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Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #101

Superman suddenly proposes to Lois and within an hour they are married.  

He takes her on a galactic honeymoon and gives her a private home for protection. But that night the Anti Superman Gang already found them and drops an atomic bomb on them the radiation is killing Lois, but she says it’s worth it. And it was all a dream, if only she could convince him she’s not afraid of the risks of being his wife.  

On the way to an assignment, Lois and Clark nearly crash as an invisible man appears in the street and dies. He was a convict volunteering the doctor’s invisibility serum, 1,000 to 1 he’d die, Lois volunteers to test type B.  (because she's an impulsive idiot)

She won't listen to Clark’s protests, so he leaves to get Superman, Lois won't listen to Superman either, she’s doing it for him and it’s too late anyway. They run tests while she’s still alive and she did this to prove she’s not afraid to die so they can get married he says she’s out of her mind; she’ll convince him. Lois quits the Planet and puts out an ad to do dangerous stunts.  

The next day, Lois parachutes to a remote Himalayan Mountain to retrieved lost jewels. As she goes to climb down she sees a yeti, really Superman in disguise to frighten her out of her mission but she jumps with the wind inflating her parachute down to a village. Days later at her volunteer nurse job a pilot lands his antique plane, too afraid to fly it in an air show, Lois volunteers.

Suddenly strong winds tear it apart, she radios her incoming crash before bailing but finds her parachute missing, because superman stole it, (the jackass) so she rigs a glider, surprising Superman who made the wind to scare her. (again he's a jackass)

 She asks if she’s proven herself now, he tells her to forget it, but she won't give up. At her next job she’s to be a test subject for a space mineral that makes her immune to deadly conditions. Lois jumps into a vat of flames and screams causing Superman, disguised as Flint, to fear for her life and save her. 

 Lois was faking being hurt, the flames were harmless, she’s knew he was Superman as he was unaffected by the gas the laboratory was flooded with. Superman says she’s right and Dr. Locke will explain the invisibility serum also made her super cunning. 

 Those other missions were orchestrated by Perry and Jimmy to make her stop risking her life. Lois briefly becomes invisible again and becomes afraid the serum wore off, now she’s sad Superman won't marry her now that’s she’s afraid to die.  

He comforts her and flies her home assuring her someday they’ll be together, just be patient. 

Lois goes undercover to spy on an actor’s honeymoon and has a novelty camera shaped like a gun. (this is America do you know how trigger happy this country is) 

On her way Lois trips causing her purse to spill out in sight of two goons. They see she’s nearly a dead ringer for Lois Lane and thinks she’s got a record Lois recognizes them as Anti Superman Gang members they’ll pay her 5,000 to impersonate Lois Lane. (today that's about 40k)

 She pretends to not know who that is or Superman. They have her dye her hair, study up and practice imitating her voice, walk and dress all night and she uses that as an opportunity to irritate them.  

She says Lana isn't any competition making them so angry they call it off.  

Suddenly Superman flies nearby and Lois acts dumb trying to see him and falls off the balcony. She’s saved in time by Superman and makes it look like Superman buys she’s a fake.  

They’ll put Kryptonite in a phony camera and send her to take his picture to kill him. The goons attack him but he was only feigning being weak he already sealed the shutter. 

 Lois had already warned him and she reveals there never was a Sadie Blodgett. Superman shows her they were trying to steal a mouse (do you see the size of that thing that ain't no mouse that's a rat) he retrieved from the moon missile, the first animal surviving a moon trip. A mouse, worth millions in testing to American enemies.   

LOIS RUSHES INTO MARRIAGE   

LOIS LANE STALKER ROOM  

STALKING SEEN AS ROMANTIC  

DIDN’T AGE WELL 

SOMEONE DIES  

1 Page 5: Nameless prisoner #781 as a test subject 

LOIS PUTS HERSELF IN DANGER  

1: Just the entire story was her risking her life to prover herself  

LOIS IS COMPETENT   

1 Page 16: Knowing something was up when Flint wasn’t affected by the gas 

2: playing up the dumb blonde act to frustrate the gang members so they’d give up 

LOIS IS A BITCH 

SUPERMAN IS A DICK 

1: He not only helped orchestrate these dangerous situations he actively made them worse  

SUPERMAN IS ACTUALLY NICE 

1 Page 17: he tells her they will marry one day but does it count after all the bullshit he put her through 

HAPPY ENDING 

2 Page 9: The gang’s plan was foiled and the mouse wasn’t stolen 

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Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #107

Lois and Clark are sent to her old college for an assignment Lois is angry she’s just covering the Winter Carnival and is only happy she’ll see Superman.  

Student Norman Brooks shows off his work (oh look he made Satdev) he gets fresh with Lois and makes a snow sculpture of her it’ll win the prize and make her forget about Superman. (you’re a student at this college how big is the age gap here)  

Meanwhile Professor Birdnell was able to make mammals breathe underwater. (there is a liquid you can breathe but the experience is describe as uncomfortable) He put the serum in a hydroblaster, (don’t be pretentious that’s a fancy water gun) life began at sea and if the earth becomes inhabitable, they can return. (as a scientist you should know how polluted the ocean is) He won't release it yet, it hasn't even been tested on the animals first let alone human subjects.  

Alone, the professor's assistant knocks him out. Meanwhile, Lois leaves Norman and finds the laboratory unlocked and overhears Dr. Tort is a spy stealing the experiment so their frogmen can destroy US nuclear subs. Then their war heads will target American cities and destroy the country. (this was published in the 1970’s the middle of the Cold War)  

In her rush Lois makes noise alerting to her location and Tort shoots her with the hydroblaster transforming her into a snowwoman, now to get rid of her.  

Superman goes to the Winter Carnival, Norman is disappointed someone else made a Lois snow sculpture. It looks like it’s crying, but Superman says it’s just starting to melt. 

 Suddenly Superman realizes something and quickly uses his freeze breath on her and breaks into the laboratory.  

The spies shoot at him with the hydroblaster turning him into snow too, he can't move his eyes, so he uses his heat vision on a door reflecting the heat back at him.  

Back to normal he freezes the spies and uses the reverse charge on Lois, and it restores her. (so heat transformed you back to normal so Lois wasn’t in any danger she just had to defrost) He knew she was real because her tears were salty. 

 Later they get crowned king and queen of the Winter Carnival and Superman wonders what made him vulnerable and if it’ll happen again.  

LOIS RUSHES INTO MARRIAGE   

LOIS LANE STALKER ROOM  

STALKING SEEN AS ROMANTIC  

DIDN’T AGE WELL 

Dr. Tort...I’m not sure if that’s racist but I think that’s racist  

SOMEONE DIES  

LOIS PUTS HERSELF IN DANGER   

LOIS IS COMPETENT   

LOIS IS A BITCH 

SUPERMAN IS A DICK 

SUPERMAN IS ACTUALLY NICE 

HAPPY ENDING 

The spies were stopped, and Lois and Superman were returned to normal 

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Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #137

At a cafe Lois and Clark see a man stagger out of the subway and collapse dead. A woman screams that’s her fiancé and he’s only 21.

At the Planet Perry sends them to find their own stories the best one gets a bonus. Clark searches as Superman and Lois investigates the subway.

Lois misses the train when a strangely empty one stops, (and I guess she’s never seen the Zone) but the speed causes her to lose consciousness.  

As Superman is patrolling he’s rammed by a flying train and sees Lois on board, and he can't reach it.  

Lois wakes up in the presence of giant lizard aliens. 

 They’re descendants of refugees of their planet, checking on the colonies, Earth was the last but they can't find their people. The fossils are all that's left and the aliens give her a warning to banish war or it’ll be their fate too. (this was printed in the 1970s the middle of the Cold War) 

Lois is dropped back at the subway station and back at the Planet Clark spent so much time looking for Lois he has nothing to turn in and Perry rejects Lois’s Love not War scoop. (he doesn’t say it but you know it’s because of the Hippie message) 

An elderly couple refuses to leave their run-down tenement when some thugs break in to scare them off just as Lois shows up for an interview.  

Superman flies through the window and rescues them.  

The couple tell Lois they’ve been here since they were married, and they force her to take a plant.  

Lois recruits Clark to help with a human-interest story, meanwhile the goons boss poisons them for their failure.  

As Lois and the couple are watching their story more thugs barge in with a gas grenade and shoot Estelle.  

The thugs are taken out by Lois and Melba and their boss kills them for their failure before he plants bombs in the basement.  

Superman flies by as it explodes and starts rebuilding on the spot meanwhile, the boss finds the body of a rival he sealed up in the building that wasn't destroyed and Superman captures them.  

Estelle survived and returned after Superman rebuilt the old place into garden apartments leaving their old home as it was. 

LOIS RUSHES INTO MARRIAGE   

LOIS LANE STALKER ROOM  

STALKING SEEN AS ROMANTIC  

DIDN’T AGE WELL 

SOMEONE DIES  

1 Page 3: Random dude who was scared/shocked to death 

2 Page 5: Goons #1 and #2 poisoned for their failure 

2 Page 8: Goons #3 and #4 shot for their failure 

LOIS PUTS HERSELF IN DANGER   

LOIS IS COMPETENT   

LOIS IS A BITCH 

SUPERMAN IS A DICK 

SUPERMAN IS ACTUALLY NICE 

HAPPY ENDING 

2 Page 10: The murderous goon boss is caught, and the elderly couple gets to stay in their home 

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Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #127 

Lois is walking around the Acropolis at night (why) when she’s attacked (and that's why you don't walk around an unfamiliar city at night) and while she’s unconscious the thugs discuss their plans cryptically. 

 The next day Lois resumes reporting on the Olympics. Superman swoops down, he heard what happened and wanted to check on her, they think her attackers were the ones that stole the famous diamond. She’s stuck covering sports and he’s here to find the thieves and as he flies off tells her to be a good girl and stay out of trouble since the missing diamond case is too dangerous for her. 

 As she covers the race a competitor’s hover board malfunctions disqualifying him for maintaining faulty equipment. 

 At dinner, one of the crew, Janos, tells Lois the torch is cursed but she doesn't believe him. (Lois you live in a world where curses are a real thing)  

The next day is the water race, only for a shark to overturn a boat and Lois starts to suspect it’s more than a curse.  

That night Lois scuba dives to investigate and finds the shark is a robot and it’s the work of the 100 gang, but why. (maybe they bet money on it and are rigging the games) 

Meanwhile, in Japan, Superman fights two Sumo wrestlers, he had tracked the diamond there only to find it was a decoy planted by the 100.  

The next day the Alps race is also sabotaged and Lois spies a 100 agent melting the snow, she’ll figure it out in the air race tomorrow. 

 Lois is missing the event and after take off the athlete's jet pack breaks down, (aren’t the Olympics supposed to be a test on physical abilities and endurance) but Lois swoops in having stolen a booster pack and swipes the torch.  

They fly all the way to France when the 100 agent starts to shoot at her and she’s trapped at the top of the Eifel Tower. Superman then saves her and the agent told him everything, the diamond was hidden in the torch as the Olympic athletes are never searched by customs or police. (I doubt it’s the same these days) The ringleader was the crewmember Janos.  

