hal bttn prop.agatn! ~,.. IlWWt bro;tdly ,h.ough n rioed
·.nd unn:Sling cri'ique _ critique Iha, n:prodIKCS and popularizes ,he
it m.y romplk'l~ an undtrsr.nding of ,he """ki"Po
.. r1IlIM .... """,,:u
of ,he bIn.rUntS m(nliontd aboo,,, along "i,h $Uch ochcrJ:U pm-
cn~/~bstnce. l"k/ plenilUdt. tulun:/ cullun:. n:prcssionj libe .. ,ion.
and su"''''''''''~gnnonk.
In ,his chop'c,. ,," disctw. figun: ..... pn:'itnlly wcll·""""·n. ,h. us.
psycbologisl Silvo" Tomkiru ( '9' ' - '99')' ,,'ho Ottms implicitly '0 duUcngr
,hc.., habil$ and proccdun:< _ lOch.ncngc Ihem nOi from ,hcnntal,;<' of,h~
pr6CT11 but from (whol ,," I.. ke 10 bo,) . momem shortly bo,fo,e,hdr instal·
lation a.r lheory_ Hc is also. ohr:n. a tiS"", ,,-bum ."",h lW>Iu.and pnxcdu","
would lend 'h.rply 10 rt'buk •. In f.ct .... dingTomkills·. work on .1Jec1 has
conJis(t1Itiy ir"...I,-"d UI in 0 pcculiM double m<M:m.nI: to bo, 'c.pormve
10 ,he g«"' intcrf$\ of his wriringtttms abo. conlio .... Uy. 10 omke S"'phic
lhe meehani,,,, uf wh., would "'.'" . n i,m;islibiy."y di>crtdit.Uon. y""
don'l ...," 10 bo, long "'" of theory kindtrg.f1t11 to m.k. mincemu, of.
lel's ""'y. a psychology tha, ~nds on .he 'itp"r~,e e>:isl~n« ol.igI>' (only
SQ4ne,in, ... il'. nine) distinct affeell hlrdwin:d intu Ihe human biological
sys'~m .
reI we c~n'l convincr ourlCI,.., ..... ,. fur ,,,,,,an« . • he fOrmid.Wly rich
phenomcnology of emo,ion, in TomklllS is in any acciden,al or 5ep"",bk
n:1~lion ,0 his highly su>f'c'1 scicnl'.m. If .n)'thing. hi' .demi~m 5(:cm. '0
in .erp<CI •• ~I\ ahern .. i,.. and far roarlC, .ocruilm .he theory ,.... would
find hi,lOu,y 10 di.mi ... The .dcn,i,m nf - ,hc'Ory.- indeed. can become
visible in Ihis lighl " a dilt',":n. prod"" of alR"OOJl ,he same. ~ry P",,;cu'
lar technologic>.l momc:nl;os Tomkin.... The foct thaI one. ,oday. sounds
cockamamie and lhe othe. vif1".1 common 5(:ruc. or Ih .. One sound> in·
cl",.. blyd.",d and ,hot "'..... Marly fi"t"Sh a. print. mar""".1t.... .bou.
,he
rrJ,,,,historical righl ..... of -Iheoty " Ihan abou' .he dynamic. of con .. ns
(,,.r,.II,,iorl and cross-disciplin.ry tr~nsm~.
, j- On" conjoin l of affec, cH"« .. we upcricnccd on .he ....r 10 bo,rornir
, dJic'.-J to n:.ding Tomkins: his wriling exci.ed .nd c~lmcd. hupin:d .n
",nlell,n!. Oncc. Or\< of u< fell asleep n:.ding and aftc ........ rds ttpI.,....
"I oflen 1,;<" tired wilen I'm learning a 1oc.- TIlen: .... many (~plc, <
Ih,' .... ri.ing·. br.sh gencroJi'Y' . nd in a section On affect diffcrt'nccs in di
,..,-.,nl .pecie. we tind an e"""'pIt of the ,,·riIC.·S: -lbc .... rit., mc(~.rull.
dom •• ,i(ot.d 0 50111cwhal wild killen. B.mbi. ,,-hieh had heen •• rroril:",
m' 3 couple of do~n older Cal•. aU of wbom li\"cd log.,heron a f.rm. B.mb
..:••• wild I,nle aruicly neurotic with an ",,,"""'clming fear of >.II .nim.k
jndudinS man. It proved po»lble lU .IIenuate both his "ildnc$s and. hi:
("ar by holding him lightly a, 100'S's WIS nece~ry 10 bum OUI Ih. feOJ
!"C'pan><:. I continued to hold him ' ighrly ~ftc, his feor h.d~ . •o h.
PifUJ'C him to nun·fe. rful hu man con,.ct. This was n:pc;ucd daily lOr..,.,..
lime and ",,,mu. lly lhe fear ,ubsided- (Affm t:6, ).'
TIu< €"uld:li "'eII deooibe Tomldn" wriling: a poten,i.lIy I~rrifying.nd
,ertified ide. or image is ,run up and held fara< many p.u.gr~phs u an:
n"""mry to - burn ou' .he f"a' n:.pon'it .- Ihe" lilt., man)' mon: unlil ,hal
I'ka 0' imol,;<' can I'OCU' in the tat " 'j{hoUI ini.ially ........ ing I~m>r. vt. ..,.,.
"'" 'cn<:~s. sonlC, ime ..... hok p",.graphs "'pcat; P'l,;<'s.n: l.un up with
.. n,cru:••• yn,aCticaU)· r<: ..mbling one a"other (.-pi"cmical1y mod.r non·
rocti", ullcran«S of,h~ (orm - It is pouible th;tt ... .- - If .•. om)' .
- Whether bec.us< .. :)... nto,,,I:, no, c.~mplifyin" ogene",1 princ,pIt b,u
.. m p ling _ I"'ing'M po»ible. Thi, ridl cI . USlr.1 .... riling nunul"t"l"ritir•.
"'plcniohr •. then KU the ide. in molion ogain. II-;Imbi isn't 1M only tcrrifin!
"jlJ thing in ,hi, piCI U.., .
Ouring Tomkiru', JIOIldoct .....1 )1=O..-s~I H.,,·.rd h. u"derw.n ........ n·
)"a, psJ"'hoan.lysis (or " 'hieh Ihe immcdi .. e stimulus "":1$ a ..,.,,'" ""..ding
block. 5., ... '" r..ding block: a symptom "" c'd ne,,,r heard n. "",d bo,fan:. bul
Onl: h.t only '0 M .. il """...,d '0 feci one lu""," i, "'tima,ely. IIffrcr I""'U'}
C" ...-j""'~r.. iso', le ..1affcaing for lhe " ..ces il hea..-sohn illl......... ." prob.
k m .. i.ed ,..,,-b.I pruc .... Tomkins', friend of n,.IIY tkoade •. Irving Meun·
der. described 10 us in.n Inl.f\·~ howTomk lns .... rote. , ix or -",,-en rapiJ
hand"'ri"cn line, 10 a I"'"e "like au,onu'K wri'ing.- a.nd how ..,.,""i......
 If' hi,!:"", .... rpriK. af'cr wri' ing a I<I"!: KClion. he would disc""'r in .
.In.....,' a ~.fofpapt ... ,ho,
At h..! .... ""en mon,hl bo{o~ lha, ",,,,,~,~
..mo.' ><:1 of condusionslTom a diff.",n, .uning poom. If ,be a"oni>b;"gIy
he'erogeneous writing of Ajfm ''''''II? C...ucwlOS"",u often embra«> mul_
'iple "",.I'pp'ng YOk<:s '0 atten"'.e teNUl". " is Ir$s ,0 red"", .... numbor
..r\'UICCS ,Ilan 10 conlain ' hcir sp.>ct! of""'rbp Icsr: ~ sprc..! .,..... L>rur >re.
lions of .......mit. Structur:l1 rrpctirion is r.",1y eua... ' '''''Y- and -'an"
.nd lhe phraKJ in ,,-flich ' hey 'ppc>r .hem.te wi,hout .pparent p;!lIern in
• ~ragr:lph w~ rhy'h"", ",mind one ofCertl'\ldc Stein'$. .flOmCT wri~r
whc ceminly knows the plcasumI of Ii...;
If you 111:0 to be loolttd", and 1 Ii"" to look at }'nu . ...., may >Chi.,..•• n en_
j<>y.bl e i'""I"'""", . 1 relationship. If you Irk. .n ..Ik .nd I like 10 lim," '0
you •• Ik , Ihi' ,o.n be m"!WIlly .....·.roing. If you liltt 10 fed .ndoo<:d ..;.Irin
o d'""rum and llil:o '0 1'''' my.rms amund)"U . ..... eM! hoIh enjoy 0 po ••
ticular kind of embr...,•. If)'QU Ii"" .0 ... I-Uppnt'ltd and I like to hold )'QU
in my arms ...... ran enjoy ,,,,,h.n crnl>ra«. If you lab to be ......... and I
lik ,n kiss)'QU . ...., may mjoyurh "'...... Jfyou h"" to be ~ or bo:-
Itn .nd I lib: to sud 00' bit. ,.,.. ....., nuy tnjor tKh other. If you IiIu- ...
ho"" yoursLn rubbed and J lib: to do this ' 0 you. " .. can.njoy eKh othrr.
If you "")0)' bring hugged and I enjoy hugging you. it ran "" murn.oUy en.
jopblr. If,.,.. enjoy bring domin.«-d .noll ""joy (Qfltmlllngyou ....., ITIiil
.'Ijoy u(h ",lie •. If you C"j"Y c<>mmuniC'.ting ,.,... c'p<ricn«" and id.:",
"Kl "pi,.'i"", .h.
a~d I "njoybti~g informod .lwut experience>. idra... 0<1
"pi •• tion, of Ollie ..."""''I'.'njoy e.en othor. If you enjoy tellin); . bou[ the
P'" a~d I .njoy he' ring about the r.~t. "'r m. y enjoy e.eh ",he •. Ify""
enjoy >p«ulaling .!>o<r,.nd p",dktinl; ,lie (u'u'" .nd I .njoy being"" in-
fo,n>cd , "'.., c.n cnjoyc>ch "'...... If you ,,;oh.o be lik mt and I ..-ish [0
Ito,.. you imitate mo. " .. can enjoy ....h Othc,. (Affi<t ,,. ,,)
At 1•• Sl al <>Ii"" .. p" ... graphs p<rmi. ~ader ~nd ......... to JD _ he~ 10 e ...
joy. bul InOlho:Tl~'u:o.l pla.ccs to anger. or bcwmc ano.cdOf:i$hamcd. or to
en'cr let"'''' and p<norm script •• Ila . ... 11 on .fl"cCln.. ......,11 :;u pcn:.ptu:o.l
and men""} c'p'd'ics _ ,hey permir 0"" '0 "'" ,10>:
I, .. "'" Url<on1nlO" '''''t t"..,
i,KliviJu.ls. burh .... ry ooonp!riJi<. may be m.
" l"'hlr uf • •~"ai""J >0<;,,1 ",u[loruh,p ber.u>c of vary,"" in,,, .. ,,,.nt.< in
u"" n, '''''t he. t)'p< "fin'.rp<.s.-n,.1 in"~"Ir<.>n. Th". you n..y,....' ... much
""" COn!'« and 'ocn' rumm"";"" and I wi"" lu .. Ik. Y.... " 'ilh >t.", '0
.k~y inlo my q-u. bu, I .. hit"", in' imao:y only in the dart. in >cxu.l.m .
braee_ You wi>h '0 be ftd and rarN lOr. • nd I ""oh .n uhibi, mpelf and be
~...w at. You ..ish to be hup and to h.a... your 'kin rubbed. and I "i<I\
'u "",,.1 myKlf only by dioru.. ing my phibophy oIlik. You wt.h.n rnTal
}"",,,,,If 'hrough your Yievo' ofthe n.. u", of ....... but I can .........Jjz., mJ""'1f
<.only 'hrough communicating my l"'swotI fOr.1Ie .. ttl and. ... pc of. com·
tcr Ihat .1"""" 'hinu hkt .. mon . You ",.. h.o «>mmun"",t. you. m<W
~rwn.lf ..lingo .bout me, bu1 I ". n "hin.. ooctalln\irrucy only through a
,,)Il\n>Otlly ... , .. d high <>pinioo .bou, 'h" merit.< of something ~unt impc.'
>1""1. .u, h a, • I" rtku b tl hoory ur hranch of know lodSe or .n aU! omobile.
(~Jf'" "41J . '.)
,1' We got uu. fir>! taslc ofSil,.." Tomkin. wtlm ...., ........, looking f~~
"",bI. id ••, on the 'npk of sI>.me. In • K><I<kn L>ntbapc of mor~I,st1C or
maudlm idees ~cs aboul ...·.... t is. to 1M rontT~ry. the ""'" """1'01""lof
~,n o"om. Tomki",,-s f<>TmuL>,1nns Sl~nlt ; for lMir shorpn<'3'S and <bring.
.",,1. amplitude.• nd a dc>crip';''' 1t--eI'MidtdntSS that in the dispiriting
rome .. founds .1"""" ,urn::o.I. T<>mlins considers Jlume .• long "'rlh ""CT'
""'. ""'pril':. joy, an!,,,, •. fc--~ •. di>.<C$S. disgwr. and in his la' .T wri.inS ron ·
.. ,npL ("di"mcln tu be 'hc b.,ic sr. of .ff«lJ. He ~ace, .h.m~. ,n f~~ . a,
"ne end "f 'he . !feCl f"'1";1Y ,h~,"'·f" Itn"I' lu gge$ltng .h., the pulsa,lOO'
of ",h~xi , around sham •. of aIl1hing•.• '" what dther enabl~ or dj",n.b!.
..., b.,1c • fultetion ., ,he .bUily to be i",.", ... d in the " 'mld : "Lik. disgu>l .
1.1t.",< 10p<rale. only .ft" in10",St Or t nj<>ymen. h.J been .~;'·.. ~d. and
inhlbilJ Otl(' OT the o' he. 0< both. T he innatt :IoCI;... lor of sI>.me IS the ,n.com.
pIo.·l~ n:ducrion of in'~"," Or joy. Hco\('O any Wrio:ttO (unhn- upl<>ration
which I"'rti.lly ",duCCJI in'.mI' ... ..ill :loCI;'' '.,he k""cring of.he he..!
,nd c)'OlI in sl>ame and reduce (unher t.ploution or KIf.t.<JlO'utt _... Such
• bomcr m'sht be bcuUK one is suddenly looked at by one ........ is >I"'nge.
or I>«.u.. 0"" wishes tn look •• ol'Comn ..."" "";,h __ her pcnon bu, su.:!-
de"l.. rann", be"ause he is >I",n!,..,. 0<""" UptctN him to be famili.r bu,
he ":ddenly .ppc... unr.mi1i~r. or 0"0 >I~rted 10 Imile hu, found one ,., ••
.miling ~, _ O1r:1ng<'" (iI/foCl 1:0 1j).
M I ,uggested in .he im,odu<lion. Tomkin.... cmph.,i, i" 'hi' accoun'
"" Ii;" "' . .18. n ,her ,h. n 0" 'he prnhihircd or dlsappro.... d ..... (On"""i ..1
 wi,h • mo.;v .. ;ng intuition .h., ,he phenomenon ohha .... m;gh, off« n.....
w,ys uf 'hon-circui'ing ,m, ~mlngl, ...... i""oc~j»ble habit> of though,
1h.. Fouc.ul. gTQU~ tog~'lIcr under ,he n • ..,., of the ""'prnsh'" hypothe_
,is. "A' ,he $Ome .inlC. ,he ":Rran~"ness ofTomki",,·. xroun, .1>0 Ottmcd
nialy diff~n:nl from the cngulling. ""'or
coch .. oIogicai pnhos wrround.
ing .... m. In .he popular discourv " ·h.,,, il is cur",ntIy most c~"'n<i>,,1v
discwscd: .~. of .h e self.help.nd 1tt<JO"')" ..-".... nlS.nd .he self~.
chology ,h.t . hw""ic:alJy undcrpilt$ ,hem .
rnd«d. it ""U .hrough .he fil.er of self psjd>ology and oo,.<t-"''''tiono
poychology . hal " " fi f'M cnrotmtenod Tomkins; to the drg= IIw his work
h•• been popuJorUcd. lt hu been as oft"enng a kllld of origin myth (in .hoe
..h. me of.he inf.n, ) fon ~ncrk ruma,i,,, oflhe indi,;du .. ion.nd 1iIi...1on
of. ",If. Tomki",,', thwry of affect origiruled with his dose obstrv.1ion$
of an Inf.n, in '95S, and he _ allk .0 Ioca.e c.rly upr.,..;on. of Wmc at
• period (. round iIr\",n mon,hs) befon: the: infant could h.,,, any c<>neqK
of prol>ibition. A$ C~P"" clJ>bins. manyd"...,loprncn .. 1 ps)'ChoIogisa,
"'spending to ,hi, finding. now consider sh.n .. the affm lha, moo, defines
.h. "P'« wh"", in a "'n.., of ",If will tkvo::lop. In Ihe '''"tal of an ~a­
relations de"'~'I'nlCmal n.rrati,,,,. Ihis USC ofTomkiru is ,.I... bI. a, one of
the ",pe"'~re of ways 'hat ,u,h • ~ychology hJ.s of di<placing Ihe Freudian
.mplud. On o..dipaHlyand rtprffiion. What il ob:.cUT<'$. how,,,,._i< h<>w
, ublimely .lien Tomkins', own work rem.ins to .ny prnjm ofn.rrating
,he em"!l<'ncc of. core ""If. A rc:.dcr who uncl'rgoc. the four ,"OluIIIC$ of
Tomkin •• Ajfm I"",Z('y CO"";O"ln(JJ f.d, Ih~ ~khemy <>f 'he contingenl
;nvol .... ;I~lf ..., in.inmely wi,h Idcolllylh., Tomkins rome. 10 ..em ,he
f'S)'Chologl" one ,,"Ould 010>, lik. '0 rc:.d f.ceo .• . f, ,, wilh Prou.t. He more
Ih.n C<)umen,,,, •• both [I\c PrnuJlian fa!oCin .. ion with l""OttOmies of pe'_
"""".out 'he Prous,;.n con .im y .h.. lhe high.st in.e ....1of,uch IUonom;CS
i< ever in m.king grou,,w (or clisconfirm.tlon and surprise.
Ch .....aeriSlintlly. in Ton,ldns ,1>0.., pench"".. " ..".. embodied. .hrotIgh
eX''"'.g.n .....goti .. ions among ,he: di>"' ...... «>mpeting ~incsCl<11ed
psychology in .toe Uni.ed Sma frnm ,he ,_ 'hrough and beyond the
'960s: uperin,n".I. dinintl,.nd applied alik<:. Jlpplied. in thi.ca<t. H PC'_
"",ali,y .hMry: during his many ~us of .".ching" Princeton. Tomkin>
" "Orud ron<:ur",n.ly on ,1>0 Ikvclopm<n. of penona~.y ''''''' fo..toe Edu-
c.,ion.1 Tn';ng $o,,",,c,,. for u • •. and """rot<: • booIr. on inrcrpttting _
.m, Them:.o,k AI'\"<f"C"l"kN, T.... _ a boo!< tlt.o, "-u. ... Irving F_ Ale..n.
,k r ,emark.;n hi, biognphk.1 .....y. ' ''''ry wdl recei,.. d .. . n i,"ellenu.1
"(I"".,,,,,,,n\ bu. I doubt if anyollC .''''' used it;n nnlerto Ie.rn how ' oi",....
1"'" • TAT r«<:ml" (in TomkiOl. Sk.l,"U5J). The p",,,.mplion of. cun>o!i-
d''''d "'''' person.li[y .n.. ,",-oold Ottm implici. in wch • disciplinary Ioc:..
,~M' i. ,t.all.n~d. hOVo·("\'!r...... rywh.'" in Tomkw·. "m. and at both lhe
i!~ and Ii,,"' 1c\..1s. by _h .nother disciplinary mobilization H that
ofqbc'ne, ia and lyJlenu .Iw:o<y: or. also 1',,,,.,.;,,,1)". ethology. neuropsy-
chology. pertrpcion and cognilion. sociol poycholog)-. and. as weU. a ptt -
;.ci<"nl ~ri .. of ...",admgofFreud. Paul Coodman. G",gory Batcsoo. other
r.."le poIyma.h figu .... com",nbly marked by lhe Amcriocan p<»t,,-.., mo·
..... nl. didn', have SO brood a cen.crof gravity in (and rouldn·, . the ...m .
... ,hrr. ext .. 'he ",me pra.s<I'" .gainst ) disciplinary po)rltoIogy: the fi,st
rublkat,,,,, of Tomkins', 'hcory of affect was in FrtlKh. In a ,"OIurnc edited
1»' • d.lfe",n.iy comj»",hk figurt.J.orq .... laan.
Subl<lnely alitn. "" found ,his po)'Choiogy. 10 the dC"\"lopmcntil ptt.
sun' l"innf p"'scriptlon of. ",..., .. If; sublimely resistant. "" migh' ha,,,
. dJt."t.!. 10 wch pll'suml"i"n - ".<~I" ,~t the wbl.imity lies in an ".em-
1'1"'1 c~e.ogr.phlc dist.no:, nm in . diaJoclir:al otruggk. E,,,n .. re. in U.s.
p!lychology ofttoe cold war period i, [M pl>in .bscoce. not only ofhnmo-
phobi •. bu, of any hin. of. hc •• r...c~ist Ieleology.' Thi< m<mly . ilent and
"" •• ly ,crupulou. disentanglem"nt is lhe more compelling r,,, Ihe range
" nd h(",og.".i.y of Tomkins', discipli" ..)" iOurce>' ".hoiogy. sodal I"y'
"h " logy. \»ycho.",.ly.il. and ><, On .'" eoch structll",d .ruund foundation·
, II Yh". r rose. ist '$'Um p. i"n$.• ncl • .ch diffe rc:n ,Iy suo Ag.;n. how ..."r. Tom·
k"" s "" hi ovenlCm ""cm~ to ",s ui, not from. C<)n"'''c-dly atllihomophobic
pmj«t ('m, f,.om .ny m~rkod g.y in,.rc:". for .h.. malt or) bul r.>lheefrom.
.1""", <imply. finding. diff.r~'" pl.., •• o begin.
Tun,kins 'l n:sill.nee.o h••• ....,..xisl .deologies i. founded in the ""'"
h,,1e teem. of his undcf'M.nding of .ffec •.' As discussed in !he introduc·
'ion .• <onromi.. n. of di.'ingui!hing In the Ii", pia« be". ·ttn .n .ffen
'l·ot.m ~nd. dri\'! ')'Slem th .. '\ analogic.lly .mplm.. IS that. unlih: the
driw. (e .g... 0 "",.. he. to •• t). "Any .ffect may ...... any .object: Tltil i>
th~ ha,ic sour« of romple.i.y of hum.n """;""Ion and ~h<nio<~ (Aff«l
1:)471. I'unhcrmon:. in. ",fu$:al of ,he [e."", ofbch:oviorisrn. the.ffect
.).... m:u. "t.oItc "~f nO single 'outpu" " ( J:66): al<o un[iu ,be dm.u.
".lTe,.;." a"'plir".,1on if; in<hff~rtm tn 'hr mc.n>-cnd dilfe.-ena" (l";7).
" It i> enjo).hle '0 enjoy. It is ud,;ng '0 "" noted. I. i< terrorizing.o ~
'errori?e.! .,Kl' ''s~rins '0 be: an);"",d. "lfec, Is ",,1f-v,lid.';ng with or with·
,"" . ny furth", ..,(,'",nt- ( l:~). h is thes.c: .p«ific.rioru th.t m.ke . ffeq
t~"ry .uch • us.c:fulsite (or ",.istan« '" .deologiCiiI pn:lUmptions of th.
m.ny M>t1. hiJlorically tmbcdd«l in .he diocipline. nf p<)"hoklgy_
The fon:~ of(wh .. corllt"o Iftm) .1It """"erfully g..no..... "m.y - of the
first of .hese I""'f'O'l'liont. ·"ny .A"teI may h,n" .ny .objta: - .1It - may·
th .. e""'rg" 'hrough .~ >'OIum .... T",nkinl', L..s. di<prn:<>blc Locution,
'ccruc:' .. least p;,"ly (rom II>e highly eonlpk., higloJy uplici. b)'tring of
b;oIogic.1 and machine models in his undtrst.nding 0(.1It human bring.
An carly 'Iuestion for him W;1S -Could one design •• ruIy hurn..anoid mao
chine?- Ru. c,,*, ",ading of. pusogc discussood in I .... in'roduction >hov..,
tlLa •• I>e COll"'pt "machinc:- W;1S • complu one for Tornl<ins:
cybrrnotiC$. , , . ~ fould n<M tng.>~ in
0(
_h.
Whilr purouing 'ht. lint of. hought. Jcncoun""cd Wiener's early popcn ""
pro:tect ..i\houo: \he ron<ql<
multipl< _ mhlil'! of Yo..ying oIoS"''''' '" ,ndcpcndcncc. depcndenct.
in.erd<p<..o.",e .• nd (Onlrol md I".... ro.m •• ion '" """ ~. anrn .... r.
It w" this ~neul <"OrI«pllO.. which, """ day in ..... I.1e , _ mull-cd in
my fim unde ..... nding oflhe role of"", .fI"<"a moch.,.;.." as. "'P..... bu,
amphfylng <0 ~mbly, I .1mo!1 (eU ......1 u( mI' <ha" on nu-pruc .nd eJci •• -
""ot .... Mn I wddenly ",;.liud 1""-1 I"" panic of one who eoperi<no:s .h.
,uJfuc.. i,,!\ of int.rruptl"" vf h.. ";1.1 .ir supply h., J\OIhing to d" " "h the
. noxi< dri,,, .ign.1 pcr"" [l>«;tuS<,: gr. du.ll<a> of ""}ll"n. "'~n when f. .. l,
pn>du~. no p."k ~ A hum .n botinS couh.t be . ."J often is. t~rri~~d ,boUI
anything undrt 'ho ' u". I, " -, , •• ht>T. "'~p ,,> S<,:e .hal «<itement h.d nnth·
;"S P""'"to do " 'ith '''' " JlilYor ..1th hun~..;,r .• nd thal 'he 'PI"'r<:nt D<g<:ncy
of the d';"e 'Y;I<'" "'0' ""'TOwN from itJ ro-. ,ocmbly ,,'ith .ppropri.. ~
• ff~c" •• ".,(t..,ry ."'pliti..... J',,'ud" iJ luddtnly 'ppc,,,,d 10 be '1"'1'''
tlll"r .i»<t .uu.lity. • s h. bot" know . ...... he ",os< finicky'" drive•. e.. ~y
r<ndtred i"'pot.nt by .h.o"" ''''l<lr
or or borcdom or rage_ CQu.,t" J09)
Nntc. moot charK1Clistic .n.ly'ic ,,'UClU'" l\c",. Wh •• 'pp<'rS to be.
diminution in tM 1'0"-"" usignc:d 10 I"" .. xu.1 d,;"" none ..... 1cso ~on'C.
spondJ 10 • multiplication _ a fini' t .nd roncn:te multiplk•• ion. i. will
<m.,,);<' - o( "'ft~"'n. po:uobtli.ics
lOr ..:rual ",Iev;o"", (rniding in .lIi. c>IC
'n I'" diMinct <W!J;""'C .fftel, oh~"",. o",iolr, boredom. "'~'Cl_ Suu.lity
is no Ion&"" an on /o ff ma"~r ",ho$t ''''0 poosibil;n.... r<: bbcled E"P1'tSO
vr Ikp'CS', Sc.u~li.y ~I a dri,.,. """ains ch.rac'eriz"d herr hy • bin.. y
(r"tenl/impolCm) mood: y"1 its link In .tlcntion. 10 motivation. or indeed
."ion
,oJ ,)Ceun only through cw ... mbly ",ilh.n alTeet .yMem <I..oi""d
.. ct>Comp.sslng $eYC1"lt I mort. and m ole q u.li.al; .... Iy different. po:uibilit;'"
th;ln '-"'/ off.
W" discuss ,hi, p.uern in Ihe (.... mewnrl< of Tomkins', h.bit of byt'r-
ins diSil.1 (on/ off) wilh .n.1og (graduated and/ or multiply diffcrcnti.,uedl
"'i""Sl'nl~lion>l models. and "..;, .rgue for l ilt g",at ronco:p!U.I ,,,Iut of
tlli' h.bit. If it scrnu 10 "rhy""": 51ructU"Uy, ","h ...-1La. ""~ h,n", already
referred 10 iIS his h.bit of 1a)'Cring biological " 'ith rnxllint Of compu .. r
,nodtboftlle human beinS. "'" mUSt nontt .... lcudo:pr-ea .. ( iIS ,,-ould Tom·
kll" ~nd indeed .ny SY5ltm. theorist) the fun ..... homoLogy tlLa. might
.... nlify Ihe m.chtnt or compuler wilh digiraJ ~n .... ion. and tht: bio-
1og)C~1 organism ",ilh a .... logical tC"(""""m •• ion. The..rn homology mao
chi .... : Jjgit~1 :: animal : ..... Iogic:ol (and concomitan' pmikging of lhe
mochin,,/d igit>l j is, ",e a<'S""', • ""'1 """,·tnul "nKturing presumption fO.-
<ur",nt lheory.nd emerge, espccitl!y otrongly iIS. n:/ltIi\~ antibiologism.
1M it n.1'~sen ... hod enginetring .nd hod bio\og)', and it k.<k to hod
the"ry. E~n ,uf'P'l'Sing information m..:hines .ndli,';"g 0,);"";'''''' 10 be
.lto~'t:lhc, diltinct d3n~5, lhey (tn.inly h"'"
in «munon Ih., N<h oo"m-
poi"'" • hcleroS"fICOu, mi"uro: of digilally st","'Oln:d ",;Ih ",,"logicall)'
>t,uClurtd r<:p",,,,n101ion.1 mechani,ms. r"Or Ihal m.ner. Ih. distinction
1;,.,1W •• 1I digi"l .nd .nal,,); is Itself .nphing bUI absolute: .n>logic.l mea·
,men,.", can lx, used .•• in ~ therm'>$tat or. neuron . 10 lrigg... n on/ olf
. witch , wh.",., p", ..ni or <:un,uIOlions of ",,/off ,witchings may, as in
O.. na ld Hcbh'j '9019 modd of n.ur~1 firing in th. br.in, ",.ul. in Ih" form. -
.ion or complcx .".lOSic ,,,u<lUm .
Ina '~p'P< " "!I n.log.nd Pigital Communi".ion: On Neg •• ion.Sig·
n,fic.,ion .• nd Me.ning: "nlhony Wi}d"n offerS Ihis .mong tho: "guidi ng
(Kinciplc, " on lhe: subj.ct :
Tho: qI>C,"lIon oft .... an.Log.nd tht: "'git~l is ~ of rcl ..ion>hip. J\OI otIC
0( <nli.l ...
S.... "rhing from ..... Log to diG".1 j.nd >icc ...-..a I is nerttS>.ry lOr rommu·
niullon to '"""" «nain .l'f'C' of bounJ..rits. A grt •• deal of commuruu·
I"", _ pc<h:aJ" aU communlc"• •;"n _ undoubtedly in·,01,..,. coru"'" ...i«h -
ing o r ,h .. tYP'"
 DIgit.,] thought i> an.J)'Ii< :and ","O.v.I""d: '''''Ios thought io <futkaicaJ
:and mmy· •• I....-d.
A digl ..1 syltm! io of .. klg/ltt bd oI organiution .and ,kerdOrc of.
Iov.= IogiCllI ')~ tkon "" analog <)-..cm. TIt.c digtt.al .,.....m .... g~ar ••
"..miolic frttdom." bu, " is ul'lmat<!y go... "",d by ,he NI.. of ,ke .....
log ~I.'io"ship b/"wtcn 'y"'m., ,ubsp.. m., .nd .up""Y'«m. in ""ture. ,""';'1 of
(ISS-89) ",u,,1forin~

Tom kin'. Il>rory of alfte" ~fkcting ~n in .. llectu.1 momtn, close to

Wilden', in ,hi> """y, cltptnds on. numb.. of diFrc~m kind. of crossing
bf'w«n .n.1og and digi,al forms of rq>re>en""ion, For elWllplt, <Orne or
,h. alfcas he ditnwt:s an SlNC'Iured in ,ke IOIIooo.,ng "'31:

