"In that sleep and sleeps to come the Judge did visit. Who would come other? A great shambling mutant, silent and serene."
It's unbelievably dark. The historical rhymes with historical events alleviate some of this, but like Joyce, I think they are but the steps into the ocean and not out of it. He's a horrible writer. So few dare to do that. You mark it well.
As opposed to how the Kid (and most) think of the word judge, would you deem it fair to consider "judge" in terms of signifying in relation to concepts of _restriction_ and _obligation_? Or judge as: "to say" .... I'm struck by his stories. Who isn't, I suppose. Just concluded the section(s) wherein our former priest tells the "story" of the judge. This is followed by the judge telling the story of the old man who dressed up as an Indian; welcomed the traveler; killed him; etc. This then culminates with Tobin sincerely asking the judge a question about how we are to raise children. The judge's story and his response to Tobin really offer more by way of how we are restricted - or in a way obligated to unnamed fates? - than anything else.
It's not so much that I'm hung up on his name as his stories. I was also a bit confused by the old man story, given it seemed to be a popular tale that riled up the outfit.
Also: You wrote a bit more (I think it was on Twitter only) about McCarthy's diction being the lifeblood fending off constant doom / dread. How it charges the book. Indeed. Here we get the first (I think) really "different" - especially for this novel - but of punctuation.
When CM's narrator describes the strange aloe forest em dashes are employed. I can't help but wonder why.
Anyways: I'm reading these more closely with where I am in my current read. Thanks for putting this together - I feel closer to this text and, interestingly, The Passenger.
Also pretty interesting question from Tobin - given what we seem to know about the judge and children. The judge's reply seems to excuse / defend what is his probable behavior and/or "crimes" (to play of judge) against humanity .... Nature being something different to the judge .... ?
One note: quite aside from the misdirection of trying to straight up compare characters in a big Mashup of Anxiety of Influence heavy hitters, I wonder whether the shoreline indicates an important framework of despair that possibly evokes the Whitman of "As I Ebbed"?
I really enjoyed getting access here to McCarthy’s research and also the discussion about Milton etc. Very illuminating and again well worth the subscription!
The night does not end...
The Kid is born under the shooting stars, right? And then he dies under them, too?
His life has been one long night.
Do I have this right?
Haven’t thought about that: great point!
"In that sleep and sleeps to come the Judge did visit. Who would come other? A great shambling mutant, silent and serene."
It's unbelievably dark. The historical rhymes with historical events alleviate some of this, but like Joyce, I think they are but the steps into the ocean and not out of it. He's a horrible writer. So few dare to do that. You mark it well.
Great read. Basic question here, but here goes:
As opposed to how the Kid (and most) think of the word judge, would you deem it fair to consider "judge" in terms of signifying in relation to concepts of _restriction_ and _obligation_? Or judge as: "to say" .... I'm struck by his stories. Who isn't, I suppose. Just concluded the section(s) wherein our former priest tells the "story" of the judge. This is followed by the judge telling the story of the old man who dressed up as an Indian; welcomed the traveler; killed him; etc. This then culminates with Tobin sincerely asking the judge a question about how we are to raise children. The judge's story and his response to Tobin really offer more by way of how we are restricted - or in a way obligated to unnamed fates? - than anything else.
It's not so much that I'm hung up on his name as his stories. I was also a bit confused by the old man story, given it seemed to be a popular tale that riled up the outfit.
Also: You wrote a bit more (I think it was on Twitter only) about McCarthy's diction being the lifeblood fending off constant doom / dread. How it charges the book. Indeed. Here we get the first (I think) really "different" - especially for this novel - but of punctuation.
When CM's narrator describes the strange aloe forest em dashes are employed. I can't help but wonder why.
Anyways: I'm reading these more closely with where I am in my current read. Thanks for putting this together - I feel closer to this text and, interestingly, The Passenger.
Also pretty interesting question from Tobin - given what we seem to know about the judge and children. The judge's reply seems to excuse / defend what is his probable behavior and/or "crimes" (to play of judge) against humanity .... Nature being something different to the judge .... ?
Great point!
This is a fantastic question: mulling it over to given it the response it deserves!
My goodness, I love this stuff. Thanks, Aaron.
One note: quite aside from the misdirection of trying to straight up compare characters in a big Mashup of Anxiety of Influence heavy hitters, I wonder whether the shoreline indicates an important framework of despair that possibly evokes the Whitman of "As I Ebbed"?
I don’t know, but it sounds good, don’t it?
Hahaha I'll pitch it to Slate!
Lol
Absolutely love this one.
I really enjoyed getting access here to McCarthy’s research and also the discussion about Milton etc. Very illuminating and again well worth the subscription!
Wonderful analysis on the Judge here. I struggle to think of a more potent villain in contemporary fiction.
brilliant