So, Superman then takes Lois to her roommates for a vacation in Paris. (and it looks like Marsha is no longer dieting) 

LOIS RUSHES INTO MARRIAGE   

LOIS LANE STALKER ROOM  

STALKING SEEN AS ROMANTIC  

DIDN’T AGE WELL 

Page 4: Superman's condescension towards Lois as it's the 1970s and still in the mindset of women should stick to safe non dangerous jobs  

Page 11: The evil Sumo wrestlers I’m not sure if that’s racist but it’s probably racist 

SOMEONE DIES  

LOIS PUTS HERSELF IN DANGER   

Page 1: Again why are you walking around an unfamiliar area in a foreign country at night

Page 10: It is thought there was a shark in the water that already attacked someone why dive secretly alone at night when they hunt

Page 14: To investigate the why the 100 is sabotaging the game’s equipment she secretly enters them  

LOIS IS COMPETENT   

Page 10: She notices strange things are happening an investigates herself 

Page 14: She knows something is going to happen and stole a booster pack to tail the race 

LOIS IS A BITCH 

SUPERMAN IS A DICK 

Page 4: There's that condescending attitude  

SUPERMAN IS ACTUALLY NICE 

Page 4: He heard Lois was attacked and went to check on her 

HAPPY ENDING 

The 100 is stopped and Lois gets a vacation in Paris 

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Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #125

Lois stops her sleepwalking roommate from killing them who then says she doesn't know what they’re talking about and after Lois nags Marsha about sticking to her diet everyone goes to bed troubled.  

The next day Lois is tired and after a dig at Clark they leave for an assignment when a motorcycle gang nearly runs them over and Lois nags Clark for being a weakling before they check out the statue of Superman the city is building. 

 At home, Lois and two roommates, Marsha and Melba, eat and Lois nags Marsha about calories, and they discuss Kristin’s episodes and their evening plans.  

That night they’re on an escalator as a gang member sabotages it.  

Superman turns the rubber banner into a lasso to save everyone then goes to stop the gang before Lois gets in more trouble.  And as he captures them Lois fixes the controls.

Soon after they attend the lecture of a device that can locate a war criminal, and Kristin feels ill and leaves.  

Suddenly the lights go out, but Clark finds a working one and after a brief improvised Rockette show it reveals the professor has been murdered. 

 Outside the gang members flee and Lois's taxi loses them. Back home Kristin tells them she had managed to get into a concert, but it seems suspicious.  

The next day the statue is being taken to the Metropolis Towers via helicopter and Lois hitches a ride on the statue. The helicopters are hijacked (...a hijacked aircraft being flown to the city’s towers...) and taken to a barge (sigh of relief) run by the motorcycle gang and they think she’s onto them for stealing the professor’s film.  

Superman blows away the helicopters and saves Lois and the leader of the gang is crushed under the statue’s broken hand, an avenging hand of justice Superman says. 

 The leader is really a wanted war criminal, Lois noticed something off with the workmen having different boots, after the statue was fully assembled they had to take the whole thing.  

Lois then wonders about a possible connection between Kristin Cutler and the Professor Messerschmied since messerschmied means cutler in German. (and you just know this) Still, Kristin is suspicious, and the women are off put by her smiling as she feeds piranha. (and this comes to nothing a red herring if you will)  

LOIS RUSHES INTO MARRIAGE   

LOIS LANE STALKER ROOM  

STALKING SEEN AS ROMANTIC  

DIDN’T AGE WELL 

This was printed in the 1970s so diet culture was a big thing back in the day and now as a society we recognize the dangers of obsessive thinness and food restriction  

SOMEONE DIES  

Page 11: Professor Messerschmied stabbed for the evidence he collected 

Page 15: Hugo von Zorn crushed under the giant hand of justice 

LOIS PUTS HERSELF IN DANGER   

Page 13: She climbs onto a statue as it’s being flown through the city 

LOIS IS COMPETENT   

Page 16: She notices the workmen’s boots are different 

LOIS IS A BITCH 

She nags Clark about being a weakling 

She nags Marsha about her diet 

SUPERMAN IS A DICK 

SUPERMAN IS ACTUALLY NICE 

HAPPY ENDING 

They stopped the war criminal  

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Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #94

Lois attends a press club charity show, the magician pulls out the disappearing girl trick but instead of a trapdoor the girl walked through a mirror. 

Next is a William Tell act staring Lois, but Clark isn't taking chances and blows the arrow off course. 

 As compensation for missing Cagliostro allows Lois to pick a prop, she chooses the mirror, he offers five others instead, but she refuses. Back in her apartment Lois tries out the mirror with a new wardrobe, it’ll knock men dead, but she’s only interested in Superman. She asks the mirror if she has a chance and her reflection says she does.  (and that's when you immediately smash the mirror)

 Mirror Lois says she’s a counterpart from another world where she married Superman and has a son, if she wants she can be Mrs. Superman too, just take her place, but she can never return. (and Lois doesn’t see this as suspicious at all) They switch places and Lois finds everyone is exactly alike, Mirror Lois even has the same fingerprints as her. But there is a difference, on her world Superman refuses to marry her for her safety, so what’s the difference here. (yeah what is the difference) Mirror Superman has to go on a mission so takes Lois and their son Jor (he named him after his birth father that's cute) to the fortress for their safety, it’s his invention, they’ll orbit in space away from earth only landing when he returns and little Jor promises to protect his mommy from any bad men. (aww) 

 Shortly after Mirror Superman leaves an alien space craft believing it is a mine planted by their enemies blast it with destruct energizers. (how very American of you to shoot first ask questions later) Lois can't reach the controls and while the aliens leave believing whatever it is was destroyed it really was hidden behind an invisible barrier. 

Their landing controls are damaged, and the circuits are jammed, so Lois tries to find Mirror Superman on the trans dimensional monitor.

 He comes home but the space fortress hasn’t landed, thinking they already did he searches the house and finds Mirror Lois in the mirror. Mirror Lois pulls him through and he wonders how she got here from the space fortress. 

 Before she explains she had invited Cagliostro to take back the mirror, but he’s had enough of it and smashes it, (why what reason does he have for doing that) preventing Lois from returning.  

What was their oxygen is getting low Lois wants Jor to fly out and fix the tubes, but something affects him.  

It was a booby trap of Gold Kryptonite Mirror Superman made for any criminals that escaped the Phantom Zone. (and he labeled it escape hatch knowing his super son and vulnerable wife are the only ones that are in there this is just pure negligence on his part) Now Jor has no powers and they’re trapped without Mirror Superman to rescue them. 

Lois and Clark are on a sky diving jump assignment, Clark says he can't do it for his cowardly identity, so Lois kicks him out, (WTF Lois) but he finds his parachute won’t open. 

 Lois can't watch and misses him make a hole in the ground and him inflating his chute his identity is saved but he has to go back later and fill in the hole.  (it's like Looney Tunes)

 At the Planet Clark tired of Lois almost finding out his identity and has to do something, things will be different if he’s not her coworker. He flies back in the past when he came to Metropolis Lois at the time is doing advertisements and Clark thinks it would be a good front.  

After he uses his powers to get the job the radio manager introduces him to his secretary Liza Landis Clark notes the LL is the same initials as his childhood girlfriend Lana Lang (and all your other romantic relationships) but at least Liza will leave him alone and not be a pest. (and just like that you jinxed yourself) 

 While off duty he patrols as Superman but during work he misses Lois and checks on her at the Planet. Lois has been working so hard she’s too tired to notice thugs chasing her down in a car, quickly Superman puts out a dummy Clark and saves Lois. At the radio station they think Clark is having a nap meanwhile he hopes saving Lois doesn't become a habit like in his other life. (double jinx) 

 Over the next few days he saves her from accidents and murder attempts Lois wonders why, is he in love with her, (no you’re just danger prone) he says maybe he’s her guardian angel. 

 Liza hears the woosh of him returning at Clark’s studio and goes to investigate she finds Clark playing a tape from Superboy in flight and Clark thinks it was a close call. But Liza isn't so put off and goes to test it by cutting a lock of his hair, (this is going into obsessive stalker territory) quickly he uses his heat vision to break the scissors, she’s becoming worse than Lois. Then she douses him in strong perfume, if Superman smells the same it’ll prove it. 

 Superman determines she is the worst menace he’s delt with and flies up to the sun to evaporate the smell. At the station he changes back into his perfumed suit and Liza is so distraught she can't trick Superman into marrying her she quits, Clark thinks it’s better this way so he won't be bothered.  

They next day Lois was assigned to write on his life as a disc jockey and Clark immediately quits and goes back through time to 1969 and his job at the Planet. He thinks the woman Lois is interviewing looks familiar when he finds out it’s Liza now the wife of the radio station owner he’s thankful he didn't marry her since she got really fat. (you really just had to comment on that Clark) 

LOIS RUSHES INTO MARRIAGE 

1 Page 5: does it count if it's your counterpart's marriage you're taking over  

LOIS LANE STALKER ROOM  

STALKING SEEN AS ROMANTIC  

DIDN’T AGE WELL 

2: the obsession Liza has for him

2 Page 9: that fat comment

SOMEONE DIES  

LOIS PUTS HERSELF IN DANGER   

1: Lois rushes into the Mirror world literally just so she can be Superman's wife

LOIS IS COMPETENT   

LOIS IS A BITCH 

1: Does it count if it's Mirror Lois trying to take over her counterpart's life

2 Page 1: she kicked Clark out of a plane

SUPERMAN IS A DICK 

2 Page 8: drove Liza into quitting her job

2 Page 9: again you just had to comment on Liza being fat now didn't you

SUPERMAN IS ACTUALLY NICE 

2 Page 4: despite changing the timeline because she's a pest he still watches out for her

HAPPY ENDING 

2: well things are back to normal and Liza is happily married to someone else

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I'm not sure if anyone cares at all, but I'm going to take a break from this for a while.

This blog isn't popular but I still like it, it's gotten me to read some books I never would have.

It's just, I'm going to try to go back to school next fall and I need some reading time that's only for myself and not mandated by a deadline before I get burnt out.

In the meantime I'll finally catch up on some of those Lois Lane comics.