I "'"DU1d XCOUnt for ,he ,1Il'e~1tC<' in .ffen KI,,",'ion by thn"t • ..una of

• ,Ingle pnnc;plt _ the dtruiry of no",,1 firing, By cltnsi.y I me." the f....
q"e""y of neur. 1 firing pI" unit of time, My throry POS'U three di>rn:l.
<I...., of ",iv"n.. o( .ffoe" uch "fwhich funhe •• mpllfi .. the ""Ultes
which a<li.,« them, Th ... a~ Slimul.,ion incr,,".., .rlmul..ion 10-..1, and
.. imula';on der~ ...,
Thus any scimulw "" ith a ~I"i",lr <Uddm ....... ond • lI«p in<:rI:... Lo
rite ra,. oI neural firing ...i ll innootdy .cti\',,, a .unit '"f'<"'>"- '" "",,"n
in Figu ... 1. ifrite '-'1. oI neural 6ring inc ...:oses kso .. pidly. (ur io Kliv20ed,
aad if..;o k.H'pidly, tken In,.=< i< inno"Jy >e,,,·.,ed. In """"..... any.us-
tained in<"-,,,, In th.I<....·d of neut.,] firing. as wi,h • co,,,fnu«i loud n~.
would inn.,elyae,i .. ,c th.~r)·ofdi...e,-,. lfi, w.. re.u" . i,ICd,nd "ill louder,
I, would i"n .. ely oc,I ... ,c 'he ."~r,..'~. Fi"..lIy. ony .udden<k<tt=
in SlirnuL"ion ,h.. rt<!lI(:«i t~ ..,. of I1C\Iral 6ring. a. in the • ..ddcn Ie--
dt.lC\ion of ute"';'.. noise. ,,"Ould in"",.1y Kt1 .... ~ ,he ........ rdtng smile of
.njo)"ln~nt. CQuo" - Jm
l>by " .. dd~r dixt.wion of ,h~ f~.r. dist ...... and ""ger , .... ,,-ill bf <rl,.
g~~d in theory-minded ,...de" by ,he ""...ity of O«\Ir ... TIC~ of lilt .......-d
-in".t. - in this poWS"1 Or. for ,h a, m,ner.• h~ I.>ughl~r wi,h "'hkh scicn·
'I~c rc.d.,.. tod.y "'oy rcgiitcr ,he ~du<th.. ne,-, o( ,h~ eone~p' "denSi'y o(
,,<'u .. 1tiring"l Wh.t " .. "'.n' to poin' '" U. i".tnd. I~ ....y Htbb·, un<k,·
".nding of ""ur.1 firing ••• d"'re'c, on/ olf(hc""c d'gh.l) .,'tn' triSll"red
by quan'ifiable ( ~"". analog) "imuli i< DIKe ag.,n .".Ios.... Uy q""ntilied.
In Tomki",,·. graph. 0>1:. ,he dirntn<ion of'ime. bu, in a "'Or ,h.a, leads
"oun t. r; .. phi<.t "'1''''''''''''"''' of • Ih«><y of in",.. "",,,'"'''' of . ff",. From Sit.. n
T",,,); ; n~ ~jJ<tt , I""W'~, C~"''', ,"Ol_ I. Cor"irigh' Cl Sptinll" I'IIbI"h;ng O""p-my.
10< .. t'-I<w y~", 100"', Uocd by 1"""""""'"
in ,urn , ,, the ",,/ off (digi''']) ":IoC\i.-.OOn- of any of st\"t..1d ..."". a/fcos.
Thu»-'n of Tomki ...·.,heory could thus bf ocMm.. i.ud "' analog - dig;-
t.>l _ on alog _ dtgit,,] . Wh.a, tha. (digilwing) ochfml mi,..,.. though, io
,hat l<KTlkin's 'heory •• mille< ''''''ard I .....}""tl...J (and in ,h., "'.... an.-
~>gic) un<kr>"nding of afr~et: if!h~ on/ off o( "neu .. l firing- ioqu. limivdy
undi H~n;n,i'tcd, ,he on/off of .ffect . <,i,·Olio" i, qu.litalively hiJoOhly differ-
<nti.led -among no fewer ,h.n ""..,n .ffens. (Qu.li,.,i"': dilf~"'nti'lion
i. ~Iw.ys. m. ""ru-e .• nalogical becou<c. for""", 'hing. '0 ,he d.g ... c ,h.,
'h"", .rc Jiffrmt' .Freet.,
,hey 'USl.in a claim ,0 bf n:pn:Kn,ed. nc«ssarily
.n.logically. vi. g..pII or m.ap.) Tomkins ",-ri,a. --no. Sf"".,.1 adv.ttn"ge
oI ~1f~Cli,"" arousal ,nluch a broad spectNm oflevtls and chonge:< of It.-ds
of n~uml firing is 10 Il\lIk( the indi,;d",,1 ,a" aboul qui,e JiIf~ ..r" Slales of
.ff.,,, ift ~"'tr ,I!If""'" "")'1-
("QUCSt ' J,8: cmph~sis ad<kd).
n,
And thr "qui.. cliffr .. "at .. o( aff.irs. - we ,I\t)uld add, .re n...... r '0 he
urKkr"ood OJ pu ... I)· (Xt ...""l stat e", ,hough Tomkins ht"" u ... ,he unch.r-
OC'.ri,,;c.l.l1y ';mplif"'cl ... mpk of ". loud ....u." ,0 ""p"'.. nt a ,timut .... in
'he bod) of his ".lrk cltn,;,y of ncunl firing;' .inu.1Iy ......'tra dirttt ,..",.
b'ion oh o me exttrn>.1 ..... n' th., rould bf dioctt,,,1y ...g ..g .. ed as -"imu
 Ius." It"heT. it al"'.ady il>Clf ",nCClS!he cumpiu in'(r~;>ving nf '""Jog.:.
nou< and "~ogt'nous, ptr«P'".I. propriocqKi''''. and in,(rpm.;.... - causes,
dfffiS, fecdbach, moIi"" .. aa.,g·,um .... ,"".urn:osmoods and,~
along with distinct ,ran.i'OI')' physinl ot ,...m..I .......... Ag.' .... ''''' bcIuv.
iori>U, Tomk in. con.is'~nlly argue. ,ha, ",""·.n' ."mulu. for ,m, affffi »"S-
,rm indud... in'e,nal as "",11 a. e", .. nal e'..,m .. concluding firmly ,h., IMte
I, no basis. and cert.lnly not 'he b.,i. imernal '"uus e.lern,]. for a defi.
ni,ional distinc,ion between ",.p<:tnse and .. imulu •. Tomkins "'ports on
Ofl... imulus-nosponsc f"ptrimen,. for ex.mpk,- in , w.y th., qui,e urxIots
,he ponumpti'''' $implicity oftM ape...."'" of dffiric shock. which cUm.
<:ally had b«n consjd,cred ,m, 'nnsp>....,tl)·:II"'''';'''' "imuluSl"r c""dkn«.
"~ had only '0 listen to ,he ipOn'._exd.. m>tlons 'hrougl>oo' an C,I.
pcrimcn,al seri<:.; M ,,·rit .... " '0 brromc "".. '" oftM diflieulty o( ~-oking
one and only one .ffcct by ,h. use of what ... rru an .ppropri... stimu.
lu.," Simply b)' r<:wrding hi •• ubjects" specch., the momen, .hq rec';""d
electric 'hoch. he offe", • carniv.lcl'q uc <ieeOflstructiun in ,h. place of1M
c'I"'"ed ",.,ul"." Among .h. cirrus of ./kc'i,,,, ""p"nse. '0 ,h. "1'1'"" -
enlly se!f-idtn,;.;.l .. imlllus: "Feels Ii4 "'Mn Pap;! sp>nkd";"A hundred
)"'''' 'go you'd be son of. criminal. ,mu!dn'1 ~"ou~"; " I(you ..-anI" ter.
rorizing pattern you',,,, got it "; .",.. isn·,
fai."; "011. you n'. CU' i, out; i",
moddtning ": "I'm noo: gett;ng much ou, of Ihis-I hope you ...."; -rhi...-
pcri"",,,, is .. upid ": · So tha' '. "'hal !he shock fed. like"; "Mr.lid i, migh'
n.uS- . te me": " I like the .I\uck,": -Imeresting 10 get in tM h.ndsof. psy.
ch"logi"-'; "I. lhi' ,upposed to make me "~ulio,,'t"; · 1d;dn', W.iJ1, to be
o 'hock Irooper '''y"",.":
"Ouch. ,h., ""rtl", you ... d;dn', hurt ": "Feels
like a.port wilh • b", on": " It m.ke. you iOrt of '''gry ,ho: lirsc Ii"","; "Oh,
lord. I'm f.lIing asleep" (1tfJ«t J " 9J" s>8).
"'" We ",m>rl:cd earlierl"', s.ci<:mifi<aUy minded ... de", ""Quid hkdybalk
at ,he ..,.j \1<1 ;""ne.. ofTumk ins 'Hrud.1 notion .,r· densn yof ","unl firing."
Althoo~>h the n01;on o( neunl firing PC' ....,,"'. '0 be intelligibly used in
,h i. work, Tomkin. remai". (""".. he )""1'$ or publicalion o( Itffm Intagtry
"'.i....
CO"...,;".," ... ) nt U) 'he .pcdli<:ation of,,;, ..... or;~ "."., (rrrSllmilWy
f""m~ ...I!y 'f«iali{nl) """...1 """,i"," this finng is t.king place. Although
Alfrrt 1....,vryC.,..,...... Ml .. OIM""';" displa).. qune a lot u( IntcrtSt in br.rin
localization. 'his one crud.l tI)"'q". densi,y of 11<"ur" finng. 1"'........ in
",,.,ing , h( br.in as. ho",ugc~s ~ ,h., hu, ., beSI . only "'" poten_
",I fur dc.cloping 10001 qualil"n.: <pc<i>.ljza,iun.
Thi.urtodcmandmgo(,ho: brain i<. .. "'.rg....
impot"nt I"ordtfining Tom-
~Inf. ('""f)' (ruilful ) hmorica! ..I;"ion 10 ,,·h.t W( <aU ,"" particular m(>-
,,,enl o( ,h~ cytx,mctir fold. roughly from the Ia'e 19;fOf'0 the mi<!.,j)6o:>.
II)' "cyberne,ic fold" "'. me.n lhe momen' when scientiM,' understanding
of til< brain.nd other li(. proce.... is marked by ,h. concepl, ,he posoi .
nol,,),. ,he i"'mi""' ..... o( pow.rful.-omput.". but ,he .c,u.1 computational
muscle o( ,t.. MW crnnpu,e", ion', ..·.il.ble yet. The cyberMlir (old. llIen.
.. ,he momen, of ,y"'(ml theory _ and .bo. in • dirtetly .. b,ed bul noo:
,.km k al ""'",I<>pm,""I. 1M "ructunlist momcm. Indeed. pan of ou •• ;m
;" 0 deseribe structural;.m. not as ,/ut,
,""Ill",," ,~'"',/ut,
""~ "'forr
'n,-
I, ul<'''''''."d''"' II,,, forl ..... w dim1/y.o i', bu, ""M'
as pan of a ric~
in,ellc(tual «olog)'.• G~ ...I, (including 'y",cms ,heory) ,h., allowed i,
lu mem mo,e dill~"'nt .nd m"", inlcre"ing 'hin~ ,han h"" sUf'o;,"Cd it>
sled: lr.j'c,ory int<> pon'\ructu",li,m.' We .rgue ,hat ,~e early cybernctk
,..,~i(m of ,he br~in as • I"..nog"""o"•. diffcITn,;"lo/t bu, not origin;olly dif_
f<""n'i....,d ,y""m is ~ ch~racteristir and ""ry frui,(ul emblcm of many o(
,h~ !oO faT un",aIiud pos>ibm,ics of this in'ellect ....1mu"",nl!
The cJbo.-mo.:tic fold might be: described as.1OId beN""n po<trn<>dcrn·
IS' "nd mookmi>t ""yo of hyputhc<izing .boul the brain.nd mind "1110;,
pm~I o(vinuoll)" unlimitcdcumputatio",,1 po.... er g.."C a newappc.1 to
runcep" ,uch a, f.edb.ck, which hod be.n in>lrumem;l!ly avail.ble in nlc-
rh.niedl design for ",'er a cen lury, but whkh . i( undc'sIQod ••• continuing
(e>1 un: of many .y.,ems, ul(\"ding ,m, biologic.l , would h.JI"C intn:xluced •
qU\l" 1In.:1"';milabl( ~ .... I of complexi'y .0 <kKripti-.-e o r pudicm-e c.leub-
lions. Be. w.. n ,he ,im. wh.n it ..-as un.hi"k;obl. to ...... y wdo <:aleuL>,ions
and 'he I;me ...n"n it b«ame commonpLace '0 J"'rform 'hem. !hcrt intc-r-
,....,0<1. period ...·hen they ....,,.. .... ilablc ,obe richly i",.ginN-b....."'..
.. ,II in"'gino:d wi, h a .. ruct u ral eleg.nce . an ;men!i' in conttpIual «anomy
o( n"'"n ••"d modeling, ,h.. were not destined (and seemingly we,.. "'"
n:qui",d)'0 survive the in,n:x!uLtion of 'he 3c,u.1 technology.
The ""oc.,i,,, lis" 'hat moke such. disti""i,.. (C ..II'" of Ihc "'riting o(
.o.JJ;',1 I",,,gay C~ ...... iQIIJ"r.. s.cern 10 bear the mark of,his momen, of ,echo
noIogical in"'gi"",ion . Wi.h ,heir m;nim.1 and "1'I'"'",ntly """'ignifying
gr;on'm"ic.1 dilTe",n,i.,;"" .. . ho items 0f1 ,he I...... go:"u", ._~ , he JK»"
"bili'y o r r.mdom. "nually infi"lte permulalion. :1001" ul" "·"-i.lI. oomc
 of it highly >ignif,,~nt; thot $U~"ion or ~r. unlimited uten. m.rks Lh.
imp<a$ of radical comingtncy On .he possiblo. ou.comes. Y~t tilt i",ms OIl
,h~ liMs. rar from nndom. art ahn)'$<.rtfully ehosen '0"P"n and indica",
AtW vist .... '0 rtf""l"'" new lriruh uf possible enuillntnu ..",oI ... d in any
gtncnlir.:ation. Th~ can be rtO<l ... either undoing or fUgge>ting.,....· <no.
nomic w","k. Tomkin,', lim prob.bly ~mble mOS•• he long .. n.~nccs in
ProUSt whert. sp"cui>'ioLt .bout someones moti,,, Is courh~d in. <c1ie3
or long parallel dau .., ,h" begin "W hether lI«ause ... ; or btcau"" ... ,
or lI«.u"" .. .. " A pos.modern 'ym." th:ol sec"".o ,·i"..e.hot '~ry possi_
bilky of unders•• nding motivt". by plunliring k a, if rncch.InicaUy. infini.~Iy.
:10: ...... wioh ohe >Oint ~"'Urt '0 proff~r .. man.ic ,ooIs SO irrniltibly L1S.lbL.,
, h.t thq bindone """r m<.>n! i""'gin"i...dr.nd prolOundly tOlllt Iocd pol--
>ibilitits of .n individwolpsycboiogy. Tomkins'sliMs im-ok. ,lit '''''hnoIog;.
(.1 juggernaut .Ila, would ""' ......·hdm and oIJ.,i.le 'Mir enurntn,ions; in.
'"Oking it. h"",,,,,... they .Iso momem.rily f = •• 11 ordisplare it. Nor is ,h.
i,.ue ' implified by h,,'" rcgul.rly in ,hese volume. Tomkins sin.ply "'P"'t$,
vema';m,. few of hi. key ex.mpk. ~po:r>C'"ra.ion that could sugges••
machinelike inlerch.n~.bm.y of p..... in Affro I"'~P'? C~ if it
didn', more "rungl)" c\"OI\e the: fM,ho< ofblo"hgt' and ic:s O'I~rcoming. the
ps)'dtic crortocnits of{... ·Ila.
T"mkins calk) ".fflumc:c rcripU. - ·pc.(q>tual
grted.· and ocr.......... l wming I"""""yof ~rc •. ohal.he ,.,on. o~ SO
""'n)' "'-ow .ffordmtts for urnkm.nding.
Th. cpithe. -fold- ..ems .pplic.ble tu ,he (ybernetic momC11. p"nly
bteause systems theory. pred,ely .hrough iu .ropism "'..... rd .he imag<'
of an undifferemi".d but differenti.ble <wlogy. had . s one of its gn:at
rcpresent"Km.1 st"'ngdu .n .bility to disc .... h..... thi,,:s d~Ii"'r: how
qu.ntiUti\" di/!;,re"".,. turn in,o qu~lit •• i\.., ooes. how digital and .naIog
rq>n:5C11latiom leapfrog or in.erl • .,,, ai,h one another...·h.t maw the:
unrxpcoed faul, lines be,"'""n rtgions of.he cakullbk .nd II", ,,,,,,leu·
!able (destined 1o ""'01,,,
;nm ch ..... 'heory). and ... I"orth. When: cogni';""
P')<'hology has.tY<! 10 ",ndcr.he mind', proce..., tran>l"'",nt through
and through from .he point uf vie",' of cognition. when: bth. viorism has
tried to do th. SOme fron'lhc point of "ic"" ofbthavio~~1 -Qu,_ome." whe,..,
p>ychoanaly.is h.. prufi'cd from ,h. COn<:cptu al cieg"lCe of. >ingle bolr
(""pn:>SionJ be,ween a Jingle continu"", "eomciou,,,"",- and • ,ingle ·un'
Consciou5.- Tomkins', ./Iff•• heory by cunIT.... off.,..,. "..,oloh of .i.« of
rrvJuetwe opacity. The ..... Iuriz.a,;,,,, of fc..:d Nck in 'YSlems theory .. al:oo,
.fie< aiL n""css;orily • va~.ion of error .nd blindness as producti»e of.
~ifically. >f ......... Think of frank Rosenbl.t" Po:rnptron (luger. )16-
~ \. for example. dt>igntd in .his early monw::n, '0 teach it..lf ...... '" ir.t'N
r,,-d.dythtOUgh' Pn:>CU$ of .ri.l . nd error. Its .hco"'lical principl~. ""nt
i,,''''
,upp<>.ed oI»oleKe",,< .... ilh the ''''''rgt:nce of "ully rnon: powerful
",,,,pule.-slo ",emerge only ",,,ently under the rubrics of conoccrinni.m
.,Id p.",lIci disnibu,ed prore..ing. A, Tomkins wriles . • truly fOrmidable
hum.nlike m.chinc
,,"QulJ in .n proI:W>OIity mjuire • ",lativdy helpless inf~ fOIlo•.-ed by •
growing competence tbrough its dilldhood .nd adoIeKence_ In d.on. io.
,,-ould "'qui", 'i.... In ....Inch to learn how to Ie.rn 'hrough ""king ermn
...d corSt<:ting .hem. This m""h is quite de ... nd ;. one oft"" "'Hom lOr
,he limi,.,iol1l of OIlr pst"nt ,o,,,m. ". Their =>10<. ,n: I~mP"r.utlCn '
"Uy u",uMJ 10 C",>lt .,.d nu"u ", m""hani,m, which begin in hdples<·
r."•. mnf",ion .nd ~rror. The .utornaton de,ign •• is . n ",·~rpfOtecti":.
,,,,,runn.nding I"ren' .... I>o .. ,on pie....! wi,h pn:cuci.y in hi> "",alions.
,... """n as he has be..,. .ble to ""..... , • • human ach ............. into SI""L
•• p" and dectricity. he if dtligh<ed with the pe"o...nance ofhi> br.ain doiId..
Such pn:rocity CS$tntially SUO ...""'... "",. =Iin, to .he hnl;"I ability of
hi> .utOrnOlon. (AJf«I t: ,,6)
T"mkin.emphasi,..es .h .. .ho introduction of Of'.cily ~nd ~rror .' the <08"i.
'h'c b'd alone would not be suffiCient e'"n for powerful (ogn;.ion. Abou,
,II< aIfL'" 'y., .m. he wri.e!.. ' We ha." "",...d .he .mbigui.y and blind·
neSS of .his prim.ry mI11;v~.ional system", Keen,,,"e what we .. k~ to be
the nec''''''''T price which mLlS' bt p"id by .ny l)"Iem ,,·hich is . o spend its
""'-",,"energies in a ... of risk.le.rning by making .rron. 11Ioc achitYcmcn.
of cognitr." pt,,,,,.r.nd precision mjuin:. moUY;I,1On;I1 Jp.em no less plas-
tie and bold Cogniti ... midu an: ~mi,ed by ohe mol;"", which u~ ohern.
Cogni,;,,, error. which is ...."t...1 to cognl'"'' Ie.rning. on be m ade only
by on<: capable ofcomminl1lg mo'i""ional error. i.f. bting wrong .bou.
his
own ",ishe •.• heir <aUK" ,"d OU""'"O'- (I:' (4)." Thu. i, is the ineffici.ncy
()f 'he lit between .~ .lfeCl Sy,' em .nd ,he "'1>""I, i\'1: .y... ", ~ .nd be,,,.,,,,o
";.her of ,h<-sc: .nd 'he drl", .y... m ~ .h., en.bIe.lurning. d"\'1:Iopm<:nt.
wminuity. ililfc.rnti.tKm. F"",dom. pby.• lfurtIance . "",.ning itself dem-T
from th~ "-e. lth of mutually nontw'$p""nt f'O'>ibilititS fOT being wTOng
about . n "bj~ct - and, implic.ti,,,I), .• bout oneself
.,,. Bu' to ",tUrn!O Figure ,. It is important Ihat the man~·-,·.luedll"" of
lhis , n. logical system refen to mo>rr I!.an It", but al<o to finil"), .. an), "alues
or dimen'ions (as. for in'lOncc. on a m.p: north . $Outh. oast . ,,·est.l. lhough.
.5 in . n::; an.logical representation. then- m.), be infinite gradations .Iong
the finit<:l}' speCified dimenSion •. A common enough "nd ban.l enough fe.·
tut"/; of ver)" many repre"nt~'ioru. Yet it seen .. to uS tha, fo,an affoci theory
to be Structured a, thi$ One i$ by fi"iuly ,""n)' (K»j ",I." is J(ru~lly al 'he
he.rt "f 'h e resiStance it ~n'Ount en from. or illumin>!ion it can off., to.
the Curren' 'hinking routines of "thcor(' The 1"I;<i".nc. occurs because
there ,",emS to be SOme Strong .dhe,ion b,""",en 'he ,"!",cifica,;on "finitely
Ill.n)· (n>l) val ues" and tlu.' <on",,~';on·,t"I'Ping word innatr. (Though
in Tnmk i n,~ work this adhc,ion prove •• >pecta<ul ..rly '''enuable one _
, "cnu>tcd, perhap'. preci.ely by the lalering .nd COnl,an' mu,ui! in,er·
ruption of biolog;cal .nd m.chinc model,.) S<>mchow it', h.rd to hold on
to the e<mcep' of eigh' '" 'hirteen (.nd )'c' not infini'e) cl1Jfmti bnds "f-
of . nphing import. n, wi,hllut h"'ing 0 bi"I('!;ic~1 modd romcwlwre in
'he "icinity_This adhe,;,m m'f well be " hi'torici! de"dopmcnt: as Ihough
' orne momen'Um of moderni'y (call;, mono,hd,ml call it 'he Reform.·
,ion' colli' capi,,,1ist ra,;on>.1 i2a,;on ?) h .. so evacua, ed 'he ronc~pmal spact
be,ween 1 and infini,y ,ha, ;, m.)" n'quirc 'he inerti,,1 friction of a biolngi.m
'0 own ,uggt" ,hopossibili,}' of reinhabi,ing 'hat 'p"ce. We h .." no ,nteTtSt
wh.te,,,r in minimizing 'he continuing histol)' of .. rut. se.ist. homopho·
bie. or olhe",,',. .b",i"" biologisms. or lhe urgency of 'he exposures of
them, th.t hal" nnde the g"",·.men of $0 m.n)" cont( mpo",cr projc<1' of
critique . At th~ SOme tim o. W~ fcar. w;,h th~ in",lia,ion of an d~M .. ali<"anti·
biologiom os 'ho unsh;fting cen,r.1 ,enet of ",hwl)'." ,h. I"", of conceptual
,cce.s to.n emire ,hought realm, 'he an.logi< realm offinitely m~ny (n>l )
",Iue,_ Acoe .. to this realm i, impol'"nt for.• mong o'her 'hings. enabling
'political vi.ion of difference 'hat migh' rc:U" bo,h bin"ry homogenita,ion
. nd infin itizing trivi.li2arion.'
For.n example nf how .ffc~' fore, under Ihe n:CCnt romilles of ,hw,y,
we could look to • '991 s",dy by Ann Cve,k",·kh. ,\ h_m l F"di"g" f/'noi"i,m.
,11«;, CUil.',·. ,,"J Vktc",," Stn..a';onal" ... We choo"" ,hi. ~~.mple not b<--
p US< the book is unimdli),,,,n, or unustful- it is "nything but - bul b<-.
p 'J:'e ;\5 achie'"ment seems to depe nd on . n exempbrily do"r and e~pl;.
,.,,,d r.,"tion to the se", .. I,heoretkal (Urren" (psychoan.lytic. Marxist,
F()ucauldi.n) th>! underlie it.' It is further unusual only in ba<ing'ts a'b""
", on' on • theory of . ffeet th., it m.lC$ an ".phcit c"n,,,rpiece ufthe book
Th>! ce ntr.1 thcory. whose gool i, -a poli'ics of aff<:c' tha, doe. not TtS' on
J 1\ csscnti.li" conception of .ffeo " (15). is. howe"er. only \'~ry curooril)'
,pccificd:
No< only do I . "ume th1l ' he link between <en'>tional "''''liS .nd bodily
>ton" tion, i, <nn>1TUClOd rather ,h,n natur.l. I . Iso .«u me that t h. ,!'?' rtm
n"' u" I""" of bodiI)'''' nWiun or. ffcct ;, i,,,, If • coo"ruoion. Like "". u.1 i'y
and mher phy,ie>1 proce...", affect" nu' a p,-.,-discu"i,"t en'i')·. ' f." ,h..
is olien oh..-urtd hy the ",,,.,truc,ion of . ff"clS Or bodily """,",,,ion... NIU-
r,l .... rurthermore. if affcct;,"" r",pon"" .re not •• naw",1 a, .hey ...,m
to ix' , ,I><n ,I>< (On<truction of . ffeel" natu,,1 migh' ",'.\1 be p.a" "r,l><
di><ur<i,.. 'rr.~atu' that perform' 'h" ,,"Ork of wh .. Fouc.ult h., de,,,,ribed
" 'Ilt disciplining of the body_ Di.apline is pov.... rf,,) prtci.. ly be,au,. i,
fun, tion• • , ,hough it were n.,unlTO,hcr 'han impo .. d_ ( 14 - 1~)
Alth"u!,'" Cvc,kov;ch undertake. ,Iti. inquil)' in the n.me of " hcori~ing
,ffect ' (,he ti,l<: of an carly chapt .. of the book). i, i, nn, immediately deor
why h~ r ca, her n'inimal specifiC) t,on t h., .ffcct ;s "diseursi,·" I)' roos, fucted"
r., hor Ihan ""n>lural" .hould d.im the ,IO'u, of' ,heory. Unle .., ,ha, i.. pre·
';",Iy IhM specification ;, tod.y understood to con.d,u," a'1)1hing" 'heor)".
Ra,her , han broaching or,ummarit;ing an .ctual theory of . ffea. the" sen -
tene,", in>le . d ",heuriu: affee," in the stnse of rounding up affect .nd herd·
III g it in 10 'he big t em of wh at is alre .dy unde"t ood '0 coos,i, '" e t he hod)" of
Th"or)'_ T he !>rJnd on lhat body is relen'lessly legible : "'heory"" h., become
.IIl'''>' 'i"'ply <",,"cnsi,,: with 'he daim (you con't •• ). i, often cnough)
I,', 11,>1 "",",.1. li n e.,r.ordinal)· d.im here presen'ed .. self-e"ident: -Th.
v, lue II),r "al ue' ) of . theory. like 'he value of historicol analy>;'. re.;d", in
its abili,y t<:> challenge ,«ulllp'ion, abou, 'n>tu",' " (~j" • • ).
Its 'u!;gt>led in th~ in,roduction. 'hi' ",n...,·c . ntibiologi,m might be
"'p'·rt~d to co'Komi, wi,h s<:,·eral h.hits of a'),"'lllcn' tha, " 'ill ... nd in
• .....,mi" gly porodo>ical rd. , ion ", .I>c .u1(d principk; of C""ku.-i€h·.
work :
,. Fouo uJdj:m "'p",c,lio... of ",he" "'1'",$1;"" hypothnn" ",ill..., traJU.
formed vinually iru'.n,:mrou. ly iro,o bin;lri«d. highly rnoraliK;.:
.Ikgolirs of"'" sutJ"",..;,." ,,,rsus .he I>cg.:rnonic. rnisI.ntt '''"''"
p""'er. - If .!feC( is hi<l:onc.lIy construc.~d. it on ,hom~ ...
Fouoult .u&l:".... uf ",.""Iily under .he ruk of 1M "'l'''''';''' hy.
po,he.i •. no< .he mech.nism for ,he li!>tu.ion of ,he ..,lf hll, iru,e.d
the mechani.m for !he rorll. imncn •• nd discipline of.he ""If- (31).
- If .ffe" c.n be • ..,ura of cui","ce. i. i, .1.., .. • m""hani,m for
power"' (40) ... Foucaull ', suggestion ,h~I ,~.i.u ncc i. nm eIfe rior 'Q
power n.. all. 'ha! [h..., dom.in. c>n!>t bo.h ,,,hidt$ for rnistanc(
~"J vthid.. for ,he imposition of p"""r- (•• ).
~. A !>Oml""l drp",o[ion of"'" quuOOn of(""",;.;.1 'ru,h btrom<:.o the
ground for frtquen. invoca, ions and do.CC\;,.,,·liU scrutinin of <up.
P'*d ,ruth cWIm by Otbtts - cbinu p;lnphrutd and pmcn.ed in
.he mos. ab$olu,e ,erms. Ont ofthe" piVOl'&! ,,"OfIb for Cvt[Jr.o,ich'.
argumcu. is -guann[U_- for e~: "11'It links bet"ttn penon.aI
.nd soci.>Ilr.II'ISfornution an. by no mc;\tU gu.;>rao.ecd" (I); ..",., Vi€.
1<I!'i.tn """,I need not he defended iro oWer .0 guar.lntU "'" posoi-
billty of sociJ.Itransformali",," (.,); -Affro ... ,,''' >01 be counled
on 1<> gu.rantee a lex!". sutJ,,·ersh.., .(ndtnde' ('41. The ontologi-
c.1oplions . ,." ",duced <0 gu • ..,nce ,,,<Sus no gu .... nlee; e,'m ap.rt
from ill oddly consumerist sound. ,his r.diol coo .... ning of ,.,,1.>.
lion. <0 lrulh me.ns .h.1 .he epis •.,mologiol $t"''' of C'''lk",-i<h',
.rgun.." •. r~.he, .h.n !>ting ligh'en¢<!. is ",""'"red ",,,r IDO'" insi>-
lonl. Ch .... "~ri$tioll)". fOo- iJ\s" nce ..... IItscrics .flec mucb ckduc-
Ii", ,,'Ork th>.. F",dric Jam~·. dISCUssion of mH$ cuJ'Urt'" -sus·
pi<:ioIUly ~tialiSl iro its """"fI{ion of affw- (W~ The susp;oon
",sid"" in ,he" ",.ding .,.". no! In .he .."d 'ox'. bu, it.. a common lit·
",I<>pmm'. 'he ..,.ngo: meu~ from .n.icmn.i:.aIiSl .oonto-
Iogi€'l pri,· •• e .,."'_
l . P"rh. p" mOJt oddly fo r a -,heory 0( .ffm: ,hIS one ha. no fulings
in I•. Itjf'" i. tre • •od.$' uni.ary nlogory. ,,; .h. uni •• '")· hinOlY
.nd unil>ry poliriC5. Th.", i. no .!won"lic. 1fOOl1' for an)" differcncr
lx· ..... oon being ..<oy. 'n1u""d. diSj;,mcd . .,h.m,·d .• nd enr. ged_ lIy
.n. logy wi .h Fouc.u], ·s n.''''li"" .hou, J!'x""lil}". C""'lko.i<h "'~rs
'0. mod.rn -hisrory of 'he cOOSl,uc. ion of afkn U n..aoingt"ul. one
""idont ... in the eigh,unth''''ntury """,Is of ..,n<ibiJity and scnt~
mo:n •• lil}" and in.he mtph;uis on fulings in Romantic poetry- (Jo-
,Jl). """Iings_ bu, ",",.kntly no ""nicoLor («=lings. The ... blinw. 10,
.nother uamplt. is d~rihcd •• ",he high_culru", vcnion of .ffnt-
W,) (.ny portirul.> • • ffm.~). And C ...., k""'i€h ·s implication .hrough.
nu, is th •• gerun.", diffe",n!i.'od. no! in rel a.ion 10 'he b...u of
.ff"". ,hey m.)" ..-oke or generale. but moro s;mply by .h. presence
(I' . bsence of ..,m, ",;fied , .. bsl.nee nllod Aff"" ..
Surely the .bsence of different .!fOCtl f,om .hi, -.heo,y of "ffco " i. no
,~..,rsigh .. It "'pre",nlS. Hule.d . • lhe"o",.ical decision: •• if wh •• is pre_
""nlt'd (ould r>OI fin.lly be ' heory ifil made any <kfoni.ional room a. aU fo,
quali,",i", cliffe",nc"" .mong .ff""... Wouldn·. i•.• f.or.1I (,," imogine "'"
qui""in g f, om any '""U-driIled g ... d"",u.:miR;lr). wouldn -, i. risk C>SeIt.LaI_
,Sm'O undemand . ffcas"" qu,li •• ",,,,ly d,~I"(fl, fTom each other? Y"", i.
(om inly would. In r..".
or we .re right in hypothesiringl .... m., enti",. atU-
logi€.Uy struerured [hough' realm offi~ilt? ""'~, (~>zJ 'Ullin is 3\.. ~.bJe
,oday o nly in 50fT\( ",I.>tion 1'0 biological modeU .• nd .ha,
the cunccpc. of
l~nIS<"ll I",1. '~""I.raL.nd .~,"~I ha"e by nowhc.-omc ,hoorttioUy
am.lgam ••C<! .hrough some hisrorical proce ...• fhon i, m.ke. aU tho ..,....,
i" the wo,ld th • • • -.heory · ",uou,."d in .he fi l"ll pl>c~ >round hype,,"ig;_
.",I ••
1" "1 ",n.i . 1;,01 and 3nt;n. ,u ... li sm win .,ringe",ly "'qui", Ih. ,"crificc
" f q U. I; I~liY. difference. among, in Ihi. c=. diff~ ..m .ffec.s. The hygiene
or rU'", nl .m ic.sc nti.IUm ..,. mingly &pendJon rigorous adl""""". to th<
(trron,,<>u.l)" machine·iden.ified) modd of digil.l. on/ off rtprt<Cn.a.ion:
inoof.. '" lhey.,." -thcorizw: .ffcas III"" ,u,n In,o Affro_
I'u. W( .-cpc• •• al!his historic.1 momenl .ny <kfini, ion;o[ i","OOOOn of
'''''Iogially ronu;""d. '1uaH, •• ;..., difforences. iro lhe form offou't? _~,
I~>JJ ".1.,.. doo:s indttd run .he risk of rtproducir1g. bioIogizing ..... n.
'",h.m. Bu ...... risk is f..- fTom being ob\'ia,w by ",.. n.he mosI scrupulou.
prac. icc of digi •• liz.o.ion. Tl>t emcnt"lism I..... adhe= '0 digi.. l models is
"'uc.,, ....>d diffen:n.1y from .he .,.."",i.li. m of .h..... Iog. But... this mo-
nIC"'. i, is problbly.U.he mort d.>nl!"rou. for ,h01 _ p",c;",ly bee."..,.
'''I<.le, .h e CU,rt", rou.ines of ".heory: i. is no. "'rognizahle as.n «sen.i;t]-
i>rn . £...se" e< is di<placcd. unJ.:, these ,outi,,". from 'hl' .n.loglc p=ibiTi,)·
offini,<ly m" IIIpi, q""
liM' iw J petS '0 SQ"'~ prior pl.c~ who<e • n "oJ iffr,-
,.,i.,,,1 nn:arn or origin . ')' mm .. or .""'Sy is being ,umcd (infinirdy) 0"
or ", •. To _ ,~ I."er as • less "eO$(n.i.lisr" "",r.phori<$ ,han .h. for"""
rdk<ts. ",. a'lo'Uc, only'~ hobin.ol pri~iI'ging of digi,.1 model. wrongly
"'Iuoted Wilh .he m"hino: """. on~1og rnodtls "'rongly "'Iuared ",~.h ~
bioIogic"l.
ForU.1mple. although C~rlwvkh doesn'r di$cUM the wnli6c under.
, .. ndings of affi:c •• ha. r:Kirly undc<pin he.argumen, . ~r "rn.o.yofaffea"
is highly congruent wi.h "p'"icul.r.heo<y of ."""ion "'at
Iw b«ornc
wieldy acapred wi'"
lhe Sf"l'ad of cogni.i,... f'S)'ChoIogy- Il"Iodttd. her us.
of "'is lheory wi. hou. rila.ion would _on
,0 ,(:5li{y '0 i,s h2v;ng 1>«""",
part of the "rom""""",n"," cooucnsus of CUI"l"\"T1' 'heo<y_ I. also l.pr_"U,
H i. happens, the curren. (though JlilI con' e5Icd) rommon Je_ of cog.
ni.i,... tcicna, as ",Owed by ils (ompie.d)" uncri. ical r<:production in tbo
'987 Oxf.ml. CO"'l"'fti<ln ,•• "'" Mi..J:
n... >ing'" ....,.. important ronuih..uion [.0 t"" study of omorionl ... "'H
made by S,on~ $chachtn , , . , Ie po>Iulat~ ,ha,
onlyo generals..", oh is-
CCl"aJ .10....1woo ttKeuary for the .lp''',.rICC' of emotion: I-C_ rhar dill"efCt\,
emotional ape';el".' orise OUt of Ihe sa"'" ,-;,.ce ...1 bKkg ro.md. Ne.. ~
o.. utMd ,hat, gl,.. n a ,,><.
of viKcr.J aruu .. l. an indioidual will dcKribe hi;
fe.ling> in ,or"" oftl,. cogniliu ... (lhuul..... ,.. pa>' <%1"'"'''''''' .m;ronlTlCn·
•ol ' ignal.) ... U. blullhelinl(:.. .. Vi><...J aroo ..1w .. «.n a.. nee .......
rondilinn for. mo.il)r1.1 upcrict\CC. bull"" quali. y "f rh •• morioo d.p<nded
on cognill_e, rc"up.~.1 ... Iu.,ions ..,f Ihe ' ''<rna1 world and ,h. inl"",a!
.1>Ie . . . . Currrnl wisdom would IUU"" Ih,. ony dis<IT~.• ny int...
ruptiun of O1p«l" i"". or 0( in,."dt<l .crions, prod",,<. umlilfercrni .. cd
v",c",1 t. u"'''omK).ro.... l. TIle 9"""0('~ IUhK<jU<n1 .morion " 'ilI thm
do1"'nd I)r1,h. I)r1going cogniti,...... Iu ••"'" (n..""ing 'fI,Il~";'. 'pp"'rsai) of
•h. co rrt", ".,. of .If.i n ... , [Emo. ioru I' ~ "'" ntaUoI rily ~mrun" ofour
prt ·sapitn. 1"", bu. r.,hcr 'hq ar<: ;mporun. ch. r><trristi« of.n .ern>"
..,.trl>ing. and .hink"'g human being. Nowlry, ditctqt'ncy,.nd 'n •..,-up·
,;0" gonenr •• iK....1... span« .. whil. our cogru'"'' .yst.m int<rpttlS "'"
world o•• htur""'ng. <l"'ng. frigh«ning. or joyful. The hu.,..n world is fuR
of .mo.iono "'" b«au..- ..... o~ anlnWo a. ""arr, bu< r... ~tbtc:o.llO< ir is,.;u
full of oign.tl. r"', .1.,. or .htur"", .nd rqrI<l ....i.h co."'''' .nd 1""'1* .hal
produc< dioctq>Oneres.nd inc.""!"-........ (G"'II"'Y "9_:W)
(t', ~.sy 10 Kt wh .. m. kc. , his Iheory of.ffec, ",.m ... congenial rn
' 1ht.~"Y." "Diocn:pancic•• nd In'errupti"",," in an un<!iffe",,,ri.'ed no", of
"'fI)'J.$.l * have:. ",... uringly tnCth'ni(:l.l. Morx <o.k-li"'" sound: no dan-
~,<r wh.:it("vc:r, h."" of cocoon I. ring rh. f.II:ocy tim. "'l""«ntorion migh.
.0
br" .ny nonarhilr'ry rrlotion the ,hing ~p~"-nted. Further"""". rhe
!f"ce fot" discu"';"" _ial con>lnKtion 0( affw 5«"'" guarant.ed by the
"",.,io<> ,h.ar (bc:c.~ we,,~ not ",ninuh.t hurt-) the r.w mar ......1 of
ou' .l"OUS>l is inlini,dy m.U .. ble by • fuUy "(\II,u ... ,ed oognili'" f:>eulty.
If any.hing. .... e amiripal< Ihal .hi.
:Kcoum "ill JOUn<l JIIUtlC""cprion'
.ble 10 critic.1 rheory ~adcn .h., ic mighr be u",(ul .0 ... nurk Ih.a. ir doo!s
"',s:
ITI"n (r" pY no _ ) " een.in coun'erin, ui.".. (o«e. So ask you",,1f
Howlo" g ~ itt."", you afrer hcing2llo.. l.-.etlCd in lhe nigh< by (. ) . ouddon
luud nal", or (h) gt1ldualsuu.1 arousal.o cogni, i,..1y ".nalyze" ~ "ap-
praise" · rhe cuttt1l! JI~IC of aff.in" wdl enough '0 -'gn ,he "ppropria"
,!""It to ),,,ur ~"""io<>? Tha, ii, ,•.-t>a. i$ ,ht I<mponllag /Tom , .... moment
of ,Ieep inlC1"l"lljl(ion 10 .h~ {"sulmquonn rnomcn. wh ... you can jud~
...-.... rher wh .. you're expc:ricncing i$ IlIruria,ion or rcrror?
N", it d" •• n', u~e ti.her of US '''ry long, cilhe. _
RUI r<:g;. rdlus of w"". he. Ihis cogni.i .... :occoun, of emoxinn i. IfU. "t,.,
Yo'. wan. It, cm phuizc is Ih .. il i$ nOli,.. ....",idlin th. n an '«OI.Im.Hkc
T"mkin'" ,hot locales in I"" body $O!I'e imporl'''' p. rt nf .he diIf~",nc.
.",,,nll ,IHTcrrml em"'''''''. "Undifferrnrillcd ,is<er.l.rou»l" is in no .. n ..
I", bi""~ml!y N.J,,, .h.n di lfcrcmia ,. d amusal, for .1I rhe Oifor.l C""'f"'n-
iM'$, ,,, i.Darw!n ill '"1.'I!rnCSIIO dip.seldal" Homo sapie ns from "our pn:-
!;I l'ie nl p~sr: Th. i",plied biology i•. how.,.. r, differcnr: it i. for more
lhoroughl)' In.hued with. C.rte.i.n mlnJjbody duali,m. In r.er. "undif·
fere"'"l<d viKenl aroupl" .uggo.:sr$' mark.dly hom~.,.,ous. lumpish.
>nd r",~lcirnnl bodily e'Knee. one: peculia.ly unartku!'ted by mUOuttS
Of l"O("O$(s ;,wolvi"g inform~,ion. feedh:ock .•nd <ep.....-n ••• ion. T hose
'rc .ll.nribulcd. in"ud. 10 a diJrit>C1. disembodied .•nd .empon.Uy "'g'
"'S.IIed "cognition: For all i,. . nribc:haviori .. in.. n.ion. ouch "" ""cowu
rkpcnrls in.plkldy on the .. ria bc:h.viorist scgr<:gation of .. imul .... from
'"'pun'"", cwn .. it prop.ogaru .1>.. conc'1"u.1 "g""V'''''''' hutr\.1niJr
COmmon Jerue.
11 would be pl.>usihlc 10 s.... • , •• <>C'y of , ,,..,,,rieth-century rheort'ie.J
language. ,II ."..,mpli. cons""''''
" 'ilh rhis one, 10 deloxify ,he ucC»CS of
hody, tnought , and fro1ms by ~docing ,"" m .. l"p'" .-n,i.1ist risbof ana·
 log n:p"' ... ot.,i<>n '0 ,he ,iogle. u"" ..O\'''~Y ....",'i.IUi ema,,,,,
of one or
another = , ofh"·ilch. We don', ..,,'" 10 minimize ,he importan«. pruduc_
•""ness. or "'''0
" 'ha, nn be .he .mazing .ubdety of, hough' ,ha, ""k.:s 'hi.
form, lIu. i,', "ill like a snMer oreopior ,h., C;rn reproduce any .....,rk of Oft
in .¢.ooo ,hades of g"'Y' How",.". infini'esimally subtle ilS di$(riminatiotu
may be. thert art crud.1 knov,'lcdg<'$ il ,imply cann01,,,,n~i. unJc.s it ia
equi pped to de.1 wi, h the com:ely rtduCth-e pos>ibili,y ,hat red is diffe,""n,
from ye llow is differell"g. in from blue.
The .n,ibiologism of currrn',hc.>ry u>umes. as w~'", pi(!. ,h<ot it', the:
disl.nc~ of any 'heory from a bioIogicii (or. by mislaken implimion.:an
.""Iog) basis,,,,, aloM Can make.he possibiloly of doing any;u...~-to
dilfert1tct (indiridu;ll. hislorical. and CJo$Huhu",I). I" contingency. (0 per.
forma,;'" forre .• nd 10 ,h. possibi~(y of <"'n8" : Ve' ,hert is no '""asort 10
bodi",.. 'N' the necewrily analog models of ,he color whee! or. sal', ,he
periodic ,abk "f, h•• 1. m. nto con"",in . n unde .-s,.
odi ng ofdi ffe .. nct. con-
'ingency, pc:rfi >rm' li'" force. or ,he possibili,y of ch ange . Indctd, we",..,
been ' rguing tha, ,hey may be irrtplaccably cruci. 1 forKct .. '0 certain im-
pornon' =g.:. of diff't",tKC. Thert is not. choKe ..·.iling '0 be m.de, in
tvalua'ing thc"",fical mOlkI$. be"""ttn H$Cn .... lisnt mil no . . .,uialism. If
lhert:' a chuict: if is be''''"«T) dilfertntly <UuCtUrtd residual...entialioms.
I\u, ...-by be limited to the digiflll model nf 1M choIct t A n:pertoire of risk.. a
( olor whttl nf di!fie,..", risk .. a periodic I3b1c of lhe Infllli,dy "..-ombinable
.I,,,,e,,,s of ,he affect ')'S'cm. a ro"'plcx, multilayered ph)'II" dough of the
. nal og and ' he digi •• I: 'hese .re ' he ",odels ,h.. Tomkins's \lurk m.l:es u.
c.ger to deploy,
..... I( as Tomkins describes il . III<: lov... ring of ,Iw: .,.,lids, ,Iw: Joy,..,ring of
Ihe.,..., .. lilt hnlglng of,he Iw:ad it ,Iw: att"ude of oIt~me. i, mapho be tha,
of ",.dlng: rtading maps. maguine ..........1$. ,0mlG. and he...'Y ,-oIumt5
of F"ychology if not billb<»rds and t"'ffic sign<. W. (thoM: of us for whom
",ading wo. 0< it a crucial form of in'.roClion wi,h ,hr world) know ,he
force·field c"'. ';nKpowc,oflhi, attitude , 'he kind nf .);.In ,ha, she.< ,extu. 1
."en.ion con "..,,,,, amund a re. ding body : a noisy bus ,ution or airplane
em be excluded from eomclou,ne... :on impoUible ongoing se."" ",fu..-d.
• dull .u..mom ",onnlogu~ igroorro. .'\00 """'" of lhex .. " 'holIy corn·
pu:ord by • ccrtoin pocmidou, under.landing of ",ading .. ~P"- &cap<
1;-.:.0' what? n.. - rt.l world," O$tens;bly. IIw: - =JIOIUibi~,y- of ' . Cting- or
"l"'rfurmlng- in ,''', ",wid, Yel ,Itis reading pm,u"' rq;isI~rs :Ii ~r.
,;00' ., leaS! as much.., i",...,... ",101\. as public as ;, dna prin'~; ill a ....wr
"...,d do 10 transform .ltis "inncr life- experience ,oan audib!c perfuo-nun«
is b<gin !"Coding .Ioud . E,..,n tltis may not be ne~ry : Freud,..frn; OUr
w"",,;m~ fucinuion with ,h~ .;gh l of . child en'i",ly flugh' up \I;,h pl.y-
,ng '" "prim"y narci ..ilm: . , if some,hing .bout SUSl>in<d and in.ense
r"~.K<m en, limply Is 'heatric.l . , .. nc", ,hem,d,,,, entrandng. The addi·
,it>I,.llkin ,himmering I. if shrink.w.-apped around a body·and·book. or
..oJ)"·and· playinglwork ing .,wironnYn'. oItarply and me. rlyd.e lincalu ,he
eonjunaion or composilion. m.aking 6gu",lnot escape or denc"""n,"",
:ot,cn'ion. in .."",.
How clooes 'he aff~ct sham. rrtOti\'a .. a ,hcorttic.l pro;ect ,uch as ,II<:
p"' .... ," one' It i. "riking ,h~, in Tomkins', wri'ing. shame is the Cl:emplary
,He" for then,-y. In"".d . the nOlion of ",heory " firsl tone'Se! in volume 1
of ),ffm Imaz.oy C""<Cio.,"W ~rt)und 'he ",clion • ProduCtion of a TOfal
.~!f"<I. Sh~m<: !lind by Apparently lnoocuowt and WeU·in'tn,1oned Partn·
,.1ACt;"n: 0 "vignctlc- featuring as "our II<:ro- ' a child "'ho .. destined 10
h.." c"''''-y affi::Ct 'Olally bound by shame" 12:ullj. Tomkins It)-po<iw:sizcs.
" :[ "f I:ttnJo:.. inS:ore""" ;n ...·ltich • dilld is r.h.mcd 00' of upre,.jn8 his
.. ci,c.",cn ,. dr.,,,,,,,- ang<:r. fu,-. disgust. and ......" shame: 'hrough ino-"..,.
;ngly skilled. rompr<""iOn. summarizing. naming. ~nd ordering. ou,-lI<:ro
el.ho~Jl« ,ht"" KtncS In,o a .hame thWf)'. Cognili"" and aff(cti,,, (fur
Tom' in,. ' he," mo'h'nisml invoke "'''' y kinds of in'erd.pendent ,r. ",,'
form .. io",). " .n aff~ct 'heory ha.'wo co"'ponen,s: " FiM. i, includ... n ex·
I ",in.,;on of aU inc on,;ng inform"ion fot iu rt ic>'ancc ,n a puticularaffcct.
In ,hi, casc. sh."", and con,empt. Th .... ,II<: cogoi, i'" an'~n"" of >Ita"",.
s.."COnd. it includ", a .., of $l""tltits for rol''''8 with a nriety of shame
.nd con'cmp' con'ingcncie" '0 avoid sit,,,,,, if possibk or .""n"''''
10 its
imp.Ct if il cannot be avoidcd- (a :J'9- ' 0), Tht: .. ron~r III<: sh.me theoo-)'.
,h~ to"rt ""I"'n.i,.., i, is for the pe""n who holds ;, ( Aff= 'heory muOf
h< elfeCti", to be we.k ")." alld 'he mort its omennu nuke ' tll< ,h.me ·
r"lo", "l aspe<t> "f any si,uation , , ,become fI~;ur-.1 in con'pe,irlon wi,h
'''It.or arreCI ' '''~ ... nl •• peelS of,1I<: same si,u.,ion" (. : aj ' ): 'hOI i>. 'he more
" f"n ,.,., ,h<-nris, ,n,sn'c"!:",u,,, i""'gines . ....,.. or ",i>;~, upon _ .harne.
lIu. " 'hy i, oItame ,.,., Clt.mp1c her<:' Why is ,t.. c""""P' of -.ffi::cI
lheo<y.- """.nt ,n be qui,e !:""",,ul in i1> definition U " • .; mplilicd . oo
 ,,In,..
po ...."Crful .... y ofa larger ~I of .ffeel c" l"'ricncc" (A}f<tr >:~JO). fi ....
de,.,lopcd in chap.ers on humilialion! ln the K1:lion called "Shan", fron,
Shorne Thffil)'- dir«dy folkm'ing the " igneu e .bo>.,. Tomkin, listS ~
I"""ibk . ltem'l i"" .heories. coch of wMch would . in lhe ... me situ'lion
.rou~ diSlrt'SS. fcor. or enjoymenl : bIll IDame', aemp/. ry .... tUS ~
US bdiCYI: .hal. f'<>r Tomkins. no! only Jh>me b.n also lheoty rome from
<iUmt .ho:ory. 0 ... ""son this m.y he . ...... is Ix,>wc shame . nd tMory
a", p.. .... lly . n.logous II a «nain """'1 of digi ... liu.ioo. Wildtn write$: -A
ge...1t is formed by.he derision 10 digi,.I~. sp«iIic dilkrmce. SO" .o
form • <IiI"""r""
hel ...·..,n fi8l're .ndground_ "ll>cre is in elf«t .decis;o., _
which may he Mur.l. orconscious. or ~ 0< .... biNal. or \tarned.
or """,,1- 10 inUOOlKt • f'lnicubr boondMy or m.me inlO an analog COl).
linuum ' ( 11~).
Any .heory. 10 Ix •• hoory - IO II I.... . pani>.lly or lernponrily spec_
ify • do"""in - require, or produc:cs figu"'/ ground ",laOOns. (ho: function
of whOi Tomkins all, . he -cognil;"" .n.crtr\;l· of. Iheory. Slume. along
wi.h conlempt ("di ...ndl ") and disgus<. is unli"" lhe other <i.I affcru of
Tomkins's gr.phic.l ..,..-uen •• tion of a .ho"ory ofinn",e .cti.... Orlof ./fcc<
(Figure !land is not in f." lncluded in this graph_ Whe", .. uch of theOthen
- st.rtk . f"~r. inlerest .• nger. dis.rtiI:, and joy- is "",iv'led by a «n.in
''(rrqueMy of neu ...1 firing pt, unil lime' "'prr5(nled by • ' Iraigh. line of
son... (po,ltI .. ". nc~ .. i..... orum) slop< .•h.me, like disgu.t . nd contempt. is
. ni">led by .he duwingof I boundary line ur b""er. the ""im roduqtion]of
• parlicul,r bou"d~ry '>r fran'e in.o an ."alog con.inuum. · Th •• is. .h.me
in..ol...... Cell .lt. the duck 10 in.erest's (or "t~uym~nl ',) r~bbit .
Withoul "",ilive .ff'"<:I. •h.", ,an ~ no ID.",,,: only a <cene Ih., offe ..
)'OU mj"ym.,,1 orrng'~S yourin •• ",,, can m~k. you blush_$imilmy. only
SOInt.hlng you .hought mighl ddis'" or satisfy can disgust. Both ""'se .f·
f""" prod""c bodily knowledgcs: disgu" . • , when "Pining ou. bod-lasting
food, "'cognius.he diff.",n« betw.,,,n inside.nd outside lhe body.nd
wh., should.nd should not ~ It, in: Jh.me. as prNIriou. hypern:lkJtivity
of.1l( sorf""e of Ihe body. nn lum one inside oul -or 0lIlSi<k in. v.,rdden
" 'rites: " In order IOn .y..em 10 to.. optn .0 2n em'ironmenl .. . lhe .,.Sfem
mus. be cap.oblt of punc,u",ing itso:lf OS disfinc< from th.t n,.,i.-ontrten< ""
as to ..,Ira mesu~. wilhin i{ " (' 74). ShIm" 1$ one of 1"'- de«> .."h<>ot
digi •• lir.mg mech.nism works '" "punc<u.t!e ,he "".. en,] .. dmina_" Per-
h.p< .Iong .... i.h con'empt . nd di'G"". i. Can bt • $'A·,lm poin< lor .ho: indi-
,,6 Thw/oll'gFn-/,.
..~I "" ion onm.glttg ,y"ems. of conscious"", .... ofbodi •• , uf theori ... of
",11". - . " Individuation ,h" dt-citks n,,1 n,"<:o... rily an identity. bul a fi8l'-
ra<ion, dis<;nclion. or mark ofpunclu>lion. And unlike contempt ordisgu ...
,h,,,,,, io ch. n<:leri>:ed by its f. ;)u", =r .0 "'t>OUMt its ob;c<l C.,ho:riJ. il<
,dation 10 ' he desi", f, .. pIc.. u", a. ",(:)1 OS I"" nC'Cd .0 ",'<lid p.o.in_
p - WillI does il me.n to f.U in 10>., with. wrileT? Wh •• does il "",.n. IO,
.Iu. m.".,r - o< nuybe ...·r ohould ..... "futt <:I", rotIld il me.n-Io (.thea
,n' .. mila r " ·,y I .ho:ort1ic.1 momo:n. not onc·s"".,,? Ourednorial """' on
Tbmkim "'presents only , pan of. ",*a ",,,,- dime ......... I<.cep chang·
~,g under our lunds. Some of wh .. ".,'", up .0 is lhe dnar)' literary·
(n.IC.1 10>.,<. discourse: we U':lIn. 1<' prop>gat" among ",.ders node> of",·
, rpion fOf ,,·lu. we tab- 10~ an unf.mili.r.nd highlyucitillgsct of "",,-es
.nd .on.lities. "" people who (~11 in I......., wi.h .... nronc: "ish at tho".ume
lin ... 10 uhibi'lho:m~l.-n 10 otlle" .., !orinK !.>wJ. " .,',., .IM> Ion~d 10 do
""'''tlhing " ., h. ""n'. hem able~" lU Mgin Itt",: to YJo,..""",. p<m:ctly
Tomkins und<:rSl~nds 01: 10 u",""il • leU sJ'4"gt..d " ilh unp. thologizing. a.
Ihe ""01" lime umeltologiZing rdkctiuru Ott "Ihe .xpr=i.... : on d"'$'ro-
p),ili • . on Ihe .eachers Innsf.",nce : on , ho" rich life of "''''Jd.y .hcori...
,,,<I h"", .,.p<n\ivd y Iheories .urn in.o Theory.
We h. ", /)0;"" ""I)' conscious of ",i,hing'o defer. ccruin momem of
,,<comnin!;. nol onl)' OUI of prolcc'i",noss for Tontkiru. but Uut oh ",me
Lh.lI. if 'he deferrol p""""d I"",ibk, .he Itrms of .h., .ccoun.ing mighl M
..;,hly . 11"",d. We h",,, ddcrrcd.lpCClfic.lly. the ronfron tOlioll belween Iny
<co,,· nlltur>1 P"''"'f'''''i", .nd To mkins', hypo."".is Ih" [he'" i, . kind of
. 1I,'n i .... "bl" of .he clomonts. con'prising niac componems. infini.ely ",.
<omb.n. hlr but ...,'" cd In .ho: hu rn.n bud)' i" nine distin(ri,., Ind irttdudble
" ·' )'S. A, :lOme 1",,,1 "''' h"," not d.:mand.:d ~'.,n of ou.-..:h-es.h., Yo., I scer-
taln ... hot""r .... btli",., Ihi. hypothesi' 10 M ,rue: " " h ..., fdl Ih ... ho:",
w""II' much 10 It.m first by obsc"';ng 'h" au.onomk ner..-OuS .~... em of
• ruUlini~ed dism~1 of It In the .erms of too.y'. lhrol)'. 'I"h< morali«ic
h'·g;"nc by which .ny ",.&rofl00.y is un( .... Untgc.bI)· em .. led .0 conde·
' .:.. nd <u Ill( .hoUghl of .ny mom"m in.ho: 1'...1 (mlybcnpnia/lJlhe tttrn<
~I ) it globally ..·.il~blt 10 anyone ,,·ho m ... tcro .he aPl'Iic.,ion of (""0 or
'h~ dlSCfediung que .. ion•. 11_ "",,-IS,on.l. by conrr,>I."""'· diffirol. 10
....."""nKl and hi",,' u ....b.umly sptcioll%Cd of"",. a", ,he .""" (III, in
 any g;'"en case ,,'ould ~11ow one 10 ask: Wit", ,,"'as it possiblr to m ini Or J<p<nd<nl. gr<NY .on.! bIinIl '" ,n. '9""......... uI lit< 100< «;ta. and. .. W<lt
do at a c.-nain JTJOn>Cnt of tho. pn< , ..., it no longer is1 And how ~'" ~ to'" ,,'.n.«n<kd ... _1opm<n< anollO b< I'<f"'lX Of K10 ""'. (T_1I!fr<t.
!"""biliri... to be: round. unfolded . .n....'Nl0 "'"'"' and Jr..w:tir and_k " .... -.. )

