From: "Eric" <ericandmary-AT-earthlink.net>
Subject: RE: the idiot and stupidity
Date: Sun, 22 Dec 2002 07:37:58 -0600


Steve/all

Yes, "The Idiot" is certainly one reference point. It is important, I
think, to remember that when Doestoevski wrote this book, he had Christ
in mind. Myskin is his attempt to portray a Christlike figure in
contemporary society and certainly the religious themes of redemption
haunt this, as well as all his other books.  

Also, I have read that in Russia there is a tradition whereby the idiot
is often considered to be 'touched' in the sense of being touched by the
hand of God with a special charisma or grace that makes him a holy fool,
and therefore is considered saintlike. Wagner's "Parsifal" also plays
with similar themes.

I recognize that a strong part of the theme of the idiot or holy fool is
they are outsiders and therefore in a certain way not confined to the
normative rules of ordinary society.  The fool and wise man
archetypically are alike in this respect. That said, given the current
nature of contemporary society, such stances are becoming harder to
maintain. You simply can't run off into the woods or the wilderness like
you could in the old days.  So how does one practice goodness in a
corrupt society without being corrupted by it in the end? 

Its interesting, but yesterday I just finished reading a novel by George
Orwell, "Keep the Aspidistra Flying" which deals with this theme in a
humorous way. Back in the thirties, poet Gordon Comstock, attempts to
live without money or rank of social class and comes to find it is
impossible. A sadder but a wiser man he retreats to the bane of his
middle class existence.

Beckett has long been a strong touchstone for me. Actually, the remarks
I made about Lyotard in connection to Romanticism could also be applied
to him.  Keep in mind that Beckett's favorite philosopher in many
respects is that arch-Romantic Schopenhauer.

As far as the 'child' theme is concerned, I find his late book "Company"
haunting in its dark invocation of the themes of childhood.  The episode
with the hedgehog especially seems to show how an attempted act of
goodness, even if it does not cause actual harm, may still be
inconsequential. 

"You take pity on a hedgehog out in the cold and put it in an old hatbox
with some worms...Kneeling at your bedside you included it the hedgehog
in your detailed prayer to God to bless all you loved. And tossing in
your warm bed waiting for sleep you were still faintly glowing at the
thought of what a fortunate hedgehog it was to have crossed your path as
it did...Now the next morning not only was the glow spent but a great
uneasiness had taken its place. A suspicion that all was perhaps not as
it should be. That rather than do as you had perhaps better let good
alone and the hedgehog pursue its way. Days if not weeks passed before
you could bring yourself to return to the hutch. You have never
forgotten what you found there. You are on your back in the dark and
have never forgotten what you found there.  The mush. The stench."

eric