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THE LITTLE VAMPIRE (the 16 English translated ones)

The Little Vampire

The Little Vampire Moves In

The Little Vampire Takes a Trip

The Little Vampire on the Farm

The Little Vampire in Love

The Little Vampire in Danger

The Little Vampire in the Vale of Doom

The Little Vampire in Despair

The Little Vampire and the Mystery Patient

The Little Vampire in the Lion's Den

The Little Vampire Learns to ne Brave

The Little Vampire Gets a Surprise

The Little Vampire and the Wicked Plot

The Little Vampire and the School Trip

The Little Vampire and the Christmas Surprise

The Little Vampire Meets Count Dracula

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MY TBR THROUGH THE YEARS

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

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The Screwtape Letters 32/32 -C.S. Lewis

22 

The patient is in love with a girl not on the report also the issue with the Secret Police that was raised in the previous letter has been tided over and Wormwood will pay for that and his other blunders. (ooh somebody got into trouble for talking about how God loves you and he also sends his nephew a book House of Corrections for Incompetent Tempters and it has lots of pictures) He’s looked into it, not only is she a Christian, but a demure, mouse like, virgin, bread and butter one, makes him want to vomit. The Enemy is a hedonist at heart, fasts, vigils, crosses are all a facade, all of it is His pleasure, filling His world with it. Everything has to be twisted before it’s any use to them as nothing is naturally on their side. This woman’s house is one the patient should never enter everything that leaves has a deadly odor (to the demons) the whole place is an obscenity, they must be making a capitol of it just like He does with the secret of love. (they just can’t comprehend it can they) 

Screwtape hates both music and silence, but thankfully, since their Father entered Hell, there’s been Noise that defends them from impossible desires. They will fill the whole universe with it, progress has already been made on Earth. He starts to yell at Wormwood and in his anger turns into a giant centipede and the rest is written by his secretary. A rumor of this transformation has reached earth (thanks to Milton) along with the ridiculous notion that it is punishment from the Enemy rather than being a glorious manifestation of that Life Force their Father would worship if he worshiped anything but himself. (of course the devil is a narcissist) Meanwhile, in his present form he’s anxious to see Wormwood and embrace him. (foreshadowing to how he actually feels) 

23 

Through this girl and her family, the patient is knowing more Christians and in time it’ll be impossible to remove spirituality from his life so they must corrupt it. (they can transform into an angel of light for Hell parades) “A spoiled saint, a Pharisee, an inquisitor, or a magician, makes better sport in Hell than a mere common tyrant or debauchee.”p.116 The best point is the border between theology and politics, many Christian political writers think Christianity began going wrong and depart from its Founder. They encourage this by a conception of a Historical Jesus, and it changes every thirty years distracting man’s minds from Who He is and what He did. To destroy the devotional life the presence of the Enemy they substitute a remote shadow figure who died a long time ago, such things cannot be worshipped. This Historical Jesus depicts a false history, few have been brought to the Enemy by the study of the biography of Jesus, the full biography has been withheld from them the earliest were converted by a single historical fact of Resurrection, a single doctrine, the Redemption and the Gospels came later to edify Christians. (this paragraph was three pages long) 

The historical Jesus is always encouraged but they don't want Christianity to flow in their political life, it would be a disaster, they want men of Christianity as a means of advancement even social justice. Get men to value justice as he thinks the Enemy demands then values Christianity because it may produce social justice. “For the Enemy will not be used as a convenience. Men or nations who think they can revive the Faith in order to make a good society might just as well think they can use the stairs of Heaven as a short cut to the nearest chemist’s shop.”p.120 (well at least they upgraded stairs are easier to climb than a ladder) 

24 

He’s been in contact with the woman’s demon, Slumtrimpet and found a chink, a vice in nearly all women within intelligent circles, the assumption those that do not share this belief are stupid. What she believes is from faith is really from her surroundings, ignorance so large and spiritual pride so small they have hope for her, now what of his patient. A novice always exaggerates, the patient is anxious to imitate this quality of life because he is ion love, have him imitate this defect in the woman and exaggerate it into the vice of Spiritual Pride. This new circle gives many reasons to be proud, education, intelligence, societal and he’s under illusion to his place in it he may think he’s unworthy of the girl but not others, ignorant by how much he’s forgiven because he’s now family. His conversation and opinions, echoes of their own and his joy in them is due to the enchantment of the girl spreading all over her surroundings. He thinks he likes them because of the congruity of shared spiritual states but if he weren't in love he’d be puzzled and repelled. (oh he’s got it down bad for this girl then) 

The Enemy is drawing the patient up by means of sexual love and agreeable people, make him feel these are his people and any other society is dull. “You must teach him to mistake this contract between the circle that delights and the circle that bores him for the contrast between Christians and unbelievers.”p.123 Success relies in confusing him, if he’s too proud of being a Christian you will fail but too little and he’ll be complacent, no natural pride but social vanity, a temporary little sin. What you should do is never let him question why he’s congratulating himself. Teach him being in a secret inner ring is where he belongs, use this girl for him to adopt an air of amusement at unbelievers. Make Christianity seem like a mystery religion that he feels he’s one of the members. Don’t fill the reports about the rubbish war, it’s a matter for the High Command. He’s not interested at all to know how many have been killed or their state of mind he can learn that from the office, he already knew they were going to die sometime. 

25 

The trouble with the set the patient is living in is that it’s merely Christian, they have individual interests but that is the bond, they want them to stay in that state of mind of ‘Christian And-’, Christians but with a difference. The valuable passion of the same old thing, “The humans live in time, and experience reality successively. To experience much of it, therefore, they must experience many different things; in other words, they must experience change.”p.126 (stop repeating the word experience) The Enemy has made change pleasurable, but He doesn't wish them to make change, he balanced the love of it by a love of performance into Rhythm. Now they twist the pleasure of change to a demand for novelty. 

This demand diminishes pleasure and increases desire, continued novelty costs money and the desire creates avarice, unhappiness or both, soon it eats up all innocent sources and passes into those the Enemy forbids. (in other words touching grass is free) Recently they infiltrated the Arts with the horror of the same old thing, low brow and high brows drawn to fresher lasciviousness, cruelty and pride. “Finally, the desire for novelty is indispensable if we are to provide Fashions or Vogues.”p.128 (yes call out fast fashion) Fashions distract men from the real dangers, each generation against these vices and fix approval on the virtue nearest to the vice. “The game is to have them all running about with fire extinguishers wherever there is a flood, and all crowding to that side of the boat which is already nearly gunwale under.”p.129 The greatest triumph is to elevate to a philosophy so that nonsense can reinforce corruption in the will.  

The Enemy wants men to ask questions, is it righteous or prudent, possible now they get them to ask if it’s progressive or reactionary and neglect relevant questions. The questions they do ask are unanswerable as they don't know the future that relies on the choices they make now. (this seems more relevant now than ever) Then their minds are buzzing, and they have a better chance of getting in and bending them to their actions. “And great work has already been done. Once they know that some changes were for the better, and others for the worse, and others again indifferent. We have largely removed this knowledge.”-”We have trained them to think of the Future as a promised land which favoured heroes attain-not as something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whatever he is,”p.130 

26 

“Yes; courtship is the time for sowing those seeds which will grow up ten years later into domestic hatred.”p.131 The enchantment of unsatisfied desire made to mistake for the results of charity and the ambiguity of ‘Love’ make them think they solved the problems only to postpone them under enchantment they become secret and chronic. Substitute negative unselfishness for positive Charity, male and female divergencies build up between the sexes. With women they take trouble for others and a man doesn't give trouble as a result the woman becomes a nuisance (more than any man) and the man will be long before he helps anyone. (simultaneously doing as much work as an ordinary woman does every day) In the confusion introduce a mutual compliance, a degree of self-sacrifice that after the enchantment dies, they won't have enough charity to keep up.  “They will not see the trap, since they are under the double blindness of mistaking sexual excitement for charity and of thinking that the excitement will last.”p.132 (don’t fall for the honeymoon phase) 

After Unselfishness has been established after their emotional resources have died away and spiritual hasn’t grown, delightful results follow. In arguing for the others' choices, it is impossible to find the others' real wishes and do what neither wants and both feel self-righteousness and a secret grudge on the other for their accepted sacrifice. (so passive aggressive BS) Next is the Generous Conflict Illusion, a game involving family and adult children, one suggestion makes the other will disagree with but will do out of Unselfishness the suggestion will be withdrawn through their Unselfishness then the quarrels start with bitter resentment. (a family of doormats self-righteous sacrificers people pleasers and boat rockers) “but each manages to feel blameless and ill-used itself, with no more dishonesty than comes natural to a human.”p.134 A little selfishness is less valuable for securing a soul in the long run than elaborate unselfishness. If they discover it, they’ll notice love is not enough and charity is needed. 

27 

The use of Love to distract from the Enemy is obvious and it is now the subject of his prayers, he should be encouraged to pray for anything else and continue his normal prayer like nothing happened. Accepting the distraction as his problem and laying it before the Enemy puts him closer to the Enemy. There is promise now that he is in love he worries about earthly happiness and urgency about the war and other matters and raises intellectual difficulties about prayer. “False spirituality is always to be encouraged. On the seemingly pious ground that ‘praise and communion with God is the true prayer,’ humans can often be lured into direct disobedience to the Enemy when (in His usual flat commonplace, uninteresting way) has definitely told them to pray for their daily bread and recovery of their sick.”137 Under obedience the patient will continue the prayers but can be worried with suspicion that it’s absurd and has no results. If what he prays for doesn't happen it’s proof they don't work, if it does, he’ll find a physical cause. “and thus a granted prayer becomes just as good as proof as a denied one that prayers are ineffective.”p.137 

As a spirit he’ll find it difficult to understand how a man will be confused, but remember he takes time for ultimate reality and thinks the Enemy sees time the same as he, as their consciousness has them perceive the self-consistent creation as a series of successive events. “Why that creative act leaves room for their free will is the problem of problems, the secret behind the Enemy’s nonsense about “Love.” How it does so is no problem at all; for the Enemy does not foresee the humans making their free contributing in the future, but sees them doing so in His unbounded Now.”p.139 In the intellectual climate of Europe there's little worry about it getting out, they've delt with the learned and they are now the least likely to gain wisdom by old books with the Historical Point of View. The learned don't ask if what the ancient author said is true but what influenced him and how consistent it is and effects later writers or has been misunderstood. “And since we cannot deceive the whole human race all the time, it is most important thus to cut every generation off from all others; for where learning makes a free commerce between the ages there is always the danger that the characteristic errors of one may be corrected by the characteristic truths of another.”p.140 (damn nearly 100 years later and it hasn't changed if anything the generational gap has gotten worse) 

28 

Screwtape reminds Wormwood he doesn’t want war reports unless it concerns the patient's spirituality. (and if you haven’t got it by now Wormwood is a fuck up) The patient’s death needs to be avoided currently as he’s broken off the worldly friends and fallen in love and is immune to their methods of spiritual corruption. As the war draws nearer his worries take him nearer to the Enemy, his dependence will make him lost to them if he is killed. (wonders if the young tempters are infected by sentiment and values by being around humans and that’s a take could a demon be so curious about humans they grow attached and start to change for the better) “They, of course,  do tend to regard death as the prime evil and survival as the greatest good, But that is because we have taught them to do so. Do not let us be infected by our own propaganda.”p.142 (not even demons are immune to propaganda) Keep him alive and he’ll have time to tempt him, it’s difficult for those creatures to preserver through routine and decay of youth when chronic temptations wear on the soul. “Prosperity knits a man to the World. He feels that he’s “finding his place in it,” while really it is finding its place in him.”p.143 Reputation, acquaintances, a sense of importance, it’s what they want, you’ll notice the young are much less willing to die than the old.  