,,",W voicn.nd """". in the ~ diffe ..... t d..aplin.ry «OIogy 01 ~"en. b-

d«.d<:. distance?
, \-OUo,..!<dmllt<m.buo1o.>"Iypor_hr,1><m iI~oob.MflIO"'_ '~.
," ,I>< .b ....... of Tomklno·, _'. <.... ,I>< !>«<roK';" «1<doc.r"'" """" o.df at
We Stt Tomkin •. lik. !'",uJ. U 0 diKipli,uril)" • .«<ssi'"e figure in l'-')1:hol. h,,,,'" ,,,,,, in "'on <>pIi<it Iy 10.>>«1 ........ An <>amp!<" Don>1<I1. N.""""",', SJuo .. ,
"S)".• writerofhOlerogt'neou. cne"!:ie. wh ..... m(>St.~tr.ordina'}' insighlS . .,J f'\iJc, <I<JkmJ 1o Tomkino. ",·Ili<h ineluo.l<, ,u<h po"'iU" lbo ''''0 foUo"iIlg,

h~ to be: in,erlined wilh Stlr.ignorance. in,ul,,,d In cOII!r"diction. and in- I,,,,,,><ci,,,bk in T_ k...·' " 'titong:

.<lricabl)" inlerlo,."w wilh tho specul.t;,,, scic",. of hillill'l('. He is also, J..., .. mo>t bI< ","", c>n bo ~ ;"'0 K_ by ....... s<..I«. ""lll'" ;..Ii.
,ht",fort.like F",ud. a fiSU'" 'hrougll ........... ,,"Ofk.1oI ofJltirplydilf=m, •..!uUI ....J to form roup!<> 11«.... ,., of. ................_motU.
loh<tml io. II><
rom!"'t'ng. and often conflicting ;"terp<e'''"e poll» ~,,;t't' to bc: de:am:L . ........ ,1>0! .." .... '" '0'" -..... "" tb< _ of J!<..I« .. _ lit< lora ,!tot "",.

That h;'tO<}' of ",adings of F",ud has rTUdc on i11'lJ"Ol1a'" intellectual ad- ,;.. ~.tr""""'. . So ",r.n ' 0 tht ~< .".><OO<t
\><I ........ """""'<>. "' ....
",i''''pn><a>''''I ..., _ .. ,he ~of ...... lttoIIWmoIt. """.. d,"m .. ..,.,w
, .. nt"", for lho. n."nt;.,h «nNry: it continue. to be emting 10 introduQ:
Tomkin", worI:. invigor.l1ing.nd fruitful U woo find It. to , • • de" ... inN by
i"'<"""'......-..1 tnUlu in 1'""",,.,.....
,.-..I tll< .. """ ........ of, ... Jf<Ci<~ 1_ )

th .. hi.tory, Tl .. ", "" . Ju1u v.'hok ""'t! ",., ". Ill< ..,.. min, r..,. ,,(.n E<h.,nl MUMh
1"in';ns. I.. h.U of Pit • ...,'. C..... .... •1-.< Rigl""",;,h '~ll 't.ion 01" Uon. rd a.m-
.. 6.', "&< t{AuiIl" 't ...... "" ''''' lO<"!ur<d ""...·110 -P>< ",«<.K in ,"" b>th
"'ons '"""'" th.1 ..""" .. """"""'..ai b.od><l0 but m.J honibI)' 01" Al M. (.>6)
eir_ from "fumtJn..• ~ - ........... I#<I'~ C.............. "",ri«<! • 0" tlm. >« V ...... Ilou<umbd·''''gn<ioIttlw>tttKt\l<............. ,.. . . - ;"'<mI.
'oAfIrn " 8 J.r"""g ",."'..... _ . 1 lit< ....,. ........... that k bt<om<> .. to<hrd 10 Iion'>ry
• .o.n ~"""'~ upllrit n.ompl<: """'r (.. 11~
I o\.U><ful<n>dy .... 'A .. _n,io_n..~G...,.
n.., """"h ..1H<h.ud> ......... .....,.. If,n. mouth;,~ ..ilA~)·~.niI
.. c...,,1"''''' J."p'! ><<O<Jong'~ ""'" "",,<>«>h -"""ld "" mucb ""'"' On'''''''''''8
p"""",, . n <><.1 ... ,,,.,, ill .... klng. "omng. or .....u.:,..."'g 1'''''' ortn. body or"",
,h. " "'"'" I"''''n'
"'''p1JI<l., 1101 Ilwy ..'OUid .t.u 1»0,. "".in d!""'''''''''g<>. They
o,ll<, or 10. """" .. body 'nJ In ll<u'g =1=1. biOI"" or ...·.Il.....·.., .. J ~I crl
""",\,j b. <' 1"'101< of no< ''''''P'''ing 1<0< ' ll< J..i p ' lot long P<""J. of limo ....h'"
.,. II>< orn. •. n..,,.. <on bo no Joubo. th.ol lU<h ,,'\$h ...... <O<ttn>On. . II ;,-.
" F>=<l OUW""'. ""' ...."'r ,.",00'" '" th. r....puy onJ oubot.l!n.l,<d '0 "'"
",ho" ''''''1''''''' ...... ..,.,Jinl ""''''11''' 10 tIwm: .''''n or
'h<y .... .. . iT.,.! """'1

.... ,.oJ ... moJooof .... 0.01 ,,).......,,""". M""'J.-....I a.k>lu ,.:11«......., ~
"",to fl"""".-.... lwir .","'in .... d<c1ri<ity: ........ """'" tritJ """""""full,. 10
""""hrn ...ooM>I< rroJ:<kml. dIty 11«..... oi<I"_d. Of . ·hm 'h<y hK..... ""'""
. .mp<n«r._ ....... 'Yof~' ... o<oI_pO<.. M .. "" ......... _
..-.t. "'=-<mr>gf.... «m/'IJm« In ohort. dwy..,.,u ~ "'" , ... oio<ni>oJ-
do ..........ish. Sou.! ""<m>U.................1tftIo _If ... ...-.o ....y .. 4 u-.,o.,;.n« of on ......., 110".... buo. m«h...",,1 ~ .........Iy ..... '"
....... yof mwoo"""',ol-..i.oII<rt.O .. rlyKiI ..... "'.... prinw ........... hr ..n;dro ....... <o ..... " . ......... «wnpi<> I""poo<>-(T~ +r' ,.. ~
,iI< ....... ""Y".~"f'<'Ir- lw-o>grhl""'",,·r\ot< "' .....hrr....-. ",_~h<ld 1, H<n<JK. ~ 1<0< ""''1'10, ."""S'" I~. ~ "'" cunrk' d<.oo..;.;.."
.u>d '"I'!""'N. to ~ 11.. ok ....timuLI!N. '0 dinSong, '" b<In,o: <,,,~1opal ""! h<1 ••,". .... 0J'" . 1...... nJ ,~" ,,-. l... d >y>t<m. of """"'''5 In -",·",n" ""hut<. II< 01<.
"''''lopong, '" \>r<""'in~ .>nit<J ... 'h" ,n. d"""".,;"" . nJ lb,,..,,, \><I_en II>< .... nh<, ,he ·",. 1 l<~i"""'_" r,,, ",'"",Iy <oo",,,;n3 wd.1. ott !'>y<1Io/Os;".1 ,)..,..-
,,,If.nJ or"'" i> tOt , ... mom<nl ....,..,.nJ<d. . I'ot f"uJ . Iii< .,rli<, mod.. oJ o~','",d by tll< -ri<h •• n.lrol"wnc..,. ",,,Jd.- Nt tIw >00<"'. 1"'1'"1.0,. ,nJ 1""'";,,•
.oJ."
.on,,,,,,,,",,, """"..J 1o.>,;.:.1ly inf..,.."".H< roo lJ ,""' .... ''''i'''l'I''"..rn>« if, ""':"'"1 "'l"'i'>oIosr (",,)•.-..1 .""rz<' d................... by ,"'h><A 'A" ' '''J!< ofjioi'",
lI""'"hty_ly in>oI'.l, .. ,lory ...... mcOON 10 th. b<pI.l' .on.! Mobor.sc.«J '" _ • • f.",) ,,,oJ"',,.nunJ ~) tI" ......xt<J On", . <""" ot t-uri>m> ..-.1<, II>< p"" .
.., oJuk ~ioIt uI on.! """, ... lor .... ""~ ~ .. 0>drprnJ<m ",1M ><If. ....: ot rnun<>1h<dm. ""'''''''t..m........... m.oI _ . oad d.. ' '''''f'''''"« Iornul
tmpt;<;, ...I'D.-,. ... _ ~_ ~ ''''''..!y«IfI><'M:_ i> ~~
""",,,urn oflilon.

I
tIl r_I~IM'.lf
 TIll, <h>yt•• '• ... """"'''' 01,1'>< ...;.x.J 'V"'"' in ,onl<"'I"" IIIJ 'hou&h' ~ • Ii'.' ,0 ..-oOlill ....y OU<CI'''''! 'II<n '0 SO OUI only 1.0,< ","p ..-t.rn '",fIi< .....
• n.! inronicy i> ~ on .... mpt ' ' ' _ funl'>< ...........oio«I1Iy ADorn " -""'PI< 1rj:I>t. fi...lly, Ire ..""Id ........ ...ode. , n.! ifhrs bow< _ .. tob< Iu'lly. ~". hc_id
_ ~ from • ..1o - ' ." in ~k. E,.....-". .. >7
.. Wily. n '", born ..u.J. _ . fino bool .. "".................""",,,,,,,,,,, "I!o-

~....,.. ........Iy
01_, "'" .............. to. Itt"'" """ fa.
_ "' . ... "",, , .... ocfu 1Iy ....... (ond,
c ....... ~) ... "'hcrm.on.u"""" ••nlly ..«rN .. 1lItot """'''''''01......,......
"""""""* b- .hnr~~ II~,....... .. ,""~
~.,< ",0«1< "'"",;" , drcpc-r ....1... -
"""'"I
<+< • 'J"~

"""" of "",,_ oII<ct: 1'><,., ".., in .tno ~..., 'l"ft ,Iw "f'I"""'<, 1Io<h <be <_
rlI<oty .. not """" ~uI tI... , ...,1It tIot<>oy ......... ,,,'",,tho""'"" _

....",.... of tho thoury ond tho P""""""" " .. "'SO<> Iu!-. ' ho"!;<'l- n.. _ ...... Irao
Ie .. ","" 'OCOUOl' """l' """" rIun.g> ...." ..~; th" """'!: r. .. ~ is ,).,..,.. ~
.no 1\:11 'WI)"'__ Fir>t . ..." ....-.-....11\:11 ..... """'.. . c;".w, "'-'o.r.ofifrool.. '" Jr_ tho Iir>c rlul <'f"nd. hi> 'h<uy', dom>in
Ins"'odtto in • ....J.:I<n i'<'«l"u.1 ~"'" .......... 'P""'J .. !I~_ ' ~i,,1 dolt ... ,""" in, l'OI1J« c . .. ..... ...,..."'"~... "tr.- .lnAIog <IoIIi<~
p<M"" ,I'>< fi", ~_~""'" """" tri, ...oJ pr...n.llI.. miP.;,,""" ...., <>1<" .. " " ""","",untO.' "'m<l Wil.lcn ('~ I. ,n.:! tIrrt holl" '0 rpc<-ify """ doffi:._
... cW,<tMlyllcf.miIWiu.!; if " < h..! o..oipul<d . number of'h<1:ori>u obou, ...-t.a.., "",. 1><,,,.,.." "',, k aM """'g ,"""""'- .....~.~ ,hooty'. dam ... CO" ... ,hoogll' of
"""r ",od<" "ill . Ir<..!y h.." "";gr><d ,1'><",,,,1, ... a I"ni pn~ ".lI m ...gy """"id .. !"~":t. of '",,,n, ,,<h In ....IOS'" ,,,1.0,i00i '0 ,I'>< orhcn .M "p'M,bl< onl)' by
hOI. h><I no , h.nec or wc, .... 5<rotwl. -"'Or. I, ",.Itt< "'"'" ,,, look . , C'""""'- «"Uf<J ''''''gy. '' >l""'g 'hc<><y'. don..;" ~"""" dig""" ' ""'" highly m&'niz«!
."h', bool - ''''''''8 ,I'>< "''''Y <><h<r ".,y ...... rrHsI" look ., ~ - P'«,..Iy .. . 6nr .oJ "f"oJ..... by .... kIg;'O .<...,,,«1 of « .. >In ...... h'.. ~ Ir, ,,'uk Ih«.o<y <D«JU,,-
booIt. <Wit;",,"'!: ;" • <lW<"....,... ... ""', .... n to ... """'I!I' ..t.ooc «>n>rnD<m:J ... .." _ '<fT';" unlik< ... y" Iw"'''rirf'«l'''''' if~ <",', ....,."un..j dbotc" ....
..... d ...... <i>, .1'>< """"""1 ortr.MmiI1ibolioy (.....". ...... mic W"'<'"""""" wd .. ..;;ruti<....1y ,;",w. 0.- mombl.." """'til 10 _ '" . - . in iu dom..bt. _ iI ,,'ill
.. "'""'" diJcipIint» rJu< .. "" • ...t,<ct to. .. .""",. up n. ~ ~ iI. sbooldn>. .......... ilrImb; .,.". >n>Ios do<> "'" P"""'''
,. ....'<<mrm-' ,hrou,r;h' ~_procnt.ln PLao, """"'ompIc, tbc ........... tbc
booIos..-oI, ..... tbc ... ru.-01 ... ""T 6. from btInj; -......110 to. <qUi>-.I<c<. "l1>II
point ..-......... 10 .,1Iy T omoohy r..,..1oI. M ........... ' ""P"'~"'lI ol ...... -.m.;.
•• ) . a in <be....a..s. bu.-""" <_
,ho:- ,!'m., 11«<,..,,-"'..,. ' No' Of ... ,.,....,....... " " " " " " ' ..... : on< 0. " ' ~"Of
bL~'''' ~.c ..." (WiIo.Irn '~Jl- " '''''''il'~
.Io..f' .... ooo,"" t'ing ... ..,.• . - ""l''''''''g. bo<._ .. "", • .,-...,. ~
p<rfonnc.d in I blley. -SauoJ Oricnro ...... .nd rbt "oliac..i8dosr:
00. "1ho disun<bon ... lui" de...." bc-t .._ , ho """'''''' b.oIf ..... tho _~),oJ!"
m...' to. _ _ mI I" be, IT'giI<Jiscmcr"", bc-t ..fttl rranoIOo.....- ..... .. ~
11..... . 'J'<ria1iu<l 1),PC oIlT.nf<>rm..ion. CopIlnonr _.,.mbIt-J ,.;Ill LIJrru t..-
«> .... hn< . I'd urgrnt_ ... ~ " " ""mbkd "'IIh ... ~.,;,.,. 11«""", t.." .. informed
. n<! "",. .... . . . "''''pliliCltion ~·"hool ,,>nSfoo-.... ,;0" "",,'-It.. hliod; " , • ..fonn>ooo
""Ow, , "pI,I;"'I;"" WooIJ b< ~-" ~-1 1Om~ilu.1oJf«r , '11,
II. TonI.'", .UW ." d", ,he "''' ••If< of . """"", " .. nJllh io not how ""u it ,,-n.Ir
",,~ .. iY< , +fro '" lind> F""'~'" rlfro. but .he ,;.. ..... "'f'<>IoI;1 ol <h< domoin "'"
~ "'P""'" ond ~. m<1lIo.>I ol ....."""""1! ...... ~ fl .. ,""""", <~ ol •
....k rhcuo-y ;. ...... ,ho, . -" ......,. of ", 10 no. " ..... oIim ...-.thou, .....-: . -
.... ol.., _ _ "1';" !he pIrr... " LooIt book " '. ,., _ f"" <r<IOI- ..... dO-
.Irk .. -....... ro ...... if o&.;J.., .. ,o .. ood ""~opt,,, , K<of .... - -.....
"""'I ... d.oc.....,- W/«t •.,..,~ II.... io ...1It "'- ,his 'ioto<r 1o .. ....ncvJ.d<>-
"" .... pcrlu ... ........,.undc....oodooindudo...,. ... ~omroo.d .... _ .._ _
firM I t _ rbr ........ driId. ~.ny ~ .o ..........ai.s ....... -
".--, ..........w..- p""1I'>- .h<n apon<Itd ....,.., to ...10001< riJrn, •bi<y<ic .,. '*"~
... ' C.,.....s.,,,hc <... ..'11<<< "'" .... lit thoury 11''''''''''''
-!f,t.. inJMdw.I ...._
fiM I"" ",Jc,. ",'II<"by h< «n """" II'>< ,,"'" "-;'hoo, foe ..., ..., _ (b«o"'" of '
0<fI<,,iu" fo.,u"" , Krnc"'~ "1 ~ ,,,", Irrt ."""-< "",,~i<, ~ ill ."",-""nll b<-
rem,. '001' '" ~ """" dilfu><. ' JnJcf ,II<.. n>t\Jr,1Otl> .h< ,n4"IJu. 1 migh. be fo««I.
 PARANOID RBADING AND REPARATIVE READING.

