It is a fine quote, but ironic given Hemingway’s eventual suicide. With Hemingway one always senses that he’s trying just a little too hard. As Christopher Hitchens joked, Hemingway was always striving to be more butch than Gertrude Stein, but not quite succeeding.
To my ears, the quote is like a prayer or incantation–Papa’s trying to convince himself of two truths that he’s not quite sure he believes in, but would very much LIKE to believe in. I note this with sympathy: depression can be a killer, and overcompensation was one of the few coping mechanisms available in the days before Prozac and similar medications.
From the Divine Molly Ivins (also apropos of your comment on the liars of the right):
“I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag.”
Bryan Alexander says:
Yes.
August 21, 2011, 10:01 amDon’t forget the devastating use of that quote during _Se7en_’s coda.
Jay Borcherding says:
It is a fine quote, but ironic given Hemingway’s eventual suicide. With Hemingway one always senses that he’s trying just a little too hard. As Christopher Hitchens joked, Hemingway was always striving to be more butch than Gertrude Stein, but not quite succeeding.
To my ears, the quote is like a prayer or incantation–Papa’s trying to convince himself of two truths that he’s not quite sure he believes in, but would very much LIKE to believe in. I note this with sympathy: depression can be a killer, and overcompensation was one of the few coping mechanisms available in the days before Prozac and similar medications.
August 22, 2011, 5:11 pmRick York says:
Bright people:
From the Divine Molly Ivins (also apropos of your comment on the liars of the right):
“I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag.”
I think I will miss her until I join her.
August 24, 2011, 5:25 pm