The Enemy destined these animals to life in His eternal world, guarding them from the danger of feeling at home anywhere else. That’s why they want the patients to live long, to unravel their souls, to build attachment to the earth. Make them believe they can turn earth into Heaven in the future by some method. “Real worldliness is a work of time-assisted of course, by pride, for we teach them to describe the creeping death as a good sense of Maturity or Experiance.”p.144 (also taught them to ignore the warning that experience is the mother of illusion) Time is valuable by how little the Enemy gives, the many that survive infancy die in youth and death is another gate to life. He wants very few to have experienced resisting them of their whole earthly life, the smaller the opportunity the better they must use it, so keep his patient alive and safe. (yeah this makes sense the shorter they live the less time they have to change) 

29 

With the Germans bombing the patient's town consider aiming for cowardice or courage with pride or hatred at the Germans. It’s no good to make him brave, the research department hasn't discovered how to make any virtues, even a wicked man needs some virtue, they can only use what the Enemy supplies. They can manage Hatred, the tension of war and fatigue makes them prone to violent emotion, only a question of where to guide it. Let him feel hatred on others’ behalf and not regard their enemies as his own so they’re not to be forgiven as Christianity teaches to. (you know they whole forgive my enemies thing) Hatred works best with Fear, Cowardice is painful in all ways, Hatred has pleasures, and in it, compensates for Fear’s miseries. “The more he fears, the more he will hate. And Hatred is also a great anodyne for shame, to make a deep wound in his charity, you should therefore first defeat his courage.”p.147 

They have made men proud of vices but not cowardice, whenever they’re close the Enemy permits war or calamity and courage becomes so important to humans all their work is undone, and they feel shame. The danger of cowardice is it produces real self-knowledge and loathing and the consequent repentance and humility. In this war thousands discovered their cowardice and consequently the whole mortal world. “In peace we can make many of them ignore good and evil entirely; in danger, the issue is forced upon them in a guise to which even we cannot blind them.”p.148 If they promote justice and charity they play into the Enemy’s hands, promote the opposite He permits a war and the cowardice or courage awakes men from mortal stupor. “This, indeed, is probably one of the Enemy’s motives for creating a dangerous world-a world in which moral issues really come to the point. He sees as well as you do that courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means, at the point of highest reality.”p.148 (is the CS Lewis explaining the question of why does God allow bad things to happen) 

They may lose too much with cowardice as the man could learn about himself but there is a chance instead of shame it produces Despair. It shows he accepted the Enemy’s forgiveness for his other sins because he didn't fully feel their sinliness, but Screwtape fears the patient already knows Despair is already a greater sin. Wormwood must keep him thinking of what he can or cannot do inside his duty that makes him feel a little safer. Superstitions of imagined safe lines keep him thinking he has something other than the Enemy to fall back on. A determination that the worst shall not come, then in a moment of terror rush it out of him. Remember, though they enjoy it, fear isn't a sin, the act of cowardice is all that matters. 

30 

Does Wormwood think he’s been sent to earth for amusement, he’s been informed by the Infernal Police the patient's behavior during the raid was horrible, (so it was good) he felt cowardly, felt no pride and still did his duty and more. “At any rate, you will soon find that the justice of Hell is purely realistic, and concerned only with results. Bring us back food, or be food yorself.”p.151 While he hopes for results from the patient’s fatigue it won't happen, it can lead to gentleness and vision, only anger and impatience from those that already have efficient tempters. “The paradoxical thing is that moderate fatigue is a better soil for peevishness than absolute exhaustion. This depends partly on physical causes, but partly on something else. It is not fatigue simply as such that produces the anger, but unexpected demands on a man already tired.”p.152 Dissapointment can turn to injury after they have despaired and didn't think ahead weariness begins. For the best results feed him false hopes that it will soon be over. “for men usually feel that a strain could have been endured no longer at the very moment when it is ending, or when they think it is ending.”p.153 The fun is to make the man give in just when relief was almost in sight but he didn't know it. (like the ending to The Mist) 

If he meets this girl under that strain make use of it, fatigue makes women talk more and men talk less and secret resentment can be raised up. What he’s going through now can bring an intellectual attack on his faith, but Wormwood’s failures made that invaluable but emotional attacks can be tried, make him see the real world and religion is a fantasy. The meaning of Real being the bare physical facts separated from what else they experienced or it could mean the emotional facts effecting human consciousness, their business is to keep the two going at once and pull on one that suits them. Right now, they established Real are physical facts and spiritual are subjective. “in all experiences which can discourage or corrupt them the spiritual elements are the main reality and to ignore them is to be an escapist.”p.154 

31 

Now that all is lost he asks if all of Screwtape’s terms of affection meant nothing, Screwtape loves Wormwood as he loves himself, the difference is he is stronger. “I think they will give you to me now, or a bit of you. Love you? Why, yes. As a dainty a morsel as ever I grew fat on.”p.156 That lost soul echoes through all the levels down to the Throne and he knows the instant he was snatched away the man’s eyes cleared, and he recognized the part he had in him no longer. Instantaneous liberation one moment it was their world, noise, bombs and horrors, the next it was all gone. “Did you mark how naturally- as if he’d been born for it-the earth-born vermin entered the new life?”p.157 

“As he saw you, he also saw Them. I know how it was. You reeled back dizzy and blinded, more hurt by them than he had ever been by bombs. The degradation of it!-”p.158 That the man could converse with them while he could only cower the gods are strange and not to mortal eyes. He had no concept of how they would look and even doubted their existence, but when he saw them and realized their part in his life when he thought he was alone and recognized them. “Recognition made him free of their company almost before the limbs of his corpse became quiet. Only you were left outside. He saw not only Them; he saw Him.”p.159 (and He wears the form of a man) In the Presence he had clearer knowledge of his sins than Wormwood, but they embrace those pains (the demons feel) for not even the earthly pleasure and delights he was once tempted with. Their greatest curse besides useless tempters is the failure of the Intelligence Department, if only they knew what He’s really up to, that knowledge necessary for Power. 

“All that sustains me is the conviction that our Realism, our rejection (in the face of all temptations) of all silly nonsense and clap trap, must win in the end. Meanwhile, I have you to settle with. Most truly do I sign myself, Your increasingly and ravenously affectionate uncle Screwtape.”p.160 

FIRST

[crackspinewornpages]

The Screwtape Letters 21/32 -C.S. Lewis

12 

While he is making excellent progress Screwtape fears that in the hurry he’ll awaken the patient to the true position, and they must not forget how different it appears to him. His course has already drawn him away from the Enemy, but he must be made to believe all his choices are trivial and reversable. He is almost glad to hear the patient is still a church goer, there are dangers in it, but it is better than he realizing the break he made in his Christian life. “As long as he retains externally the habits of a Christian he can still be made to think of himself as one who has adopted a few new friends and amusements but whose spiritual state is much the same as it was six weeks ago.”p.61 And while he thinks that they don't have to deal with repentance of recognized sin but only uneasy feelings of not doing well. 

This uneasiness needs to be handled carefully or it’ll wake him up and ruin the game and if you suppress it, even if the Enemy allowed it, it’ll lose an element in the situation. If the feeling lives and isn't allowed to grow into real repentance it’s invaluable. “It increases the patient’s reluctance to think about the Enemy. All humans at nearly all times have some such reluctance; but when thinking of Him involves facing and intensifying a whole vague cloud of half-conscious guilt, this reluctance is increased tenfold.”p.62 In this state they hate they very suggestion of Him and the patient will think and feel little for them and forget the duties as soon as they are over. Now the patient begging for a distraction and a numb heart he’ll want his prayers to be unreal as he dreads contact with the Enemy. 

Once this condition is fully established, he’ll be relieved of providing Pleasures as temptations. As the uneasiness and reluctance cuts him off more from real happiness and habits harder to forgo and anything will attract his attention, even things he cares nothing about and bore him. All healthy and outgoing activities can be avoided and nothing given in return so he’ll say as they do, that he spent his life doing neither what he should do or liked. (in a sense denying himself who he really is to fit in) They say without the Enemy Nothing is strong, “And Nothing is very strong; strong enough to steal away a man's best years not in sweet sins but in dreary flickering of the mind over it knows not what and knows not why,”p.64 These are small sins not spectacular wickedness but the only thing that matters is that he separates the man from the Enemy. “Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one-the gentle slope, soft, underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,”p.65 (and the road to Heaven is never the easy one) 

13 

Wormwood let the patient slip through his fingers and Screwtape sees no reason to shield him from the consequences. This repentance and renewal he describes is a second conversion, probably deeper than the first. That cloud which prevented him from attacking the patient, (some humans are permanently surrounded by it) it appears when the Enemy is directly present under modes not yet classified. Wormwood’s first blunder is allowing the patient to read a book he enjoyed and allowed him to walk down a countryside he likes, two positive Pleasures. Pain and Pleasure is real and to allow a man to feel them is giving him a touch of reality. If he tried to damn him by the Romantic method (poets and novelists like Childe Harold or Werther) self-pity, imaginary distresses, protecting him from pain a toothache would reveal them as nonsense. Instead, he tried to damn him by the World, by vanity, irony and tedium, real pleasure was the last thing he should have let him have. To detach him from the Enemy he had to be detached from himself, now it is all undone.  

The Enemy wants to detach men from themselves in a different way, He likes them and sets value in their distinction. When they detach from self-will, He gives them back all their personality and He (sincerely) boasts they are more themselves than ever. He likes them suffering their will to His and hates any other reason. Man’s deepest impulses are raw material the Enemy furnished them from. Screwtape himself would eradicate any personal taste, there's nothing of virtue in them but a sort of innocence and humility Screwtape distrusts. If a man truly enjoys anything for their own sake it is armed against their subtle attacks. He should make the patient abandon what he truly likes for what seems right or the best things. Now how to retrieve this disaster, as long as he doesn't convert it into action his repentance doesn't matter, no amount of piety will harm them if they keep it out of his will passive habits are weakened. (he could write a book about it an excellent way of sterilizing the seeds the Enemy plants in the soul) “The more often he feels without acting, the less he will be able ever to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel,”p.70 

14  

It is alarming the patient is no longer making confident resolutions, no more lavish promises or expectations. “but only a hope for the daily and hourly pittance to meet the daily and hourly Temptation! This is very bad.”p.71 The patient is now humble, is he aware of it as all, virtues are less formidable once they are aware of them. Catch them in a moment a gratifying reflection, “and almost immediately pride-pride at his own humility-will appear.”p.71 There are other ways of fixing his attention with all virtues, the Enemy wants to turn the man's sense of self towards Him and his neighbors, all abjection and self hatred is designed for this end. This self-contempt can be a starting point for gloom, cynicism and cruelty. 