OR. VOU RB SO PAR A NOID. YOU PROBABlY THINK

TH IS ESSAY IS ABOUT YOU

Sometime back in ,be middle of the ~'" dc<~de of the AIDS epidemic. I
w",' picking the brains of. mend "f mine. the uti,'is, ..,ho!.or CIndy Po,·
IOIl . • baul the probable n.", ..1 hi""ry of H'V . TIlls was at • time when
>pt< ula,;o n WJS ubiquitou • • bou, whether the virus had b.en deli!:>e"..dy
engineered or .p.... d. whether ,,, •. "'p",,,,nled a plO! or r;qoeri ment b)" the
US military that h.d gonm oul uf COttlrol. or ""rhap. 'h>l w.$ behaving
"",e,I)" .. it wa. mC ' nlto. Afler he.ring a lot from he,.bout the !,'<::ogr... phy
Jnd emnomiC$ "flhe global traffic in blood produCI<. llinany. wilh some
eag""'css . asked Patton what she thought ofthe«: , inister rumors about
lhe ,"iru" origin. 'An)' of the ea rly >lepl in il< <pread could hal" !:>een cith.r
. « idenl.l ordeliberate: 'he ... id. "flut Ijust hal" ,rouble gelling intere<ted
in th ... I m em. even '~ pj>O><' we w.re ,u"" of .'''ryelem.nt of. rorupirJCy:
Ih., lhe Ii"" of Africon< and African Americ'''''''' ",orlhl.,.. in lhe o)"u of
tl>.: United SlaIe" 'hat ga)' me" .nd drug u«:rs Ott held che.p whott they
" 'en 't "'ively hated: that the militory delib.ra,c1y ",""."h.. way. 10 kill
nnnwmb.""" whom i, sees as enemies: that people ill power look ,~Iml:>'
0" the likelihood of """rophi" cm'ironmeltl.1 and l")pUlalion change,.
S"pposing we we"" e"c, so ,~'" of.n 'ho,e lhing' _ wh .. would we \:now
then lh" we don ', already kn",,"-
""1"''''''
In tho yea", , i"ce th., co",,,,..,,;,,n, I',," b,ooded 3 101 "'''' ,hi>
of P.u",,·.. Aside from a «n~m COflg~ni:al. stony p<$Sim;"",. I think wh..,
I \-e fOund enabling about it iJ ,h., i, ... gge>lS ,he poosibili.)" of unl"'du,g.
of diSt" ..,,!;l i" g from thcir impacted and (>\... rd~t~"nincd histori"'l ... ~.
,io" '0 urI> othtt some of the 5Cf"''''c ~lcnlCnt$ of the imollcnual bag-
s-'~'" ,hat many of u. ",rry ........ nd under a ubd such as "tilt Mr!t1o<tltU'iQ
"fsuspicion." Panon', comment Juggtst< tI'a! for 50~ ' 0 1>.... an "'"
mys,ified. ang ry vicwoflarg< and genuinely Iyltcmic opprc"iol,.d~, noc
tmrin~aUy or ""oo""rily enjoin that peoon to .ny ~fir ••• in of epist •.
moIogical or "".... i.... const<juen«s. To know ,Iu •• M origIn or opnad. of
.. " ......lilfkdlly .. I'h. Iu,.. ~hed from a .u,e·aj'ioled conoplr~- _h
knowledge is, i•• urn. OUt. sepanblefrom .he quc .. ion of whe,hcflh. ener.
Sic. of. gil"n At oJ :K.i'·"t in.dlcc.u.1 o. group might !Its. br .... d in ....
,udng and e~JIO"u", of ourh. f""$ibI~ pIot. "l1w..")" migh •. but ,"'n again.
, ....")" might no •.Though edlieaUy ""yfrau gh'. ,''' choice .. noo 5<'lf· ....idm.;
whe,her <II" not to untkrul<e .hi, highl)' compel]'''g t,."cing·.nd·c"\X"Urt
project reprc,",n .. a Ilr.tegic and lor.1 derui<m. nOt n=narily a ca!.gori·
(allmperatWc. P."",,·, rtSp<><UC '0 mr 5ttmcd '0 open a loF" for """'ing
from. he ratl"" ft..,ed quC$lion 1J a particulnpi«cofkn"',,~ .rue. and
"""'can ,n know? ,o.he funhcrqoxs'ion<' What doc, kna...'k.-dS"J~ -,he
pUII"i. of i,. 'he h"'ing and expo,Ing of it. 'he ... c';,·ing .g.in of knowl·
edge of " 'hat one .I .... dy krK ....1 fI....... in short. is knov..~ ptrfor"",m...
and how~.. docs one '''''''''' .mong it< ca...,.,. .nd elf""""
1 sul'f"'S'" .his ought .0 IICcn, 'I";t. an u" ..."",rubic epiphany : ,ha.
knowl~dg. d.... ... ther .han ';mpt)· II it is by now ''''Y toulin .. to di$<Oove<_
Yet it 5c~m' that • lot of .h~ ",.t force ofsuch disca....,ri~. has b«n blun.ed
th .......gh ,he h.bnu. l p"'cti<el <>f ,he somr rorms of criti<~l theory thal
luI'( gi"'n ouch b~ currtllC)' ,o.he fOrmubc the"""h..... In putiru.
lar. It Is I"-"'iblc th.t .he ''''Y produ"'i"", ,ntk.1 h.bit< cmbodi<d in " ..... ,
P.ut Ric""ur rncnl<)robly ra iled 'IH:: "he rm<n~u.ks of ,u",,",ion" _ ",;de-
'1"":0<1 cri,ical habiu indttd. pemaps by now ntarly ' Y"""1 ""'''' with
critimm itself- may h .... Iud In unintm.ion..tly stultif)ing ,ide e/kcl:
'ht:)' m.y h.,,, made it I~n r.,lH::r ,h.n mon: possibk:.o unpack ,he 1(lC.>1.
con .lngent ",I.,i"n, be,ween .n)" si,..,n picce of kn""'ledgc ."d it< naml'
,i,,,/cpi>lcmologic. l cn.ailmrnt. for'M ""eker. knov.·~r. 0< tcUer.
Rironlr in.rudu«d the cate),""Y of ,he her .... ncu'ioo of,.,~ .0
dcs<ribe 'hl" posi'i"" of M.n. Ni<t~hc . F.-cud. anJ ,he.. int~ll""tu..t 0/1".
_pring in a conte.. ,h., .1", inrl"d" J ,uch aitcrnat;"c discip)""r)" hermc'
<lC'''1o "-~ . he philological and theologi,.1 " herm~ncurics <>f "'~"':"Y of
",c." ins.~ His ;ntc'" in ,,!fering ,he ti"mcr of .he,", fo.-mul •• i"", " "as de .
","pti"" and t.",nomic r•• her.h.n im"" .... ';'... In til< con,u, of "'CCn, US.
"",ical .he ory. h<:N.~r....'...... Mati. Ni<tZSCM .• nd F... ud by .h.""",I,...
..... ,.k.... as «KIS';' uring a I"""Y ""ffit:icm gmc:.Logy for the m";n<lrt.m of
N,'w H;"oridst. deco ...,ru,,;,... fom;niJ(. '1ueer . • nd psycho.n.ly,k oiti·
(t>nt. to apply a hermeneutk. Or,u~piciO" is, 1beli ....... ",;doly undc ... tood as
• "",nd.. ory InjunClion ...... r ,b;t.n. poo>-ibility .mong otMr pC>SSibili.in;.
The phrol.'" now Iu, somr,hing like ,he ..cmI SI~t'" of Frednc "'mrso.",
".~I,,·aY' hiSlorictu" - and.lil:.c ,h •• 0"".
i, ~"oddly into its lit ... pooilion in
,he t,bk,s ofth~ L~w_ Alw4Jl hi s,ori,ize, Wha, could hal.., less lodo wi.h
his,,,rici/:ing than , ... commanding. atcmpoul.d-...,rl> "alWay'", I. reminds
me of .... bumfXr Slide ... th., inSIrtJCI people in ",her 011 ,0 "Question
,Iu,hority." Excelkm adrice. fXrh~ps w . .. cd 00 .nyone ",t.o docs " .... ,.
t'''' they're ord.",d In do by a "rip of pape r glued.o an .u,omobile! The
tn'per.!i"e framing ""ill do funny ,hings '0 • herrrw::neutics of SI.1Spici<M1.
NOT surprisingl)·. the mClhodological cemr;t\i,y oJ 5UspK;on to "'•.
n:nt criliGll prwicc: b;t.. im·oh... d a concomi,.n. pm.;lcgi"g of ,he ron·
~p' " (par.n oia, In .r.c 1m p.ragr.ph., of " ... .,d'. e,,,,,)" <)tl ,he paunoid
Or, S,-h rd:>er. ,hen: i. di><usslon of what " ... ud considcl1 • "striking .imi·
I.my " between So:hn-bcr. sptema,;" pcrwnltOf)' dcLu.ion and fn:ud',
""'n 'hcory. Freud ","as indeed I~tcr.o g..:...,...liu. farnou..,.. •b;t., "'M ddu'
.ions of p" .... noloc. h.,,, .n unp"l "~bIc ""ern. l simil.ri. y and .mer",,1
ki"lhip'" 'he ,y"e",s of our philosophe r." _ .nlong whom he included
hl"'''''1f (lZ:79. '7 : ~7J ). For an his slyn~... i. m.y be true tl\;o. ,he. puta",,,,
congruence be' '''ern parmoia and.heory WU unp:al.ouble to F.-cud: if ....
110",,,,.... it ;, nn longer v;.:..... d as u"P"b •• bic . n.c . rt;.;ul.. ton of SIKh a
"'''gr uene. "")' ha", been Inc,·i,.blt .• t ' LI)' r.tc ; as Riroeur not ... "For
M . ... N;",:zsch•.• nd Freud, ,h. fut>d.mcntala'rgory of CottKiou>ncss is
,be ... L\t;"', hidden·sho"," 0.-. ,f you p ... fer. JimuL\ted·man,fntcd.. .. Thw
' .... dh\inguishing charactens", of M~tI. Freud •• nd N;"tUChc is ,he gen.
e",1 hypot ....;, ronceming bOlh .he procc .. off.l", con.oau'ncss and 'he
n""hcxl of deciphering. The , "'0 g<ltoge,her. ,ilK. 'he m,m of suspicion
'ar,.;., Out in rt ....... ,he ..-o.-k off.l .. ficarion of, ... man of guile" O)-}4).
The man of ""spicion double·blulfmg.he: man of guile: tn,he: b;t."'" oJ
,hinke .... M.. Freud. pa ... noia h •• by now condidl)' bn:om< Ie.. a di. b'11O·
." .h.... p« ... ription_ In 0 w"rld wh~n: nn ""~ n"ed l>t dol".i"".I to find
 ~"idcnc~ of systemic oppreSSion. to theorize OUt of .nylhing bul ~ P"r:ot'loid
crilicol ".nCe has come 10 '''''m n .... '..,. piOUS. orcompl.i",-nl . I my .. lfh...,
no wi,h to re,urn to ,he u,e of "par'fl'Oid" .s a pathologizing di.gt)osjr,
n.u, it ..emS to me. great loss wkn paranoid inquiry romes 'o"'em "'"
tirely coexlensiv. wi,h cri,ical theore,ic.l inquiry ratbe. than being "ie~
as one kind of eo~"'i'i,-e/.lfec'i"" theore.ical proctice among otber.•It. r.
na,i,... kinds_
Evt:n aside from .he prestige tha, now anacbe, to a hermeneutics Qf
suspicion in cri,ical 'hrory as a whole. queer >ludle, in partkular has hod
• distinctive history of in,imacy wi,h Ihe I"'",noid imper.tive, F"ud. Qf
rour.., . 'raced every inStance of paranoia 10 the repression ohpenfirally
s;lme'$e' deSire, whe,her in women orin men. The ,raditional. homopho.
bic p'y,ho. n,ly,i, use that has gen"olly been m.<k of Freud', assocta-
tinn ha. been tn pathologiu homOS('xu.ls as paranoid OT 10 conside, parr
noi• • di"in<li,,,ly homOS('xu.1 disc _"" In Ho'"""'....,,'i
D<sirr. how.-." •. >
1971 h"ok tr-an,I"ed imo English in 1978. Cuy Hocqucn~hem .. turned to
Freud's formulations todraw from ,hem. rondU.>ion th., would nOl repro.
duce Ihi, damaging non "qui,u,_If paranoi a ..flec," the rrprwiM of SOme -
Sn de,i"" H' >cqu~ngbem .. asooed. 'hen paranoia is • uniquely priYi/egW
,i l~ r,,, illuminating not homos<:xu~lity irsdf, as in IhI: F",od ian tradi'ion.
bUI rather prt:<iscly ,he mechani'm, of homophobic and heterosnis, en-
forcement .gail1$t i'- Wha, is illumin.t.d by an undersl.nding of par~noia
is nol h"w hiJmos<.u.lity works. bUI how homophobia .nd he,erosniSIn
work -in ,Imrl . if on. understands Ihe", oppre",;ons 10 be 'p'emk. how
,h. world wt>rk'_
P:tranoia thus bec. me by ,he mid-'980, a pri"ikged obj«t "f antihomo-
phobic theory, How did it .p.. ad so quickly from that sta,u, '" being ilS
un i~udy s.nc,ioned "'''hoJology ' I have been looking bock inlO my own
writing of,he I~", wdl OS ' hOI of some othereriti<;>. 'rying 10 re, ..ce
that ' ransition _ one ,hat ""ems wurthy of ",mark nuw bu' ..cmed at ,M
time, I think. !he mOlt n.,ural mOl'/: in 'he world. f"JrI of'he explana'ion
lies ;n a property of par.noi. i,,,,lf Simply put. paranoia tends 10 be conlO'
gious; mnre .pecifically. pa."'~noia is drawn toward and lends '0 coostrua
' ymmetric.l rel.,iuns. in particular. symme'rical epistemologies . .... leo
Be""'ni wri'es. "To inspire in ' e",,, is 10 "" guaranteed . paranoid ..... ding.
ju" '" we mUSI inevitably be su'picious of thc interprelation. we in.pi .... ,
P,ranoi. is .n ille>c'p. blc in,erp""ill' doubling or pr,,,,,,,,,. - <,13-11). It "","
" hkf (,,,,d. if n~ce''''ry, becomcs onc) to ,"ch. thief: i, mobilize. guile
,g.;"st ,u'pidon. suspicion against guile : "il takes one 10 know on., ' A
""wid friend, wbo believes I ~m reading her mind. knows ,his from read_
;n~ ",il\e: also a suspicious writer, sh. i, alw.)" ,uming up 01 crime "'ene'
of plaS i.ri>m , indifferen,'y ~$ pe'pe'ratoro, as victim: a li'igious colleague
. ! ",<'il. sh e no, only im, gincs me '0 be as familiar wi,h ,he I.",·. of libel
",he is. but eventu.lIy makes me become so_(All thcs<: cx.>mple •. bi" ,he
"-,,y,. n: fictitious.)
Given that paranoia seemS 10 have. peculi. rly intimate rel"ion '0 'he
phobic d),n.mics around homosexu.lity, 'hen. i, may h"", been "roctur-
.11)" incvi"ble that the ",.ding p",,,i«S ,hat became mOS' "'ailable and
f,uilful in amihomophobic "'"rk would often in lurn h.,-e becn p ... noid
""co' Th ~re muS! h,,'c been historical .s well oSSlru"urol ",aSOns for this
de,·elopn""m. however. because it i, Ic» e~sy ,,, account on >lroouralt.rm.
for the f"'quem privileging of para noid methodologies in recent ""nque~r
criti" l projects such as feminiS! theory, I"}-.:hoan.lylic theory. deconstruc-
tion, Mdrxist cri'icism. or ,he New HhlOrici,m, One ",cenl discu»ion of
p'"n"ia itwoh, '"a popular m. xim or ,he latc 196<»: 'jo" because you're
p"ranoid doe,,, 't m.an ,h.,y'", no! ou' 10 get )'ou· · (Adam. I~ ). In faa. i,
"'~ Ins quite plausible th .. som. ' ... rlion of' hi.. oxiom (pcrh,f'" "E'" n • p> ra..
noid <an have e n~mie.:' uttered hy Henry Ki><illgetj is." inddibly in...,;bed
in the brains ofooby boomers ,hat i, "ffcrs u.the ronlinuing illU.>ion of pus.
"""ing' spedal inSight int" 'he cpistemol"!;ic' of ~nmily. My imp"'''iun.
_g,in. i, tim we . re liable to produc/: ,hi.; ron" .. i,,,, formulalion as fierrdy
.. if it h.d . ,,,,If' eviden' i"'pc,,"i'" force: Ihe nmation that e'-en paranoid
f>t~)ple havc ",,<mies is wielded as jf its absolutely nec .... ry coroll.ry " 'ere
'he inj"nction "so yeo "a" "'w, It< I""",,oi,' '""0"8"' "
~ UI 'he truth value ofthe original axiom. assuming il 10 "" 'ru~. do"s,,',
.ctu.ily m,ke a paranoid imperative ,elf·C\·iden\. Lea rning that "jU<l be-
come )'"u 're p.ranoid d"",n', mean rou don't hal" ~nemie.," somebody
migh ' deduce that being pannoid is nm.n effect;", "'ay 10 ge, rid of ene·
lil ies, Rather ,h." concluding "'50 you an nc,'C r be par:",oid enough: 'his
PC''''n migh ' inSle.d be moved '0 r-eAoct "bul ,hen. jUst because )'Ou h.,..,
enemic, doesll " mo.n )'OU h3"e to be par.noid: ThaI is '0 sa)". onCe again :
f<" "'meone 10 have .n umn)·<tifi"d "i<w of s)"stem;c opp",,,i"n, doe, not
ill trill.' ie" lIy m """..-arily ~njoin t hat pcrson '0 .ny .peci fie,,,, in of cpist. mo,
l"l\i,.IOf nacrativc <on",,~uence>. To be ",heT Ih ... p.lr."okl (.nd or COut>c.
we' ll need '" define thiS term much mort> ,"refully), to practk~ mho< t~
paranoid form, of knuwing do<. noll , in it5Clf. entail. denial of the n:alry
"r gr.vity "f . nmity or opp"''''i"n.
How.re we to und.rstand I"'",-noi. in such a way as to situate it as
one kind of epistemologic.1 pr.ctice . mons other.• ltem.ti,,,, one.l Bo_
.ide. Freud'" the mOst u .. ble r,,.mulation. r,,. this purpose "'1)uld "'ern
to be those of Me!'ni. Klein and (to the ,,",ent that p... noi. repreSi"" an
./feCti,-e as well .s <Ob"';t"" mode) Sil •• n Tomkin._ In Klein. I find p:onku.
l.rly congeni.l her uSC of the concept of !"'"hoM _ the ",hizoid/ p:oranoid
po,ition, the depressive position -as opposed to. for ex,mple. n<>rmat ivt'ly
ordered <tng", ,uble ""'<1"'''. or diasoO>tiC /"""o""li,)· '>1'<'- ;\,
Hin.hel-
wOO<l write' in hi, Vinio"a,y of Kltiniall Tho"gln. " The term 'position' de_
scribe, tho ch.,.cteristk postu", tha! !he ego t.kes up with re$pCct to ito
objec" __ ( Klein] ....·.nt.d to con'"y, ",i,h the ide. of position . 3 much
mnn: flexible lo·and ·fro process be,we.n one and the oth<r th.n is nor.
mally meanl by reg",,,,ion to fixa,ion points in th. dC\'t:lopmentol pha",,'
(J94)- The n.,ible 10·.nd -fro mO\"m~nt implicit in Klcini"n f"Jitio"-, will
oc meful for m)' diS(ussion of pJranoid and reparati,,: critical p'<UI"''', nOl
as theoretical ideologies (.nd c~nainl)" n", as st.ble pe,-"",alily Iypes of
criliCl), but .. cb anging .nd h~ .. rogenrou. rdation~1 stan,...
The grc~tc" interest of Kl~in', concep< lies, it "'-"Cm' 'n me. in hersceing
the paranoid po'i'ion .Iw.y. in Ihe o>cW.,ory context of a ''CT)' diffe",nt
possible "It<:; th o <lepre.i,,, position . For Klein', infant ur adult. tnc p:or>'
noid po,ition - unocr1tand. hly m.rked by h .. ..,d. en"y, and anxiot),-i. a
position of «rriblc . lenne,. to Ihe dongers posed by the h.. eful and e""i·
ous parI -objects that One dcfcnSi,·cly projects into, ,,,,,,, Out of, and in·
gem from the world around Onc_ By contr.. t. the d'pr=i'''' position i.
on .nxiet)·.mitigating .<hie,..,mcnt th.t the inf.nt or . dult only sometimes,
and often only briefly. 5ucceeds in inhabiting: thi' i, the po.it;on from ,,·h;ch
it is possibl" in lum to use one's own resources to assemble or ""'p:oir" ,n.
munlerou. part -obje". into something like. ,,'hole-though , I ....·ould .m·
ph"ize. "ot ""''-'''rily Ii~r all)' p=xisting ","ole_ Once ..sembled to one'.
own "",<ifications. the more sa'isfying obje" is a,'aiI3bh: boIh to ~ iden,i·
fied with .nd to olferone nourishment .nd comfort in lum . Among Klein'S
n'me. for the rep.rati,'C process is 10\..,.
Gi>'fn the instahiliry.nd mutu.l in"'ription buil, into the Kleini.n n<>tion
of positions. I am also. in 'he preS<'11l project. intere".d in doingjustiu to
th< pow~rful "'par"i'" pr.ctiCes thot. r ~m ronvin"ed. infuse self-",'m"<:diy
parano id crilkaJ PIOjCCl5, as well ., in the par.n<>id exigende. th" arc ohen
",'cc""y for nonpar. noid knowing .nd utter.mcr. For "xample , Panon',
,·Jltn re.ponse to m • • bo", the otigins of "". drew on • lot of research.
her own .nd Other people'•. ",uch of which required being p:o",noi... II)'
; trucwred,
f"rcOllvcnicnce '... ke, I bonow my critir.l enmplesas I proceed from
tWO influ ential studies of th. p.st decade, one rough I)' ps)-cho.;mal)"lic and
tht othe r roughly New Historicisl - but I do SO for more than Ihe s.ke of
convenience, as both an: books (Judith Hutler', GrnJa Tro.b/, . nd D. A.
,\l\lIer's Th, I\'ovd o"d '"' Pol;'~) who," Un"ali,y 10 tM d""lopment of my
own 'ho ught, .nd that of th. criti,,1 m",-emenlS th .. mOSt intereSt me. a",
",""'pic" of their remark.b!. f,,!"Ce .nd exempl.rit)'- Each. :os well. is inter·
."ingly located in a tadt or o,ten,ibly marginal. but in hindsighl origina')'
ond ;loth Ori7.ing rcl.tion to diAcrcnt .",ins of queer theory_ Finall)', I draw
.;en... of permi"i,,,, from the f. (\ thot ncitbce book iun)" lonsen-ery "'p'
resen",i"" of Ih. most rcccnt work "f eithce ~uthor, "" th.t ob",,,·.tions
about th~ re.ding practices of eilher ",H ,k rna)'. I hope, e",ape being gl ued
" if . Ilegorically to the name of the author_
r wou ld like to begin by ,,-,uing OUl5ide the >Cupe uf thi' disc"",ion
any ovcrl.p be'ween par.muia per '" on the one hand . and on the other
h. nd the ""e. ". rioml)' called dementia praecox (by Kraepelin), schizo-
phreni. ( by Bicuicr). m. mo", b",nerally. ,Iclusionalily or psych""i" As La·
pl'n"he ~nd PonlO1i. nott. th~ hi'tory of p,),chi .. ry has attempted ""iow
m'pping' of thi> o,·erl.p: "Kraepelin differentiates dearly between p . ... -
noia on (he one hand and the p.,. noid form of dementia praecox on 'he
,nher: Illculer Irt,." p... noi. 0. ' , ub ·catCh"'')· of d~mentia praecox. or
the gruup of sch i,oph",nia" .. for Freud. he i. qui,e p"'p"red to se. ccr·
"i" so - c~lIed paranoid forms of demen,ia praec", broughl under thc he.d
of par.noi • .. . . [for example, Schreher',] co.. of ·p" .. noid demen';'" i5
""' "nti.lly. p.r.noi. proper! and therefore nOI a form of schizophrenia] in
F1"I;ud·. eyes" (>97)_In Klein', I; .. r writing<, meanwhile, 'he occurrence of
r,)'<hot idike ment.1 eve"" i, ..en., uni,,,,,.,1 in ","h children and .dult •.
,,-, th., ",«hanism' such os p".noi. haw " dur ontological priorit)' ",,,r
di'h'llO>tic calcgorics ,uch a, demen'i • . The ITason I want to in,ist in .d-
"""c e On ,h i, m",,, i" once . ga in. to 'ry to h)'po,heticolly disem.ngk the
9"""i(," of tru,h ,'alue from the question of perfoem.ti"" effec._
 I ~'" ... y;ng ,h~, 'he m.i .. "'-.ns for q~ionlng p;l"'f\OId pr=i, ,,. .,,,
O,~ <han 'M ~bili'y ,h'11OOrsuspicions can be: dclu.:ioru.l or MmpIy
w"'''8- Conco.mt.n.ly. JOme of the ..... in "Cason. for pr=icing p>nl .
S">tegic:< m.y be: "'Mr thln.he ro-ibility ,''', '~' off~r uniq~ ace'::
•o.rur knowLedge, n.,
"'prtsm. d " "j', .mong <.>Iher w.y .. of ""di
finding, and oqrani.ing kno.... ledge, P.... noi. knov,'. some .hings "'-"U :~
othen poorly,
I'd like to undw.k. now ~m.,hing like. composi •• sk.,eh of "nat 1
"IC.n by p;l",noia in thil COO""ctiOO_IlO('$ • tool of difftf'en,;'l ol;.,g..o,u.
but'$ a tool forbe:,tcrs«ing dltrtf'entiaJ. of poetic• . Mynuin IM:~ingsarr:
PoInnoia i< dnriril"'''?'
P.... noi.a iJ 7rjIaiw .nd .. ,.....n.-.
I>.... noi. iu """'.t .Itt,")'.
PoIr.,,"'" " a theory of n'J"">~ afficu.
P"o"oi. piocci in f.lth in '"'1'"J."'.
.AUNO'A .. A""(:"ATO~'
Th.. p"ranoi> is .n,icip;l10ty i< <:k.r from "'''')" a('C()Un' ,nd Iheory of the
plltnommon_ The- fit$( im""",ri\l: of p<IT.noQ is TIom- ...... lor "" NJ JIll'-
ptUtJ. and inde«l. 1he an:Dion .0 surprise ... erru '0 be: .... h.. (erum .. "'"
in"mag bc:,w"en pannoi. and know 1«18" p." ... , indudi ng bot h epist"""".
phili •• nd skep'i<:i,n" D. II . Miller nOle. in Thr tII<>W/ dlUl rhr "'-~ia. "Sur'
pri .... _. is precisely wh .. tho p"tonoid se.::b '" elimi"ate. bu, i. is .I..,wh•• ,
in .he CYCnt. he 'u,,';.'" by ",.ding •• a frigh,ening inc<:nt",,: he un n.,,,,
bc: par>noid ."""gh" ( ,~),
Th. unidi"""ion.Uy futu"C·on.n'ed vig~an« of pan ...... gcn,,,.,o.
p"ra<iOJli<a[ly,' romplc~ ",L>,ion 10 'cmporab'y 'hll bulTO'oO"S both 1wJ;.-
" .. n! .nd fOrwood: btt~u'" ,he", must be: no hod surprixs..nd bee • ....,
le.ming of ,he J>Ol>ibili,yof a bad su~ would i,,,,lf roru,i,u'e • bad sur-
prise. paranoia "'qui",.,h.t bad ne",S bc: .lw')"1 al",ad)' knov,·n. n. Miller',
a" ol)'" ••!so .ugge'l$. the '(",ponl progress .nd "'1:"'" of paranoia ."',
in principle, infini ,. . Hen.::c ""rh.ps. 1 suggc>I. 8u,l.r·, ,eptoled .nd KOU'-'
Ing!)" lh"'"ugh d.moomr.,ion. in G<t<olrr r",.!oIr th ... he", ",n h",,, been
'10 momen, prior .0 ,he in,l""mon of th" luulizing I...... of I:<'nJcr di~
"nee; he""c hcr IIn"'$<'ng vigil.o.",c roo- t"'<elI in othc •• hwri>u' ""riling of
,,(>St.lgla fOf_SUm an impossible prior momrnl. No time could be: '00 nrly
Ii>< "",,'s h,,,,ng .• I,,,.dy·knoo;...lI. for its having·.h:ady·bo;.,n ·i~",bIc .•hat
w n1elhing Nd would happc:n . And no \o$lI could be: .00 f~. in the fUN", 10
"...,d \0 be !"""mpl;'''1y ofucountr:d .
In ,,,,ling, .s I h,vr .I",.dy, .h. con.agious 'rupilm of p.raflOi, ,oward
.yn,mettic.l.pis,ernologic., I ha,,, ",Ii.d on Ih. double sen"", of I"'ranoi.
., ",nui"" and mlme'ie. J>.",noi, .... rru 10 "",ui", being imitat«l 10 be:
undcr«ood, and iI. in lurn,""'ms 10 undersnnd only by omit.tion, Pol",.
noia proP""" bolt. iI~Jlh,,,,Y"" r4n do (10 .....) I ("u.l.!....,..... and ilKJlhi",
."'. ran ol" (I" mt) I ru do first - 10 my.df. In n.t N""tl,,..j I'" Polio:.-. ~1ilLer
;, much mo", ".plicit th.n F",ud in embracing lhe ,,,in p"'I""'irion.,"',
011" und",rs,."ds p.raflO;~ on ly by on.",,1 f praC! iei ng p.ranoid knowing, .nd
th .. 'h" way pawlOi. has ofu,rdersland ing .n)"lhlng il by imitoting .nd
embodying i•. Th.t p"""lOia ",fu"", \0 be: 01'1)' tornrr" "'''Y of knowing "'"
• thing Im",,'n, but iJ ch.ra<loriud by.n ioui..-cn' tropi,m 10wArd O<CU.
p~'ing both posi11on1. is \\inily dra ..... 'izr;d from Ihe opcni"B pal:<' of ,his
definitive <Iud)" of p.nncri.1: , ron,..-.mI ritl«l "8u. Offi«r ..•" be:girtS wi.h
.. , a1w.yo-olrudy«eond·gunsing ""monc•• bou, how "['ow ,1M: blonde>!
(or bluJb.r) ·",hoL>.rly ",ork' fe.n gctting into trouble: inctuding ,rouble
"with th~ adv" .... riu whose p.rlicul.r "'lOrks i1 k.eps bwy.ntic;p"ting"
("ii), As ,h. book'$ fl,,.1 p.ragraph nOl.S .bo~t 0.»;,1 C0l'l',>jirW, Mille"O<)
"",,,,)·wh.,,, imin"'~1 •... pm..... in which Ihe suhj~"'. """,,liIU'.S hin,-
... If ·.g. i nst' discipli"" by .s:ruming th., discipline ;n his ""'n nan,." (no)
,,,- e>"n h i. ""'n body ( '9' ).
It >ttTtl$ nO wondc., 1Mn, 1h.:i,l"r:moia, once ,he topic .. broached in •
nondiagnos'ir (""'U1. s«mslogrow like. cry....1ina h)-pt ..... 'u~.'.d$(l/".
1ion, blOIling OIl' .ny ",nse of the poo.s;bility of ,Item. In" ..:.y. of undo,..
".nd;ng or things .0 ulldot$(.nd. r wiU s.>y '""'" bter.bout """'" impli.,..
lKltlS ofth" ,mus of par.noia .s, in rhis sense, in" ';"bly • ".. .-ong th.ory."
W hat may bt "",n mm. Imporl.nt is how """,ely .h< ",;"""idsm of p....
"<,Ii , dl"Cu m "'ribe:J its po. cnl iat as • mcdi~ m of pol i'ie,l or (~hun t <tnlgsIe .
,\ . I poin'ed nUl in • '!1116 ....y (in ,,·hio;h my implicit ",f.",nce w .... as
it happell$. .0 On<: of' 'ht ~)"S I"e' coIl..,,«I on n.t N",n .>0;1 <lor /Wi«).
"The problem .... '" b nne "mply 1110' 1""...... ;..10,,,, of .....". fOr _ in
 • """ain I.ns,,'gc what is not' n..
probkm;, n.\K,r ''':11. of :011 fonn.
of I""c. I"nnoi. is ."" mos. asn:. ic. l~< J.,w d,," ik,n,,,.,,,
/au, foP'" Its ob-
]«I . . .. lb: gorgrous n....I ..... wuri< done by Ihc Fouc:&uIdW> p.>raooid.
... n.r.".rning''''' .irn"hneous ch~ of i",.i.Ullort< 'n.o a COflKCUl"-.e
dItlp.dt.ad.tltG"n. diagram of spinning "Kal'" ;and ,c'''p'urn. is.1so "'"
pa,.. noid Jubjtct·. proffer of h'mstlf.nd his rogniti'" ••It",. now '.,.dy
for .nylh.ng i. can I>"'""n. in .br ..... y of bl.nd,.h..,.,n. or viokncc. '0 an
ord .... of·' hings mo""" rIu. had unln .Mn bcktd only n .... tibility.• body.
c~."ilion· (Coh ........ rt"; ~
Al.he ,;"K ofb.::ing .wfully reduct;"". J ~u~"'~I.h ••• hi< .n.;op.,ory. mi.
me,;c mcch . n;In' may .Iso shed lighl on ... riking f,,.,ure of recen' femi"",
• nd qutc, Uk. of p")"Cho.n.lysi .. La"n •• id.. few ",.u.1 P")"Choan.>lySlS
WOIJld dre.m ofh.<ing as rigorously in.;'ltnl .,.re m.ny <>J>!>O'ilional th • .,.
rills _ of " 'hom Bu.kr is '"Cry far fJom Ihe ""'" ~inSle·mindcd - ill '=n.
ing I he i""oo,.bl•. irtt<!utiblc. uncil"l"llmN,is.bk. omnil"""'"1 <"CIltnli.y.
• , .....,. f")'Chi<; juncturc. of 11K facts ( ......"'.. , fOctitiou.) 0( -....zual differ·
ence- and ".he phallus.' From such oIitn •• u.oIogkal ..."Ork. it ..."OUld b.<
hard", learn !h., _ IT"m Freud """.. rd. i""luding. for t:c.mpIoo. II.. ~.er
wrilings of MeLoni<: K!cin - lhe hlst"')' of psydlO.1n.1ytic Ihoughr oIFcrs
richly di",,'l.'t:II •. hClcrogo:~ tools lOr lhinking .boul .:speru of penon ·
"",,,,,ioo,,,,,,,.•
... ~><I . ffo". filialion. soci.1 dyn.mieJ, .nd stmalily ma •.
Ihough ,eltv.n •• u.he ""perience of g<'n<kr and queerness. ~n: often nOf
("n,r. Uy o'g.niltd around "se,u al diffcn:n<e- .. . 11. NO! lh. llh""'rt: n<'C'
'0
essarily prior -..,.u. 1 dilfert:n<"~" , Ihey m.y 'i mply II< conccp<ualized ..
wlllCwhrn- 10 Ihe sid~ of i•.•• ngenlially or contin~..,nrly ... l>led 0, ~"n
ra,he, un""blcd to il .
Seemingly. lhe rest,voirof ,ueh .hough, .nd ~ul",ion could make an
impo".nll'r1(JUl"(c fOr ,"'oris.. ronuniutd '0 .hinking .bou, hu .... n lh,.,.
OI ... , .... i'" .han Ihrough lhe I>"'judidoWl gtnde. rei6c.!1ons It..! an: com·
I1"\l)fl in l"Y"ho.onal)"~ as in 01 ..... proj«ts of rno<km pIliIo5opIt}·.nd sO·
ence. Whiollw h.ppened iru!e.ad. I think . .. oorn.tlhing like Ihc fol.....ing.
Firs! . • hrough ",h.l rnigh, bt calltd a proem ofyjgibnl ",onning. femi·
n..... ,><1 qUttrs ......c righlly undc .... oo'hh •• no.<>pic ora",. of1">,1>0.0"'-
Iylic .houghl an II< d«l>red a priori immu"", 10 Ih. inAue""" of such gtn·
<Itt ,dfialion.. Second. hu"·",,,,- .nd. II ...,enlS .0 ""'. unnccc... rily and
ofl.n dam.glngly _ the I.ck of ,uch. priori i,"",ul1I<)·. lhe .b>cnco of an)'
g" ••• n,,·~d nonp"'judi<i.l point of heginnillg f01" fel11inl~1 .hough. wi.hin
I",)",ho.on.l ys;. h .. led to lhe wide"P"'.d 'doJ,,1on b)' $0<1", think,.. of an
o,,,id~tory mimet;" st ...... egy w"'reby. ccn.in. "yliltd viole""" ofst.lu:ol
, !lffe"'''';''ion mllS! .tw.Y' be rrtn'",td 'II" stlf4l.l_-.l_C\"n. " 'he", """ .
c>$olry. impostd _ simplyun .... ground Ih •• i. an "",,,.be ~n:olty..w ""'-
Ir <Ioo'! "",n! .0 sugges< . in ...mg lhe word "mimt\;,,: !h., lhost ..... o f
~)rl>o;I ... lyllC gcndt,calegorie> "",td b.< eilhe, uncm;"al of or idmlicallO
. he onSi""b. BUller•• mong ",hen. has •• ughl un much leud..dening....,
of"mim.'ic.-) BUI. fortnmplc. in .hi< po$I ·lacani.n lradillon. ps)"Choaru.
1,·lK lhough •• h .. is no! in Ih.Ii". plact nnl ... Uy organi,.d. .round pilaU;"
:,.,ou.l difference - muM seemingly be , ... ",I"ed. wilh how",.. , dislOning
"',u lti. Intn th .. Idngu.ge hefo'" j. can bf: pullO any mher .h~or".kal usc .
TI>< con lingen. poosib;li'ie, of .hinking ",he<wise Ih ~n Ihmugh """xu.1 dif.
rcrt:nc~- on: . ubordin"td 10 the para...,;d imp'" .,i" Ih.l. iftht violcn<~ of
.u, h g~",kt rcific,'ion ",nnol be dtfinili,,,ly h~lltd in a<lvana:. i. muSI a.
lu" n....,r arri,,. on any ron<cp.".1 SC'C"" IIJ Q ."..,.,ut.
in a pa..anoid vie\o.·•
ic i< rnO", dongtmm forsu"" reilic•• jon ",,,'.0
II< uNnriOpaltd .han ofi~n
." II< unchaJlcngrd.
II l! for ""5U!lS like Ih"" Iha •. in .he WOI'~ "fSilva" Tomkins. p.> .. noi."
"ffrf~d 01 • ht exampl. p'" nccnenu of "'hal "]"o mk ins ",fu.'>!o as '" rang'f.
fCr! Ihoo'y' - in thi' c.sc. a >lmng h"mi!i.tiOl1 or humilialion·fcar 1h<."O,y.
I\~ Chapter J "'pl. ;n,. T<>n,kin" ll .. oflhc .~r'" "",,,ng theory " - ind."d.
hi, u"" "r l he lerm "" Ihwry - .1 .11 _ h.$ S<lnle.hing of . double ,·.Ien"". H.
t;a<. beyond Fn:ud', n:OITtiOll on pos.<ib!c Iillt,lori'i" 1«"1""",. say. paranoia
"nd •heQt"y, by Tomk ins's .emurll. " 'h ich is ... rongl)' m.rhd by c .. I)· cy~r­
" "lies' in."r1:$! in ftt<!bad processes. aU pcopI<:'. cogni.j,,,j .lre<1;",. ~,....
' n:: ~.n ;ud according 10 al.ern.."". ch.nginS- ....."gic •• nd hypo!MI;'
cal .rre<1 lheorin. As. re .... lI. ,"'re .."Otdd. be fJom II..... on no on,oIogkal
d;ffcn::nce bel .... ..,n.he .hororizingoosof a Fn::ud..nd I ........ of.say. one elhis
.".1)"$....11. Tomkin. docs nO! suggtot .ha, 1M"" is no "", •• 1t>"C1 of ",Ike·
'>on in F",ud·slheOTJ·. bu •• ha, .ffro ilstlf. ordinary .ffe<1 ..... hile i....,.ruribly
<"'po",.1. i. .1so ccn, ... lIy sh'p<d. 'hrough Ih. ~tdbaock proc ..... by its ac·
re ... 10 ju" mch .h~on::.ical m<I.Ic,.,I .. In Tomkins.IM« is no distance a<
, II hoc.wccn alfect .heory in .hc .. ''',~ or Iht i"'puI"I.nl cxpli<i. !hcori2<inS
''''"c ,<,ien,i" •• nd philosophers do arownd . ffeet>. "nd . lft<l.htory in .he
~, tu'l""ll "'I'''''''''lI1'~'I''''lII'!'''''''''d ~ 'I'~J &.l'l-'.~l h'

1Iu""", "''1''':>''''1 .,~", 'ft.>W"""~1 'IJO!<S:>.'~~ ''''>peJN """...... ~>d '1101 ,
.• .u~ "'1'1>0." .""",,,,,. ·~)U.nu 1"..0»0 '1'I'~'" ~ ..., _.,jj.,u,,~ ,("",'-'
.,~"' ~OOG 1.'~II!\'Ii 4~!4'" JO - ~)I'<k "4' "'~Jlo""" SUO"" .V~ 1 "'11 "~r\JJ
'"'I'
'flU' JO 4'1""''1 ,u"', ""I' ;~J\I""lI'P l,n",s. JO Pl:1(~olnr. ~4' JO ...,
~, UI.\j,U""~) 051 .... · ....''''14' .. ' ;'IU'" ,u.wnil. u' ...... $'1 >311"4 ." Ino
I"'lI 0, >J!I"d .... 'I"'~ """'.'11 "U spo'" ""l-" Ina .",,;Mj ....~'-' Sf ,.....lJ~ "4'
~J""""I' 're',lJU ><I' JO ~. u, $. poo, ...""un "'I UD jU'II~lo,~,-, '''In)
"P .(I ;!.l,IUHl »)I~,/ "I' r"p iJoWN J~l.J0 "'w4,ll""""S.>O ,u,wniI . "l"U "'Il
• • • -""'.1:1" ""',.li.... 1" ~"!'.><I.-" "'I' JO ''''"J'IOo'' 1")«='" qSn"'lIl UO<'
_~)<»<I ~. 01 ....s..' •• K <I! JO ",,,,''(!OJ lI",nu!,um "'(11" >n,,!., .q '''UD
.!."". . td '1I"'i"",,. ul .,,!.lI.uo'II' ""'11' ~',,08Ju •..(p ... ~'uo:l 'os ' ''''P ' !
$SO!,," ~".,.... Utow"" 0, '!"~ '1"'!lI!P $! I! '1".11" ",p.li,u "U !"lI"I""P !~!P U!
.", ,;mwd ,,"nJ"»"" .....,"l" 10Il .(...... .uo,.., ~ .~." pur P;>"'~" '" • ,,300111
1" ''''I' .'t",,':>.IOW »<.w)U uD ~,,\\. :. ~IU" -"I 0] N.,~ -"I 1111", ~J
r»ifo" '"'I' ""1 - "''!'''''.Il~ 001.\juo ""I 0, ......,j •• W '! 'P;>""ul - """'lI,ul
$I .uo,.., SI>OJII II' '"'I' >OIl '! UO!SYlpUO' ', 'U! ~w".L ·os op Ol ' n") I! I~ '"Jos

'"'I' p.lOI.I '! 'O~ 0> p~dm' 00 , ""I Ploo_" _ Jo 4, n" ' '\1 od,,,,
>d '"1I1n,, _U' '<!""~ J;,jIJQJ.I' " ",w>q "'0'4' 1I0" o'I,wn4 • 'u"""'I,wn4 SI1!"!~'II'
"4' ~ '.!O<J - J,J,P""" .0(........ 00, '"4' ,..oddn. '.""P
I 'p',"q!'",p ,'I'r!·" JO li""l'J"'!O lI:1nw 4' ,,:Il1O.1l1lJU!WO,""I UIO.IJ J .) ~ulIlIn< ,uoo". '14"V
>JOUI 10 l'>llW :uow "" ....... up 1114' u,
s:I!'" ><I' 'J~ ·~Il.ns:n "'Ol~
(K ·if." "1/¥l 'u><id"'l ..n....,.,Uq' :uopq f.JIJU>li,,!,uro Ij.llll JO
'UO!'~J!P"~' P'" 4'IU' 1'-''''..0, ,)U" "," ,u.qdwn!" • no nuoo'lP",d "4' "'I
""!,odp,,,,,, 3,lOW puo """'" "'I'I"""! 'P'4," 0' , ,,,,,03 '4' 0 ' 10 'pur4 >UO '4'
P,>U;lu><l., ""I"' w ,..,s.q '11I:>! 4'" 4'~" SUO!.dumfn "",os .t."" ;!,\OJd''I' "" .,,,,>!':><1., U,..."Ul ••
lIu".~'wn4 JO "oJ I'JlunQ.lx >q '" "'''''!J" l.,
"04' "4'" !iU!4iAuo 01' ,," 0)'0 do,. I.un,o dP4 '."o~ '\"4' U! ' 1~)!!l, '1""'"
;uow pur :uow ""rl'u, " 4:>!4·" "" u.,,, ''I' '" ~ """'" '! ,(,<»4' UO!" !liw",!
... »<.(...... J>po'" • 'Oil' ",nprul< .Yo,....,"'•• '"'I'
ue su>dd'4 '! M04" "'LL
.. _...........s a....,.J ..' ·""''","w'''.! >j~u!" '" .u>wou¥ .,,,w,,,:!>ow
(fro" I»jfy) l"'J'IU>!1' I'->J ""I' P'" .~ ..... put P'lX-!"'I' At"P!nb "'I I"'" JlOW """"'" " ...... ,,'"f'b"' UI <l.lodmd " 4JN." tu>wou><jd >4' JO UO!I

II., , ....'-') .... "rl!<<od .. '"'1," '"'" '" uo<'OUUOJUl lI1l!,,,,,,L.'Il! JO ,{..."
Poo!u ~o uOIj''''u.oq >fU'I·........' ~ ..." ... " '",,>wOu,qd .'""u. 'Oj.\too
,.s.... -(~!4 '11 ""'4' n" ....oq.,"11 .. , ''''''!lU'N! ',"w,u, >4' JO uOIIU'P"l ,uno".. uO> .\.ro,'4"'l' 4"4_'''>1lu,,,, >4' o,L ·P'.."I .... >4 UOJ "'0>4' -'\Ill
.."li 10w '''41~' u'~" uo!'"!W<.IJU) JO "'q ,u~u>d"PU! 0.", '''4' ~>U~'P • -u>p< ..... JO ,,,,\\Od
.u<>'tlJoldu '4' 4'!'f" .'q "',,-,OJ!', l'"d~". "I"\>IUW,,,
"! "'>4' Jl 10 r'"'13'I"'I' ""'1.('''' ~'" 1I""{PWO' ~)U"'I' "1"'''''' u~ '1 "''''I' ~ '" <!'U ."",nos UOWUlO:J • W<UJ pur ""'flO ''I'
wOlJ ><JO •"><J"'' ' "'.... >4 ,,'
Jl ~"\IIOl ~"'l4U" ..... u"'''UO\U
1.w .... >y/O .)U.sll1~'Ul -'P"'~ "tlU Je><il~ 4"!4'" ~ -'" WIU=ck "Pi-" " ~ :lu!JUno>:le JO >f<lN""
AWXl. ><I' >tQ!«Od.w »s "''''''''''''I,'' p>Xld "'........ ,.U.
,tpO-I >lU -~)u"4'
0' lJo]" ' I'l!no<! •• >tUli 50 '\IO!"" ,'I' ,. "oJ!' J'¥4!U.s.... "1 4S'4 .U~ '~n "",",," "'I
".'p JO .n.,.,:!!'!", . "10"'''"' Ju IU,U!'UW' '""']l11'l."0<.><l ", :1,!~ ....;,j ~!'" JO Am'4' ""V_ ·1~'1u,a.O I! '"'I' U)'wop '4' JO '(So,ooo,

""'1" '101' '''')N03 ' u' ...."",oddo ~!uuSo, "'!lu~.>IU .. . '"","!(!"'"4 $'<I. ;nrs ''I' mq 'OJ.II" ....!l!<O<I S]>uy '0 '''.11" .... !I"~JU S]>""'"'!II"''' ""'4 'n"

1'> .~n "'(' ~"!"'!u!w JO 'IU.LO,UI >lI' "! p>Z!1"~-J""'"'1 =11'"

"'Y" 'IOU S! Rl!~wo,L ""Uo..j, liUOJ" "Z!J'lXJ"4' "41\\ -"!>Y ~P pu. ');Im!
<poq "" lo."'l - 'JUd.,.JO "w(>(tO»> 1"".dJ)lJQ;l "1 "$I ''''1'- '{'''''II Suw,.
''1'" "''''"!' O<t" 1"'l 'IU."..><I'I"'l """'" ~1<wJOU "'. <f.l\'I-" .w,....
I·qn.-
JO ~1JfIp:u I"'" 4""'" ~'IJ. 'P"'~ li'1.IW1< >lI1 JO ;4.,uoApC ""I' 0, ~
u»''''"'''1 "",,0,9,,1O! ...,!«.>O,.! ""4' '<'I'
'(I"" lOU "" w"'" '!4' A\I "''''>4'
... "'....., "I IOU", ,.o"uro 'II' r"" ''''0'41 ~ . ..... 41!'" f! SI.l!~",o,L U! "'0'4'
"",'O!l!w"lj :J!'''!)Odouow u! UO),",,!u. 1Uo,,:MO'! "')4' "'I'
p!" " ' " 4 ',\\
liuw" JO 1~"-"uu, '41 ',('1'-',<>)0<1 IS<>I~ -tOOPiA!PU! Au" JO ')!! r",U>l" ' 4' >1nl
:I"'!&>toln~, .(tli"""'l1 Su!>,! ~ ,Uo.><jl -1lSuoo 0, At~'I""O "419u"'l< puo spw~ ''''''' .II1P JO s:>!JO"41 "".11 0 1'''"1'''
SIIO.Il<. '<AWoI!!"I):&"'........s~ PU"\lx"" "I'!... "1 JO >lnr"""l'nq '1L>!Sot''' '''-'''1JOJ><lwnu " "1frIOO.H! s.SI.l!'tIUl>,L.(q pur 'spUj~ 'rl~ ""I<l Suowe
_no, 11.'1-"""''''' li",""1 ~.loooq, 0.>>>" .'11" ....... '" " 4,.IOJ :1Kl!'L>~lld,u. Uo.q, 1».11"JO PUH :ouo S! 'I " 1,(J1SS.P 0, ""I" "''I {l:>O<1 li""",!> Oil 110' 1'''''
put ~"luu ,)S "")1.1>1'" JO 'POW • 's\lU !II ' J'41<l ~lImu. '$! ,\.!0'4,l"1I" <I V 'llJoolfl Plw~H.>OJ ....'4'.. """'1I13u<lJ1I "'.II) ,UJ\lJ"""4'" S!<lo SO '! ' 1<1
-{t' ~£Tr: t) • • ""'4' 1»J!0 lJ,HU" 0 P'U" '''"'I ' . . .
1I:J! 4,.... UO!"'!U'~'" ·"'.,li'um 01 'W)I JWes ''I''. 'U'4" "! .(J\~4 ' SlKl.il~' .. ou .... ed II"' O.l
~=11.-<»f'! ~'Jo 419=lIl1U!!"","'1 "'I' rulwo.u1l1'!'I-" 1."".1:1_ J.<"r~u ·w"!! , ,""410 puo """" J!'4' 4"," (""" 01
JO ~,,!-,>dn >lI'JO ,,"=Is "N"""'uo;JU" Aj,u",odd. puo P_llO=>d;U ''I' >'" lIu.,{" pur lJupu:>< , ,.I.. Ul "II >f<lc»d I!. li~", lpot' ~I;&'[ "'I' JO XU><
 obi.or dieu. ond "'ri.~rly p;onache, These ~w.rW .'" .0 1or.I.nd Ia'fl>tnl
,h", on~ might want lo Sly ,Mt. plc!thor>. of only IooKIy ~Lu~d "~;ok
Ihcori<-s tw becn "wiled '0 $btl,,:< in the hrP"rtroplued cmbn,r" of tho
boob ~rarching$lrong 'heory. In n'Wlr "''2)''' ",m an • .,....,""'""nI
is all
!O .he good -"'88"S"'~. pIe •• urable .• nd highly ptoduc,h~; .n irui<lCIIcc
,h .. ",,,r},.hin,, mc.n, O<K 'hing somehow permits. sharpc:ned ~n~ of.D
,he "i.Y. there .'" of nle. ning il .II",
one ne~d nOi read .n InfinM number
of st"d"ms and other cri,ics' den".. iw "'phrasingi' of Lhe book', grimly
!lrong lh.eory !O $Ce .•s ",,,U. SOme limi""ions of ,his unmiculoted rd•.
,ion bc,wttn !lrong and "'~ak .heori.... As !I.... ng theory. :tnd as • locus of
",n"xOw ntim~icism. poranoU is noth,ng if not ",.ch.l*. Tht """,-...fully
"'nging.nd red",,;"" folU 01'$1 rang th.eary can rn.tL: ,.ulo1ogic;oJ • hini ing
hard loid.ntify....,n as il =kes it rompclling.nd ncari~iuble; , ... ~,
i. Ih .. bo,h wri .... and rude .. un da=gingly mi,=ogn'u "..hcth.e. and
wh"", real concep'ual ",ork il gening dont. and proci~I)' ""h., ,h., wOTk
migh' be.
'ARA.~ utA IS A '"GOU 0' ,..UlAT.V . HHCT,
W1tik Tomkins ~inguisOO amoog a numbcrol' qu.>U""i'''1y di~renc af·
fects. ... also r..r so'"" purposes group' aJfcas 'ogeth.er Joo.cly ... either
posi"''' or ..." ..il", I.. ,he"" 'er m •. p;oranoia is cM r>c,.rizcd not only by
"'ingo Slrong .hc",),uopp<,,,,,d to. ,,·.. k one, bu, by bting. ~Irong theory
or. "'gati''e .ffect. This pm,,,,. impo"'''' in .erm, of ,h. oV'Torching af·
fe"i"" g""IsTomkin. su, U PO'en,i, lIy COnniclinS wi,h uch other in .... ch
Indi.idu,!: h. di .. in~,'''ioh •• In the fiTO' pi..,. be'W.,.n .h.e ~t>Cral goal of
"".king '0 minimiu ""S"Ne .Ir"", :rnd .h., of ",.king 10 mmmiu posi.
Iii.., affect. (Th" ot "'r. rnpc<11,,<,ly mon: $OphisI k.,...! b'();lh h.e ;';'miliD.,."
,h...If"", inhibirion be: m,nimtud and 'M' 'm j>O"'~r '0 K~"" t.. P"'"
ceding Ih...., goal< boo: mUimiud.) In ....,., ~- In most ~'''''~It.. ...
• '" sm.ll.nd .ub,,", (,hough (umubti"<'ly """,'enul) ncgotl ..ioru bctwttn
.nd .m<.><>g th...., g",I., btu ,he mushrooming ... If·confi,ming .m,ngth of
• monopolistiCI.r.u.gy oh,,'idpa,ing neg"i,·. affc(, ron ha,.., .• ccording
'0 Tumkin •. 'he dice! "f ("tiroly blocking 'he po,en,i.lly ",I<rati"" &",,1 of
",oking posi'i,-" .ffell. "The only..,....., in whkh (, ... p;or.noidl m.y sui'"
for pu.iti,.., .ffect . , all j, for the mi.1d which il protnU<'S ag. in" humili.>·
tion: h.wn' .... "To •• kutriotuJy the """tg)'0I'......... "'.;j'l.f I'....u;'" a/Kct.
(.,hL"- .Mn >imply enjoymg it w"'n the occasion arifc:J. is tnti"'lr ou, of
[I>< 'lu<>,Ktn" (Affic! .: .,~ w).
Simil.rly. in K1e,n', wn';n~ from 1M '?¥J$:tnd , _ il ag.in ~"'"
".1
In .... adtic"..,,,,,,n, - a distinct. often risIt)· positional shift ~ 1Or an in·
(,'" ,)f adull , .. _ ,nw.rd • SUSl,inN lid,,,! '" pInu"rt (through ,he
I\'paT"i,,, st rot egie. of, he dep"''''''' po.i,ion). '" thc" han COIl,inue '0 pur.
"," Ihe .df.rdnfordng Ix,""", ,,,If·dcfe.,ing " .. Iegic. for fi'rt.rnlling pai"
ntlered by ,I>e paraooidf Khizoid posi'ion. It ·, prob.bly m()tT ,,'u.\ for dis·
cu,..ions of ,he dcprc»i"" pooi'ion in Kkin to cmph..izc ,h., 1M' posi'ion
in'''b'.11'''''' "Ihinl f"OWbllj,y - in ,t.. form of a guilty .• mpolh.e'i< vi<:w of
.h. oth...- a' .. on« good. tbmag...!. in'q;ral,.nd ""{,,,ring and diodting
loll' and C:O"'. Such ",hk.1 po•.,ibility. how......... IS fouodr<l on.nd rout....·
sin' wi,h tt.. subject ·, nIO\",m.nl ,nward WNI Fuuc~ ...1t call> "co ... of tt..
5/'lr: ,~c of,.n ""'1 f"'gil~ conc~m ,n provide ,he ""If with plc.. u", and
"<Jon,hmen. in~" tnvlronmcnl 'hot i$ pc:rcci''1'd ~5 no' I""icul , rly offcr-
ins th~nt.
Klein', .rxI ·I"m ki.u·, con..pt .... 1 m"'''' h.", ~'" more .. >phistico.ed
.nd. in an import..", wiy. 1m tendentious tb.." Ih.e COf",sponding alSump'
lion. in F..,,,d_ '1" bcgin with. Fn:ud ~ub<""""1 pIe~w~ _king and pain
...nid.n<c 'ogether undtrthe robric of the "'pposedl)·primonli.l·p1c.... ~
pnnciplt:." a.lhC>ugh 'M IW<) motnncuuld OOI,htm..,h.." r~ically diIrcr.'
s.,c'Und , il is ,h~ p;oin.fom;ul1ing stra.egy alot>C in F1"<'Ud ,h.. (as anxitty)
~." "xtetlde<! forw~rd inlO Ihe dt:"'lopm~nt.1 "h...... mcn' of.hr ".... Ii,y
pn nciple." Th;. Ic",'t. P100lu '" «oe king as .n .Iw.p P""u "'. hi •. un"", min-
.ble, inuh .... "lble unJorgmurxl wellspnng of ,uppuscdly "n.,u",l " mO '
'ill'. one , h.1 pre:l<nlJ only ,h. questi<>n of how '0 L:ep i" irrcpn:ssible
n.uUi.i""5 u..do:r con'rol. I'\:rh.p' ..... n mon: probkm.tlc:oUy. ,his Fl'eud·
i.n >chem ••iltntly if\S1~11s tM alII""'" poranood ;mporni,..,. the imposoi·
bili,y bu, aloo ,he ,upp<.>:lcd ""c<SSity of 1'ore!t~I~ng p.oin and ""'priIc. as
",..,.Ii'y " _ .. !h. only and i~i,.bIt fl'I<l<k. mot"'''.
ronltn, . and proof of
true k"o"..Jed~.
11, Freud . Ihen. ,~c,.., would be no room - c. <cpt ••• n example of ~If·
J"h,,;on ~ ror tho Prou"i.n .pistemology whereby Ihe nar,.,t<" of AI~ ",,-
du'n"'_. wlm red. in Iht bl' ",\un", -;o.1Iill& .ach <>ther wi,hin me a whol~
h",. of tru,ho cortc • ."inS hum,n PO"""" and <h~r ..,er , OO cond",,: ncc ·
"I;niU'l; tlu:m ... tru,h> in..,fu ... ,~ ,......,...", "'[110(.1 n:"..,,1 ..... j<Jy"
(6:)OJ: ,,'''ph.uls ad.kd). In.he !"unoid F... udi.n t'J"I,c"""""sy. if is im·
plou 11!>Io: ~ ........ );h 10 ,uf'POO" th~, ,,.,,nh .ould be cwn .n occitknl:ol occasion
of }<"I' 1n<:<>n<elv.bIc 10 Imagin< joy as a gu.r.lrllor of \rulh . Inde«!. rro."
any point of vitw I, is circular. or ....".,thu.g. '0111J'PO'<' llul one', pk.....,..
a, knoY.·ingJOmCtNng could be ,m" aS~'idenceof I~ ITU,h of ,ho kno...I.
edge . 6u,. >trong 'hoorr of posil;".., affect, JU,h as ~'s ru.,.. ,.". -....
'0 m""" ,,,,,,..ni u. n ..... Rtx<>iotd, is no _It' ,alllological,lun ,ho strong
'heory of "'SoI';"'"
offNt "'P"'""nted by. for <ample. his p"r.noi.l in n.
CQI"I".. ( Inde.d. 10 tho ellenl tlul ,h. pursuil of f""ilh..., aH«t is far I. .
likoly to ",.utt in the form3lion of,..,ry strong theory. II ""'1 'end ..,h.,.
I... towmll'Utology. ) Allow •• cll illcory I" ""'11. diff.",nl pri me m oti,..,.
a, .ny "I< - Ihe . mldp"io n ofp.in In 0". , . se , ,II. provision of plcasure
in ,h. <)ther - and nel ,""'rc.n b<: caned n",,,, ",.II"ic Ihan ,h. olhor. h 's not
c.... n nccc,.arily ,rue th ., ,h. ' wo mau diff.",n, Judgments of -",:oIily";
II 1",'1 .h., one is ~simisti<: and ""cs ,he gl... as h.1f emply. while lhe
<lth"" ill optimistic and 5ttS il OS h:olffuU. In a ...wId fuJI of km.pain. 0U>d
0f'J'f"'lIS""" both epistemologi.cs are liuly 10 be based on <lecp p=imilm ,
1"-' "'p"..1;...., moti", of ""doing plcasu",. afl...11. arrivn. by Kkin·s:o:::.
COIJnl. <>nly ,,;,h ,he a<;hicv<:mcnt of. <lepr"""'" po&ition. BUI ..iw e.adt
lools r"r which .. again .o ..y. <he mot;,.., each Ius for wti,,!_is bound
10 d,ffer widely. Of . he tw .... hmo."C"'' '' i, is 'mly p" .... noid kno..·lc~ thaI
h., 10 'hon;>tlgh a pracri<c of ru..,""";ng '1> affi:ell,.., molh" and force and
"'""Iu...ding as Ihe '"Cry .. uff of ' TUth.
Wh.l<·wr Kroum il may gl'" of I,. uwn mot1'·~,ion. p"u noi. is chane·
,trll:ed by pbcing. in practice. an ~~I"'ordinary ""'51 on the ~ffic;ocy of
kn"",'Icd8" per ""- kn"""lcdge in 1M form of c~"'. M~'bc: tlul'S ,,-by
I"",noid knowing i> 10 ;nesc~l"bIy ...m,;"",. ukt .he ddmtilulionaJiud
pe,*", on 1M $I"'''' ...-hlt bc:'n)"Cd and plot,ed .g~ulSl by ~..,..,...,.., cis< in
,he eily. stm IIfg<S on you 'M lingtr·,..orn doss;er brislling ",ith his pre'
cious correspon ........., .pa.. noi.l lOraU i.,
vaunted $uspicion ..ru as though
its wort. would be accomplished if only il could firuliy. Ihis lime. ~.
8'" lu itO<)' lruly kno,..". Th •• a fully inl, lated llst.nc' rould .. ill rcm:Un
ind lffcn:n, .". 'nim"'al. O!" m lghl h.,.., "" hdp to oITcr. is h. n.lly ,reated as •
poo.ibll l,y.
It ', ",.ngc , hat. he .. nenru,lc. of sU'l'ici<>n ",,,uld _prear "" 'TU>,ing
~i1I"'l,M df~", uf ""p"'u",. 001 Nic!:l:... h~ (lhrotl!;h lbe: genc:ology of
",orais), Marx (throtl!;h tht .hwry of ldeology), .nd Fn:ud (th""'gh.1to:
,11<"<>1')' of iJeab and ilI.wons) alrcady "'p"'5tIl!. In ~ur·. phrost. "ron·
'"(fb""'" proccdu.... of .... my .. lfir-:,tlon" (J.41 and I""""''''''' a Sttming bilh.
,""'plicable in their ""'Tl l<rrm. In ,he drccts of llKh • pnx:o:Wing. In ,he
".tluen';;'] final p"ge> of Gnodn- T"",bk ror enmpit'. Buder ollCn a pro.
~umm",ic argumenl In favor " r dtn'ystlfia,ion OS -Ihe .-rna'"", fixus
for say .nd lobi.n practicc" (n 4). ,..ilh such d.lrm •• llut "drag Implicitly
"mli•• he In,imi>"C "ruelu'" of g<nde. ;I5f:If" ('Jl); .""C "'~ St" and g<'"
Po.', ,1"",'~m li~J by me' ns of a perfortmncc" (•.lII); "g<nde, p"rody "'W«/<
,hJ lthc ol'is inal idenlit y , i. an 1",llOllon " (.,}Ill; "g.ndcrpcrfonnance will
OWl ",.. I ", ..... 1 In. p<rfo rm .. lvi'l' of gender '15f:lf" ( '}II); "parodic "'pe,i·
"r
,iun , • . 'rr">M> 1M ph.m asma,;c ~ff~1 . !>;dlng idenlily " ('4 ' ); ",,,,, paro-
dic rcpel;'ion ofger>der <XfW<' •. •he illusion of geoder identity " ('$): .nd
"h)'perbolic uhlbiliomor',he ru'u ... )" , . . .........1 in (undamcn ..lly pIwt-
.""".tlc .".,,,," ('-47) as "..,U as -'-'l""i"3 ,u fund.!.mem.1 unrutu ...lnM:s-
( ,~, all ctnphasM added).
Wh" ",.no the p".. noid impu,"" in I~ pages is. 1"'"DUId$i.Y. less ~.. n
, .... """.. , m ,.dlu;,.., mimc>is ,han , .... Ittm,ng f~tth in OPOW"" The arch ·
""'picious au,hor of TIt. N<nri • ..J I~' M ia al..-, !-peaks. in 'his . - . fO!" lhe
l''''lorol. of m;my Irs. In,eno"ting ",«nt crilics ,,·hcn he off"", 10 pro>"idc
",he 'fl,,,h' of inc",.." d "isjbillty ... cc~ry '" rcnde, mud.m w...lplin".
»Iook:m in its own right " (D. A. I>lille •. ix) - as though tu make something
" i' iblc a, ~ probl~m w~n: . if not , m er. h"".• kip. and ju m p .w~y fro m ge. ·
' illg i, rol,,,d , at Ie ... ~If-."Idemly a '1"P In ,h., direction. In thl, ""'peCI
at I.·, ... lhough not in ",,,,ry 0"". Milledn Thr ,\ '.",I.nd ,It, Polio, wri,,,sa,
on e.emplary New Historicist, FOr. '0 a ,tanling ..lent. Ihe .nicu1nions
"r
'If Ne ...' HilItoriC'ist ..-hnlar>hlp ",I)' on ' M p"",lg< a .ingle. ,,·...,"''''hing
n. r.., I"" ". posing and probierno.izing hiddm violcncu in ' M genealogy
of ,t.., mod .. n Ilbe",,1 oubj=:.
With .ht p"$SO&" of time Ii"". I.... N" ..· ~. ",nrici>m ".-os nt\O'. if. be ·
<""Hng .,.,>itr 100tt the " ·.Y' <lu, such. p" .... noid pro:j«t of ,,~.-c may
be: 'no.-. hl$'oric.Uy specific Ihan I. scems. -rht' modern Ilbe •• 1 ,ubject ":
h)" n",,· II sc~ml. or ought to .... m . any. hlng bu!.n oi:wiou,el>oice .. Ihe
"niqu. lerminus .d quem of hl'lOricol n..... 'I'.. . WII.", Or<" :ill Ihese sup-
I"",-"d mooe rn llocnl , ubjects?1 d>tly cncO"nt"r gr.d" ... "udents "'ho~re
Ih h h ~1\ .I, at unveili" g .he hidden hl,l"rio.1 ,'I"lcn«:> ,h .. unJerlle . ",cu-
 !.e. ulIi,,, .... li>1 )ib..~l humanism. Yct Ihest ,.uaem' ...,n.:nl )'urs, un.Iii."
,he r....m.titt )"n. 0/' ' hd, t .... Mrs. Iw." !lttn 5pWI """",I)' in •
phobic Rcag.n·Bush.ointOl1·Bu,h Amaica "'Mn: "Iibenl" it. if.~
• "boo <.ttgory.nd "'*"'"'
",codor hurn:onism" is routintly " "'Icd
rn:orgirul n:ligi<Mls SCCt. while • " ~>I rn:ojority of tM popul.lion d .im.as •
rng.ge in di lUt in'<!'Course wi lh multiple im·L.ibl< e"tilies such as .ntt:
5>l m .• nd God.
Furthermore. the force of . ny inl.rpr'''i,,, projtCI of " "'yj/lnghiddn, .....
!trlU would Ottm to depend on a cuit" .. l (0I11",,\. likto the one assumed in
Fouc.ult's uriy ,,-orb. in which ,ioItn", "..,.,Jd M dcpr«ned .nd h
hidden in the fi .... pi...:•. Why bother.~po$ing 1M rusesof f'O""rin.:::
try "....".. ••1 .ny gh"tn tnOI'IlCnl . .., per«nt' of young bbck InCn arc ....
meshed in m. perul SYSleml ln lhe Unt.. d 5mn.nd Immuliona)ly, "'t.ilt
the,,", i. ple",y of hi<kkn vialen« Ih .. n:qui",' e"f'O>Urt lhert i, .Iso. and
tnerc •• ingly.• n ethos when: form, of ,;nlcnce th .. "", hypcrvisihl. from
the ,"" may be offered as ~n • • cmpbry .pe<lade tather Ih.n rtm.in to lit
unveiled as • (IC.Ild.Io", sec",l. Hum:rn righ .. <ontr'O'l"trsy .round. r.... ...
ample. tortuK .nd dwppc.nn<es in A'l,'.,nrina or the u!ill: 0/'"""" .. pe ..
1" "1 of ethnic ekansi"g in FIosni. rn:orb. not an u'n'~~ing 0/' pra«iccJ .ha.
had "'-'Cn hidden 0, n:ltunlacd. b,n • w~1e 0/' diKem>t fr...........,..b; <f
'·isi!);li' y. Th:n i<. ,ioIcnec 'ml ".~, from 1M ""xi"ni"3 cannpl• .,. and ~­
fa<ul.r. poimcdly add",...,d. me.nt lo~ ..... public w'mingO'!' ,~rror 10
n .. mbe.., of • p.nkul.r (ommunity i. <omb>led by eKon~ to dup14n- D,.;'
""i;",,! (I' ",.. 11 "" ' imply ~.p."d) its aperture of visibility.
A fu rther problem wilh Ih.sc crilical pr.>ctke" Wh., dQe, I humw~u.
tin of 'U'pKiOl1and ""posu'" have ,o ..y 10 soriol form.,ioru in which ,u;.
bility itst If «>mI ilu,,, mIlCh of lhe viok""" lllw: poonl of ,he reLrts ... ,crn(11'
of chain gan&< in .."..,..1Soulh~,n ...... ;, Ins ,ha, convjcu M ""I"""d (0
perfurm II;ord labor than .m, !hey ~ ""I"i=1lo do $0 under ,he goon of ,bI:
public. and the cn,h".i..", for ,S;ngapott -$Iyk j ....i« llI;o! "'as popubrly
e"P ...."'d in lhe Uni,ed Sl>l~' . round 1M caning of Mkh.d F.y ....... led .
growing fe~ling th,1 ""U·publkiud .h.ming " ign,. is ju>! wh .. 'M dMtnr
ordtred for ",,,kitr.nt you lh . Ilc", i. One ",mark.bl" Inok. of his,orical
chan~..e; i, used 1o be ''!'?OnenlJ of upilal punishmenl who.rgued 1M'. if
pncticl"d at .ll. " , «ulions ,hould hc dono: in pubIk 11<>"
10 shame ... It
.nd '1"'' '"'<>1'1
by lhe . inng of prtviou>ly hidden judi<1.1 v>olen«_ T...uy
" i$ flU lon",r opponctI' S bo.u dea,h penalty chttrk...J.o"- flushed "-,,h ui-
ptul .mbilion.. who con ,.;do;r thaI ,he P"'P''' pi .... foru«utions i> on
~n~_l!'ion . Wh.l p"'" now lhe cuhuril crilia' II;oN-""OI'I -.m It m.:o/ting
'~.,1""'·
.Ll o behind ....,-m...i'... n....... nce< .• he hidden ,nen 0/' opprnsion and
.
p<t'S<'-"110011.
, r~- rT·
. • • • •
The paranrnd ,,,,.1
in elposu'" ... mmgl)· depends. ,n ><!di.oon. 011 .n
, " rcoervoir of n,\vCI~ in Ihose who make up the oudien<;e fort he .. un-
1<1[1'"
rt'i lir\g'. Whal is the b.sis for . .. uming ,hal il wiU .."p"sc or di"u",. n"'-cr
roil.J mOl;,·. te . • nyonc to I.arn ,h. , . given wei.1 m.nif.$Iation is ."ili·
0'1. ..,If-con' .-..dictory. Imimh... ph.nt.. m"ic . or ..... n "iDlen,! As Peter
$loIerd~k po;n" OUI. '1'niciJm or "enlightened f.1se cor>!Ciowness· - fme
('OIUriou,.-.e••, lha, knows iuclf lo be false. °i" filicncsl .1Kody Kf\eD>"1y
t..tlfcrcd" _ alrtady "'p",scnts "tbe uni>"CrSilly wKksprtad " .. ). in ...-hich
,."Iighlened penple Ie<:!0;' Ih>l lhey are not ,aken for Jude,," ( s). How
tekd,ion-,u",""d would someone II"", to ~ 10 find i, ,hocking ,h., ide·
DIOSit', contradict Ih.mltl", •. ,bal $; m"lacu don't h"," origin'ls. or that
b'C!'H.h-r "'pr.",nlot;ons . reo . "ilid".!' My own gue" is Ih .. ,u<h populoe
""nicism. tbough undoubledly wid.'f"'C"d. ;s only OM .mong ,h. M,en> '
;ncou •. compe' ing 'Mono:. 1m' constitute the men,.I.:co1ogy of mo,O<
P.W•. So.... upoXs. some dcmp.ific;olions, some bearings of wju>e."do
ha\" SKat cffi:Clual I'otu (th.....gh often of an u"" ... icipatcd kind), M.ny
Ih.I • .., j"" >-< """ ond (anvincing ha,,, IKIne al an. ho.-.. ..-.:r. • nd as long
.. 'hat iss", we must admil \h .. tM rffi<:aey and diJ'KIK>na)iIY of such KI5
[,(".Ie 'omewh .", elK th . n in Iheir relation to kno wlcd),'C pcr.., .
Writin!; in 19118 _ th .. il. ~ft.r IWO fun lerm. of ne.g.nl.", in the Uniled
St .... - D. A Miller P"'PUItS '0 fun"w Fouc.ult in dc"'pI;fying "the in·
It"",..,.nd contin"ous 'paSlonl' care ,h.tliberal oocirlY P"'P"""'IO tA"
of... h alld ,""C.-yOM ofiu ch.rga" (oiii). As if! I'm. lot Ie," worried about
hcmgl"',hologittd by m y .MI'pi'! ,han .boo.my ,..n....ing mornt.al health
n..""S" -and Ih.l·, gi,,,n ,he g..,at good luck of Iw.~ng he.lth ..,..,.."""
., ,IL Sine~ Ihc beginnIng of lhe I" ",,'01,. II>< g<l'"rnmen' of lhe UnitW
S"'c. _ and, in" ... ";ngl),. thO><." of other ..,.e.ned Jibe ..1 dcnl()(TUie!;-
h•• be,'" po,;,;,,,ly rushing t" dl,,,,, ;"elf of ."swc",b;j;,y for co'" to ilS
rh>rgc •. wit h "" OIhe r instit,,,i ,,,,, p'Of">Sing to HlI the g.p.
TI,;, d",..,lopnlCnt. how'"".r. is 'ht I• ., ,hing '''yune could h.,...'pee",J
r""" ",.ding New H\$loriris. pm...-. which curuli,u'e< • full ",n,,.log)· of
lhe ..... ul., wdf.... slalC Ih .. peaked in ,he '96O:J.1ld (9)'OS. along ",;,h a
""'I=igh' proof 0/' "'11)' 'hong> mu", beconx: n~ and """" ~"" lha, rm-
 ever. No onC ,." hlan .... a ""rile, in lhe ,~fur nO' h.ving fO"""en u.., to'1g11l<n foderal (0",1"01. <l\'e' Ihe ..,1. off,,,,. rm.lhroug11 the tn.i1. Wh<1,
dfw' ofthc Republic.n,' 'W4 Com.aci " 'i lh America. BUI if. as Mille,- he.rings we .. being h.ld on ,he me.,u ... th,... men d""", '.SO<> miles '0
uy" -Su.p~ ... is ~Isdy ,,·h.llk par.noid IttU ,oclimirule.- it m"" w..rungton from Ihgd.d. Ariz"" • . to te .. ify .gain>< il. Nov.' there . ,., ...
be adminfil IhOl, ., a fOfm ofpa!";lnoi.>. 'he N~ H"ton.;;sm f. i1s spec. gumen ... g.inst lhe DOOd bi!l which. """"""r unpt ... u....... 00< m.,.finJ
'3cuLtny. While lIS ~net;llicnor of - ,hings ' ''' ~.nd gnting ""ors,,-
is Ihtnt, ..."" the enlorof ("""""tional pohtical ",."""ng. 6", 00< of lbe Arl·
immune 10 refulalion. any mO<C sp«iRc predicl;".., val"" - .nd as • ~ .onano oppos<d it with "m' might be cotUidercd ~nI.rit~ p:....noid
..gu.bly•• ny ,·.llIe fo r ""'king oppositionaJ stralegy_~ been nil. Such '.-gum""lS. insisting lho. it ..... "a further '''''''1''
br' oubtn1il-" 1"""'" "•
...:uk.aling f.ilu", '0 anl~le change is. 1fXnO\"", as 1\.., diKuMed. en- "",kc us port of one ..orld sodalitric go<"t1"flmcn,-.nd thot iI th ...l1rncd to
Iln::1y in the rulu", of Ihe pa ....'oid procus. ,,-00.., ~ ofinl1umcc(~ -, ...... duos-lhot _1<1 help "ourencmin" 10sci<c p".,u. OI
that ofthe New 1-1 i)!Qridsm iu..U) only ""pand. ;os exh unan'icipotN dioas-
I """,'1 docny lhat • person could gn noMalgk lOr. linK: ..n.,n poranoid
"" secms to Ikmorutr:lle '""'" condusj',,1y I hat. guess \\-IIat. ".... aut .......
gun lobby rhetoric: soun<lod JUSt pbin nuny - . -';mpIc ond ",b';""!y non·
10( ,..nrw .......gII.
ronlrow:rsial" cnmple of "distoned judgment" - •.,he. ,han ICp'cxnting
To look from. prt"xnl doy ''''''''8''.1
Ric:hanll-lo&tadl<."s irnmcns.:h-
lhe ,]n1(l$' unconlnled plalform ofa domilunl po!iricaJ party. 6U1 the,;pee·
inAuenl;;,1 I!l6J QSay -Tht Paranoid Sly.. in Amtrit::ln ~lhirs- is to ~
l.cul .. dal~dnas of HofsuJter'l u~mplc: isn'l only.n int!r:x ofhow f.. 1M
lhe <"em of. p""..,rful discu""" change. Ilof.... dtd. essay is a prime Q .
pn'uion of ,be ,ompbcenl. wtrcn-e libe •..! con••""""h'l procriaUy beg1
Amrrican poIilical c~nltr has shlftc.l ,,,,,.,.td
lhe right >in(~ ,9'6J. If, a~.
lign of """. norm",;~~ such par:lnoid 'hinlling ha. bt:<;nnw: at ...."ry point
fonhc kind of pa!";lnoid Ikmy,,;ficalion in which. fOTu.ompie. D. A. Miller
in lh~ poiillcal '{"'CIfUm. In a funny w.y. I fcd closcrtoday.o .h:1I paranoid
educates his ",.dcrt. liS sty'" is mechanic.ny ...."n·h.ndcd: Hofstad, •• findo
..\rizon." ,h a" I do 10 Ilofslad,~r - e,..,n ,hough. or dn I "",an becau..,. I
I'".anoi. un boIh letland right: .n>OT1g abolilion",,- .nli ·M. """, and an';'
.d", ~U"'e ,hOI lhe "tUon~"". homuphobic w!lite·<up",maru, Chri.·
C.,holic •• nd .nti·Mormons. n>1;,.· ..IS.nd popul;'••• nd .hose who beHet..
Ii,,, Idenlily mililia mcmbu ",ho would as SOOn blow me a""r " look
in c'm'Pirac~. ofb.lnkers '" munitions mak.n: in .nyone who doubu th ..
'1 me. PcICf Sloterdijk does not m.Ke • • pHd!!h .. 'he wisN'up populo<
l¥K w... l; iIled by • lone !,'unm.n. "'in Ihe popul" lotl.wing prns. in ,he
'ynici,m or -enlightened false conllCiousncss" ,h.. he con,ide ... now It> be
wmempor.ry Americ.n righl wing. and On IXllh .id". of the !";Ice (onlfo,
nra. uhig ui It>uS is, ~pedfi'" lty. p... noid in 1{'uetUn:. But Ihal (on<lusion
v.~y ,,>d~y" (9). Althougl1lh~ .. c"eS0ries .. em 1o c",,,ra lot of pcople,
"'Cm' i"""'pablc. MS'ubly, .uch norrow-g'u~"" " ,,,.yd.y. , .. her incohcr·
lhe", ren,ai,,! nonNhtiess ~ presumptive "we - _ 'pp .."n,ly Still pnctkaUy
' nl cy"id, n, 1$ ",h.1 pannoialoul;s like when il function •• $ weak thC1>r)"
.""'1""1( - ..... ho ran "g"'c 10 virw ouch .~I"'meS from • ClIlm. undcrst.nd-
r.. h<r ,ho" "ro"g ,hcory. To kcp ocriving on Ihi. hypcrd<my .. ififil, pac"
ing, .nd cnmml'"s>ing middle ground , whon' "we " can allasftt that. fot
",,>d ,",ene with ,he -news- of a hermeneulics of ""pic"",... 3ny rote. is •
••• mple, though "innumerable Ikdsion.of ... the cold "'uc~n be f.ulIcd:
for diffe",nt act from what such uposu",' would h".., been in ,he 1!)60s.
'hey rep,.,...,nl "simply lhe mUlakes of wtil·meaning mcn- (6). Hofs..dl<1:
h •• no trouble adm;ning thai p.ranoid pwpk or """",,,,,,nlS can pcrcetvc
Ir ue , hing::<. thoogh -. dbu.tnN .,yle U ...• possible oignal thOl may ~n II>
• .,.. Sub...,rsh..,.nd IkmystifyinS porody. N>pKiout arth:oeologK< oflk
to • di .. orled Judgmenl, jllSt as in an an ugly .. yle 1$. cue 10 fund.omcnrol
~nl. 'he <IoI(ctlon of hid<len pallerllS of violence .nd their e"l""""':
<lor..". 0(1 ••1.- (6):
., I ha~ bt...,n .rguing. IhcK InRnitcly doabI•• nd .cxt.ablc protoroh of
A few SImple .nd ",L,,;...,1y _ .""",,,,,,,,ni.>I <Iampl.. "'"l' nWte {[he d& Un'"ciling ha-" become the CO.."mon curn:ncy of cuhu •• l and historit:iol
,inct'" 1Jo."."en "."..,'" .nd "lie) wholly d .... Shortly aIR. the..,..s;. >lud,c>. Iflhc,.., is an oIwiow d.nge-rin lhe tri"mph;llism of. paranoid her·
no,"", of Pr.:sldont Klcnncdy.• '''' •• do.1 of publicit)· ..... gi\~ to. bill. "'en<u,ia;, it 1$ ,h.. Ihe bro.Jd """"'...... I ...'CCp ofl\JCh """thodoLogie,1
 aswrnl"ions.,ht cu,.,..,n, ... ~. pro{ession ...'ide .g"'c...... , ~bou, ...'ha, <
>liM" ~;U'f~'h~~o~pl~n.. ioorI.<>r:adtq~.'O hislOriciz.>,ion =y. ~,fi,
unque.noned, un!ntonnOlUlIy 'mf'O'"nsh 'M ~"'I""" ofli,ulry_criti
1"'<>1"'<1;"'" and , kill., The ''''uble wi,h •• h.Uow gene pool. of <!Xl", ~
ttl diminished ability to ""pond 10 o"vironrnrntaJ (e .g .. political ) Ch"';'e.,"
Ano.t he •. po::m.ps rna", ... ~.Iy xcurot. WI)' of drscribing .M!""sent
I"'ronotd conscnsus. ho.,.,.... IS ,hOI ""her thon nttirdy displ..:ing. it
oimply ho"" requirtd a emain di","icuLo,ion. dt.:r.......I. and m~
tion of other waY' of knowing. way, ItS> "';"n,cd .round nupicion. tho,
. '" .cru.lly being pro"ic.d. oficn by 'he $;1rnr ,heorill$ and a. pm of ,he
•• me projcm. The monopolist" prog.am of p.1",noid knowing 'p,e"' •• i.
<.l1y disallow •• n)' e.plidt "'cou.so. 10 "'I"''''th.. moti"" .. no _ . '0 he
."icuJ.. cd ,han sul!;eo 10 ..... thodinl uprooting_ R.:p""';"" moth.... ""«
,My b«omo • .<pIiO•. a .... in:Idmissibk in I"'ranoid 'heo<yboth beause dq
..... about plOHU", ("""' .... Iy amhe,i<;") .nd beause ,My ..... frankly."",_
lionn"" ("m.",'y ",fo.mis,").' What ",akrs plusu", .nd 'nl<'lto",,,oo SO
-m ..... "1 0 nly lMC c'cI u.i\".n<1$ 0 rp.ranoi~ ·s f.i, h in dem)·., ifying UPOSU""
only iu cru<lond conlempmous a~un>l"ion ,h.. the "n. thing Locking fot
global """,,ulion. uptosion of b"'ntkr role •. or ",h~t~,. it pcopk's (!hat
rwr"''')
is. olll<'r h2\ing 'M p"inful.lI"«ts oftll<'i'''I'P' O"lotl. p"".... y. or
dcludrdntss SU fficinttly .ua.-b>tcd 10 make the p.;>in <<mSCiOIU (;15 ifothu.
wise i, wouJdn', h ...... beon) :ond inlolc",bl. (H ifinwkublc Jj'uuions "',,'"
fOnlOU' for g<:ncroling ..«U.n, .. ,Iulioru).
Such ugly p",,,,,riptions .'" nO! ""riou.ly olfcrrd by 1nO$' po",noid
.hcory. bul a 10. of contempoury .heory .. ~.""k<s "'gul~rly J1"",,,d
4S if by .hem. The kind of aporia ,,~ t....., ahad)' diKU<.5Cd in Tv
,'W>ot/ ~"J
.M Micr. ,,·M .... "'Mrs a", impellc:d .hrough 0 grimly monolithic stnJ(-
'u'" of'''-ong p"r'noid theory by success;", tng;>gt'me.n .... j'h ~ujlC ,-"d.
olt.n 'PI"''''nlly tr...nly pl.a"' ... ·orient.d .• =lIt'-JC:~Ic: "'ri,.,h- .nd intd·
I<ctu.1 oolieimion •. '1'1""" in 0 lot of other good cri,icum a. 'wd. I ar-
uinly .«ogn~e i. a. charac.erizing a fairamoun, of my ""'n " 'ming_ Dots
I, ="., ,,·h.n luch proj«l$ misd"('tibc IM"""I,..,. or.rc misrc«>gnized
by ",.ders) I ,,'OUIdn't ...~ tho, 1M fore. of any p""'erful ...Tiling can
.... r .u.'n compk •• '''''''I'''-n""y '0 i,so.J( or is ~kly 1o XC(>O,!nt lOt itself
""ry od"'lu .. ely a. ,h ••""'...;'" ""..,1 of. he wtiting. Bu, $Uppo:>Se one .. kc<
..,ri<>u,ly ,m, "",ion , lik. 'he one .rticulated by Tomk ins bu. ~OO lik. oth..
.v.H.hl. On<'" .h.t ",,,.yd.y .heo,}' ~u.H .. ti"tly .lfe", ""'tj·d.y knQ\\-I ·
t<lt,"" .nd elpcn.ncc; and suppose Ihat O!M' doc..,', ..... much
Il! .0 drno,.
""tolo;;....1disunction bet",,,,,n :IOdem;" theory ond.....yday .heory; and
"""'" lho, one h ... lot of concern for ,he qu.ali,y of DlMr poopIc'nnd
""
"',c ., <>wn pnctic'" of knowing ond "",·ri."<ing.
,.- In ,h • .., n~•. i, "'QuId
n,..k" sense _ if one h.d 'he choict _ n!l"o cultivate the n«cl$i,)· of a sy.-
,~",",'ic ... If_a=I. ..,ing splil be:,,,,,,,,n ",h.t one is doing and the ",asoru
...... docs lt.
Whik p.1ronoid .htorrtical pnxtcdings both depend OIl and rctnk>rtt
the ",rUCtIlr.l1 dominontt of monopolistic "$lrong 'heory.- ,''''''' m>y also
be: bcnefi' in .. ploring tM .w-.mely v~n.d. dyn.mic. and hisloricolly con-
'i"sem ""p Ih., I.mng ,heo""icol <on,I'uCI. inle.OC. Wilh w.ak om. in
,"" crok>gy ufknowing-an ••plonl ion .hat ob"iously Cln 'I proc«d with ·
ou' a ""pc"ful in'eR'S! in "" eak as .... eh .... rong lMon:.ical oct •. Tomkins
offers for more models for approaching ouch a pro;ca 'han r,..
bo:tn abl •
to .,umm;l.rize . Bu •• he history of liler~ry criticism 'an abo be ,-;n.'td H
• n:p<rtrure of .Ilornal;,.. modt-ls for alJov,'ing .. rong .nd ",o.k theory '0
interdigi13le . WhO! ."uld belle. "'I""so.nl -weak .heory.lillie be:tttr .han
• ~ .. rip.ion of Ihe phenomena which i. purpons to uplain:' .hon 'he de·
valued and ncar Om"..... nl New Cri.ical;lill of im.gin .. "~ el.... read·
ing" Bu, ....... , wn al",ady tntO in Emp"-'" and ButU is lrotc in a dilkr-
ent .....y .0<1.,.: .h.... a", irnponanl pncnom.:no1ogi<aland lheon:t.ical raslu
lh.lt Cln be: xcomplisbed only ,h,,,ugl> local Ihcurits and!'l(ll1a tam<><>-
mi." the potentIally innum~rablt mechanisms of their ",I"ion to s'ronger
Ih eorie, frn>~ill mme .. of art .nd lopecul,ti"" thougl>l.
P.",,,,,, •. as I h.", poin.ed OU'. "'prtOl:nlS no' only a s.rong affect theory
bul • «Tong ntgdli\'t afli;a theory. Thr q~;on of tl>< $lrtnglh of a gh"H
"'cory (or t~1 ofth. ",blions bc:l .....,.n .. rung and ...'.ak 'heorr) may be
onhogon.llO.he question of ilS affen;,.., """It. and Nch moy be: capable
of .<plon'ioo by dilf.",m """M, A Slrong thoory (i.e .. I wide ·ronging .nd
.-.du<tive one) ,h.t w., IlOl m.inly orS.nizcd around an'lcipa.ing. iru,mify'
ing. and "'~rdi"g olfth. neg.ti,.. ~ff«1 of hum ilia. ion would rt.lembl. p.ra·
llOio in 501"tle 1'01pe<:" bUI differ from it in oth .... J think . (orenmpk. ,n.t
'ho, mighl be I f.i,cho,octeriz •• ,on of.M ptt«ding 5e(lion of.M 1'"""'"
chapte •. BecaU.IC ..... n •he .pttilkauon of p"ranoi.;r.;15 a ,heOt)' ofnega.u... af·
feClle ..... open the dislino:tions be:' .... ""n or .mong ntg.a."" .fkas. tMrc is
th<- . ddilio.,,1 Of'1'"nuni'y of •• po::rimtnling wi,h • vocabuLot)" th., will do
JUSlice '" ~ "' id •• lfeer;,,, r,ns" . "s,in . not ()nly with the n~lI.t"" affects: i.
 ..In cot"'''''
abo b<- n:iryillg ~nd, ir>dtt<l. to h.", ooIyo<><. tot;tlizillg "'<>do
of rositivc "ff(ct .Iw.y< in th~ .. m~ f• .,ure<! p<»itiOll. A diJturbingly la I
• ., ..... m. oftheol)' ""em< explicitly to unden.ke the proIifeution of ~
on~ alf~ct. 'Jir "",y.be, t ....o. of ~·~t"''<T_k~ - ...n...hcr cUUIY. sublimity.
sclf.sh.nenng . .l""W/"'U, ruspooon. abJKflOn. knowingncss. horror. grin,
$Otisfaaion. or righteous indigrmion. It's like the old joke: "Comts the .........
IUlion. Comrade .•""'Yone gl't$lOUt roaSt bo-.( "'''I)'
day." "But Comrado
I don't like roast beef." "Comes the ",,-oIu.ion. Com.--ade. you·Ulike ~
betf'- COIt"ItS the ~U1ion. Com..w. you'O to. ,idled pink by <ho.c <Ie.
construct;'" joku; you·1I f.int (rom ennui ~ry minute you'", flOt ,","",.
ins Ih ..... e 'pp.ntu,; )"ou 'II defini,ciy wanl hOi ><:x '''''''''y to 'hiny titntJ
• doy. You 'Uto. mournful~.J miliunL You' UtlC\Tr "'-w. tOlell Ocleuu and
GlUttari. "Not tonight. durl. I h.rt a headache.-
To rttagnize in p.>r:tnQi •• d"'ino:ti>"ly rigid ",Iation !O temporality. at
once " ntidp.>'ol)' .nd ,-etro;octi,<. ",,:r~ . b<l'It all to 5urpri$c. i, :':1$0 to
glimpse ,he line .men... of <>ther pos5ibili.ics. H 0"'. """"J".
Klein i. ofmort
htlp than Tomkons: lO n:ad from. "'P.... t;.., p<nilion is 10 $U.n:ndcr W
knowing. 'rWous p.>r.>noid determination ,hat no honor. ho\o'C'o'<T appar-
emly unthinkable. sh. 1l 10\1'" come to the ... dcr ... 'leW; to I "p;o ... m,,1y
p... i'ioo"l<d n:atkr. il can SCem ",.Ii!ric and n«c$U'Y to ~rien,e sur-
priM:. Ikcous< ,hen: can be terrible surpnsa. hoIo~"r.• ht", can oIso be
good ones. H~ . ofte" I fractoring. ~ • tno"",ric 'hing to c.:rpcri<n<'e.
il.mong ,lie <nergic. by whkh the repar:>t;""ly p<»itioned ",.de, trits to
organize the frasmen ... and pan ·objttL< she ~ncoun'ers or '"'at ••.• Bea u>c
Iht ... der h"" room to ",;tlize that the futun: may be diffi:n:nl from rn.
P"'Rn'. ;t is 0100 possible for her 10 ......... ~in IU(h profoundly p.>inful. pr0-
foundly relieving. c. hkally cruci.1 poosibilit its as I~t Iht past. in t urn. could
h."" h.ppe ned differently from 'he way it .Clu.lIy did .'
Whc", docs ,hi, argument Ie."" f""l:i<:<u of'luUT reading. in p;orticu'
La.! With the ",I.,;,.." dtt",pftW of Ihc '1un1lOn of ~.uu.l1 d,f!"rrr>«"
.nd $ox .... I-.. m.""ss. - .nd wi,h ,hc po<&ibiJityof fTI<I'I'ing frorn I F",udiar>.
homophobi.·ccntcrt:d unde ..... nding of paranol. to OIh.r understandings
ofit. Ioke Klein', or Tomkins',. ,h.t .'" not p;ortirol.rly Ocdip.land.", less
d""".u';"'nted '~n .IfCCl-oritn'td. l.m.1oo $Oggaring m....he ",,,0>.1
lrucriptlon of'lu«r thought " 'ilh tM topic of p.>r.""'" may be Ins nte<!"
sary. 1... definitional. Ie.. compl.tdyconsti.ut;,,, than e.rlirr wnting on it.
''''1 much in,\udin!: my Own. h:.. ... umccl_ A ",.,.... ecological ,·i.-wof pJ-""
",,,. ,,'ooldn'[ offer the sa".. .... nsh.uuriral. 01""", .u.armtir ~pt ....1
r,,,.,lcging of g'J /k.bi.n i.>OCJ ,h .. ;, offered by a F",udi.n v;Cw.
On the other hond, I think i, willi,"". ulln I va.<tl~· bener pusi.ion to
do ju>';"" 10. weal, h of cha.. cteristic, rultu ...lIy ",ntraJ pr.a(tlcc. many
,,f ,,·hich ca" ""U to. ,aUed .--ep.>nt,i,,,. that eme,"&" from,!""", Hf"'riencc
bu' ~,,,me invisible or illegible under. p.> .. noid optic. A. Joo<1>h Litvak
,,'ri.eo. for exa"'pk (in. !",r<O".1 communication, '996).
1< ....,ms.o mt .hat tht imf""<W"CC of "m;m,kts" in q....,r ",.o.ding and ,,"riI.
ing _ .. ha.1ot to do ,,; ,11 Ioof<,ning 1M t•• Um.oflc. incvit.bIc·.... ming
, 'Hmectioo bel"'ee" mi>t. kc, and humil;',ion. Wh;o, I m •• n il th.t. if a 101
nr quccrcncrgy. !.ly amun<! adoI.orcnce, go.,. into what Banhcs ,.11 •• - I•
,"" Ioir-k ... ·i",chigcn'" (a in " If I "",,, '0 he m~. a, 1e.1t let me be
br.,nicr than ~rybody elK"). accounting In 1>'1;"' p.a.... ro. "'.......... cnGI'
mom f'I"'~'ig... Ih. "''1 ';8""u .. of <m.nMSO (...... " ....... 11" """rt$).
.10. o( qo .~, energy. l>tor 01'. goc. in.o ... I"...:ti«•• imcd .. laking the
tmor 0... ol error... making the making of miol.k"" ><:xy. au';"". ,-,,"n
mgrut....,ly ptI"'...nul. Doc ... ', ",.ding q ...... mtan Ie.rning. among oth<r
.hin~.. , tha, mht.kts con 1>< good ntlxr ,h.n bad $Or!'';...?
11 '• • ppt'Of'riotc, I think. ,h., [hese insight> w,"uld bo- «>n';ng~nt tk:wlop ·
me"" rat hen han clcfinition;tl Ort ranshistorior.1 ones: ,hey a"",' t ,hings ,hot
....oold in.... it.hly Inhe", in ,he ~c of "'''I')'
,,-ornan.Joo,;ng "'"OffWI
I)f "'.n. k"';n~ man. 5a)'. For if.•• r,,, .hown. ~ p.>ranuid ",adin!: pracricc is
do. d), ' ied 10. notion ofth. inc,lIable. ,h.",.", Olher f•• tu",. of ~u""r
"'ading tha, can .ttune i, rxqui.ildy to a heartbe •• of contint;cncy.
Th. Ikg,>td. dcf"".;,......... 'i'"
Itiffnts.s of. paranoid tcmporalioy.• fier
.n. '" whkll )"It<nby c,m't be Illowtd [0 h .." dilfertd from ,oday and
tl>morr"w muSt hi: e""n "'0,., w. tok .. ill ,h.pc from. gen ...,lonal n.rr~·
,i W 'hot ', "harJc'triud by • d;,t inttly Ocdip;ol "'gul.ri,y .nd .... p"';t;,."CntSlI:
It h.oppc""d to my rathe". f.,h ... it haPl""cd to "'y ra.her. it is happen'ng
to me. it will h'pp"n.o my oon. and it will Mppcn 10 my $011', son. But isH',
" . (c.t" .... or queer posSibility_only ••ontingent f.a,u",. but a real one,
~"<l "rt" ,hat in 'urn .. ."ng,hens the forre of ron.ingenc)· it&Clf_ til .. our
"·n.... 'i"""l ",I.. ions don't 01".. ).. proo:cd in th;, 1"'''''''1'1
Think of 'h" (piph.:nic. "x'..... garnly ...,... ... 'i'" final ,-oIume ofProu ...
'1\ "hieh ,I>< naT1"~t"', .f«r a long wi.hd"",.. l from onciety, gon to • party
,·,11",. I,,' a ' fin. think. ",,,,yone;, 'I'0rti"g d.bor.t. ,o<[urn •• pn!tend ·
 ing'" l>< ..... ien!. ,hen ",ali,,,,, ,kn 'hey Uf\' old . • nd..., il he-.nd ;s tht"
a.""Hed. in half • .Iou" du.lrn:1 m""monic shock>. by • dim. ctk "'ric:" 0(
j<,¥.indn';ng -,ry,k." .bou, ,he rtl .. ion of ",,;rin8 '0 lime. Th~ """"to,
'~':r "YI $G. bul i.n·, il wonh pointing 0... ,h., ,h. mmplc'e 't"'Polll
diso"''''' 'io!, ,h., In i,i"o:< him in,o ,hi> ~1 .. 0'1' spac. ""ould ~ been
impoaibk in a h~'.rosex".1 phrJ(fo",;lk. in on<: wlto had "",."",'hik ~
embodying. in ,he form of ,....."..bly -~- id.."ilio:s and,.,.....
,he "'gul.r Irrh.1 of child",n and griindrhild"'''l
'0
And now I beg'" uncknoand ",'ha, oId.S" ,,-.. - old ago. "hid\ ~
of all ,he ",.Ii,;o, ;, ,Il00 OM of "itich ...., p~" lOr loop in OUr ~.
pu""y ~frac, ~ion. looking., e.dondo .... <11,ing OUr "'tIerS. S«ing
our mrlMb m.rry.nd ,hen In their tllm thr dulJrm ofour fnrntk. and Y"l.
ei,her (rom fe.r or from .....". IlOl wtdcr'''nd,ng ,.eh.at all thio memo, l1ntiI
rhe d>y ..'hen " 'e bd,old an 11,,1,,'0·..." oilhouene , .. "ttidJ t.acho:s us that
"''C a", living in ........· world: u"r~ ,It< d.Jy ,,-hen. grandson oIa "''''''''' ...
once ~. a youn~ man "itom ~Iy "'" ,,,,.t ..a con<emptl<2ry ol
00 .... smiltl a' ,huugh " " ~rt maing fun of him bee• ...., it ..,..",. that
we art old enough to be hi! gr. ndfatltu _ .nd I beg ... to unde<stand tOO
n,•• ,h.
"-II,, ck"h nt .nd I",,, . "d j<'Y' of tit< >piri'u.! lif., II-.. lUOlUlness
of 'UH'Mg, • 1'0<>11<>" •• tc. (6'JJ4- " )
A mo ... I'('cel\\ conlingency. in 'he brutol IQre.hort~ni"g of SO nuny
queer li fo 'f'''"' has dcroUlini.o:N 'he 'cmpo.. 'i,y of n .. n)· of .... in w'1'
,h., only inl"",i fy 'hil dfe,' . I'm ' hinking. "' I ..y thi .. of tit"," very qunr
friendlhip$ I "»'t. One of my frie"ds i1.ix,y; 'he ",heT lwo are bOLh th irty.
."d I, a, f"rty·fi,·•.• m exactly i" .he middlr . All foor of us . n:' acadenri<>.
and we h:t,., In common .1", or in'''''''II, enorgi« . • nd ambition.; we~"
.aeh had. OS "",U. "ariously inu'n'" aCli"ist in''t''n",n ... In • "normal - go ...
or.,io". 1 n.rrOl;,.,. o ur ;dc"'ifinlion. wi,,, e..,h other ...-ouId be .!ignrd
wi,h an expect., ion ,h.. in . nod,e:rfif,un )-e. rs. I'd be sitU.,N comparably
'0 ",·he .... my luty.ye.r·uIJ friend is, "itll~ my thi"n-e""oId friend< ,,-ouk!
be , Itualtd com". ..bly '0 "he", I . m.
Ru, "-e.", ;til ''',lre ,h.a, tlte: gfOundo of such fncn<bhipl todoy.'" ~kdJ'
fO differ from ,hal model. They do 10 in in... r cilic .. and for I"""f"e sobjt<'t
to r0ci5t violel>« .• nd for people ¥lr<I .... "".I.h u n: . • nd lOr 1""'1"" in
d.n~;erotl. indu>lr>o:s. .nd for n,a"y Olhers: ,n.,- do 50 for my friends.nd
me. Spectfi •• lly. ''''lng " 'ilh ;ad,... nn-d bn:.osI ('1>«1'. I h.a,.., ~tlle e~ of
<,,'r bdng ,he age my older friend is now. My frie,1Mb who.n: th,iny an:
""".lIl' unlikely .,.,r 10 experienc. my pre",n, . m,ddle age : one '" I....",g
• " . d,anced ,.nccHau>t:d '"' • ",asoil't environmen'al I... uma (basi,
~." ". V}
0 111 . he g"'w up on lop of. ,wic w»l e si,e); the o.her is living wi,h H1\'.
11<~ friend .... Ito il • very h..lthy sixty i> much the bkelicst of u. to be lim,s
fitiren ye.rs from nOw.
I,', hml,o .. y. hard ..""n to knov,'. """. tIteK relationship' are dlff"",,,,
11"'" ,hose .tu",d by people of d,ff~"",' ago on' land>CJpe"tto.e per·
¥",i,•• lli~ con""'l'= on • common disapp"aring-poinl. I.m sun: ~rs, I t t
mOl't in,e",dy ~ i~aled: wh"..,,'Crelsc we Juto,.' ...-e 1uto<o- tl", .. ,." ''''''''
' 0 bullshi' . Uu. wh.1 ;. meo", 10 idenlify ,.i ,h each other m .... also b¢ ,-ery
cliff,"","'. On .his Kt .... an oldt:rpenon dotsn', ""..,. }..... nger .. ..,""""'"
,,'110 ,.',11 !IOrne<by be whe", she now is. or via ''Cr$!._ No ortt is..., ~ spe~.
p.»tng on rhe family nam~; the ..·• a sen><: in "itich our ';f~ .... ,","tll-O< ... ~I
borely """,lap. Tlttre 'unoUter ~ in ,,-hlch they $lidt: "I' more 'n\lm..~1y
.Ioo,.;sidt: 0' ''' .lIOIher ,h.n an .ny ~veJ ,h ••• ", ........ ing r"",ord :>«otding
to ,h.... gubr Kkcdule of the gc: ... ntion>, It i> ortt :mother immedia.ely.
""" .nothe r a•• he prtsent full ..... ofa """oming whose arc m.y .... ~nd
nOJ funhe" whom we earh mU", Ie • ." best.o "1'I""1t<00. fuUill. and hear
wn,p'ny,
AI> tc. \w,IIt""I. II stems 10 nH: ,h.t ... I.,cd p,"ctire' of rep" " ;'" know-
ing rn a)' lie, b .... ly ",rogni,.od .nd lillle .. plortd .•• ,he he ... of many hi>lO-
ric, "f gay, lesbian .• ltd queer in'crtenuali'y. The qyeer--idcmificd p"d",e
"I' c.mp. for ".ampl~, moy 'Do seriou.ly mi,""'''!,'1li"d wh.n i, is .iowcd,
"' BUlltr . tld others view II .• hrough par.noid lcnsts_A. """"1: ... n. camp
i.Ill"" , ~- - f ro<h-
oftcn undcrot""d as uniquely appropnate to "'" prOJec .. 0 po> , •
.le""un li~"i"". demYSl iflCalion, ond mocking eo:pos"'" of ,he demen ..
. nd , _ m('lions of . domin.n1 rol."",. Aoo,he degn:. to which camprng
I> nlOli"".d by 1<lV\: s«ntt oflen to b¢ underslood m.inl)· •• ,he degT« of
It , ,df.h."ng compl idty " 'ilh .n 0W","';ve " •• u. quo_ Sy Ihi> """,,n'. ,h.
....y gUr of ,h" p.a .. noid iml"'lso: in camp s«.,i'ln:MJgh to an un!k.h~
.... lrton of ,he cultu re; ,he p.ann<Md ;ttS,lt<tic on vie'" here ;, ortt of m",,'
m.I, .. clog.nee.nd COf'O«p,ual «OnOmy.
The d""i", of. rcp.a,,'i'" impulse. on ,I-.. othtr hand, i> add,,;"... nd
"'cn.~I'-'I:, It. fear. a ...liIlie OM. is tIt" lhe cultun: .urrounding i, is in:odt:.
qll',e or illimlcal,,,;u nunll"': it w:anu 10 :wormbic.oo ~onrer pleni<udt:
on.n obJ~"CI ,ha, " 'ilI 'hen h . .... ",,,,,,,rca '0 oIkr ,o:an inc"""t. self. To
vic,.. ... mp as. ~moo 8 Olbe, Ihinll". 'N, commu~. historicaUy ~ apia.
.... ion of. nric.yof "'~w;.,.. praruc.:. is .odo bt.ta jwli<c.o nunyof tho
f"" of .. (\l lture _ (""n of . culture whooc: ._"td dc:JI ... h ;os oft~1I bttn
"''' 10 5<IOII.in ,hem.
d~~ning ~Jnnenll of dlssic clmp penormo"",,; tile >lUlling. juicy display.
,of ~u~ .. crudirion. lOr ~umplc:; .he p...;o.we. olicn hil.""", antiquon-
an"m . 'he prodigal produa,an of ah.....,.ti,,, historlogr'ph~; ,he """"f" •
• It..,h",en, to frogmcn1~ry. ma"Sin.1, "'.... OT Icli",.. , prodUet.; the 'kh. ,-,pbn<br . 0.:1 1\1>,,,1;,, ;n ,I><" '""Y "nd<.".....,., no v..""pi.: .oo..' ,." F",ud ..-..
h;gllly ;n,errup';"<' .. tTe,,"" vnicly ; Ihe im::p"'ss iblc r. s<:;,u.ion wi.h ~. ""'g,,,,',,,, ef !hi ' ~<"'. ''h<1I'''''ph'''''' " Mu.......1><"fuoT bt ron"n! ,,"h ,
•riloq u;"i< UI'" rimenu, ion; • he d~mingju ... posi. ions of plnl:n. w;!h p<Jt<fJ <,<onomo< <l<1irI!t.,., .rod ;W:<'P' ,ho, rk""''' . od ""rl< ""'" "" no!h", "'0«
pas[. and popular ",ilh high cultu",.· As in tile writing of D. A. Mille •.• ,""'go>
, ...... ,I>< ......... ,.,., .,r'l"""i,,';'" inro 'l"'b",,,,, .. "",1 And """" .bon _