So you must conceal from the patient the true end of Humility, let him think of it as an opinion of his own character, the belief those talents are less valuable than he thinks. Make him value an opinion for quality other than truth thus introducing dishonesty into the heart threatening what will become virtue. By this way millions believe humility is a pretty woman thinking she's ugly and a clever man believing he is a fool. But they cannot succeed, and they succeed in keeping their minds revolving in an effort to achieve the impossible. They must consider the Enemy’s aims, He could put into a patient’s head to build the best Cathedral and wants him to be free of the bias of his fever so he can rejoice in his talents. “He wants each man, in the long run, to be able to recognize all creatures (even himself) as glorious and excellent things.”p.73 (so he wants humans to acknowledge their own efforts and talents as their own skills not something God did) Kill the self-love and restore a new kind for charity and gratitude, they must never forget the Enemy’s inexplicable trait. “He really loves the hairless bipeds He has created and always gives back to them with His right hand what He has taken away with His left.”p.74 

His effort is to get the man’s mind off the subject of his own value, He’d rather the man think himself a great artist and forget about it rather thinking about how he’s a bad one. Wormwood should instill vanity or false modesty, a reminder that a man isn't usually called upon to have an opinion of his own talents and will go on improving them without deciding on his niche in the temple of Fame. So, his job should be to exclude this reminder at all costs, the Enemy will also try to render a real doctrine they find difficult to feel, they didn't create themselves and their talents were given to them. (so the demons believe it’s nothing to be proud of) The Enemy’s aim is to get the patient’s mind off that Wormwoods job is the opposite. (He doesn’t even want them to think of their sins too much) 

15 

Screwtape noticed the lull in the war corresponds with the patient's lull in spiritual anxieties now to encourage this or keep him worried, tortured fear or stupid confidence. The Enemy destines them to eternity so it's believed he wants them to attend two things, eternity and time called the Present. “For the Present is the point at which time touches eternity.”p.76 The Present moment humans experience analogues to reality as a whole in which freedom and actuality are offered. So, He would have them concerned with eternity (which means Him) or the Present, mediating on their union or separation from Him. Their business is to get them away from eternity and the Present to live in the Past but even that resembles eternity. 

It is better to make them live in the Future, biologically they already point in that direction and it inflames hope and Fear, an unknown making them think of unrealities, the least like eternity. “It is the most completely temporal point of time-for the Past is frozen and no longer flows, and the Present is all lit up with eternal rays.”p.77 So they affix man’s attention to the future, why all vices are related there, “Gratitude looks to the past and love to the present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead.”p.77 

The Enemy wants them to think of the Future as necessary for now planning, justice or charity that will be enacted tomorrow. The planning of it is today’s duty and material for it from the future, the duty being in the Present. He doesn't want the humans to give the future their hearts, unlike them. His ideal is man who works all day for good and prosperity, commits the issue to Heaven and returns to gratitude by the moment passing over him. But they want the man haggard by the future of heaven or hell on earth, ready to break the Enemy’s commands if they make him think he can attain one over the other, the end he won't live to see. “We want a whole race perpetually in pursuit of the rainbows end, never honest, nor kind, nor happy now, but always using as mere fuel where with to keep the alter of the future ever real gift which is offered them in the Present.”p.79 

It is better for the patient to be filled with anxiety or hope about the war than to live in the present but that is also ambiguous. The patient may be untroubled with the Future but not concerned about the Present but because he’s convinced the Future will be fine. That will do them some good because it will pile up disappointment and more impatience when false hopes are dashed. If he is aware of the horrors and is praying for virtues and concerns himself with the Present because only there everything dwells, this state should be attacked immediately. He is most likely there because he is in good health and enjoying his work, it should still be broken up. “No natural phenomenon is really in our favour. And anyway, why should the creature be happy?”p.80 (can demons even feel happiness) 

16 

The patient has attended a church since his conversion but isn’t pleased with it, why hasn’t he gotten a report on it, doesn't he realize that unless it is due to indifference it's a bad thing. If a man can't be cured of churchgoing the next thing is to send him church hopping. The parochial organization should always be attacked, “being a unity of place and not of liking, it brings people of different classes and psychology together in the kind of unity the Enemy desires.”p.81 The congregational principle makes it seem like a club or a faction and the search for a suitable one makes the man a critic instead of a pupil. He may be critical and reject what he doesn't find hopeful and doesn't waste time thinking about it. 

Screwtape has looked in two churches, in one the Vicar has been watering down the faith for the hardheaded congregation, now he shocks them instead with unbelief. At the other church Fr Spike, his opinions oscillate day to day. “We, of course, see the connecting link, which is Hatred. The man cannot bring himself to preach anything which is not calculated to shock, grieve, puzzle, or humiliate his parents and their friends.”p.83 There is also his streak of dishonesty, the teachings of the Church really means what he thinks he’s read recently, and he really believes it. (ah he’s that kind of preacher) They are both party churches, the fun is working up hatred between those that say mass or holy communion when neither can tell the difference, all indifferent things are grounds for their activities. “We have quite removed from men’s minds what that pestilent fellow Paul used to teach about food and other unessentials-namely, that the human without scruples should always give in to the human with scruples. You would think they could not fail to see the appplication.”p.84 

17 

Screwtape calls out Wormwood’s ignorance for his contempt of gluttony to catch souls, one of their greatest achievements was to deaden a human soul on that, all their efforts on presenting it as Delicacy not Excess. The patient's mother is a good example; her whole life is enslaved to it despite the quantities being small. “But what do quantities matter, provided we can use a human belly and palate to produce querulousness, impatience, uncharitableness, and self-concern?”p.86 She is a terror to hosts and servants determined to get what she wants no matter how much trouble it is to others. She believes she is practicing temperance as she screams at the overworked waitress she is offended to be offered more food than she wants. (this is a new interesting take on gluttony not pigging out at a buffet but wanting the impossible gourmet still an overindulgence not for just yourself but a pain to those around you the insatiable appetite for the impossible and woe to those that cannot provide it)  

Her ‘all I want’ mindset has enslaved her and she finds no one can do it properly to please her insatiable demands and impossible palate she imagines she remembers. The days where there were good servants is really when she was easier to please and had other pleasures that made her less dependent on the table. Her disappointments lead to ill temper, cooks quit, friendships cool, everything the Enemy introduces it’s a problem Glubose counteracts that she just wants things nice for her boy and that greed has been a domestic discomfort for years. (yeah the sins can blend into each other like gluttony and greed wrath envy sloth lust and they have pride as their root)

Even though the patient is on other fronts he could still be introduced to gluttony, being male he won't get caught by the ‘all I want’ mindset. Males are best turned by their vanity that can be turned to habit. (a foodie) However it is done bring him to a state where he is in denial of indulgence of anything. Excess is less valuable than delicacy, on that subject keep him in a condition of false spirituality and let him wonder what pride or lack of faith brought him and not what he’s been indulging in. Let him think of the medical side of chastity the lie they made them believe. (chastity means to refrain it’s not just about sex) 

18 

Sexual temptation is a tedium to learn but there's larger issues involved in learning. The Enemy’s demand on humans, either abstinence or monogamy and since their Father’s first victory the former is very difficult, the latter is closing as a way to escape through writers. The short-lived experience of being in love is the only respectable ground for marriage and it should render the excitement permanent and if it doesn't it’s no longer binding. “This idea is our parody of an idea that came from the Enemy.”p.91 The whole axiom of Hell is that one thing is not another thing; to be means in a competition, the Enemy’s philosophy is an attempt to erode this truth. A contradiction, things are many but also one, He Himself claims to be three and one, (father son and holy ghost) introduces the organism invention, parts made to cooperate. “This impossibility He calls Love, and this same monotonous panacea can be detected under all He does and even all He is-or claims to be.”p.92 

Sex from their view is innocent, a way the strong preys on the weaker (they use spiders as an example but I think praying mantises would be better) but in humans the Enemy associated affection between two with sexual desire, the offspring dependent on the parents and the parents impulse to support it producing family. Like an organism but worse, distinct members united in a responsible way, a device for Love. The Enemy describes the couples as one flesh, he can make the humans ignore He didn't say happily married, couple or being in love and Paul didn't confine it to married couples. 

Whenever man lies with a woman is transcendental and if obediently entered into will produce affection and family and humans can be made to believe falsely the affection, fear and desire they call love is what makes a marriage happy or holy. (you have to work on that happiness that’s why the beginning is called a honeymoon phase you don’t find your soul mate you grow into being soul mates)  “In other words, the humans are to be encouraged to regard as the basis for marriage a highly-coloured and distorted version of something the Enemy really promises as its result.”p.94 Some can be deterred from marriage as they do not feel in love and the very idea seems low and cynical and only sexual infatuation will be regarded as love and will be used as an excuse from guilt and conscience. (are are they talking about ace and allosexuals here)  

19 

In response to his last letter all selves by nature are in competition so the Enemy’s idea of love is a contradiction to reiterate, “He really loves the human vermin and really desires their freedom and continued existence?”p.96 It doesn't matter if he shows those letters to anyone any appearance of hearsay is accidental, he can trust him to look after his best interests but do keep everything under wraps. (also what he wrote about Slubgob was jocular he actually has great respect for him oh so somebody got in trouble) He slipped by saying the Enemy loves the humans, that's an impossibility, He is one being and they are distinct from Him, all His talk of Love is a disguise for something else. “He must have some real motive for creating them and taking so much trouble about them. The reason one comes to talk as if He really had this impossible Love is our utter failure to find out the real motive. What does He stand to make of them? That is the insoluble question.”p.97 (they really don’t understand I feel kind of sorry for them) 

That very problem was the chief cause of their Father’s quarrel with Him, their Father could not understand, that He wished with all his heart their Father did. It was disgust at that lack of confidence that their Father chose to distance himself and now they see why the Enemy is so secretive, His throne depends on it. “Members of His faction have frequently admitted that if ever we came to understand what He means by Love, the war would be over and we should re-enter Heaven. And there lies the great task. We know that He cannot really Love: nobody can: it doesn't make sense. If we could only find out what He is really up to!”p.98 (they really don’t get the concept of unconditional love do they) 

Leave them to ask if Love, patriotism, celibacy, alters, education ect are good or bad, there's no answer. Nothing matters but moving a patient nearer to the Enemy or to them, with an arrogant man separate his sexuality from those that might humanize it. If he's emotional, feed him poetry to make him believe Love is irresistible and meritorious, producing noble romantic tragedies and adultery ending in murders and suicides. Failing it can be used to steer the patient into marriage, useful if the woman can make his Christian life difficult. Report on this in the next letter and remember falling in love is not favorable to either side, just one they both try to exploit, raw material. 