glu~ of surplus be:.uly. surplus stylisti< iMnt ..... n'. unupbiMd upwelling. .....r- """,Utioo bt>......,_"'''~ ""~""'..,,~ .oddw'l""""_·
...,,1< bf iii II<. F.....d c ..... 10 .. , C<Wdid«obI< <rnpIwo> '"' , .... s.... dtl5t.t1ty """"""
of ,h"" ... con'~mpt. Ind longing comtn« '08"'lIerand IlIinwn .be amal-
,.-..,I on ,h. . ",,,,,p' Ie p"""i.It .....1"< .......,... ,,,\lao'l""'_" ' J!'~ , .. Ch>por< J..
gam of """,..nul ~n ·ob;«ts in such wod as ,ha,
ofRoNId Fi!banlt, Djuna
...lIm Fr...k ,od I _ Toonl.," ..""" '"' .!I«t in ........ , .... "Y to mpon.J 10
Barn~ Jo-ph Cornell. Ktllll,,, h Ang<", o.ar\n l udlam.Jack Smit.h.JoIm
,lit> ,,· ..-olf"""ltil ,ho probI< ...
W.,e .... and Holly HugMs. •. ,-".. b:"I~' ''''pliOl ....... nh .. rn<h l«> Ik""'; ....Id< ,h..."" "",dt",""
The \'try men.ion oflhesc names. SOme of .hem ..... hing.o almost 'h~"gro", H, CWI" "'.fItrJ,",I" ""' migh' b< on< good r .. ",pIt of,ho \.0" ... ~;,,~.,r
Irgendtrily "par. noid" pe,sonali,;... ron ~Tm,. 100. Klein', ilUi".n,. that """.:0 ,r'<f< '''' ' I\<,.,.ni·, .. ," __ ..."" '" ",,,h. "'" q"'" '0 ,ho ..".,n .... ,
it i, no< people hu t mutable 1"";'ioM-o.-. I would ,,·.nllo :<ay. ~ic<:s_ ,1\'0\);' '00 I~ ".. ."" Ii<. ".d, bit, roolw. '" oIw p;ou' .... ilk... '" of A.... "'" "PJ"'iRr<d
"11'''' ,,1>,....,h. "V_
,h .. con be: diridcd be:.wecII dl<' ~ranoid and tt.. ... ""r.I;",,; it isf<)m(1irncs
,t.. most p' ... noid·.tnding ~ ,,·ho an: able '0. and nttd '0. deYdop
J- ·rh.nk;", T,-.... C......... ""I"*'.. ,.hoJ_ "'me_
I .m ,hink ...S t.. ... ofT""""'" Gout..!. ;.~ .. (.... p<roon.ol <OftI"'I.''"'''''''''
and dissrnt;na", . M richc", rtpa ... ,r." practices. And if the ""r.anoid o.-!he
,_I uf Emily DKUuor!'. poem ,Iut h<v'> "'IIop<' io .... ""'" _"" ,,-.d.r.,,_/
dtp!ft'i"" p<l$itions opent" on • ,mallL..- Klle Uw! lhe LcvtJ of indMduol
Thot pord>t, in ,ho "",1 _ " (,'" I""'" no. "S'). Gould ..."""" '''''' tIr " "'I""""
typology. ohcy ol"'rale II ... on. larger: ,hat of sh. ",d h;'tories. emc:'K"'" ,,(11,,,.«;"11 hop< .'" ,.,lw, ,...,
,boo< of 1'0'"''0''''''' ""'" do~..,J.'. " ';,I, rho tIif-
rommun;,;e... nd the ""e.vins oflmene .. ual discoul1C . ,.....",,,",, ,...1'I""ntlp"'"''' t< .... .,r p""UoN'''''' I"" in ,he fo,",. , •• ,I><.-oh.n
Like P"'Ust. ' he rep".,ive n:.dr, " helps hin\se lfai:~in and . gain"; i, is in tI .. p-
no! only impomnl bUl p<>JJibl, to find way. of .!tendinS tu such "'1" ..... Id.),,', ,... .., !o "yp<»,.,\u , ..."'. "tho -"''Y ;\ ..,u,Uy <!od " hoW" '" 'o.lm. bow
I;ve mofi"<,, and pos;lion~litics. The voc:abuLory for.n i<ul ••ing. ny ....adds ""'~ "",e~ , '''"'S ,Iw ""'"""y <Iiol" .".,. bt-_ .."hilt «""" «>o~ • ...,.~ Tho ",.1m
n:""...tive motive 10..... rd. 'eot 0.-. cultu", .... Iong b«n '" <>ppy. 'O$'
,of ~.,.,., ... po ""'" ~ ..., JiJ.·, it. _
., •.un«l..r.Jrt ....... ~..,.;",poturn "..~ . . . ""._. . ......·
...... t>nlonMlly "''''' ,,01« .n.J"... """

lhe,i<it.ing. dcf(nsi,.., • • nli.intellect",,!. or "'Klionary II... it'. no ...'(K><kr

tht .....,'" ~1uf.lwIg· .."..."'~ c.. bt """
few oi';es...., " 'i!ting 10 d.,.cribc: ,hci,ar'lu.;m:ulC( "ith such mocr.TS. TIle ~ M",tu.1 Moun·, A ~ ..,. .... or............ ".",.. ..... """,,," ohoo - . ...". of
prohibi, ;,,, problem. howcvc •. h .. bc: .... in the limimions of prc$Cn< the<>'
q"«.<U~\M.
re,ic. 1''OCabul.riu "lther lh.n in the "'p'"';''' mofh" itself. No Ie.. aoJIC
.h,", p ... noid posi,i"n. no Ie ...... Iisti<. no Ie... ,urh.d 10 .
proje(f rJ
. u,vi" , I... nd ne;,her leu nor more delu.ional or f.m . , ntat;c. 'he "'p> ....
ti", ",.ding position un\kn.ke •• ditT.",nl .. nge of .Ir",....
ambitions. and
';,ks. Who, we ['In bc: .. le.m from wch ptactic"" ...... pt' ...... p<. ,he many
""Y' ",I..." .nd cornmun"if. sue.""d In en ... <ting 5<I0Il.",,"':. from II>< ott·
 Clwzrtrr 1

PEDAGOGY OF BUDDH ISM

Wh.1 don I, meln when OOr (~'S bring ,m.l!. ,,'oun<k<! .nimal. into the
house, MOSll"'oplc ;nlcTp~lrhtse dep"sit< "" olfering. or gifts. 11<" ... ",..,.
in. prl)' ch~n, n",.nr ", pIc_ Or propiliatc U', tM nt' hum.ns. But aC -
cording to rm: .nthrupoj'>gisl lil ilabt,h ~1>",h:an Thorn •• , -Ca', m.)" be
,"'" m ittg t he role of edU<llOr wil en, hey brinS I""Y indoors '0 ,h.iT II Um<llt
Uwnt"r' . . . . A mOlher C,lliam I•• ching hcr killen. from ,he morru:ntlhey
' l,iTt foll o..... ing hor .... L.;utr ,he gi''''lh"11'I " ,nd"on p,."i<"c by flipping
,. io,; m. in t h. iT d ireCI;un. eXa" I)' al • C>l doc~ in pl.)". Mother en, ""en bring
! " '{lund,d] prey mck 10 ,heir nut. orden. so that Ihe;r ho",ebound kine'"
('r>p,.<tkc, cs.pccl.lly If the I""Y i. of m.n."..,.bl. me.
So pcThap> nts
wh" ",Ie;asc living p"'Y in our hou"".", '''}"ing '0 gi'" U$ some pr.ortict,
tu h""" ottr homing . kill.- <'OS).
r~>r 1"''-'" in""h~ w;,1\ em or I"'d.!.'<>gy. Th,mu,', suptXK;,ion he",
ntay be ""s<:uling in se,,,..1 wa)'s. First the", ;, 'he ....-ci«...ir ,,,..ound.
\I,'h~", " .... h.d thoughl'" be po"~rful or .dmi.-N..... ..;_!"''''n'al fi),OUtts
", OUr c.ts. "" art C.$[ inst •• d In 'he wit of clunuy "",",born< ",!"Inng
' PC<i:1I edua,ion. W.,....,. we hr'" _ .""n Ic~mcd from this ,..!uc"ion.
Wi,h all ,he eo,', '~rtrul $lag<' ....... ),.. men'. "" ..em <:>p«i:IU)' ""pid in
h..i ng fa,kd '000 m...:h oJ rerognw, ,1M: >ant as one of pcd.ogog)'. 1." true
'h.o, "~(.n ".rn 0,,1)' wnw ".., arc .,,~'" ,,~ a'" ""ing 'augh' ~ H<;M' Iw...,
....'~ 01' <""fu..,d the iIIorotion..y >eU of gift giving .,Id tuchingl A furth.,.
opct<h:oct problem hen: in""I>.." imi .. tkm: the <at . .umed(but how COuld
,..., know!) th .. iu o..... n m"""mtnU "..,'" templ.u:. lOrou. numicry, ~
than ".,.,.,,, to be m.de room for 0< graciowJy ot<q>led by us. A ge.t~
Imcnded to evoke a sym".,.,. rinl ruponse Iw insIe.od C'O'OW a m mplc,
menuryonc,
The:n 'g.in, ~n if".., had n:rogni.ed \lie ca. 's projt'ct as pc<Ugogical. it',
pms;blc we ".ould not hav< responded appropriately b)' -honing OUr h"",.
ing u.iIIs - on the brol<en, .witching p.ey. Possibly".., do not "",nt to Ie'm
the lelSOn OOr cal is t. aching. Hen:, in an .If~ni'..:: "'gi"~r. i. another rn;..
to kc about mim",i" rhe cor ', a:<sumption that "'t identify wirh ir 51 rongly
t nough to ...... nt to acr mOre like it (c,g., .at Ii,.., rodent.). For . human
tdut. ,o<, the c. t·, un. ucct:<sfulp"d.S08Y ..son>!e ...... ith pknly of ......::ry.
dly nightm ..... n..,.. are Stude"" "'00 v~ .... thci. tnclltr' t...rd wud
:oJ • .."vile offering in rheir honor - I ddt"'tcful """ ro boot_ Th....., a",
milt, .. udenrs ,...00 lcapt the proffe~ formw.tiorn: g""efully. os . gift,
but wi.hour .hinking .0 mimk the proctss of thd, produo:rion_ i\"o daub!
th;..Jc.cnbcs. rommOn imP"""'" !Xed by po)rno. ... iym.nd pryr:holho:n.-
pislS" ""II. T.lehing pri'ilq,'t'd ondcrgr.odul..,., I :JOft"IClimt$ had. chill·
ing intimOlkm th:1I .....hile I ",lied 00 thei, "" i'" to mirror".,.,.od my sl<iIIs
• nd knowledge , they ..." .. motiVoted iruteld by Otting me ... ca utiort-
.ry ~!,'U"': wh.1 might bl:rumc of them if thcy " ..,,,,n'l cool enough, sieck
enou);h, . dapt. ble . nough to 'K'P" from th" thick" of . ",demi. into.he
coq:" ".\<' wo.ld.
And bl:sidc ' he fntstra.ion< of the foline ped.!,..:>guc a", Ihe mo", ",bo.·
Ing oneJ "f . he ",upid hum." owner, 1,. SO oflen to" late when "'. firn>Uy
'l'Cognille tilt "'l$i5l ' oc,- (mOIlS<: nipping) of ~ Student/ patien.... 10""
of ped.gogy .imed . t us . nd in"iting our mi".,.,sil. W. "'-"Y ",onder oftu ·
w~rds whether.od hoow "'e could h ..." m.n.ge<! to .um in.o.M p;trticular
leaclltr/ tllt.."", needed by e..,h one. Pem~ps the .. implia<ion ..... been:
TI')' II my ""y - i( you'", gomg'o leach me. Or e-...::n: I ......, something
mo", in.porta,n '0 'e..,h you . han you h ..." ' 0 ICach me.
"'mong the reb.;"", of ne.r-mi .. ped.g<lg)· I dIKIW in thi< ch. p,e"
olwiou,I)' th e foundational one .ran.pi",. be.ween A,i •• ",1 Euro·.-\merica
Ott the , ,,hjcc t of Buddhi.<m itsdf. 0 ,,,. th~ p." .wo d.(';Id •• , cwn as <he
lo"g-".ndinK prc.. nc~ of Buddhi>t clemcnt£ in US. cult"", n... be.:ome
r'I"<>slvdy vwhk, critical ..hoI,m hip has upIored tilt vas" .yst.mic m;"
"ndcn\ondings .nd cross-pu']><>KS th .. secm to underlie Ihil tr:ons-~ific
rod'gog}'. An "Ameliean Buddhd' " ",ade, of the crili(:al sriK:>U. .....ip might
""II be rhlSlcned 10 learn in ......' many. crucial. our i""",iblc ...~'S her
.ccc.. '0 the AsIan tat .. pnctitts. .0.1 underM;1ndings has been rompro.
",,>led b~ t he history of .heir .ransmission .0 1M WM!. Donald Lopez. for
,'umple, ... mm.nus his • • empl.ry Inthology of critical essay> by de<:1a.-
h"
t1'g , h.t ..... h .. become .v.il.bIe to modem W."..n ",.de", iI only .
- h}'!)O!tat iu d obje<:t, called 'Buddhi'n' : - which , "bee. u)C: it h.d bl:en "",.
.t NI by (;u rope , co uld . Iso be cont roll ~d by il - (i). Among th~ diston ion.
manifesl in ,uch hypo".ti .. tion h..... bet" a n ..... iv< of decline th•• dele·
gitimatu . h. modern . nd the .... . l\;Icul.. in Buddhis. srudic.; .n .agem ess
n' >ttribu. e W."'ern .0015 \() Asian ~uddhist "p"""'nraTion; histories of
,crmplici.y wi. h nativist .nd coloni.1is! projt'ctS In J'l"n OJ ""U OS fosrisl
..... in II'ly: .rrog;ont .nd ignoran. d.;ms. such as Jung·.. 10 speak fOT an
e.wtic Orien.ol p.oyd>e: .nd. double-binding enlist".,.,n. of A,;~n Huddhisu
In the inoomp;tlihk roles ofinfonn>nl lOll guru tOKhob", m:.n
the w ....
Wha. is .h~ fu",e of ""d> '''ry critk~l1indlngs! Ho.., .. and 10 ...-hom do
lhey ","ucr? Comn""" >Ie_ "'gj,""'1S that tlltir impact " 'ill f,,11 un non·
Kw.mk srudent. of 8uddhi"'" """" lightly Ih. n on KhoIa'" in the field .
NOI only a .. the: .. ~xactinl! "udle. (most of rllt'" pul>liohcd by "";,,,,,,ity
prom.) I.", 'C<Ce:<sihle to nonschob rs. bul .he prime mo' ",,' for ",.ding
Ihcm. ", nlo<> likely III differ, To put it c.uddy, ...demie Kholars of Bod-
,thi, n. or. ,'ocation:tll), aimed .t ~ nd ing" p., h, h"",'cwrosymptotic. to, ,':o.rd
• knowled!,,,, of th.ir 'UbjoCl(') th .. would ~ e,,,r ~ di>tor1Cd b)' iguo-
"nee, impen.li" p"'oumption. 00.1 w;'hful thinking, or by <ha •• ct~rislic
though. pan.,.". of W M!<:TT1 culto... On the: OIher h. nd, tho .ttach""'''1 of
lhe I"1OtUCademk ",ad..,- .0 .1It tNth ,..I.... of ",:>dings on 8udJhism may
"'.. on I good deal"""" progm"ic ba$¢. The: '!ueJ'''''' I•• hi> (""COWl' )
K(urotC or m":>ding? "'"y gi,.., "" ay fur the....ade",.o lhe: quc<tion WiD
til;' (p""'tice) ,,"0<1< or "-on', ;.!
T he hiStori",1 place and momenl in ..... hich ,he blttr,!u"",,km is asked.",
di"incl;"" 01..,. . ppropriately desrnbed in tern. s of pluuliSlic, free marh. -
like f"", •• wid.in .... nli.lly o«ul.. ODdC.;"1 (Ott Ikrgrc), Mort .-ceeml)".
Ihc oo",<w h" " igm" i,.ing nthriu of ">lelf.hdp'- -N.", Age: .nd -therapy'
Ii ",," h.Y<' . ugge<red an ovell 1... ",.".:c,. blt ", •• k... nichc >l"'dl,,,, r''''' for
 l'0p"l.ri~rd iluddhi.t '~",hings alm~d. t non·A.I,n (oll.um~rs. It Is fro",
,hal nlcllt Ih., the pn:sent (h~pt"r eme,};e •. .-efI~o:ting. nott<pcciali$t tdt,.
0'<>1"" fi,,, ·Y"u engaj,""""m With English·langu.,I,'" "Buddh"'- 1ito:n"'rt
n"s·ng from ma.,·market to Kool ...ly. My lim. self·helping !nOti", fortho,
~ngagetmn' ...·as fnnkl y sot~rioIogkal. promjXed by «<nving in rniddL:
' ,1,"" dlagno;>sis of me,.sutk CaOC~r. AI this chapter sho...s, how.".".
;n'~"'" In Ute Buddhis. l;t~n'uJl: of death and <l)1ng JIf'O'-ni inutricalli..:
.....,11 from an idemllic;t, ;on with pedagogintl passions and antinom ... that
recur IhroughoulliH: ~bha)"a"'lradi,ions.
The dominant .chobrly topos. and indeN. oftm.'" ",,'f·tha;ption. i:tt
WC$I~rn popularlu.ions of 8uddhUI lhough, is wptariooc ..... hether 3Udt
ad> ptatlon is haile<! or decrio:d. II Implies tha, an ANn original is ~pUng or
!>fing ada", ed for the ._n' ''lly d1/k",nt habi ... ..,mibilirirs, Welunsdtau-
ung of the W.... 8y IM .. tm lokn. a COmmon drfcn ... 0{ ~tb pt:trional
pr"xticn Is .h.t lIuddhisln hasof.en. hisloricatly. bttn changtd by. as much
as it h•• clt:,tngt'd. ,he varied cuJtu"" tllCOolnte",d in il5 perip.lIetic histoty.
This chapeer. by fuc:u<ing on pedagogy., both lopK and ",I.tion. a._
'emptJ ""methlng d,Rtn:n. from soch a dc:fe~: I, suggest< Ih>t ad.:tplano..
is 110' the only mod.1 for W.sI.rn eocoun.c" wi,h popularized Budcllti:oI
IrachinSJ· i\d.pl1tlon cmph~.lzc. how an origln,1 is being ahen:d. modi-
fied. fittrd (,,,. a diffen:nt u .... maybe ",,,n dee.n,cre<! . duw n ou, of an
e.tlinorl!i, by the gravilotion.1 pull of an .lien body. T",. emain degn:e Ihe
.pt.nc>!: of this l"po.1s u,mlll.blt . Funhtrmotr. th"n: is plenty ofBuddhis.
scriplu ral ""rr'nl for il: Iht P.li <>non. 'Utros. and J"uka ''''''u all con.
tlin e .. mples _ , .. ry privileged oncl - ofle"chi"gs th" h"" bern .. dlcaUy
. d'pled 10 ,heir audi,ol'J' '·"ril::d e'p.dlie •• nd f.. tnes of ",fe",nee.
In 'his eh'p,.r. howe,.. r. I "'an! 10 Iry OUt rno",. diffen:n. ",soutU$
from Ihe g"''' ''''asur), of Buddhis, phrnomen<>logies of le.mlng and
!Cuhlng. What if. for .... mpl~. ~n equally canonical topos ,u.;h as 7t«Ig"i·
r;"";"'dli{d'W~ do""ribes """"" dytumics of Wes'ern Buddhin popuLlIizo'
lion beno r t h.o ....... (he one ·d,n:aionallopn< of ad.tp... ion~ Cn,.lnly. if "
bener .... ile<! to ,''' lubjectivity and lhot CptsiemoioglCai «In<erru of t:ho..:
",00 consume ti-o($1t popul.rlullons.
A subsidiary aim oflhis <""flI.r ilI.o mu .... '" "''''''' ron...quen<U of
,,-n..,
is by n.QW. 'N"m about lui..., n:llg"' ... lhought: ,h~ II has "a,,;.-.d'
and bttn influen. i"" In W... em 'hough. III nun)" fuo-"", .hrough many clif·
cncoun''''
f""'n, ~ne<>un,el'J ....."r n,any "''''urico. Th .... by !MM' a lIuddlw.l
,,',', ,', -W~stcm cultun:- mu>! .1.., be ",\dc"wod OS an oncounter ",i,h a
p,l,n'p ...... or /\sl.n <ur",,,I, .nd inOu.""". (and vice '-e .... ). For uample .
... "",ri<:.ns "f,rn .hop for II uddhill botJIu; on I he ...1f·he II' ,helves in popul ••
t>o<tk..on:s, But if the marke,ing rubric of ... If.help has.n almos••lann·
i"bt)" Amerinn JQund. isn'l '''''I .. Io.st In port becau,,: I~harkens."" di~ly
t tl lhe e.rly oin<,..,nlh·cemury impubt: of Emerson, Sctf·Rd,ancc and
Wh"man', "Song of My...If"1 An impulse .• h>, is, aln:adycoruciously in·
,'(II,,,J Indino::t .nd inJin:aln.. n:h>~ wi,h Buddhlsland Hindu ,eaehing~
O-r The: ~m book I mroumore<! in my Buddhist upIorati<>n. and ""'" Ih>t
rrob'hly. in some uncnmined .... )... ,1111 ~n.>Clu~ my 1",·"It"",":", "i,h
8uJJhism asa 'opic. wuSogpl Rmpoc:hot I bcs'· ... Umgpoput..n>.atK>ll. TItt
TiN-td" 8Dok tf LM,,& ..J Dyi",. ConsIruacd as:an alomdcd gklss on the
stH.lkd Tiltnu IIooJo ofrltc Dtoul, il off.rs moo-<: bro.adl)" a beginntr' ;n,ro'
JUClion. n Tibe,an lIuddhism and m.).:t,lhe .. m widerd.im (on ,hot back
""".of 1he ~prrb><k) 10 be -a m.nu.1 for lift: and death. . .M dofinilive
n.W I{'irilual cla5Jic fi .. OUr lime.: .
.\luI\! Ihan Z~n lIuddh;sm ..... The""v.w. mcdiwi<In - uther Ruddht!ol
",dition, I"., achie\"d wldelp",.J popu lo ri'y among non-.....i"" Ameri-
..'" in ,h" ,wrmicth relllury - Tihelan Buddhism risks ",cming inc",,; '
e.hl" fm n' Ihe <"hur.) drcum".netl and hi>lOry of;1< ,hi.n d",-.:Iop'
"'en'- I'<;rhaps ,h. r lc .scr focul on ",edil.';on in the "Ihcr tradilion' g;''''
,h,·", an lIl usio" of Ir.I1ip.",ney and uni,,,rsal .ce"nibili,)" Ihat Tibe .. n
I!<JdJh!sm i>,k$. I'<;rhap' Ihe ",1.t il'C: geog .. phk .,cce"ibilily Qf Japan and
S.""he... Asia I• ." ". Tibetan lIuddh!!m nI"'" dc_I)' ~n1.ngl.d (in WeSt-
"..., "ye.) wilh lhe local. wilh op"ei,k. uf 1' ''I;u.go. <u,"om. his'ory. -be-
lI"f: in ,nor( (•• lhe e.rlier lIuddhok>gi",' would h .." it). "f · ,uperstirion:
1'hr Dabi I. .,n •• "'t;ul.rly . , _·.,.11 0"" .he wmld. " My "'~gioo is kind·
nt·,... But '" move beyond Ih...... mingl)' pellucid inlrodoctlon is promjHly
h>enc...... nler pra<:liceunJ CO'lmol<Jglu wttos.. weirdness- from" Western
p'~nl of ,'ie,,' _ can .... m nUt lrn:Junbir.
iloVl' 00.:. Sogyal neg",I ... the d.an),,,,. of losing n:aJers In 'hi< <tIltu.al
g.>pl The Of"'ning pongraph of the prtfxe i< noml;',,!;.· artt<ting:
I " ," hom In Tibel . • nJ I ,,-aJ ... rnomlu old ,,-hom I enkK<! ,t.., """'"'"
,try"'" my m.I"~r-",my.nll ~n'.., Ch!>ki l.<ldrO. in ,t.., P""'-w,", ofKh.",.

In T,"'" we ""," • un;quo ,radmon of finding ,ho n:'",,"In'liom of ~'I
m ..1<''' " 'ho h,,,,, p. ""d .y,"~y. Thq .n: (hosen young and gi ... n • speciaJ
.dur.IIOn '0 luin lhom 10 b«urnt thr ,(>Chen of lho fulU~. I "'"as gr..."
the: nom<: Sogy.l . ....." though i, ...u only btt>" that my mult' ~ogn~
me.S In, illCllrn. ,ion o(TenOn Sogy.l.• """"'""~ ",y.. ic who wooo,," 0(
hu (WI·n 'tach... and • "'...., of the: Thinttnth Ihl.oi Ltrru..
My maste,. j>mf.ng Kh)'tn~. ,,""" ,.0 lOr. T........ . nd ... "'""."Y'
",.",.d to ,und a good hud . 110\.. o,hr .. i". (rowd. H. had sit"" h.;,
t"",
CUI .... '1 ohort • • nd kind .,... glo...~ ..ith humor. His "1'$ .... '" Ions.
lib! lhart oJ thr 8uddh.a. (>:i )
Thi. f.i,)".le ·li1«' optni"s pl"n~. a ",.dc, diwricn'ingly inlO on unf..
miliar .y... m of .n.logut••nd inom.tiQru.. s.ralcginlly• ...,......",. til<:
,..,adt,·, point of "ieY.. is simult.MOtUIy .trad><:d 10 ,h. mQ", ndical <hf.
orie"t.,ion of th. , ix.mo"th·old (h;. p,,,,nts "nmorllioned) ,,·ho ·o ",ered
Iht m""" ..cry: acquired a · m......" and undtno.-cnl obsru,.., ~ of
being ~l\Ind o. "chO$Cn- bc~JI'fc I><: rould (I.ht. ,,·.Ik or lalk.
Th" ",., of 'he p",foct follown ,imil.nlt.legy of p.... lld ioitlalion .. As
"'.de" ....gtl info,n ... l;"n >u<h u .• In Tibe' il _ "",,,.tnough simply 10
""'" .ht name of an inc'rnalion, you alw~'$ hod ' 0 urn tnp«l. 'hrough
your i(. "'mg and ,hl'QU),-h yourspiri,,,. 1p ... nM:t: " (xi). At' he sa",. ,i"'t.• n·
othcrck"'tltt of ,h •• uthori.1 VO;C~ repr ... n ... a child "ying fO n,aU >enJ<:
of its confusing .urround;ogs and st"us: "I ....... naught~· child.. .. The
nex, ,im. I fl~!O hid<:. my ,morn= in,o ,he room. did thn:. p .... I... 'ionJ
10 my ",.. I." and dr.gged "'. OU' . I n:n .. mbe. thinking,:u I w.u ""uled
oul of Ih. room. how .. nn~ it ....... ,"", hr did not . . .m 10 be arr.Ddor my
"",",cr" (xii ~ Th~ " nnge""" eneoun.ered~· ,he mild ... ml 10 htlong
boIh 10 hi. unu,u.ltulku .... ul .nd . allho .. me lime. '0' mO'" ~n.ral
.... nscna:s (or givcnncss) Ih ... world P"'''''''
10 anyone: un,.. ncd in i.-
\l.bum ~adtror Ttbetan child.
Sogyal Rinrochc·. p,."f.ce , .h"". ulTcI'J' past ,en", in whirh. child is
.ccultunted by filS .nd .. am alongsKk .n implicit p"'~n' 1t:TUe in ",hI<:h
• "''''kr is. Sogyol"s Ingenuous diction .nd >en'"""" .. run"", bm ..... l. the
two ,"!,"'ther, But the double ;niti.. ion .Is" procttd. undo, Iwo othe •. ""'..
.rching ;oCgio<: .. On. U. dUlinctivc emotiorullonali'y. that of gra,;",""
mind wi,h ,,,ode........
l"h<- .... "",. '0 whICh ,hat 10.... lil~· aloxhc:f. is the
ron,inulng influenc" of ·my m." ••. " " Ewl')'>ll<" e~n.d him R,.,..,.-Iot. ',hr
Pr<"-;,"Ui One: whkh i. Iho Ii,\<: gi,,,n to" rna",,'. • nd when he ....... ?""",n,
til' ulher ..."her would be .dd,~""d in t"", woy. His p",",ncc w.u >0 I",·
p<t'S"i .... INI m.>ny aflCctionoldy nllcd him ·tht PrimordW Buddha·" (,on).
In lhe: I\OrFol'o," ehiltlhood ht il • ""SO'1' prcs<:ncc: "Usu.I!)· I 01"1" ncr< '0
my m.llc,. on a ,m. 11 bed aI,h. foot of hi I own . 0"" sound I shall n""'::r
forget .. the clkking of,,,. bead. of his..aLI, hi. auddhLiI ros;>ry. as hr
whispered his pntyt'l'$. Whn! I ..."n' '0 slup he ........1d ht Ihe"" 5itWlg and
1'''''liclng: and when I .wok. in Ihe ntor~ing h." WOUld. ah.dy be aw. k.
and ,illing and pnaicing .gain. ",,,rflo...,,ng .... tlh ~mg and I"""':r. AI
I ned my eyu and ,...., him. I "..,.,Id ht tiUed ...~th • "... rn, .nd ~y
h::;"""', He had .uch an .ir of pe'(O .boUI hi",· (llil ). Equ.lly. u'cnd"'g
1x.... oOO hio de.,h 10 Ih. pet.. n, 'en", of , he ",adtr'. inili.tlon. "Jamyang
KhJ""'St .. lhe groond of my life:. and .he inspiration of.his book. He ....""
the ;nc.rn.t;o" "f. m'"'' who h. d I,"",formed Ihe pntctice or Buddhi.m
in "urco untry " (xi). "I h""e hurd l h .. m~ ...... Itr said Ih.1 1 " ·0II1d holp
(IIn,inue his "",n;. and ec:rtainly he aIY."y_ tn: ..ed melikc "" (WIn son. I
1i.""llh.. wh .. I h.", be." .ble to ..:hko." nov.. in my ,,"Ork .• nd the audio
cnee I """" bc~" ~bIC to ",.eh. is . ripening ,,[ tht bl.ssing h. g;ow mc" (lii).
And ' he p r-.f..:e ends: " I pray .hu book .... m ' ......mi' 5OI1It1hing '>fhis gr-.a,
wiodom a nd rompo"ion 10 ,hc world. Ind. through il. )"Ou lou. "t.c""''ef
YOII .... eon (OmO into th. p", .. nce "f hi.< wisdom mind.nd find. bviog
"",n«lion .... ith him" (';v ).
Allhough ,I><:", ........ in m.ny de, . ils in II><: pn:f= tN. will puz:tlt ."
",.<k, ""f.mili.r with nbcta" Buddhiil .radition •. ilO simple \.ngu~g. w,1I
.Ire.dy h,.... in,-01,.. d re'd." in" ~ri<:. of compk:<. '~.""'.y "-",,pod
pcd~gugical ,..,[.;IlKms. The: m<>bib,)· of •• ach<,.... ttden, po5II"o",ng IS em·
b"ditd Ii ... , in Sng)"'1 hi",",lf. who begin. the p,."f;oct .s.~ ,nf.nl .• nd ends
it .s ... ~(htr - bul "'i,hout 'P1""'''' ch.ngo in ,I><: qual"y of ru. dept'n·
dc~ on h., """,..er.- Indttd.•Iong ,I><: "'''y ht ""_ beeo "!'<Cognozed" as
. n inorn ., ion "fh!. ",.".r', ""." lcacher. Which o{them.lhen. y,iU ht tht
",.d<r', m • .,,,r! AP1" "'''tly some proco... of ' ..nlriloquisnlfimp...gnal~'
be .......," them ...." ..... ,""III><:,.., u no nud .ocboo<lr. indeed no ..... yof dis·
crimtnat ing. belweCn Sogpl Rrnpocl><: tl><: <tudcnt/ I..chcr.nd th., n'~~.'
Rinr"d,c in whO$<: r.di.l1l p",,,,,nco no one. ~ (On be """. In f.CI. For
me: he " ... lhe Buddha. of I"'" ,I><:r-e"'''' no que ..ion in "'y mind. And
"''''Y''''''' .1.., <ff<ognizcJ it a. "'cU- (xiii).
 This ,~",hing si.u ..;u". cvidoen.ly. thrives on p"rsorw.h.y.r.d inti .....
e '0
~",otionil ",loti"". At .hu;ome time. i. functions .. " mY"~riousIy po...'...._
ful wI ....,nt of individu.l itkntity.
TIw:: dissolu.ion of idon.i.y Is " commonplace .bou. "Buddh;"m: <0 bt
~un:, Hu. in fa.: •. Sogy~I"I'...,f"'t h ....id ~n~ "bo.11 8uddhi$m p.' It "'>d
1I00hing ••• 11 ~bou, iii .ent'l. Rother .hon in.o "8uddhism ." • ...,.Ik, who
begin' .his book is. by me.", ofhcr di.sorienmion. in'c'p<II •• ~d into" rich
)'~' di..ol""n. rd ".ion.li'yof p<d.b"'!:y i.self. In .his world i. is.~ 'hough ...,.
I•• ion c~"ld ~"Jy" p<d.gogic>l - and for ."", ...,.,.,.,. radially .ranoindi\id_
".1 "Wh...,,,,..,, I sIl • ..., Ih.:i. '\lnospl>e", of my ma>lu wi,h 0Ihen. thqQn
.., ..... ,IIt .. me profour.d f«ling i•• """"", in me. \Vh;o •• hen did"m~
Khymu. inspire in m~l An unslukable mn~de......, in.he .cachings. and.
conviction in .he ~nt ... land duma.ic impo"""'" of.he fNs.u" (:liii).
.,,. Admitt edly. it', e:t.'Y ." m.ke .he c= .h.. ptd'Sugk.1 ",I.rion iJ suI>-
>I.nliv~ly <cnl ...1 10 V.j,.y.". Ruddhism. or "1.",.;'m" .. nintl(l:,,,h-
confU,), Eur"p~ c:illtd i •. bun! "n fh~ uccptional pmrninoena: givf:n ,,, the
loma/ guru •• initi:llory.tacM, NOI only \'.jr.p..... bu •• he wh,,'" of Mab
)"""" BuddhiJrn. """'"tI..,r.i:s radially >d(·dtJincd in ~ic.d ltnt1>..
Who. ,he Mah.:iyana (g...,•• e, ""hick) is "g"''''o,' ..... n.•fl<:•• U. ....., the
sh""·aJr.a -y,,n..lld the p"-'yck. ·p"": ...., "Ieut.· .. "hide-< "'hoR pt.r~N
heings, the nont~",hing shr.vah. (~uili.o~) .oJ pr•• )"h, (1OIil>')' ....... k.
"ned olle.).• re studen" or au,odid.c,. unly. wh" achie\'t n!...·.n. for . heir
own •• k ~ olone,
The Mah~'y"na idc:al. by di ...... con<r~. a"",h"" '0 .he hodhis", ....
.spir<S .0 'M ''''uullen, of Buddluhood .r.d dtvOIes himsdf to
" Of>!: .... ho
.1!ruiftic de<:dt. cspeoally dttds .hal CllUSC ",he~ to •• uin ~nligl"enmen.­
(Ch.ng.7'), Thus. ~ke .......... b, andpr•• ~"k ... ho bodIlisan,-,.oo ",mains
• >luden. and .spinn •. • dvlSlOd to "be .ho pupil of",..,.".,.,. .11 the tim<'
(S1midev. 40). For .h~ bodhis.nv•. ho.o...,..",.•
he pt<bgogic.l in'pen';""
of o« •• ioning o.h.,,· enli..;h,enn.c", .ake. prioriTy,,,,,,. ow. o"e'. 0""
'pirl,u .1 .dv.neem.n" • bodhi~.",.. defers en'erinS ni ...·.". u"'~ .11. r aU
OIh," .. n,;';n. being< h.,-e It .. ned.o do 50- Thorn •• Cleary', ,ransl.. i""
uf boJhi",,,,·. a. 'enligh,ening: heing" (. )•• ~",f"",. wi.h i•• OOubJ. rd"f-
enee .n ~nlightcni"g ",h.~ ar.d g .......·ing IT10fr ""ligh.enc<J """.. If. Sttrns
.n apr "-'y'o c'l""" .h~ (tn, ...1 ronde ...... ion. "-hich don mon:.o iden-
'ifr Tilt bodhis;o •• v.·s posi.ional :ucs a. ped'gogic.l """ \h.:in >pecify his
,,.. her pI:ocem..." on .hHe :un, F"rthermore.• ny 1"'"",,·.con.mi!mCTI"o
~l.ho,.. ... Buddhism i"'-01 ...... loc•• ion in ,be bodhisa" .... dim<rt<ion>; the
" bodhisau~.. p".h" along.he: plane forrntd by .he:>< :Uri is not "'so:nN for
.he >l"riIWllly """.net<!. TI>e defining figure of M.h,)""n. Buddhism. the
b" dhi.. u~ in lUfn i. defined . lm"" 'imply ••• bein!; who.., commi'men.
10 pcdag<lgkal ",I,tion.li.y . pproache. ,he horiz"" of etemi'y.
Although (or becau.. ) .c1f_c:>ident, i. m.y .110 be: "'o<lh emph ••izing
,h'l. Jik Plato'. di.logurs, ,ht vastly more voluminous Buddhlir su.ra. in
f.... compns. nothing bul • strinof dr:ima.izt<!tc.ne. ofinslrucrion. Fu.-
,he,.• mong.he muhi.udtnous forms.nd Jc.,..,is of beings .ho. populote
,he SUfrH_asu.... !:>odhlSan..... and Bodhisa"....·Mws,m ' ·"" hnhmu.
cl""a1 and de ..·.pUlr;lS. d... gons. gandha ....... g.rudo .. gods. hou .. hoIdc:~
,nagic. lIy produeed bein!;'. monks. Nonre.u""''' and Qnc'-"'fUmcfS.
protyehs. ~i' . S.kn~. i ... ma~.s and Srl,-,k ••. !I'''''''''-tme''''', p4>'-
n"n" wishes for anything mo", precious .h.n to ",co;".., Dh.,m •••• ching>-
In Mahayan . tcrip'II"'S. SCcnes or.tachlng.O<I Ie.rning .'" uruwrsally de·
si",d ends as much:as.ltq a", instrumem.1 mems.
w- In ,s.., ... when I!liubo..h p.lmtr ~'bodJ publht..,.,! In Th ()idl the tir>t
"an,l.tion from. SUt"- in." Ihe English J.ngu.~"', hc:r Immediate: readrr·
s!lip romprised a group of her lIos.on·. "'. TnnKcnclt .... liI. frir:nds, 1hc:
..,Icc,;"n ' h e chose from Eu);"ne: Ilu, nouf's F",nch I<."sl.,iun of ' he: Lo.us
Sul r•. wh n e: sh. ring the c:rn ph .. i. of. hot 'u' r. on •ht II It ima'e: uni. y of Bud.
Jhisl ,~",hi ng<. nunclhclc:ss dlSlingui<h .... e.",fully .mong the: ....,hk"'s of
Buddhism. H~r (Ire m.y ralM' h.,.., mptified lit, ",.de". gi""n lhat at
,ho. poin •• h~ moot scholarly among .lItm ~Iy distinguished ber"..,...,
IInhman and 8uddhist . p.,.bod)·. """'-e,..,r. took.he: .rouble: of upbining
.0 'IItm in fOOlno.n 'hat. for ... mplc:." Pra.)..,kiI_8uddh.:i ";,;. kind of
,dfi,h Buddha. who posscs..:s Kkne~ w;.lIoul cndtavoring.o sp<C.d iC
(" Pre.chin g" 39J).
lIu , this cliscrimination i. i.",lf in th. service of. p ••• n .0 .he nOli'
di~rimi n",ing .mplitude of .he Buddh'. pedaAY' " I ""pI.in .h~ I.w .0
m •• ures. .f.. r h.ving ",cognizcd thcir incIina.;OI'lS: he: ..1' in ~.body'.
""It",;"". -I proportion my langu.go: '0
the subj<ct .nd .he: sr"'ngth of
c.ch·;
 I, i>. 0 K~~.p" .•s if. d"ud .... ;slng il..,lfobo>~ lhe u"i,..,,.... ~ i, <It-
,;rdy. hid ins .11 ,I>< c.rlh . ... Sp""~;ng in .n urnf""m m.n .... r.n imm~ ....
"'... ofw.. cr .•"d "'spltn<\o", ,,·i,h ,he lightning ,,·ltich =01'" f"n>m i,.
<ide<. i, malu:l II>< nnh "'joK<:. And 11K me<I;";"ol plana ,..bid> Iuvc, bur..
from ,he ... of~~ "flhi> t.nh. lhe IM!rbI. ,IK """'"" d", king< ofth. ~
liulc.nd g"'" 1~1: ,1M! diffc",nl IIft<Is, and ...ny 'lling whirh maka "",".
du ....: oil 11M! ~g<',"bIn ,,·hich ..... 1Ound in ,1M! mounuin .. in lhe co",""", '"""
~n 1M g~ 11K IKrbs. 1M bu","" ,I>< !Itt.. Ihi> doud Ii.n. <hem ...ith;o,..
" ~ods PI upon I.... dry e.nh. and ~ mom.,.,. .... tm<Iic:in.l pIanrs:"lnd
'his hornogeneow " ·"cr of I.... cloud. 1M I><rbI and II>< bu>beI pump lip.
~ryOnt :according \Oil$ ~.nd Ju obJ«t.... "boorbing tho "'... Ierg{ tho
cloud b)I 'Mir uunks. lMor Iwig. their I>Jrt.. !heir b..net.... their boughs,
'MIr I", .... tho ' .....1 tnfdKjn.J1 ~lfpul forth n."...,..and rn.~ .. E.ch 01\<
",cording 10 il' ""'''!;lh. ocrording 10 ~. dctinorion. and conlOrrnably 10
th~ n.J ru re of, h~ ~;.rm ,,·IKntt it. "P""JIlI. pruduca , distinct &uk. and - . .
,hclcu d..", II on.
homogt_ "·,'.r
like th'l ... hi<h leU from <he doud.
So. 0 K~.po. the lIuddh. _ Inlo Ih ....<>rId. lil< • cloud ,,·Itich """=
.h. un;",... ... and leoche. 1M ' ru. doarino to <1T"ureo. (" Pncadting"
.191 \lSI)
Prt<um.~!y. [Ilt "."s""."ce of .uch • p.ll-S>I;.'" for Transn:ndental ..... ok ...
would nol come from its promi", of "tcue doclI'ne: bu. from it> fOeu. on 0
difticuh problemalic .I ..... dy Inll·rn.1 [0 Ihdr Rom'"lk pn:"ccuf"Iion with
Bil.{""/:, h"w • mode or ""hlng could "urtun: ,h~ ind;yiJu.1 f" •• as w.lI
., ,h. COn, mo" "ce<ls of Ih~ wed'·;"g il .
For if ev<:, Ihe .... w",. group as m.d for ped.gogy a, ,h. dram.tis PC"
SOn •• of'hc su,u •. it mull h."" been [ho T ..onsccndcnl.li'l$. Wim ,he a ·
'"p<iou of Th(Jol"c,u. eilCh "fthem s<cmcd 10 attach hor or his mosl viI.1
hop< 10 ""nc praai« of ,·iva '''''' I"'dag"Sy - and in coc" ca.. 10 one
,hat. Indcpe"dcn, of uni\",.,i,y or chun:h ""dcnt;' );"g. aai\"dy dcprra.cd
lhe cl.lm of au.horily i" f"..". o f that of upcricnli..1 dcn .. OO. Abo as in
tl>< ,,·orld oflhe .utrn blu much,,-., unusual in the West. the ...mgt" of
,h<:$c praclicCll_ from the T.ntplc School to Ma'!i:""'t Fun .... Corwc ....·
tion.no 'hc Con",rd School of Philosophy - invoh'N pcople from toddler"o
to ,he . gt<l . ,,·i,h no portkubr ph~se . i"gk<I ..... ;n uniquely ~ppropri.;"e
for cd""""on . ThUll. lhal aope<"t ofthe M.•lup"" ide.>J .rut ",(.,...,10 dilicr--
cnli.,c .. 'he level of iden,l,y be'''·crn tcao:her and I","",," "",ncidcd ...~tb
,hdr ide.1. F,!",n when .dul,. taugh' ~"ung child",,,. a< Ellube,h I'c.body
,,·n .. ~;n Rtronl cf~ Srl><I<II, a c.ktailcd il<COUI11 ofllro""", Alcot'·' shon·lived
,<-n'pk School, "a teacher !le\cr should forgC1'h>t Ihc mind I>< is din:oing.
""Y bo: on. larger scale than his 0""": thn il5 ..,n,ibi]i,it... m.y be decl"'r.
,"<>de""'. wider: th .. ill im'gln.,ion may be infinitely more .."pid: ,ha. ii,
inteUcct ...1powerof propordoning .00 ru-.ing may be more p""-nful
.mI he should ~r h3V~ the hum,lity to fttl himself 'I,ima in , .... pbcc of
,he child. and tho magnanimity to I.xh him how to dcknd hi"""lf .g:oirm
hi" ""'.... (i.e. 'hc ••xhe .... ) influence" ( '9"UI~ 8""""" Akott.bo IOI""''N
,hc principle. "To Icach. endeavouring to ""'......" ,he undc~.oo;ng ftom
imr!kiI belitf" (J 'S). Another of his solf·injuncliono: , 0 I~ach. I",aling
pupils wi,h uniform f.mni..rity.'OO fNtientt . • nd wilh lhe gn: .. w kind·
n... ,cndcrmss. and re>pKI " (J'9~
In the Transandcn,.I"-,,· ("" ..... I and infor .....1 edui:OIion.1 manifi;soO$
,ho", is no ",f"","ceo to oc, ... l Mian prxticr. of tCl(hing: "''''' thcir basis
i" a famili.rilY whh AJi~n acnptun::s II very an~nual~d. In lhe rSj<>S the
H,ndu ."d Buddh~1 ;n'cn$u of.1te Tnnocrndcntolm. "'"ere ",.."whelm·
ongl)· medi.ted by thllK of Europc:.n Rom.ntkism. Ye'lIK (orm$ .al<t:n by
Cern,"n .nd Brir~h I<ht~.rly in,e"," in Asi. in Ihi' period were pcd..gog;.
,.lly im.gmr d i" • dH'i".",nl "'''-''' . C'>mp:.lr"ive mel hods in ,," .. h philology
."d religion h.d ",.ulled in a YK:W of Indio. in f"rtkular. o<.tt.: ",",cmal
m;g;" or "cr.dle" ofC",ck. Chri"i," . • nd indeed.ll Europe'" language
.r><l religion (H.lbf,,,, 6,).
T hll '. reabody". n:fcn:n<:c is 10 Orien!>li" philology'" ,,·ell •• domCll·
lic "'nlimen' when ~hc wrilCS: "The", is no.hing in lrue educ., ion which
], ,, ""I ilS germ;n 11K n",.rn. 1 II:n,imen, : . ltd ",,"ry mOlh~r would find
"",'" of 'he iplriwal phiIOlOph)· in her own .lfc<"Iion •. If h~r mind would
but "''''' Mr he"" .... When an inadfi!u .. c phi~y. long pn....·.iling.
h.. adultera.ed in m."y dilf~"'nl ..... ys. ,he norunll.ngu'b'" of ,he heart
a"d im agination. il is csp«i'lly r>ect"SSO ry ' 0 rtC\O·I)· w.oh. in the ·undefiled
well .. .. f fccllng .nd Ihou(;h' . wh( ntt l.ngu. g<' firs, arosc. I""'" Jlrong and
lU.ciblc mother.wonIs which g .... w ....1 of lhe philosophy of inn.J'. ideas.
and which. since ils d«lir>e . h"~ been obscu",d .nd kicked . ..;Ie ;n un"'·
g. nJt..! .pcbble.. in .ho.: d""y " ·hecl·ru,, of cu"om· "( /Imn"J ,8t-8.). She
"""<1>, oi milordoublc n .... t;vee of . pirilual <101'ogC11y and phylogeny in ",.
rn:.rk ing' "Th. ~m JUgt" of' rue ",1,Sion. pcrl1a"" D ntteS1Iarily pan'heUm.
 And b.byh...oo Is ,he righ' .ime forp.mhd.m . II will die out. and g"''' pI"'"e
'" Christi.n the",m. as individu.li.y is rulizcd- (.S).
Al'huugh Ihe_~,~"Co:ion.Jly o:k$crilx'(Om~mpon.ry A!i.o as CIUsbcd by
.<ul"",mn"... d ,rumuuons and idols ,h.t h.,,, degraded the rae. bcloo.-
m~n - (R«~nI .87). and in 1;pit. of Mr mo«: ,han nomin.al Chrini.n:d!ilia.
,ion. ~.body Wo. rUJQI1iog from - til( geniWi of'M primin,,, Iangu.8f'1;
-""', in Western rnano<helsm a ndical f.II!'rom u..~n'i/icIt"'1' opinl\r.d
;M.l;'m of ,he .lICkn. Eas,. Fortuna'ely. oo..·~"r. [he.. 'me,,",nc<i " ..... ,
booh.<hoc: .nd Ako.. vicw as ,IS mrittl ptdagogical rttmbodimm. in a...u.
r;a] Cr(cce : -l"ht ,,,,,,-",,,icaI philooophy of Annogoras "'as ,he "'~
in C r(cce. of ,he ",ligious philosophy of ,he • .osI. Mind Is God. Aid u..
Pat
[cacher of Ptricle.l and Socratc5. And hence sprong up in A,ncn.. u..
pnc.
,k.1 philosophy of ~""'" ,hYSrJ If 'he human bring if • gener;nion of cha,
Spirit " 'hich P"'«ded ,he e~cnc. of maner. (10 ",asoned Socra'n.) Ibm
• ~"of iu ""'n ~w .. i.e. of iudf. mWi' be: ,he point from which
.u 'hing> 01.., an: '0 be vie ..."d; .nd withou, affirming any 'hing. he btgan
to inquin: h'miIClf, .nd to Ie.d others to inqu;"'. into ,he d&inction lit_
""c'n ,h •• cciden,,1 and the ",al- (t89). Tht v;.,w of Chrmian BiIJ.-.rg ,ho,
Meon and Peabody . • nd ~t.r Fuller. pracrice .. tI>t Temple School ""'-es to
[he Eo>tw .. d·!ooking I'lat" moll' ,han i,s Socr:ltinlly dialogic form. ron-
cciving. in ~abody"1 words. -,h...UOIM..oul, arc potentially .....11:"J.....
was :lctua"y: ,h.. t'''ry $(I ul i•• n inc;lrnotion of ,h. infini,e: that i, ne<-"tl
will 'hink dearly till it h~s m"n .. lly tr.nscended tim •• nd spo«: ,hat i, n<,,,r
will j;, el in harmony wl,h itself until i,s IICllsibility i, commensurate wi,h aU
!>ting.· ('\11).
....... Thu •. although it WOl ,he rom .... tra tr.nsl.,ion in English. by the ,ime
Thr Di.1 publilbed "'·.body·s p.>gcs frocn 'M lOtu, Sutra. - . lmo<, ' de·
cade .fit. her Rtrnnl <f. XltMl - . ho Traru«ndn".lisu ",,'" ....11 "" .. ~
,h., th~ir e'po»ure '0 Ru<idhilm "'''s
Kan:cly '~rgi ...1. They kntw tNt, [be
AlICkn, C"",ltJ" .."II as ,ho German Rom..antia. their two nuin pain"
of iden,ifica,ion In - WH'ern- cullu", ..... nl(e prolifically of Asia as • likely
pi... of inteUectu.l. linguiRit. ond spin,ual origin (Halbf... 1 - 1). 69-,)8).
Li,,1e as ,hey ""'" in. posit"'" ,oitnow .bou,
SuddhiR and Hindu .hought,
'heir """n .hought. o. ,hey rne.., ""U. "... not innoccnl of bo, 10 a grNt
'''' To"d",,& F«/".,
«tent al rudy ronstitutod 11)' i,. ",.,y would "",n h""" posi,ed M,h 'he
nl;d(~n'ury Ind"l"~ilol M.. Milll~r. -We all rom. tn.m the Ea.t - .11 tho[
'0
"., v.lue most hOi co"", to uS r.... 'm ,be E..,. and in going ,he Ea", . ..
"''Crybody ought to f«lthat he is going to h;,'oId home: full of memoric<,
if only he can read them" (19).
Without dramatWng ,he Cermanic ."",.nninef;sof MUlItt. imal:", I
would like [0 I"wc .nd .d,.>Qv.·ledg¢ in this N....· England n"IOm<n' " "''Y
,ndieui", hermeneu,ic si,u.,ion. It Is. I btliel'C, still . ha, of many Western·
raised lnquin:n who IIC<:k encounten ...,th Asian ,hough', a.o"att at once
both of. blanketing ignor.nccc and •• u..$;In>( tin>( of tilt m'a)"'; mady
m,emal pos i. ioning of Asian ... i,hin-W""......-;n,dknu:al and spirim:al cul·
, ure.
"J"h(", Isan "merian bntnd ofpopularizing Buddhi« audiou~ (Sogp.l
Rinpodle. Lama Sury.o D... medita,lon music) called Sound< Trot. I ustd
'0 ,hink this .n unfonunate choice of n.me fOt spiri. u:al ,eaclting>. imagin-
ing it spoken wi,h a skeptic.1 shrug: .,w....tr ,rue. bo' . .. - Mo«: rttCntly.
though. rYe no<icedthat for.1I ium"dc$!.y. -sound$uuc' iugooddcscrip-
,ion of how it f~1s 10 .SilCm '0 or lum from th~ ,,,achings. It describe.
lIl~irtly an euhao~ of recog>1ition - .' be$!.. of surpri<ing n:cogni'ion. AJ
if[hc 'emplaT e oftru,h i•• hady 'here in,iok the liitcner. iu """n linea·
",rms d~rirl(:~ by ,he encounT.. wi,h • ,"""hing .hat it ClIl th~n af'P"'hrnd
~. ··truc .-
"', wi,h ,he Transcend.n,.li"•. ;t', h.N to know how to think abuu,
' his her mclleUlk .i'''>l ion. It w"uld be pl.usible to diSCll'di' such - Ieam-
ing- a. comple,dy .. utnl"gical. the projection of Wcstern (om monplace •.
our . Ir•• d r -known. ontO tho gl.moriting SCreen of. f.n,asi.d Oricn[ . Or
thi , encounter could be dcscri!>td as. SC<:'ne of .dapwion. where the Wes,·
ern con,umer sclecu from. contplex Buddhist tradition only ,hose ele-
ment< th .. ,yn'ntellicaJly .111 ... ~r '0 .pcc:ifH: si,u.tion.l n«d>. and ann-
g,",ly label, 'M ",.uit · Suddhism- tout COurt.
Another possibility is ,hac tho IICnst of re<:cl".... i'ion .rises from bring-
ing '<>gC[her ...·j'h '15 Suddhist onginallO"", hi«orically 8uddhist Klu now
naturalized by II. con,inued IWI:";n W.~cm ,hough', Fo<cxamplc. any
emphamon nontluallm1 Is 1101)1( to · sound '1"Uc' ,ome.and I'm not ,he Ii....
'0 ....." 'ried '0 ,raee a '!Optsm ,,,..-...1 'M nondu.lloistorically [hroug,.
~. dKon>" ...... ion ~nd it< modern p"'dcceuors '0
a ",riN of prng=--
 'i,,,I}' ",(}rc ip«ul"i>" Asi.n CO''''CI. eXlending~kw.rd through "'rio",
Chri"i.n h<""kl. nco-PI,wni,m, Cnos,;rum. PI.IO, the p",.$ocntict.:o.nQ
soon.
This genulogk21 pcrspccti... hov.'"",,,r. opens ofllo t""O kinds of infi.
ni,,: ttg"'''' One is his'oriut .t the ti"'" of the Trit/U(endcn,.Iist!; .. """.
,ht", ""<I' .~ady a nrong tradilion (il gou]).ad a'lc;u, 10 the ~~;
of "",,,,,b'ive ~ructlons lhat sho", the u""' ..... pe and goaI_ Thill,
wha, begins as an empiricist JU~ of ;,ue lleCtUaI histlN)" quickl)-- turns 10 •
veniginow mirror,pby of... ha, may M quite (.m:mll:uic hmoriogropItiQ
involving hermetic, noteric, Muonic, theosophical. occult. Rooicrucian.
and othersuo:h We .. ern·baKd ,t"OditionJ. AI .he .."", time: . the pe"P""i..
of penon.1 histlN)" is equally fnwnling. I( Sound. Trut lapc:s ....nd <rut
'0 me: , il con-I be: simply MaUlt they K1Und like: dcroouuuction: alter aU,
..ttat made decons,ruction IOUnd lrut~ .... rar as I Ciln •• ",,,,mbcr (10.- ,,-ba,
'hOI" worth), nondu.lisl" 'GChings h.,,, alwotys IOUndcd ' moot to me.
"further possibility in ,his hermeneutic situation is tha, the 'eachings
one gnvitaftS 10 sound .rut bc:cou"" .hey ~fr ,roe, and ,ha, ""ruin ptq>Io:.
Eastern and Wesrern. simply n::m"ni~e .hem a. such through ""me: kind
of individu al access 10 an ahislorinl, "'"Orld·"'~r.rdting Stra'um of 'he phi-
I",ur"ia ,..,..,,"IJ.
Eo<h of thue d;"ergem "'''Y' of ";ewing the si,uOliun has il$ own his-
,ory .nd schol."hip, .nd coch maku '~ry diffe",nt .ppeals U) .he ....bj<c·
,ivt: gmundings ofe.periencc.,hough., and poli,ic•. They h .." in common,
howe vcr. tIl>( they Ie..", untouched the .pp."'mly l. ulolugkaJ n.IU" of
the peJ'W>gic.1 scene itself. By the criterion of "sounds true.- one can
'l'I'a",n1ly learn only wh .. one .Iready knOYo',- whcther one know. it
throughonc" "own" na,ive OII,u"". Ihroogh Iong ... rm OIlturol introjecti<>n
of hiRorinlly forcign ide ... or through di""'t intuition_
lIuddhist I"'dagog~ is hardly the only kind that enters on .his familiar
hWTlcneulic ci",k , The Heidcgg<:ri.n p.arado.-c! irnpusoo! sc.nd.tl of being
,bit 10 le.rn only ",rslotu of ,,'hat you aJn::.dy ...,.,... or find only whot
you h..", a""'o<Iy ".m«l to IooIt for is both thcomiroUy ond W"ategiroliy
familiar ocnw the dis<ip/ines ofW~.,tm scholarship. Hen: the hc.-mcncu-
tic "'Ut<>logy is .""oyo ,..,·.il.bIt as" fulcrum of ddegi.imiuUon. ye' M\""
fuUy in'CSntc<l in the pr;\(tlCt "f any diKiplina'}' P""",,01- Foo- hoIa-' «>Uk!
it bc:? ", m<HI. i, tS itflelhn ut>;=. ofstudy.
In 8uddhi.. I'C'dogogic:~1 ,hought. hOYo·"'",r. the "l'I>"",nt tautology of
k"ning wha, )'Ou .I",dy know do.. s not ",em." <on>litu,e a p.>",do..
,>or.n imp.:" ... nor a ... ndal. It is.>0' .. ."n " problem. If anything. it i, a
Jd(bt:me and drfining practice ,
Wh(n mi.. be:,h p.lmer "".body""" day walked right sm.d into. ""...
;he w"" ... Iunlly ;ukcd "'Mther she had not S(f:n it in her p.>th . - I A\O' it:
shr Man .., f. mous for rcplying, "bul I did not "'41i{' il" (Rond.l16.). If
,he >,-ory points '0 a «ruIn Tramcc:ndc:nt.l fur.zineu. i, also indicates her
i[11cre)l in a distinai",ly Bud<ihut optning out of 1M psyddogy and ~­
l>Om''''''logy of kno", ing, In mod ...... Wes'em romn"", >mK. after:tll. .0
kam lIOTl'IC.hing is 10 cross. simple ,h~ld: """' you"'" "".....J i. you
~_ it. and then you ... ,11 a""'Ys know il UIltil you for1P it (or ma)iIt fr -
r.... it). In this ....:.del. leaming ,ht sa"", Ihing >gain make",. much "'.....
.. getting the same: piua deli",,,,d rwit:e.
Colloquially. lhough only colloquially. ""'" Engl .... differeruim:s
.n""'g. "y, being aposed .u. g""" ide. or proposition. <Itching on to;',
..king it 5t1"iously. h.wing I, sink in. a,,,d wrapping )'Our min<! around it_To
,I>., degree that these: nn Ix diffe",ntiated. of wurse. the probLem OflllllOl-
''!:)' disa!'?" .... In 8uddhls.t . hought ,h. 'P"Cc "f SIIch diffi:n:n<u is centrol
Talher .han tpipJ><>oomenal. To go rron. kn"";~""""'thingto rr.zIiting il. in
PcJI>ody"1 formul .. ion, is .. en al. drru<ly prucoosu.1 un<krtaking ,hot em
"4ui", )'C. rs 0' life,ime!. Evt:n to -tolerate - 'he i""omp",hc"'ibl~ ide. that
,Illhing. ore unborn, fore •• mplc -e>'en for . I>odhi,."". -invoh-es th n:~
"'p.rate evolu,i,,,,ary "'gc."r knowing the .. me ,hing (Thurman. l-IoIy,).
And on. 'J devt: lopIng u ndem. ndhlg ofform pus.s i uch distinct milc.. on~'
., ' he ..,ting of form: the ",dng of a ,e",.! form by otiC " 'i,h Ih<: concep'
of intern.1 forn1I~ .. ne>J: Ihe physico! ",.1i~at ion of libe:..lion from form
.nd its ,ucceosrul ronsolidotioll; the full ent",nce into the infini.y of space
'hrough tr.",cending ~1I WIlceptioru of matter: lhe full e"tnnc~ into 1M
'~f''';ly of consciousness. h"'ing 'r.nscended the spIIe", of the infinity of
'poce: the full (ntranc~ in'o ,he inAnily of nothinb",eos, h"ing trarl>«nded
tl><: 'pMre of ,he ,,,fini,y of conscioWncu; and tht full entIOnCe imo tht
>pt,., .. of neither (onsciowneu nor u~ haYing ,nrtSCCndcd
th~ spII~'" of nothingno. ('53).
" likely ",ason Fluddhiom pI.ces itS rich psychology of Ie~rning a. fron,
and cmter in 'hIS w~y. n.her lIun depre<.ting arty IPJW"nt cin:ularily_..
rn<»< \Ioh.. rn .hought Jots. b that the f.oct of ttrogn'tion itself .. an ~nd
.. "",II as a m.:a,IS of lIuddhist knowing. In m."y Mm.,.. ... mani/6la·
 I""" ~sp<'OaUy. 1r4/i{'lIi"" fuboianli,,,/y mum ~itiott - ""!lto(: Buddha
.h~ ",Uu", of mind, pn.1Iomnu. 1m, guru. cmpl~ opp.ririons in u..:
b. rdo - 41 "01 <II htTlI"m ""ml! Clearly. ,ue h"""'gn'
tion <:I n be: no f'C"Tfunc:.
.""n._
tory co),'IIil"'"
A now fold. ,m,n. in the Transundoemalm, m,Trn"""u.iCj.if\l~tion and;"
>onto(: of Our(>Y.1I. Th~ Wa.."... ",ader~'n to BuddhiK ptd.:agogkal think.
ing may be: moot at rUk of decontatualizing ~n.d mi,rcrog"'~mg it. riding
.-ough~ overi" rultunl di/f""'n<". OWn ruoSting it;" h~rown i""'8<_
the wOtst Oricm.n,ing "i,a id.nt ifi.d by "'Wl! crilic.1 schol.rsh'p_j "'t
to ,h. dog"''' th31 .h" c.n "PP"'m,nd il Ihrough • Buddhlt' ',:rlW: of know.
ing ""her Ih;on a WtSlern OM. eo."",...,Iy, from wilhin the fr.l!nCWoR; 0(
,h~ Buddhisl rnpn:t lOr ",aliza. ion as both de_ proc"" and Kli,,, prac.
,ic~ . • lheorized "'holany . k"l"kism as 10 whelm,r Buddhum Can bc: knov.1I
by W.st erners m.y ",,,ul its Own depen<kncc On.n ~.rily Ihin We ... rn
phenomenology of ·knowing:
~:.- Wh."" .... r I ",-.n{ my <:I, to look . t IOmething iru,rua;"" _. full moon.
"'y. ora ph()togr.ph ofh ..... lf_a p",diClOblc ch" ... ogfilph)· enWes. I poinl
., the th,ng I wanl h"r to look .t, and >M. row..d 10 ruriosity. fius h~ra,­
I"",ion on the lip of my alcnd«l indes finger and begin< to u"",", i< "'ith
dc6<:1te sniffs.
E'''rr lime this SCme offalled ptd.:agogy gelS "n.....d (and i" , frequen •.
be<:lu se I .m no be ucTOII"arning nollo poinllhan my'" is .1 learning no.
to ,niff ) the t"'"O of U, .... c.ugh, in. pcdogogiul probl"m,"ic tN.1 has (asci-
nated '~"'h~l"1 .... Buddhism sinc~ Sakpmuni. In £..<1. ill .«1In1cal name
in Buddhisl " 'riling is "poin.ing at tm, moon." and it "I"'IIS on. ,,"n~ of
isma .bou. both langu.~ and lhe nonlinguistic Ih., bcca"", ~ng.ging <0
Western ",,,h.,,.nd I~.mcrs only in th" t .... ~nti.'h ~~nlury.
It seems Iik~ly th" to EI~.belh Pe.body. BwtuOn Alcou. and many
other nir"H:le~nlh- ccn.ury W~SI~tn ."",t..", ,he r«ogni. ion! n::tIiz>.ion as-
pect of Buddhist pNaSOlly. discugcd .boo<.. alkM-ed b- "gnificaru mis-
r«ognilion ,boo<. all in ,he im.~ of .heir .".'n hope for a ",.mless ptdagogy
of affirmati"" identific.,Ion. A. Thom.. no'eed points ou! in Tht A,"<ri<~"
Enco."u. 11'1tn B"J,lhu .. : 1&"4 " 1~". """n Ih~ <nOs1 im.",,,«1 Americ.n. his·
t<>riclUy ""illed n>O$' ofthc cruciolUy ... g.."" tip«<. of Buddhism. from
th" beginn,ngs of European Indology. b- in....nu. and a.:.pu" nprcni<>n<
of the .. ~ P"'fe ... ncc In Cb<sical C~ . W""crn ocholarslUp P"'stnt«l
• "ony .... 11 ofino..,.juli,y ' o bolh the Uindu .nd Buddh ..t assumption !lUI
the happk" fale is not 10 be born (or reborn). S<ohopenh.uer and th" btu
Freud ukk, to find a mOlI~. in nonbein); w.s .houghl. for 10"'.... awn. to
fAil oulside the definilional bournk .... Ih. hUm:lln. Tho monism of Ih" Tran·
""ndentalisu.liMwi:sc. '1ui'~ ",fused the .... hoIe negalioNl ,urn in Bud·
dhism : lhe in. uilion , h.1 n .. u.... n<! ,pinl ~'" """. and solidity an iUusion
of Ih. sen,." never emerged onlo. teaching of empliness.
Sim lI.n y. the e. gt'f Turuunde nla Iill • pp",t..",ion oflc. ming as a fonn
of r«ognilion n"""r gnpp"'d . • s h."" m:IIny Buddhist. Ir..di,iom. wim the
corresponding '1""stion of how- indIeed "ilnhcr-Ic.ming migl" pro·
a«l in ,he .""""" of 5pOII"r"H:ow; "'cognilion. Tho muh~')l'rrdnr:ss and
long duU'ion of bodhisal1va pedagogy.•f,er aU. point to us diffirulty a.
ckarly as narmi,... of ,udden enlightrnment point 10 ils gru' ';mplidl)'.
Bronson AlcOl", sense of men,.1 Limits .tt;>cht<i =lu,;,."ly to tM diffirull)'
of conceiving.nything ntg;ative. As Ptabody noon. in one les:Ion ",t.. won!
""'" ",11 rcferrod 10 ilS origin in tho words ........... Mr. Ak"oo asl:ed lhem
if Ihoy could think of "",M"S~' all, or if t!ley did not think of ""'I!It
01" "'" In
oNcr 10 be able to get the .bslI"'t ide. of no,hing. . . . Mr. Aicon thinks It
wile 10 let <he chlld...11 Ie.m tt.. Limits oftM umkm. n<!ing byocasion.lly
[""lIng tMm" (~.body, I!.«tmI ~j1).
For ~.body llenelf. as for Akon.lhe tulU'" of ].,.ngu.~ itself r.~ few
ped. gogical problems: If anylhing, ;1 offerd • providenlially 'pI mr:dium
for 'plnlual instruClion ... L.nguage: ,he wrole. "being of bo. h natun...
",'Iilu.land materi.l. m.U, .n ekmrnlal !phe'" for Ihe inlellectual Uf".
Ix-yond lhe material : in shan . mal:t:s a melaphysiaJ world .• n .... hich ,he Ii·
nIt" .nd I h" infini'~ Sf"rits (ommUr"H: " 'ilh other finilO spints and the lnfinit~
0",,· (/......
",ts 9J), E'.. n Ic-ss probIemalil:cd. hov....."r. was the lheot-nical
prim,ty of a reoorlto th" no",.. rbal. o>.(mi"., me' hod : ("""'i. lly, pointing
.tlhings. Alcott', Ceneral M;u:iITU include Ihe innruclion "To ,."h mn ·
cipally. Kn(>Y.·lcdgr .... Ihings. flO( of words· .nd · To '....:h. illu .... ting by
..,~lbleond ,.ngible ot.;eCIJ" ( J (8). O""r< ho ye ..... and undo. ,he incre... ng
influence of the C ennan Roman.ic .ducalor frocbol. Ptabody g ...... C'"n
mute e",phatic .bout indi'Oling "'hings ": - It \, a firsl principl. th •• the ob·
ject. motIon. or action. should preceoc .h" .... ord !lUt n.",el ,m,m. - . It i,
,~ I...... of 'hj~.l!' .h., arc . he 10"" of '''''''gill " (Un""" 48).
8uddhiS\ ptdagogr .. for tc.. san),"\Iinc about bo<h say;ng ,lUngs and
 poin.ing.o .hem. A> 1Mlher H,it-h fUmm;lnus. " Employing"P"cch:os.
,killful me.ns. the Buddlu >pOke m;lny su.~ ...iUCh should only "" ""~
a. 'the 6ngo:rthat poin«.o.he: moon: not .he moon i...,lf. The: Buddh. <aiel
., h.;,v<: not •• ugh • • • ingle ....on! during.he forty·ni"" ,.., .... of my Dh.~
pIT.chin!;." The .utra, of.en .dmonish uS to rely on me.ning ... ther than
on me,.., words .... Rcade<1' should bo:.r in mir><! th .. it if not .h. WOrds
lhe:msd-n but the: .n.dune", to ...-ords ...... lsdmg"'...... The:crucial func.
•ioo oftM lUI'...... fing.. pointing.o.1I<: moon should he: upheld" (ill
Ch.ng Ij n. 10). The: impliCl.tion Of'M fingo:r/ moon im>g: iI.h., pointing
m.y invite IfiS mi.unckrsunding .h.n sp«ch. but th .. ~n il$ noo~nguis­
tk concretcnCI$ cannot shield it from ,h. Illppery probl.nu .h., ,urround
referenc•.
To put the;s.u. .no.her way. 1M ~r."~Md lc:lJ"tl(f - my cat, Ay_
Is misl.king the kind of speech X1. or ..... can JUS! ay the: kind o f act, th.t
pointing Is: for me •• he ",b.n. illocurion if "to in.din •• : ....hile: lOr her. "
i. -'0proffer: II iI.he: Ume kind of mu•• kl: ,h•• S.cpMn B.lchelor find. in
the c",cd.l ."".ment of .he Buddh.·s four noblo ''''tm •• PJ",lId. proposi.
,ional "'lip (" 'Ufe is Su ffering." 'Th" C.u~ o(Suffering I. C .... 'ing· - .... d
.., on -I. r.ther .han '1 act;".., ar><! performoti'''ly diJfen:n.iio •• d iftjwOllfioru
(10 - MnJ.-m.. .di"8 anguish. kl/;"8 f}' of il$ <>rigi ..... m<liCiooglts ccss>rion. and
OIlrr...ring 1M path": . _, ).
Pernaps the mOSt <fut~ "'''1 M..... ,..no Buddhiml h.u . tied 10 ""go'
tiote the "fin"",r pointing", ,he moon" issue i.,hrough ,hc: <>SIcn,;".. tm-
guage of,nu,n ... or suchnc .. (Sk. T",h~'d). A. Kukai wro'~ . "11><: Dharm.
i. Ot)"<>nd .!"'..h. but wi,hou •• peNh i. cannot bo: .....-.:-al«l. Suchn...
transccndo forms. bu, without dcponding on fornu i, canlIOI be realized
Though one m;ly.t tim •• ~r1 by ,.king the finS"c poin'ing a, the: moon
'0 bo: !he moon l\Self. ,hc: buddha', ~co>ching> ...·hieh gui<k pcopIo In: l;m;~·
less" (in H.1:c4-a '4S- "' ). When • Buddh. is ref~m:d '0 as .he T.,h1gat>
Or - thus· cOme - one. or when> Iwtlf,h.«ntury J.p.ne.., .t~. ,.tv;..,. thai
even momentary con •• mpi.tion of 'he ··.uchnt$>" of ordinary .hings is •
guarantcc of .petdy enligl".,nmen, (S,one IW). ,II<: ge>1urc of indic:uion ;,
being used in ., IuS! • doubk .....y. I, .1Iudc1.0 the supp<>Std ,d(.tvidcnct"
• r><! immedi.cy of.he phtnomcnon poin,«I a,. but " lhe- u .... " .... (0 its
ineff.bili,y. ungnspobili.y.• nd indcC<l emptiness of .df. ... 'ure. - In its dy-
n.mic "p«•.- in W. T. d. Ilary', forn",I •• ;".,. thum ... i, "m.nift<l.';on.
the phenonl."on. ,he ....1m of F. cu- (.67). In .his ><:n .. it cnuld Ix: com·
I
~rrd 10 "h«ceiry: Oun<Sc<>t",,·, Lo.in ...."..J fOr th~ ",-hlch Dc~
borfOWS .o,,"igna'. the <II«r ~nr~oo- ·pcrf..... indi.-idu.liry" of.IOr ....·
.mple . -.n hour .• day.• o<aoon ... ' deg"" of heat .• n im.miry" (Dclcuu.
Jnd Parnu 91). In i" · 'WLe >spcct- in Buddhism. on .h. OIher h.nd. de
Bory .. yl, ·Suchnc<s i, 'he Void. the noumenon. ,he "'lim of Principle :
... nd in 'hi5 5C'tuC of tmptin .... sue hnel$ may .g.in correspond to Dcleuu',
II<:cccity: :as anything ....... ,.,hilc ~ing pcrttprion. invoI ..... nt"im.r in-
ui","" idCl,.iry nor. spIi. t.m...,...,pet«;...... • nd pcn:riV«l .
Thu"""", oeems. then. to «>rnp>C' intO a single p u ... - ,hc
t.-lin<
pedagogic.1 "'cou .... of po;n.ing - the doublt """.. men, o~ an .ppc",e~.
t,ve .ttracti()I1 .0 pl"nomon. in . II,lIdr in'me><urablc. In.fIlCUl.bl •• pen·
fi<i'Y. and •• 'he same ,ime an tvKu.';on of.he ow.",n'onlOlogkal
grounds of, heir specificity .nd. ind«d. ,heir being. The: (ndless vibrancy of
,hi< ",..,....n. double m",..,"""" suggnu ",il•• ,he O.bi um. nuy ..... n
" .hen he offt .... asan imagt of"mptinn-s. •he inside of a be 11. T.,hall. mort: .
'''''''. besides in,'Olving form wi,h em?'ine .... in"oJ'fl ,11 forms ...ith .n
".hers. nondu.lly: -cach ;dcn,ie~1 w;,11 .he .".,lity ofall th .. i, and encom·
p.ssing ~\I othe" within ;..df· (S'Otlc. 1<>,).
Hence. finoll)·. in the vjev,. of IhusncA ",,,n rho di<lirw;tion bo: ....~n fin·
,,= and moon di<Sol ...... and w,.h i. pcrh~p< .11<: immemori.J injunction
agains' confuringrh.rn. A$' wn,.n'por~ry Z"" abhor noteS. "n.. fin~...
poin'ing '0 t he moon Is !he. moon. and ,he moon iI ,h. finger ... they ",.JIZC
. Jeh other" (Luori. 8) . A .OiIn commen"ry d.bo...,,,,: · Wh.n ,ht monk
a,ked .00u, the m•• ning of ',he moon: the m ... 'U [ f. Ycn j .nsv,e",d "0
poin. at' : whtn $OItleonc d ...skcd .bou,
tht me.ning of',o ~n •• .- .h.
m ...te. ",pliW ',he moon: Why ""U it. fO? n.. dttpcsI "'...... mg. prob.
ablv. w .. ,n the Enligl"...,C<I mind of ,II<: Ch·.n maII"r....·hett . htn: ......
no'distinr .ron bo: ....·«n ...il .. ,he ordi ... ry mind called '1(I p<><n ••f· and '.11<:
moon: To him. the ... I.. ion betw •• n .he tWO " ... similar 1(1 ,he ",Inion cf
.n occ.n.O Its ..-....... (Hol ..dn 49)·
H""..,,-er lib-r.ting eOllCCptU.lly. ,hOllgh . tht com~'ion of such com·
plc.1y ",.Ii•• d me.ning ,nUl ".hus· and "s",h - '00 indic>les' kind of ped.·
gogkal ir ... dudbiH,y_ It...,ms , Q mc.n ,h.. Buddhisl pedagogy offe" no
""'''- de"",nt.ry minim of undcnunding. Wt."" lhe poin1ing gnturt t]u. •
;,; the default lOr inarticulate ,.:tdl'ng .!",ad)" ,.... If «>rnpNc1 ,hc: diffICUlt
le,,,,,n. it m.y ht • ca;c of If you h.w ,,, .<1:. y"u'l! nc\-er ."0"". (NnI in 'his
life. a"y"'.y.) III <ontr." 10 ,he &:m<.><:Cdt;< "pumi,m of fI",~ri<on edu •• ·
 lion In assuming .h ••• vo:ry Iuson 'an bo di,·idtd inlO c~r muTe bite·1iud.
t:vt:T moTCOS$irnilabie bits, !he ....-udQm traditions of 8uddhUm . b« • ...., of
.IKir holographic 51ructu"'. h.o", ' 0 a$SUnle th't 51uden.. h.vo: aln:..ty .......
mounted. fairly high threshold of =ognition.
"'"" In tlK Un;."; St.... it ..,ems.o hr.~ fallen 10 tlK t"~nt;.th·Qnrury
populariul"$ofZen .• fterWorid War Il. '0 bogin to .nkulate the "mralny
In many forms of Buddhism of this radic.1 doubt .hal • !>uic ... aliz •• ion can
be rommunic ..,d at .11. Mier .11. if Zen proctice Cannot prom;'" '0 bring
"ne methodically O>·'r the high le.rning .h",shold of SOlori. il a. least offen
dio.lnct pra"iC'S. su<h as w", .. ling ",ith koans. (or dum .. izing and per.
h.f'S e~hausling I.... impossibility of methodicall •• rning. Fun .... rmore. <he
'mischola5lic;sm of Zen .nd the of'en anli·intellectu.lilm of the roon ...,,.·
culture merged in a durable consciousness of tt.. limits of .~rb.:t artkuLo.
<ion . The 1$I6OS t..yday of the .. ttpIon'ions ....~n """" .han ..... Transcen-
d.ntaliJ,,· hey<4y. " ... """ when • ~ritiqlK of school ilU(iru.ions boa"",
.he \'fhlcle of olmost ~ry rom, of ulopi&n ;".",o.mem; if 8udJhist apIo-
.... ioos "~re peripheral to die ",wlcnt """~mml. ,hey nonethclea bod>
enabled and "'·cno .... bIed by it.
As Ihis form "f neg.tion g:lined prominence among Zen pofIulariurs.
;t . 150 "'ade k1u. such as emp!ine$$ more imdligible 10 Amerhru ,h.n
they h.d been and showed th .. 'heir ;mpon.n« ....... p<"d.gogie;;olas much
., metaphysical. The influcntial and p"'gmatic.lIy det.H.d Tlu... Pillllrt of
" •. for •• amplc . publi$hed in '96'I.nd in.rodudng ~ ,..kle .udienee tobtKh
lilt pro.' icr and .hffiry "fZen te.ehing. rt"V()h~J ~tOUnd ad."ice like .h., of
flint<oi, ·There is noo:hing in particul~r to ",.lize" (in I\;Iplca ... '9-1).' Po<I;.
,..ar reade .. respondc<l wi.h ">dted recognilion '0 .1It "'''''' of te~ching
and leaming u (nc~rIy) impouibl<! t .... lu..lonely ",.t..", .hey ore noo: in f.oct
conflictua1. 1<$ Ahn W~t .. " ·l"OIe in 1957: "The basic: posilion of Z.n ........
I. hu noth,nG .0 .. y. nothing to teach .... Therefore lilt r......,. <loa no<
·ht'lp· .he ,tudent in any ""y. . .. On .t.. romra'1. ht' gun ou, of his v...y
10 put oI".." ...nd barriel"$ in.he .. uden, ·s pa.h" (,6J). In their pu....,n.
Zen proctitionel"$ o(.he '950" and 'l/6OS .fTC .... on .n ".ho<of ""litary u ;"·
w"i.1 heml" of ,he soul. I\;Iple .... (or Inn.nce, qUOlC$ Mumo.... a<hie"
for working on. li ...... kOlIn; ·Do not e"',,'rue />Iu;u nOlhlngn'$$:;md do
oot c"n~eivt" il ;n terms of cxi"cnce or non ... i!t,n" • . [ You muil reach ,he
point whe ... you redias 'hough )'0'1 had . ..... 1I_~ • nod·hoI iron baU dI.t
you e;;onnoJ disgo:>'l;C despite your ...~rycffon " ( 76). Through much of theit
lropism ._·.nI . he ncg~rn~ non a (debra. ion of "ll>tt, will pow..... (95); to
rh.ot .xten •. Zen popul>nun o/f",..,d • \'frJion of Klfhood ..."hose "'l>1ion
10 .mptin'$$ and nonbcing ..... h.onlly cle....... th.n the Traruc.ndtnt.lim·
had been .
IIoth . he .fIlo",,,,,,,na of.he .$I6OS roontcrcuhure and the ......., of po-
Iitic.1 discouragem.n. a. iu collapse .....,'" among ..... conditions for d.-.-d .
upmcn. o (.hc conscious d)·ing ",o>~mcnt in Engbnd . nd Americ • • f,c,.
'980. Closer influcnces h,,~ bttn 'he widening Tibo .. n di •• p""". the high ·
yisibility '" oS emergency . • nd 'he .l",ady ongoing """,,",en! for hospice
.nd pallia tive c.re . On. elfect of .h•• udden .ppe.rance of A. PS among
young. edue;;o.ed. articul.." rrlCn (among lilt many .... hom it .ffecu) -espe·
e•• lly be,"" uK ' he diseosc .. bo<h g ... dual.nd"" f.. incur~blc - has been t....
e;;orving o ul of. rohunl ~e in !he WO$I in .... hich to -nicul.t. tt.. subjcc ·
livily of the dying.11ris ~e. un,il .he '980s ... ,t..r imperiously IOreclo!cd
11)••he melodramas of modern mcdic.ol <101,.... '1. has """. 0150 become in ·
creasingly .,-.;l>bIe <0 some O!hen f.cing tM ~k.elihood of ~anr dca.h. and
,"deed to 10m(' of .h. aged. In.",..,stingly. though n has non.c Df.he com·
muni.arian .rnbition of some ,<,I6o<o'poli.ics, .he coruo"U$ dying """.." ,,.n.
has ~ f .. g", • •er involve"",nl with t.... Buddhist pedagogy of """",If.
~rh.?S iI is nO! surprising lhatthOSC ofu! now m""ing ,hrough.his
, ,,bjec.iYhy have .n unusu.l sense of permission to e.plo'" "'p<"<U of Bud·
,Ini,m .ha. w .... mo" troubling 10 American, of.bc nine.unth ccmury. To
b. l ure the""'" still '""ucou. voices adjuring UI. tLptriolly in the n.me of
· ~a .. ·Welil mind·body medicir>e : .h.t ",~.rr. It.. 1,$1 people ...·ho should
I>!' .Il"",~d to lopsc fro m .n "n",mininG ... gimen of posi ...... thinking. Bu.
when ..... mQ5( damning of ,lit West·. historic~1 tpitlltu .bou. Mian nega·
lwily _ pessimism. qu;",;sm. extinction. uhal1Slion - aln:ady form an in·
~OCllpabl. pan of any gi'~n day ·, .. ",am of conlriou ....... "-NI .. nction
"'mains .",inst tIpioring rnQTC of.he vibrant realms of ' nt'- in Buddhist
.hough.!
The bardo th ••• nen,," from di.gno.;' unlil <loath males !lOme pn>pI~
"'''k ou, Buddhi .. teamings; in m.ny lIuddhist tuchings. .......·..."r. it i> also
itself vie ...."'; .S.n ~xtnonl'n.ry ped.~;ogicaltool . ~,.hap< "",h;ng d..·
"'.tius th~ diotanoc be.ween knowlcdb"" ond ",.Iiz.lion as dlkiently.,
di"lI" osis with a fotal di<c.", Ali .<I .."rt;",<I. i. ,10" <Once".",,. ,he mind
wonderfully (_n if by .h.nning i. ) and "",I:cs il"lfKO~bly .irid the: di".
tana betwttn hwwi..,.; .h.a. ont will die and mditins if. "Tho: "fftel "only
heightened by ~[I the ~ry ui~nt ~fdong ~ Ih.a. coch of w. ..... had foc-
the: Idea of dying. Whet he. sh~l"'d by deprnsion. hyOleri., hypochondria,
~tok or e" ...:nt;"[ dnmas; these: ront .... , surkl)' wi.h tho: _mingl)' ~b$o.
Ime 0pl.<;')' of on< 'J own dca,h to <ogmti.", knowing, A ",.Iity indc~: when
I w •• ha lLhy, I .ssumed ,h.t P".... I'. w.lgcrcould only be >Cen auomething
~uit.iFle.
The writings and pr'ClKu around consciou, dying >Cern to bring ~n
.estheti< of " .. he. Zenlike mini"",lism 10 the ocho:",,;'" lush pro/ikra-
tion of Tibtt.n 8uddhisl,eochings. From &lba R:.m O.ass·, &. H"" N_ in
' 97'. to Stephen levine', I'''''' Dia! elc-."CIl )"'US t...er, .0 Sogyal Rinl'orn6
Ti""'K /IooIr D{Lwi..,.;~...t Dyill,ll dc'",n yur< .h...h.. ,.he OCOOUnt ofme
bard<> t.achings grow. exponentially mo", det.ik<! and expansi~ . Yet "'''n
Sogpl. as "" h.,." setn, keep> his reader grounded In an almo.t child.
ish ,hetori.,.1 ,impliei,),; ,h., ...ems a mode in ..... hkh .he reader"an """"
freely through ,he se:~re cultural .t>d orllological dislocations of the jour.
ney. To go from Sogyal" ~ 10 olmos. any Otho:. T ibe,." .u. in English,
mon,,>".:r - to the many boob ,h.a. are not :shaped by 'his P-lnieut... Anglo-
Amc:ricm·T ibe",n (OnVUAtion .bou, dying- is:srill to be brought up >hart
by .he denseness of an alLeri.), a....1tkh ""'" he h.d Inrel), hint~.
In .... Iling the .estheti< of the ... wri,ing; Zcn],J'e I do I'lOl ",fu to the"
~ffccti,1: .onality. All of them, including Sogy.r.. 'f(' brimming w;th emo-
Iionol e'prc" i,,,n(ss. The Zen a,l"'« - mayb< betic' ailed T,,,,·lih _'1"
pt... i",,~.d in the utremdy high ,·.Iue p!=d on economy of means."Tho:
Buddh... """n "'kill in mea",," which a",'ays rcw ...0 I"'d:igogi<al mean<.
an .ake c~, ..... agan"y d.bor... e fOrms throughout the ... t~ In ,his mod-
.... projerll"or.eoching and kaming.o me. byront ..... . quic.xrionoc"'=
II('g.. i,,, action Sttm'o "'P"':<o:n. skill. n.., 'l1etnpt is.o ..,o.k;os """h
:as po<Sibk, in ~ fo.mula.ion from Vimal.l:Ini. "by olkrl(e.lne~ibili<y.
and unLCochability · (Thurman. Holy 86). No one fail' to die; •• best. on"
con get ou. of 011"" ...... y.
Thu •. the instruc.ions (urdying are 'rluall)" ,he sa"'e ., .he insuuClion'l
(01" ..... orking with the dying. IIo1h .eaching .tld I(>rning In this ,ituation
invul,,,,'he ""'" pasoiYc and minimal of perfunna"", ... "Opening to" (.
pe'''''' or f""di<amcn. ). "opening .round- or "ooliening around" (0 .." of
p,un). I",,,,,in!- ,.du..tion ••~ patience in.he :<o:_ of ,..,,,,,01"
lying open. shared Imathing: thoe pr.>CficltS of nondoing. tome of them
sounding hardly It>Of(' .h;tII I'll"".A~ rommonplacu. Kem ~bk '05Uppon
• "",S""ric ... ....., of.he ,..,al fa,. "no the threshold or cninguiohcd iden·
lity. As Sandra Butler wri.('$. " II ..... been .he ~min.I.~l"'riMcc of caring
for those who • ..., dying, .hci. flesh dec.ying •• hei. mioo.lraf'!"'d in fail·
ing bodie,. ,heirh"""pounding,lifc b<ating.g.ifUt n.. row nbs, that has
taught m e ,he n.-u.",y ,Hene.. betw""n word.. 'he I"u>c ...... h.'" b",.th
emctges .• h. soun-dlessn" .. of cooncaion" (4). And i.-•• su.prise, though i,
mouldn'. bc: .• h.a •• nondoing ''''rging on u,inctiO!1 would be the condition
of possibili.y for ram,...i"",,,'p in .h.... ",.Ims of un"",king.
As a pedagogical :aes.he.ie•• his ... If.effacing m,nim:olism dra-o.·'I~ther
" Ea"cm" and · WeSle.n" infl""",.. in. _ ' (.mil;.,.. hiMoricallCedback
loop. In '3J6. (or u.mpl<, dcsctibing he,. ambi.ion 10 off•• spirirual .nd
politi",1 COn.....'i,,'" for .dult wOmen in lIo$Ion. lhe Transcendcm.l;'t
Margaret Fullcr w., un~un: of even hein!; in,dligiblc u, he. rorrespondem
.. ,h. ,fruck. nnte "pp".cnLly new, "I know i. i.< v.:.y hard (for~rtid~L1"l
TO lay ."ide t he .he 1\ c. o( vague gen."..li tics, .he can, o(roI~rie criticism and
.he deliate disdain, o f F sociay and fca.-k:$s me.".he Hght .Id.ough i,
flow from the sun o( .ruth. Yet, ... ,,; ....... , $uoc:h b'."",n",. roural:'" nothing
C;tII be dooc. oc lum~ 1 cannot b,,, hop<: 10 .... m.ny eal"bie of if..
GencraJ >ilene. or.ide .alk> "uuld paral)""" me. l:should /Cd ~ and
L11"pt.~ if r ,,"'..., .0 be h... nguin!; '00 mum. In fi ... mer in,n""... I h.",
been able to m.ke it c • .,. and evcn pie.""". 10 t,,'enty fi,,, out of.hiny'o
be" their part, .0 ~uc~.ion. '0 define, LO >talc and examine their opinio"".
If I ,ould nut do.~ much nOW 1 should <oruidc. mysclfun,u<cess(ul.nd
should "".hdraw" (in Kornfeld, !/8"99).
By ,he.nd or,he ne~. ecntul)'. on the Othe. h.at>d, Robert ThUTlnm',
ra.hers; mU •• description o( a Buddh.', ",,"II pcdlb-ogy of",:If.. Fracemcn •. in
£=r.'i4/ nkcaR 8.Jd~isJK, g"'" the impn:..;on ofbc:ing as n)Ot~ in (.mil·
il rty American cultural form< .. are therapy groups or commine<: faau",·
to ... , "Thus. Buddha embodimcm ",·.s.uppDK<!,o be. m.nif.... 'ion o(
<omp.,,;on wi,h n" mher pu.1""" ,han to upcn people up'o .heir own
higher p<>tcn'ial. .. . A Buddha h.. nosolid ""nsc of«n'er ........ do. ___ A
Buddha', energy is entIrely with.nd for u. when we encoun.er i. ; 'here i. in
i. no energy scoop or >U~ "J'I'<""'d lOoo"",,'n .... 5uc:h. bc:,ng. "'-ha,.."'.
hi, or bo!, fonn, i, the focal node of ~ fieLd in which ocher Mings find mu,i·
m.J opponuni.ie. ro. .he" "",-n ow.!utionlry advanamcn •• g..rung d,.·
 nmi<.lly inc",,,,,,,d u'Kkrs~al1din!:. imP"O'-W ~m"';ons. p""'~ption,. and
in.i);h". feding much ben ... ofien ruing 10 lhe OCCUH:>rl .nd doing'nd
unders,. nding much bener " (ll- n ).
I Jon", ~n' ' 0 ~uggt'~ Iha~ ~he Amefk.n JOUnd ofThu'mon·. writing
brands I. .. e,~herdtllonlngor appropriati\..,. InSlead, its ""Y wlly.ofbeing
- We'l~m- IOUl~ il in an ongoing. ~limpstslic. bul ""'). dy ... mk <<In',,,,,.
"lion wilh. among. tv(n wilhin 2 v..... Yof Asian I~achings.'
OJ""" Wh .. can i~ mean 10 ~ lhe poiming fin&erand tht indicaled moon
as finally iJufpanbk? I undel"S!.and Ihis imlgr: as pan of. conlinuing Bud.
dhisl m~totion on how melns n:bl~ 10 ~nds. A non~ic inugr:. >UCh
as seeing .1It journey i~Jf as lhe dcsti ... tion. mam iI: e.uy mougtt 10 see
mc.ns and encb a, inscp.nble. BUI with on im.gr: ....1 ~e>"
• scrne of leaching. and in I"" comul of . he long. highly .dJ:conocious
I. ;tdilion of Buddhist hermcrw:ulic.J lhoughl. il is 2pp"rcndy coruiden:d
net'"""'ry 10 emphame ~he nonidcmily of ped.gogical means and ends on
• rouri .... bosit. ond only ...." Iy 10 Irwou 'heir ;"...p" .... bility.
The p"d.gogy "fillness and dying. howe"", . a. I h.ve al",.dy ,u);l,'CSIed.
brings means.n<! er.d,lnl" unacCUllo"",d ",I"ion> wilh each other. and
dnmOlize. how h. rd i~ Can be '0 assib'" ,h~ I.bob of pupil. ,e.d"'r. and
,c.ching 011 .ny mble b.,i,. The inv.lid Vim.I, ltini. foro;ompl •. is s:oid '0
.. m.nire .. himself •• if .ick" "(lU' oO hi.] vcry , kill in libe ,.,h.., lechnique"
(Thurm." . H~1y ' ,). The bmiu 'caching; ''''.. d.alh i''''''f . s "Ihe key 0'
1001 ,h~1 . ~.blcs ~s In dlscm-er . nd ~COb~lizc [opponuni liel for liberation).
• "d m'll Ih. full." p<.>ssible use " f th.m - (Sog)"'J .o~). It i. a commonpl~re
in Ih. conseklu, d~in~ """"nlCnl - bu, also ""'''' 'h~n a rommonpl...,e-
Ih'l. in Cicdy S. u"ders·, words. "5oo""ror I".r.ll who " 'or\: with dying
!'«'PIe know . hey.re rece,ving [from ,I>< dying J mo~ ,han lI><y.", gi"ing"
(in Sagya! In). In f.ct. ,he", is a ... ~n~ ofpopub, ""ri. ..... l books ",ith
"1,,,,1,1«: lAJ<Joufrrmt ,,,, Dyi,,&.nd F;NlIGiji.ab(lul how I><.l!hyJ>«'!'l< can
k am {rom olher ptQfIle '. dying. Th.", is n..,n , )..,..·Iong .df.help program
,hat invol "'" p"'lending •0 oo..,...J{ 1"'1 one .... a f,tal disc...., (In..... }"'r).
ThUJ. " 'hik IhI' sid..bnl or dnthbnl is «lnllnualJ)' pmdocN at a pm"
lege<! scc .... of Icaching. I"" ...ignmenl of pro..nk.1 mit. is wutablc
.nd so is 'he ....gnmenl ofme'nJ.nd ends. Do ,lIn... :and death const:i.
"'I" skillful ""'aIlS '0 som" fU"horen<!, or a", 'hor probkrm 10 be o"h..,d
by "'ing (mher) skillful me,,,,! To practke living •• mi"dfuUy as if in the
const.n' p<t"scnre of death: 10 bo .hIt 10 die OJ onc has li,,,d. wilh run·
.ciousncu :and dig"ily: '0 be .ble, lik. Vim.l.lln;' '0 Ie~rn or ,each .boul
emptiness Ihrough proximi. y 10 de.lh: to •• ""riclKe lhe bomo. of Ik.rn
.nd bt;(:oming in luch , way as 10 ",hi""" f"",dom from imolunla,), ",.
b.nh _ 'bese goal! a'" not mUluaU)·olelu,i"". bullhey'''' ..,,,,,inIydiMinct.
Among . hem aU il ,. hard 10 loll .."hkh finger IS poinling ., which moon.
The wri. ing of ,..., ~nli", oomciouI dying """..,men' . ...,.., ,h;a.
ofSogyai
Rinpoche ......... a nond~omin .. ional commilmen' dc<igned '0 make it
eng.ging . o n:aders of v,"'ou' n:~giou.,ffiliatiom or n<Il"Ot. T"hoe ... OSC. lhat
is. of ' he u ndcd<UbIe closeness of ends aOO m...... indttd of .heir .... r ....
ocp.nobili. y. is a consi".m h.lInurk of tltis """"mcno - in fact. lhe most
powerful In.nif"",.,ion of irs economy of me ...... Who, ",m.am irreducible
,n lhe Tibc,an •• arhinS'. how.""r. n"" in ,heir moot W ..,em·frimd!y >n'
sj"" •• an: . helr I""gm:tlic tmphOJis "" rdoinh.oo Ihci.rcon6drnl namu;"'"
of lhe subj«ti"" ex~ricn« of wu~lly dying.
When I ~.It wilh he.1I1ly pwpI<: .botI, ~xpencncing illness in lhc ron·
Ie" or,h!. m",."mcnl . OUr discussion of'~n b",aks ouddy on lhe.hoa!s of
rei""", n. ' ion: 0" I bc:litv( In ,hotl Th. p"n<>n ,,;,h whom I'm opcuing
say, $he coold """,r do so. These in,crloculions ' end '0 be: isolating ond
dcfcmi..-c on bolh ,ide~.'
From a p"dag<>gio l poInt of vitw ... ~n)' !'Ole . lhe Tibe:l> n le.ching•
on ' hc b.roos an d rebirth .u irrepressibly rich. The fr.mew"rl< of n:bi"h
co"s ' he si,,!:lc hum.n life in ' he ~Onto~' of . mueh longer. \l"y comple>
Ie"ning project . h>llt.d of cun>tiluling' .in!:l". mo",e,,1<>,,' m. ".r·d ....
g rad~d on • ~&S/f.il b .. i•. lik~ Chri"i.nily - or n,," ungraded . lik the
,,"cui.. version - 'he individuaI1if.,im<: ill ""'''' lik • )"" of one. school·
ing. a yur pr«eded ."d fullo.... ed IlyOlhcr..hoo1 yearnl lhe 'ppropri. ,e
level •. Rdncarn .. ion diff.... fro m K" la or coIleg • . t.ov..." .... in ....". (TU'
d.l way•. Ev.ry summ.r.• Imoo t\-"ry ,,"lkn' I.,..,. almos, ,U memo.y
of who hc or s/l(. i$. Come Scplembor. most h;n" fO'll"',.n """. "'" n"Cn
enrolled In Jehool. Although in principle 'hcn: is an ortkrly sequence of
gndc In~·1s. ..-cry few "ulkn.. """.., Ihrough il in ortkrl)' fa.!hion~ instead,
lhey drop Nek ro "" gn"'s. grad,,",~ direct~· !Tom kindeog."en. or "'P"'"
fourth ,ralk KYenI lho ..... nd Ii ....... (".,.,., .'" no IOCiaI promotions. Buo:
Ihe on""al >nulOSi. I«:tp< p"opIc from feeling sh.mc<l 0< di.w",aged by
fa,)u",. ) Slutlcn.. <1.11". .... ... tll. on ' hc purpose of thtit eduu,ion. Some
 i"" ,... n' ir to go (In r""",,,,,, Oth~rs. dhl;king il. ..,< i, as preparing Ihem '0
I""", oohool bthind for g<~xl. O1hers doo', ,hink .bou, " ","Orld ouI.ide th~
""huol .nd look f01 ....... nl'Ogoing b.1ck 10 ,hcird.....,. in Ih" role oh",d"",
lei.rher. I" foct. benUSl: of,he memory probkm. many in e.rb gr~<k.,..,
Idi 10 .perul..., ,h., lh~ 01" ,lIdr cLusm.lcs .h.dy «....u<ltn' '~achen..
A, Ictas' .. present. I can', SC:e ",.Iu, ill:not ;, ,,"OU1d nukt rill"'rlo bdinot
0< di<btlicv<: suc:h an KrQUm. ~ mosl .nd Io~ I ~ Ay is lIut aporu,..,
10 i,. including less sbpttid veniom.lw ...a.nnged the landscape of <Qn.
ociousness ,luI surrounds. for 1M. lSJue5 of dying. Sptri6caIly. ,he Iondscape
Iw hecome.1ot mon: sp.cious. I ... mcmbertht ""I)" painful q.isr:emologi·
ral/ psychologiul knol, ,hat IIUCd '0 be able to wriggle ;"'0 bul not OUt
of Am J ,..,.Uy afnid of du,h 01" notl HowClln I teO 1M diffi:... ncc OO""«n
f.,ip wilh liYing and "unction to dyingl How do [ kJXN,. if myronlidenr
.theism will withe. like" Io.r untkr a boo: wind? Do I ..,..lIy. mrlly .....w:c.
n"tTI1\OW. th .. F"m morTal?
The coru,ricri"g. obS/:ssion.l ""U"" of IIv... question. is probaI>ly evi-
den, enough frum '~i. srup.' ,he ~m·ptrson $ingular. as though ","I
"'''',..,. specimen '0 be immobilized ",dotr lhan. vagra", piar. ·hoIder. A
WOrK mark nf their unskiUful",," is llul ....hik ohsc"",d " ilh them. ",-en
I r.)und them numbingly boring.
The que'tion Do I ..~/!y lotIi..... in ,..,birth? mig'" not work .., dille"'nlly
from tho$l.: 0 •. indeed, be murh mo,.., Inte"'l!ing. R<'ponding 10 1M irujs.
« nrc on .c-birth ohchol.rs such . s Robert Thu.ma". S'epllc" SlIchelo"
1997 book. lI. d.lhI,," 11'11110"1 &/i"'. ,riel '0 ."kul, te a Jr.n,c of ncilher
btHeY'''/: nor didx:lieving. Ihlrhdor "'!,'llfl for. prindpu,d . gnostic'.m as
Ihe bt" .... y of n<:goti.,inS bel,.."en "ruponlibilily 10 'he fut .. "," on ' he
ooe hand ( ,t)) and " Ih~ dkhes and doj;nl3, of OIhe. epochs" on ,l>c other
( .~). Yel he depends on .n oflen unqu""ionC<! 'w."I~lh·(""lllry empili'
dsrn. E,,,,,, 10 lpecul.te .bout rebirth. he rompl""". "kod[lj lll far from
Ihe Buddh", ' S"'»'ic and pragm>lk perspecli"".nd in,,,. con>identioo
of nlellph)"sical ";cwo ,ha,
Cannot be <kmonsrra,cd 0< ",f,"C<!. proo,""" IX
di$p<"O'"n" ( )Ii). "An .gnOlfk Ruddh ... would not reg ....1 the Dharma ..
• SOUl« of " "'wers' '0 q .... lions of where "" nme (tom .... he", ,," Of<
going. wha, h.pp"ru .f«rde.,h. He wouId..,.,k ouch kJXN,'lcdgt in tl>c .p'
propri ••• domains: ..,tnphysia. evolutionary bKlIog)'...... ro<Ocna. c,c.-
( ,8). ( I ~ "".p~d to loam ,h .. any ofl~ dixiphnn " .. <L .........., h>p-
pe". after <ltath.) And "",n .t itS Ict'l! I"'"'8ramnutic. B••cl>cb·, agnosti·
rilm is n",ked b)' hi ""n:!li"g disd.i" fOT <""'' ' ' 'OIl.
He dCf""<""tcs btlicf
in rebirth. fill" ex.mple. as "the lu~ur)"')f consoIa,ion - (~)).
For.lI i\$ dalm to Opt",,"1 . nd not·knO",ing. ,I>cn. R.alcl>clot·, book
olten )/I.res Ihe (~l oflho$<: ligl".l'"inful psychic knou such as Do I mrny
...Ii{t .•• I It ;sol" . . .nd immobilius ,he ..,If in. "milar w.y. for e.!'
.mplc. Despite .U his contemptuous Ulols<' of tI>c word. [ do nor .... Pf>OSI:
,hal S.'dtdor. " 'ho spr.ks 0( -Ioog( ingJ to .pp".... 1M .nguish of..u..ts."
re.lly considen llui. consol.' ion' ronltmptibk ,hillS 1'''''), Inst~ad. if io
evidenlly he ,,'110 mlll'l\eI"'rdesi", or ....nt romolation. Hi> aistenti.Jl de·
nunds on, ""II. """....... are u"""ying: I>c "'pre>Sl:Sconl.~mp< lOr"'y -faU·
ure '0 summon forth the courage '0 ri$k • nondogm>lic and ~
"'a ....e - on -Ct"Ul:ia1 nisl.o,;'1 nuncrs - ()8.). "Agnooticism is no uro... for in ·
decision'- """""'t is" ... nly reminded "Ifanything. it io an.atyfi forxtio',
(j.8). ToconstruCI and m~;maio 'his """,Ur ml1$CUl.arfigu'" isan cIpt"';,,,
undcn. kin/:. Among ,lit thlogs sacrificed is Ih~. comciousntso oi imper·
m.nence. or even emptiMSS-. by ,,·hieh ,he figure m'gh, recogniu itself as
not perm.""mly ",her llun the "",hel$" who h ..",. r>«<I of more mmpas'
lion". 1re.tm~nl. In Ihil ""1'«t. ,he continually cirrulaling ptdagogy of
'he ."n>'Ciow dying movement SCcmSITlotJtt fltlible. mul!idirectional. ond
e/Jerri....,.
1don·t know ,h. , muhiplt sanuark •• bin'" <OU/ld .11 ' hal (onsolingany·
.J .
,..ay. Wh .t is mon: p~lp.bte '0 me i, the , killful" ... ofthe T ibetan ,uching<
prC$cncc in the world of ptople de,"ing wi,h mortality. Being and le>tn ·
ing to> ~"be • sclf ore bol h Ie.. ,,,,olhering in • space tha, already holds am ·
n e~i •. n'ctamorphOfis .• nd "",... hifting rel,tion.li'y _ indeed. ' hat holds
. hem .. Ihc crudble ofoll phenomena.
Simply to be ",ilh Ihis I<·.ching m. ke, far mo", di/Jerence 'h<tn "'(mld
either brolirving or di,bd~'ing it . Take. for u.mplc. II>c g>me or medi,a·
,ion - IIO likclylo arisc wilh ,I\( , • ..,hing 0( rebirth-of piooring J"OUf life.
cYCn )'<lurch... c.c •. mhcr",is. Ih.n .. il i!. So nuny quel!ioru em... reI s".
. l\(lr emergence is no' into. COlI, ... of bl.ome or sc:lf.hI"""". nor oi will
0< "'sol....,. The ~ is mo,.., likc_ ,,·h<t. ? Wish? SOme.... he ..... 1 lust. lib·
era,c.l by both f'O'Iibilily and impoosibilily.• nd C'J"'a.lIy by .ht ",utn'"
unlel ....... d...,.. .0 ..,If.
Suppose: I.m 'hinkingaooul SO""" good 'htngsl h ......, ......"'rdone bea ....
of shyness. fOl" ."".na. 'K" bcr::.UIIC of being so ""'tlC .0 physical di.rom.
fOr, . I ~nd nOW .h.ot.he '1uesrirm WIlaI ,,"OUid "",,, rmdt ,......, qual;,,,,,
dilT"", '''I... k.bl~ to !h~ d~pth of a lif~ hiSlory and .ven beyond. i•• $urpri •. " '.");< ""'" ..ad,'r in ..-odt ..'" h ><Iuh._ . foniori. whh tho- dyioS - ",1><, ""n dIiI.
ingly """'y one 'n 1,"'''''''!c.rId follow. Many ",flea;"n. "'" .ble to ·open drtn. I' .100 1I<...."""' •• "'''g ,.., ,I>< T" ....... nd<n'. ~"'· ;",,~ in adult <.!oo;>tiuo
.rotInd" i, as ,hey h.ve: """", bc(n bdo",. never "'MII 'M qu"",;"" "'"U ""l' b< "" ""'" """,.., ..I ,,(,hoti, Itg...... """""&I' I'<.body. • .. ><uol)inj; ,,,rh
~
...lIy ,he sh.. ningly conscri<"!...:I. d=<tologk.1 one .bouT ..... The.... !10 f~ in C.rmany. bon"", ,I><
poon«r of tb< ~ ....-....ful ~
_ _ "' in .... VnI .. d St ..... tM Tr • .-I>il<.........· _ " " ' ... '0 <"""""'-.g.
much coml'" nionoblt 5f»Ct in the im> gin.bk. IIl1eb ..y dilkrmcc 0{ • bring
"""f'<"tlV<Ij>l. ,,"ri'uolly "",,n,«I ~y _~ adult. of tbnt "".,. dn. ...,.
",·hom 1M ~n' I "'ill roever know . • rId ,,·110 in 'urn need neve, "" , .,.I':r _ <>rig"'" "",.rgwbIy'" 1>«.. ~....,.. inIlu<nti.II_
.bou, 'M Ihrnd of~ spun ~hoo:h<. in,o its (M"n. cbaracteri:stk COUr. 1 Th< rat< of _tOft Aic.,.,., T.mpI< School .... y ..... , '" tnJic>tion 0I _ _~
age. Docs il make 5C1IJt lo;uk ...·...1.... such 'cact.ings conc:ern , ... pttSenl ,hot q"""_
of ",b;nh .'" I>< in the "''no Th< ,"""",m of porbti< <nI.;;,rn "", .... -
or , ... futun? FQr at koSI KNllt pcopk. Ihrotlgh • numberofhmorios. ron. guIkd,he odoooIin ,._ _..» .......ny .. ,t"hrt"" ...
· nr....,.,of.... _ «>oo«pOOo.
ccivingl hc BuddhlSl 'eachlngs pedagogically ~ Iongolkrnl a .....". 0 kctp
.. cognizing lheir elusive ends in ''''i,
:skillfully in!>","", .... ms. ceoofully ,.. ""oJ 011" ,he """.-.-.,. ..,.. rh.ot th< ""'" ........... _ .-tor . .
""" <hd.ibot'tlt" j llo>ndo ..I ~ ... ""obcody., ""'" ......... ...,- ,.......... rn<d _