20 

The Enemy has put an end to Wormwood’s attacks on the patient's chastity and the man has discovered they don't last forever and he cannot use their best weapon on ignorant humans, that there is no hope to get rid them except to give in. Screwtape also wants a report on the women in the neighborhood if anything for desirable marriage. The type of woman is decided in Lowerarchy to develop taste, working in a small circle of popular artists, dressmakers, advertiser ect to direct the sex away from the spiritually helpful happy marriages (this explains a lot about Susan) and with men encourage them to breed with arrogant and prodigal women. (they also made beards disagreeable to nearly all women) The waltz gave way to jazz and beauty standards are more transitory (they teach men to like women whose bodies look like boys and I’m sure there’s something implied there) and aggravate a woman's fear of growing old and less willing to have children. They have also increased the license for society to see nude art, or on stage, or on the beach (women in a two piece how scandalous) all false and propped up. (CS Lewis calling out photoshop and airbrushing impossible beauty standards from the 1940s) “As a result we are more and more directing the desires of men to something which does not exist-making the role of the eye in sexuality more and more important and at the same time making its demands more and more impossible.”p.103 (this paragraph is three pages long) 

In this he can direct his patient in two directions, in the heart of man he is haunted by two women, the terrestrial and infernal Venus, desire differs according to its object. One type amenable to the Enemy, readily charitable, obedient to marriage and colored with naturalness (they detest) another type desires to desire. Use that to draw him away from marriage, even within it he’d treat it as a slave, idol or accomplice. Love for the first the Enemy would call evil, but accidentally, but in the second the evil is what he wants, the sulkiness, craft, cruelty he likes and in body something different than what he’d call Beauty and in a sane hour call ugly and in their art can play on his private obsession. The infernal Venus is a prostitute or mistress but if your man is a Christian well trained in all excusing love he can be persuaded to marry her but there are other ways of undoing a man by his sexuality, efficient and delightful. “the unhappiness produced is of a very lasting and exquisite kind.”p.105 (why do I picture Screwtape doing the Mr Burns finger tap thing) 

21 

A period of sexual temptations is an excellent way to attack the patient's peevishness, but it must be prepared by darkening his intellect. “Men are not angered by mere misfortune but by misfortune conceived as injury. And the sense of injury depends on the feeling that a legitimate claim has been denied.”p.106 The more claims the more ill-tempered and nothing will throw him by having his time taken from him, unexpectedly throwing him off. He is not so uncharitable or slothful that these demands of courtesy are too much, they anger him because he feels his time is stolen and never doubt this time is his birthright. “The man can neither make, nor retain, one moment of time; it all comes to him by pure gift;”-”He is also, in theory, committed to a total service of the Enemy; and if the Enemy appeared to him in bodily form and demanded that total service for even one day, he would not refuse.”p.107 He cannot realize he’s in this situation every day. 

Encourage a sense of ownership, those claims are always funny in Heaven and Hell, men believe they own their bodies. “We produce this sense of ownership not only by pride but by confusion. We teach them not to notice the different senses of the passive pronoun-”p.109 They can be taught to reduce all these senses of ownership, and they have taught men to say My God with no difference than My boots. (the teddy bear I can give affection to because it’s mine or the teddy bear I can rip apart because it’s mine) “The God on whom I have a claim for my distinguished services and whom I exploit from the pulpit-the God I have done a corner in.”p.109 The big joke is the fully passive Mine cannot be said by a human being about anything. Their Father or Enemy will say Mine for each thing that exists especially man. “They will find out in the end, never fear, to whom their time, their souls, and their bodies really belong-certainly not to them, whatever happens.”p.110 At present the Enemy says Mine of everything on the ground He made it, their Father hopes in the end to say Mine on the more realistic ground of conquest.  

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The Screwtape Letters 11/32 -C.S. Lewis

PREFACE 

He doesn't intend to explain how these letters got to him “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”p.9 They are pleased by these errors the script in this book can be obtained by anyone who learned the knack but ill-disposed people who’ll make bad use of it won't learn from him. “Readers are advised to remember that the devil is a liar.”p.9 Not everything Screwtape says is to be assumed to be true even from his angle. He hasn't attempted to identify anyone in the letters but doubts their portraits are just. “There is wishful thinking in Hell as well as on Earth.”p.9 The letters are not chronological, November XVII was written before rational was serious, but the dating seems to have no relation to terrestrial time. “The history of the European war, except in so far as it happens now and then to impinge upon the spiritual condition as one human being was obviously of no interest to Screwtape.”p.9 

CS Lewis July 5 1941 (in this universe this is a published series of letters CW Lewis found like how LOTR is a history Tolkien translated and if you didn’t know he was Catholic you will now)  

1

Screwtape writes to Wormwood, (his nephew) noted that he tried to guide his patient’s (human victim) reading and direct him towards his materialist friend to keep him from the Enemy (God) it might have worked if he lived a few centuries before. “At that time the humans still knew pretty well when a thing was proved and when it wasn't; and if it was proved they really believed it.”p.11 They connected thinking with doing and prepared to alter their lives with that reasoning. “But what with the weekly press and other such weapons we have largely altered that.”p.11 (so in other words they propagate fake news) Since he was a boy his man has had a dozen different philosophies in his head. “Jargon, not argument, is your best ally in keeping him from the Church.”p.11 Don't waste time on materialism, make him think the strong, stark or courageous is the future. 

Argument moves the struggle to the Enemy’s ground he can argue too and in practical propaganda has been shown for centuries to be inferior to Our Father Below. (the devil) “By the very act of arguing, you awake the patient’s reason; and once it is awake, who can foresee the resault?”p.12 (this is why you need to keep you mind open to all sources so you don't get trapped in a echo chamber) Even if a train of thought can be twisted to their favor, he’ll find he’s strengthened the patient’s habit of attending universal issues and withdraw from immediate sense experiences. His job is to fix his attention to it and call it real life and not to ask what is real. Remember, he’s not a pure spirit like him, just a human, an advantage of the Enemy's enslaved to the pressure of the ordinary. 

Once he had a patient, an atheist, one day his train of thought was going the wrong way and his twenty years of work was tattering. He lost his head and began a defiance argument but he wasn't such a fool and suggested he get lunch, then the Enemy presumably made a counter suggestion that this was more important. “you know how one can never quite overhear what He says to them?”p.13 (huh this is interesting the shoulder devil and angel know the other exists but can’t see or hear each other) By the time the patient got to the bus he had counter suggested an unalterable conviction real life was enough to show him that sort of thing isn't true, now he’s in their Father’s house. 

Does he see now through centuries of their work, “they find it all but impossible to believe in the unfamiliar while the familiar is before their eyes.”p.14 Use ordinary things, but not science against Christianity, they’ll encourage him to think of realities he can't see, keep them on economics and sociology. (this is also interesting usually Christianity denies science but here the argument is science teaches them to believe I things that aren’t physically there so they can easier believe in God) Don’t let them get away from real life, don't let them read science and give them an idea they know it all, his job is to fuddle not teach. 

2 

The patient had become Christian and don’t hope he’ll escape the penalties, but they must make the best of the situation. Many who convert have been reclaimed, the patient’s habits mentally and bodily are still in their favor. “One of our great allies at present in the Church itself.”p.15 Spread through all time and space rooted in eternity that spectacle makes the tempter uneasy, but fortunately is invisible to the humans. All the patients see is a half-finished Gothic erection and a new estate that offers familiar faces and books no one understands, of corrupt texts and bad lyrics in small print. The neighbors in the pews can be useful, the patient is a fool, make him believe their religion is ridiculous, keep everything in his mind hazy, he’ll have all eternity to give him clarity in Hell. 

Work hard on the disappointment that will come in the next few weeks, the Enemy allows this to occur on every threshold of human endeavor. “In every department of life it marks the transition from dreaming aspiration to laborious doing.”p.17 The Enemy takes this risk because he wants the humans (that he refers to as disgusting vermin) to freely love Him. (as lovers servant and sons) “He therefore refuses to carry them, by their mere affections and habits, to any of the goals which He sets before them: He leaves them to ‘do it on their own’ And there lies our opportunity.”p.17 (see “why won’t god help me” “if God wanted me to-” people he’s not going to come down from on high to personally help you he gives you opportunities to learn and grow) But there is also their danger, if they get through the dryness they are harder to tempt. If the people in the next pew have no grounds for disappointments his job is to keep the thoughts of others different, vices don't prove hypocrisy. He hasn't been with the Enemy long enough to have real humility, what he says on his knees is parrot talk. He believes he has a good credit balance in the Enemy’s ledger for being converted and is showing humility by going to Church keep him in that state of mind. (you cant just say the words you have to actually feel them and believe in what you are saying) 

3 

Wormwood must use the man’s relationship with his mother to his advantage as the Enemy may reach the man’s new conduct to the old lady. Keep in touch with Glubose who’s in charge of the lady and build up annoyance in the house. Keep his mind on his inner life, “Aggravate that most useful human characteristic, the horror and neglect of the obvious.”p.20 They have means of making his prayers innocuous, make sure they are spiritual and her soul not her physical being. This keeps his focus on her sins and with his influence any of her actions are irritating to him. “Thus you can keep rubbing the wounds of the day a little sorer even while he is on his knees,”p.21 This also keeps him praying for an imaginary person less and less like his real mother. He himself has patients so divorced he can turn them at a moment from praying for their family to beating them. (sadly too common) 

When two humans live together for years usually their tones and forced expressions irritate the other, use that. In domestic life, hatred expresses itself by saying things harmless on paper, but in a voice or moment they are like a punch to the face. He and Glubose must work together to have their patients quarrel and be convinced they are the innocent one. Then they’ll have the humans in a situation where they say things to offend on purpose and have a grievance to it and use the old lady's religious position. 

4 

His last letter reminded him to write back on the painful subject of prayer, how his patient’s prayers for his mother proved unfortunate is not something to write to his uncle about or a junior Tempter to the Undersecretary, it also shows he’s shifting responsibility. The best thing is to keep his patient from praying, it’s best to encourage him to remember the parrot like nature of prayers in childhood. The sort of prayer they want is a sense of supplication not moving lips while on knees, clever and lazy patients can be taken by it for a long time, remember they are animals. “It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.”p.25 (a lot like religious cults) 

If that fails, fall back on subtle misdirection of his intention, there are ways to prevent them from attending the Enemy. “The simplest is to turn their gaze away from Him towards themselves.”p.25 Have them not turn to Him but themselves, teach them to estimate the value of prayer by the success of producing their desired feelings. But the Enemy won't be idle where prayer is He is and His actions. If He defeats this misdirection, they have a subtler weapon, humans do not directly perceive Him (which they unhappily can’t avoid) only vague impasses during the episode known as the Incarnation and objects of reverence. “But whatever the nature of the composite object, you must keep him praying to it-to the thing that he has made, not to the Person who has made him.”p.27 (is this a commentary on false idols) If the patient trusts himself to the real external invisible Presence the incalculable may occur, it helps to avoid this that humans don't desire it as much as they think. 

5 

It is disappointing to receive a rhapsody letter instead of a report and calls him out on being drunk when the Europeans started another war. For the first time in his career he’s tasted the anguish of a human soul, and it went to his head. Remember, pleasure comes from duty, if his self-indulgence loses his prey he’ll be left eternally thirsting. With steady and cool headed application, the human will be his forever, his next letter better have a full account on his patient's reaction to the war. Consider making him a patriot or pacifist and warns him not to hope too much from the war. (if only you knew) 

A war is entertaining, the immediate fear and suffering is refreshing. “But what permanent good does it do unless we make use of it for bringing souls to Our Father Below?”p.30 When he sees suffering of humans who escaped them he feels denied a banquet, the Enemy mocks them this way. Think of how to use this war. “We may hope for a good deal of cruelty and unchastity. But, if we are not careful, we shall see thousands turning in this tribulation to the Enemy.”p.31 While tens of thousands who don't turn towards values and causes they believe higher than themselves. The Enemy disapproves of many causes but often make prizes of these humans who give their lives for them. He thinks bad on the sophistical ground humans thought them good and were following them. (yeah something tells me God didn’t like the Crusades or Spanish Inquisition or a lot of other atrocities that used religion as a reason) 

Consider the undesirable deaths in wartime, Men go where they know they might be killed but if they are of the Enemy's party they are prepared. It would be better if all humans died amid those who lie as they trained them, promising life, encouraging that sickness, excuses every indulgence and withheld suggestions of a priest. It’s disastrous for them, wartime reminds those of death. “In wartime not even a human can believe that he is going to live forever.”p.32 He believes wartime is an opportunity to attack faith is exaggerated as the Enemy’s human partisans were told by Him suffering is essential for Redemption. “So that of faith which is destroyed by a war or a pestilence cannot really have been worth the trouble of destroying.”p.32 

6 

Screwtape is delighted Wormwood’s patient would be called for military service, they want him at maximum uncertainty, filled with considerations of the future as suspense and anxiety barricades the mind against the Enemy. His patient will pick up that he must submit to the Enemy’s will, it is his job that his patient thinks of things he is afraid of. “For real resignation, at the same moment, to a dozen different and hypothetical fates, is almost impossible, and the Enemy does not greatly assist those who are trying to attain it:”p.35 Fix his patient’s attention inwards so he no longer sees their Enemy or his neighbors. 