.. hool". dit<uHion> <II ""bit-.h" dod _ ...................... boot .odto<t-..w.h. 51><

.

dttWd ,h,o, AIroo, , .../;/n ,ho: ""Onn>t.oI dGct""" of 1"<""..... _ >nJ ........- . . but
"oTIS """' •• ~ r o\kot, iI'd«<I btc;.... ..... bonh ;. " .pntu.oI oct ~ r", """" ... =-.
For my " ...... 1'"•. I """"" "'" 'M 10 rh< <1liiy w.,.of,"'K<i,o-« <11<-,.
TIm ....y .. ""I of,,," ........,..,.of my fnr,.J.-! - . " _
u. on Yom ""1'1"" of"-
S<hly...-ho ""'" bitt
m<m ••
of.",,",: ...t ,.... k .. tb. 1"<.•>iot<nC< ""'.... in w_~., ~ "" ''''''''''''Iiry.
....J tho,..-hocIIl-'b,,, I»omdi m..... '0 «.dI: """ "'" ~ «,...;,,]y i< dw aoo-r;". <L
I. Th<.1CW of 'M Ohor"", .. full<l>tnmI.tIy ......."" tr _ bMdly I""" untIuI- Ch"n;"";ry r. """ by puOl.,...· (Irl Rund.o , .. ~ Th< .....n..-of... or>n4-d with
Ions:<d .. ,I>< ... " ... """"""Y bood. "'Y.JiII<.r.nc _ ......... _of~ .. ...,.""rion..-.nd.ol is .. mtrol)' "nku>&- ....... oh<r_ by 80>, ......... ofd", .ljOOOI"
,du< ........ ,,,,,>1 ..,,,, fT."" ,"" l.oou. Suon ( .. n" Ilu...l.t.rm. ("""",lor .. in. by bt<r iii..,,,,,,,,.
...,,,0l>I0 ............. ",oJ ,,,. """'.1'I>t'ftin,I; ''''I:< of~" ,rthnKJ....., "Th<~
.... BaddI1.1i<1dI ,h.>, "'"''''!'It''' ,,,. 80d.!h,0 _ by m...... ofb<>dl..... "'~ "' __
, ... , do '" 11). ""' ..... ofUgk ,t.. ... 'hOI do '" by ""'.n,
of,,,,, tr<. of ....tigh'''"'''''''':
,,,", .. ,~ ., do '" by m<'no of, "" phy,,;..l 1><.",Yood 'M ""ot., of til< T."'lpu: """"
,h.>, do '" by ...... N of,<iiglO\ll robto: '""'" ,h" .It, .., by m"nl oHood: , ..... ,lu,
do '" by no..". ,,( "-" <r: ,hos< ,jut do '" by"""'" uf ~.nl<n>: """" th .. do '" by
"",,,,uofl><>us<o: '''''''' 'hO! do '" by n><... of ".. n>ion •. , _ ,h.. .Jo '" by m....
of m.ghl ."o,n",,,n,,""" '"" do, '" by .... _ of <mp'J'I" ''': ""'" th.>, ,Jo..,by
m<on I of 'W''' ;" ,h. ' k((,n TIl urn"n. U..,. 1Id~ And in rh< rut" "" SI; iJI(~1 M..... it
>«m>" ,hw", • !It"",i"",,,. ""I><. 'hro..g, ..........1>ms Iikr rh< P"r .....I!<Xt<tWooo
of . "m<Do: fot« fit!.,!; · \·. nt,obIt !.oN. ;' 10 hk< ,,,,,- All..",,,", b<-.og<"I>o.und
btb< s.......-•. 'Il< k"'8 <>I""""" ..... 110.... ,I>< "'..... <OIot -rh< «>10< 01 ~ _~
",..s.. of ........ 1><, '''''r "" . ~ ,lIougtu oI"",~. l<1ft>iIy. Of • ...m-.... thoouj;l><>
hindt-Kd in ~ 'O 'M dGctn ... ' n ,I><....,.. ....,.
~"* lGod • .u....,.. !><.nj;<
~"".uno! ~ -..,,,..... -hn/on- ,,,,," Iu<~ ohooj;hu of ......... - r.... >1-
'odInw .... '" """""" hiM<~ .. occr .. ID .I>< """"_. • 110.... """'"",<>Ith< _
~ -'I>< oom~ of """"'",,1<," (f_ '!~
._ It""'.I'.. btou."' ........... .........w;" ...... _ .....-.(-.p<... _ _ prd>-
~ (JH _ . . ~ An.! ...... ,Iwo • ,ew.., of_.,..,onpI<> .... uk-n _ _

....... _-.l.'.odulc ... ........ _d".-""_ ;,, ~ -....&J ..