To the war, don't rely too much on hatred, in anguish the patient can revenge his vindictive feelings. But that is mythical hatred towards scapegoats he has never met only modeled from newspapers. The results of this hatred is disappointing, “They are creatures of that miserable sort who loudly proclaim that torture is too good for their enemies and them give tea and cigarettes to the first wounded German pilot who turns up at the back door.”p.36 There will some benevolence and in human soul, it’s best to direct that malice to neighbors who expect benevolence and benevolence to strangers. “The malice thus becomes wholly real and the benevolence largely immaginary.”p.37 He must shove virtues outwards towards fantasy and desirable qualities inward to the Will. If they reach the Will and become habits, do they become fatal to them. “All sorts of virtues painted in the fantasy or approved by the intellect or even, in some measure, loved and admired, will not keep a man from our Father’s house; indeed they make him more amusing when he gets there,”p.37 

7 

To answer his last letter the High Command’s policy is for them to conceal themselves from their patients but it wasn't always so, so they are forced with a dilemma. “When the humans disbelieve in our existence we lose all the pleasing results of direct terrorism and we make no magicians. On the other hand, when they believe in us, we cannot make them materialist and sceptics. At least, not yet.”p.39 They hope in time to mythologize their science to an extent they believe in them and closed to the Enemy. If the man believes in Forces and deny spirits, the end of the war will be in sight but for now they must obey orders. Devils are comic figures in modern imagination, if he cannot believe in that then he cannot believe he is real.  

All extremes, except to the Enemy, are to be encouraged, (well one can argue against that when religion takes over your life it can be just as harmful to you and your family as any other bad habit)  especially at this period, some ages are lukewarm, others, like now, are unbalanced and it is their job to inflame them. They want the Church (they give it feminine pronouns) to be small, but of course it is heavily defended and they have not succeeded it, she has all the characteristics of a faction but subordinate factions within produce results, from the parties of Paul and Apollos and the High and Low parties of the Church of England. If his patient can become an objector, he will find himself in small unpopular society and the effects will almost be good. Has he had doubts in serving in a just war, does he have courage and won't have misgivings of pacifism, can he nearly be convinced to obey the Enemy. His best bet is to introduce an emotional crisis to convert him from pacifism to patriotism or vice ersa, the main task is the same, have the patient treat it as religion. “Provided that meetings, pamphlets, policies, movement, causes, and crusades, matter more to him than progress and sacraments and charity, he is ours-”p.42 

8 

Now Scewtape is sure the Training College has gone to pieces since Slubgob became the head of it, has no one taught him the Law on Undulation. Humans are amphibians (a revolting hybrid that determined their Father to withdraw his support) half spirit half animal belonging to the eternal world and, in habit time. (that’s not what an amphibian is amphibians need a moist environment to survive and can breathe through their skin) While their spirits can be directed to eternal objects their possessions are in continual change as time does. Their nearest consistency is undulation, repeatedly falling up and down. “As long as he lives on earth periods of emotional and bodily richness and liveliness will alternate with periods of numbness and poverty.”p.44 The dryness now is not a part of his work, just natural and will do no good unless he makes use of it. Find out what the Enemy wants to make of it and do the opposite, He relies on troughs more than peaks. 

They see humans as food (absorbing their will and at its expense increase their selfhood) but the obedience the Enemy demands is different, His love is not propaganda but the truth. “He really does want to fill the universe with a lot of loathsome little replicas of Himself-creatures whose life, on its miniature scale, will be qualitatively like His own, not because He has absorbed them but because their will freely conform to His. We want cattle who can finally become food; He wants servants who can finally become sons.”p.45 Their aim is a world where their Father drew all other beings into himself the Enemy wants a world united but still distinct. 

That’s the troughs the Enemy doesn't use his power to be more present the Irresistible and Indisputable are weapons His very nature forbids Him to use. To override human will is useless to Him, the creatures are to be themselves and one with him. He allows a little overriding in the beginning but never allows it to last long. “He leaves the creature to stand up on its own legs-to carry out from the will alone duties which have lost all relish.”p.47 Through those troughs they grow into what He wants them to be, so prayers in dryness please Him best. “He wants them to learn to walk and must therefore take away His hand;”p.47 (your child can’t learn to walk if you’re always carrying them) Their cause is in more danger when a human looks upon a universe where He seems to have vanished asks why they were forsaken and still obeys. 

9 

Like his last letter stated, the dryness needs to be expected; he believes the trough periods provide opportunity for temptations, the attack of lust has a better chance of success when the man’s world is cold and empty. (the peak lust leads more to being in love) There are other desires of the flesh, he could make the patient a drunkard, encourage him to use it as merriment but never forget, when they deal with pleasure in the healthy and normal form they are in the Enemy’s ground. “I know we have won many a soul through pleasure. All the same, it is His invention, not ours. He made the pleasures: all our research so far has not enabled us to produce one.”p.49 (something else interesting devils are unable to produce their own enjoyments like it’s almost the antithesis of their nature) All they can do is encourage humans to take pleasures in ways or degrees He has forbidden. An increasing craving for a diminishing pleasure is the formula to get the man’s soul and give him nothing in return. (in other words it’s ok have the occasional beer but not to always drink to a detriment) 

Another way of explaining the troughs is through the man’s thoughts, do not let him suspect undulation, let him think this dryness is permanent, then you may proceed. It all depends if the man is the desponding or wishful thinking type, if he is the former direct him to recover his old feelings, the latter, make him content with how low it is and doubt his first days of Christianity. “A moderated religion is as good for us as no religion at all-and more amusing.”p.51 Another possibility is a direct attack on his faith, once he assumes the trough phase is permanent persuade him his religion is just going to die away too, like all phases. 

10 

He heard from Triptweeze his patient made some desirable new acquaintances, and he’s used this in a promising manner. (they are rich smart and superficially intellectual and pacifist not on moral grounds but in the habit of belittling anything that concerns the mass of man and is fashionably communist) With this new couple he’s made use of his patient’s social, sexual and intellectual vanity, encourage him to portray himself as part of that party and by the time he realizes it’ll be difficult to withdraw. He will soon realize his faith is the opposite to assumptions his new friends' base conversations as long as he postpones his own acknowledgement of it, he will be in a false position. “He will be silent when he ought to speak and laugh when he ought to be silent.”p.54 He will assume skeptical attitudes that are not really his but play him well until they become his. “All mortals tend to turn into the thing they are pretending to be.”p.54 Delay the moment he realizes this pleasure is temptation. 

Sooner or later the new friends' natures will become clear then the tactics depend on the patient's intelligence. If he is a fool their presence will sweep away all criticism, then he can live two parallel lives appearing to be two different men in each circle. (so he’ll be two faced duplicitous and truly belonging in neither camp) Failing this he can be made to take pleasure in the two inconsistent lives and can be done by exploiting his vanity being treacherous to two sets of people, feeling shame and satisfaction. Failing all else, persuade him to believe that by continuing with the new acquaintance he is doing them some good all while spending more than he can afford and neglecting his work and mother and her reactions will be invaluable for domestic tension. 

11 

He is glad things are going well, the new friends have acquainted the patient with their whole set scoffers and worldlings, progressing towards their Fathers house. Though laughter is not always in their favor, it divides into Joy, Fun Joke Propper and Flippancy. The first is among family and friends, same as Jokes but they don't know the real cause. (here’s something else demons don’t know joy it’s the antitheses to their nature) Fun is close to Joy, little use to them but can be used to divert them to something else, but has undesirable tendencies to promote charity, courage and entertainment. (music is detestable something like it occurs in Heaven that kind of laughter is discouraged) The Joke Proper is a promising field, divided by humans into two classes some see as an indecent story, others laugh, bawdy humor might or might not help him. The English take their sense of humor seriously and feel shame in deficiency. “Cruelty is shameful-unless the cruel man can represent it as a practical joke.”p.59 (it’s just a prank brah) 

A thousand bawdy jokes do not help towards mans damnations so much, he finds he can do anything without disapproval if it gets treated as a Joke and this temptation can be entirely hidden by English seriousness, anything suggested as too much can be represented as Puritanical. Flippancy is the best and economical, among flippant people a Joke is always assumed, no joke made but the manner implies they found a ridiculous side to it. It builds to armor against the Enemy and free from dangers of the success of laughter. “It is a thousand miles away from joy: it deadens, instead of sharpening, the intellect: and it excites no affection between those who practice it,”p.60 (how long can you tolerate the attitude of someone who doesn't take anything seriously)  

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The Bridge of San Luis Rey 5/5 -Thornton Wilder

PART FOUR 

UNCLE PIO 

In one of her letters the Marquesa tries to describe the impression Uncle Pio left on her, the most delightful man in the world, second to her son in law. If he weren't disreputable she’d make him her secretary, but he is such bad company she has to leave him to the underworld. “Alas, what is the matter with this world, my soul, that it should treat such a being so ill! His eyes are as sad as those of a cow that has been separated from its tenth calf.”p.91 

Uncle Pio was Camila’s maid, singing master, coiffeur, masseur and everything, even her father. He taught her parts so well people thought she could read and write and gave her flowery small parts so memorization wouldn't be a trouble during the height of the season. Camila made her reputation at the theatre and appeared in a hundred plays of Lope de Vega. No better actress at the time, really, the best in the Spanish world, only Uncle Pio saw it. 

Uncle Pio came illegitimately from a Castilian house and at ten ran away to Madrid, living by his wits and attributes of an adventurer. (he’s a jack of all trades book and street smart and has a freedom from conscience) For five years he distributed handbills, held horses and ran errands, for the next five he trained animals for circuses, cooked and whispered information to travelers and spread slander. The next ten years his services were recognized in high circles, and he was sent out to inspire rebellions in the mountains in time for the government to arrive and crush it.  

Despite promise of gains he never did anything for more than two weeks, “But there seemed to have been written into his personality, through some accident or early admiration of his childhood, a reluctance to own anything, to be tied down, to be held to a long engagement.”p.94 The lack of gains is what stopped him from being a thief, the dread of being locked up, he could escape but not his enemies. (this book has such long paragraphs) Similarly, why he stopped working for the Inquisition, watching his victims be led off that institution wasn't predictable. (well you know what they say no one expects the Spanish Inquisition) 

At twenty his life had three aims, independence, renounce the dignities of public life, always be near beautiful women, it was with them he got the name Uncle Pio. (he was actually decent and kind to them) He wanted to live near those that loved Spanish literature, especially the theatre and he studied it in secret. It was when his life got too complicated to continue in Spain he moved to Peru and proved to be as versatile to Uncle Pio as he was to Europe, within four months he knew practically everyone in Lima. The Viceroy employed him several times but for all his activity he never became rich, he did own a house he filled with dogs and birds. “But even in this kingdom he was lonely, and proud in his loneliness, as though there resided a certain superiority in such a solitude.”p.98 Finally he stumbled upon a treasure, Camila Perichole (her real name is Micaela Villegas) at twelve, singing at a cafe, so he bought her. (I guess you could just do that back then) 

She had a bed in his house, and he wrote songs for her and taught her how to listen to her tone. “At first all she noticed was that it was wonderful not to be whipped, to be offered hot soups, and to be taught something.”p.99 (oh Camila) But really Uncle Pio was dazzled by his experiment, the girl devoured the work as she grew into grace, becoming beautiful and she was loyal to him. “They loved one another deeply but without passion. He respected the slight nervous shadow that crossed her face when he came too near her. But there arose out of this denial itself the performance of a tenderness, that ghost of passion which, in the most unexpected relationship, can make even a whole lifetime devoted to irksome duty pass like a gracious dream.”p.99 

They traveled to America, encountering hardship, finding jobs then a harder course of training, complicated as she rose to favor quickly. To not make the applause go to her head (you failed) Uncle Pio resorted to criticism. (ah the J Jonah Jameson method) After each performance she would gauge his mood and try to force him to admit what he found at fault. The mere suggestion she was insufficient would send her into tears until he commented on what she did wrong and she’d cry more about the performance, applause and ask Pio if being so bad is why he left the theatre. He’d give her a bit of compliments but still criticize, “Only perfection would do, only perfection. And that had never come.”p.102 Then for an hour he’d analyze the play, who were they trying to please, they tormented themselves on the standards of Heaven.  With time Camila lost some absorption and a certain contempt for acting made her negligent due to the lack of interests in women's roles in Spanish classical drama, for years Uncle Pio tried to make her interested in the roles. On one occasion he told her the granddaughter of Vico de Barrera arrived in Peru, he had veneration for great poets between kings and saints, so they chose one of the masters plays to perform for her. After the performance Uncle Pio brought the granddaughter to Camila’s dressing room and Camila threw herself at her feet. Uncle Pio loved it when a new girl joined the company and the new talent bestir  Perichole who set herself to efface the newcomer. Her acting was electric but became less frequent even when she was absentminded the audience didn't notice but Uncle Pio grieved. 

Despite her discontent with her parts Perichole still warmed herself with the flame of joy in acting. “But that of love attracted her more often, through with no greater assurance of happiness, until Jupiter himself sent her some pearls.”p.106 Don Andre de Ribera, the Viceroy of Peru, a delightful man ten years in exile, he was bored. Camila was passing the years with the routine of the theatre when this Olympian suddenly transported her to the palace. “Contrary to all the traditions of the stage and the state she adored her elderly admirer; she thought she was going to be happy forever.”p.107 (how old is the Viceroy cause Camila is like in her early twenties maybe and an uneducated peasant with no family this won’t end well) He taught her the opposite of Uncle Pio who was anxious of Camila’s invitations to the palace preferring he had her love affairs in the theatre warehouse but when he saw her improve he was content. 

After some time the Viceroy asked Camila if she’d like to invite some people to their dinners and if she’d like to meet the Archbishop. The Archbishop loved his duties and was devout to punishing himself for his gluttony, (describes him as fat imprisoned in lard his own jailor) he led an exemplary life in all other aspects. He would learn but then forget all but the impressions and knew most of the priests in Peru were scoundrels and required all his education to prevent himself from doing something about it. “that the injustice and unhappiness in the world is a constant; that the theory of progress is a delusion; that the poor, never having known happiness, one insensible misfortune. Like all the rich he could not bring himself to believe that the poor (look at their houses, look at their clothes) could really suffer.”p.109 (oh he’s that type of religious) Once he almost did something about it, a new rule in Peru for priests to exact two to five meals for good absolution, in indignation he was going to write a letter to his shepherds but could not find ink and was so upset he fell ill. 

His inclusion on the dinners was stressful and Don Andres grew increasingly dependent on Uncle Pio but waited until Camila proposed he join and he invited Alvarado. When Camila arrived at the dinners she’d carry the conversation for hours gradually allowing the men to talk. All night they spoke of longing for Spain, the supernatural, earth before man ecetera. “Each one poured into the conversation his store of wise anecdotes and his dry regret about the race of man.”p.111 In the morning each waited for the other to go first and glance at the sleeping Perichole but Uncle Pio’s were on her all night. “full of tenderness and anxiety, resting on the great secret and reason of his life.”p.112 

Uncle Pio divided the world into two groups, those that did and did not love, those that had no capacity for it were not alive and could not live until after death. His own definition was gathered from his bitterness and pride from his life, a cruel malady youth pass through and emerged wrung but ready for living and never again saw a human being as a mechanical object and it seemed Camila never went through it. For years he waited, even after she bore the Viceroy three children she was the same, her passages of plays were the secret joy now were more cursory as she tired of Don Andres and found new lovers. Now she wanted to be a lady and referred to acting as a pastime, going to church and learning to read a little, becoming virtuous. She made up family and obtained legitimization for her children and carried a candle in penitential parades. “Her sin had been acting and everyone knows that there were even saints who had been actors-”p.114  

Camila’s son Don Jaime was seen and inherited his father's convulsions (epilepsy) and he frequently took walks with his mother. Camila left the stage at thirty and took five years to have a place in society and it was that progress up that told Uncle Pio he’s not to be seen with her in public and even grew impatient with his discreet visits. (so she had a taste of the high life and wants to leave behind her everything that made her who she is while also thinking she’s too good for them including the man who took her in) Finding reasons to quarrel, they were down to once a month and when impossible he’d visit the children. He met her in the French Gardens south of town waiting for Camila, (he was excited to see her be called Uncle Pio reliving their vagabond life) she says it’s Dona Micaela now. He asks that she listen, she refuses to return to the theatre daily insults of that filthy place, he’s wasting his time. She doesn't want his criticisms or advice just give up and put her out of his mind. 

 He pleads with her, they notice she’s not there and the audiences are leaving, no one can speak Spanish or walk correctly anymore. Camila apologizes for her behavior, Jaime was ill but it’ll be no good for her to go back, they were foolish to try to keep alive that Old Comedy. “Let people read old plays in books if they choose to. It is not worth fighting with the crowd.”p.119 (and so the art dies and is forgotten to time) Uncle Pio asks for forgiveness, as for his pride he never gave her the praise she deserved, she might have a chance in Madrid to be famous, she can be Dona Micaela later, they will be old and dead soon. She won’t go to Spain, he’s fifty and still dreaming, of course he loves her more than he can say. “You are a great lady now. And you are rich. There is no longer any way that I can help you. But I am always ready.”p.120 Camila says there’s no such thing as that kind of love in real life, (a girl beaten her whole life then trained to perform for no praise and that her looks were the only thing she had is it any wonder she has this way of thinking) he wasn't convinced and she told him not to try to understand, don’t think about her. “Just forgive, that’s all. Just try to forgive.”p.121 She went away but he sat for a long time trying to understand the meaning of those things.  

Suddenly the news Dona Micaela was Camila Perichole and had smallpox was all over Lima and a hope her beauty that caused her to despise her class would be impaired. As soon as Camila was able she sold her little place, returned her jewels and sold her clothes, but her admirers still sent her gifts. Like all beautiful women she believed it was the basis of attraction and now any attraction was from pity, she had never realized any love but passion. (I say there’s Uncle Pio but he’s more of a hardass that’s bad at expressing himself) The sharpest expression of self-interest, not until it passed through great doubts and self-hatred can it take place among loyalties. As her friends tried to draw her back out she grew angrier, convinced her life was over and her children’s. She gave back more than she owed and now approached poverty to her lonely future. 

Uncle Pio wasn't discouraged, making himself useful lending money but even still Camila was convinced he pitied her and lashed out. “He loved her the more, understanding better than she did herself all the stages in the convalescence of her humiliated spirit.”p.123 But one accident lost him his share in her progress, he opened a door as she tried to conceal her pockmarks, and she yelled at him to leave her house forever. She hurled things at him as she chased him down the hall and gave orders to forbid him from the grounds but he still tried for a week. He eventually returned to Lima and thought of a strategy, he returned to her house and imitated a young girl weeping under her window. (how can a man in his fifties make his voice sound like a little girl) When Camila asked who was there Uncle Pio said he’s Estrella and needs her help when she came out he revealed himself. 

She’s angry he won't leave her alone, she doesn’t want to speak to anyone, her life is over now. He only asks one more thing then he won't bother her again, let him take Don Jaime with him to live a year in Lima as his teacher in the Castilian. No, he’s sick, only the country is healthy for him, Uncle Pio begs he’ll make arrangements, a mother can't be separated from her child like that (if only it was that) now give up thinking about her, she and her children will get by. Uncle Pio used the hard measure and wanted the money she owes him, she’ll pay what she can, he didn’t mean it, he just asks for Jaime, was he such a bad teacher to her. She says it’s cruel to urge gratitude, she was but now there's nothing to be grateful for, if Jaime wishes to go he’ll be at the inn at noon. The next day Jaime was at the inn with little clothes but soon after they left Uncle Pio knew it wouldn't be good for him. As they got to the bridge, “Jaime tried to conceal his shame for he knew that one of those moments was coming that separated him from other people.”p.128 (listen to your gut feelings) Uncle Pio said they’d rest after they crossed but that wouldn't be necessary. 

PART FIVE 

PERHAPS AN INTENTION 

“A new bridge of stone has been built in the place of the old, but the event has not been forgotten.”p.133 (never forget) The tragedy passed into expressions, some poems, anthologies but the real monument is Brother Juniper’s book. (you mean the one no one reads because the only other copy is lost in a library) “There are a hundred ways of wondering at circumstance.”p.133 Brother Juniper arrived at his method from a friendship with a student at the University of San Martin. This students wife left him and two babies for a soldier now he was locked in bitterness and derived joy from all that was wrong in the world. In moments of almost defeat and he would explain why stories like this weren't difficult to believe with so many sneers at faith, Brother Juniper saw that it was time for proof. He took notes on survivors and victims of tragedies for their value sub specie aeternitatis (thanks to analog horror every time I see Latin I instantly think of Vita Carnis) rated on a basis of ten, of goodness, piety and usefulness. (the disabled can go fuck themselves I guess)  It was more difficult than first thought, “Almost every soul in a difficult frontier community turned out to be indispensable economically, and the third column was all but useless.”p.135 Brother Juniper added up the index for each peasant and compared it to the survivors and discovered the bad were five times more worth saving, so Brother Juniper tore up his findings and threw them in the ocean. (your scientific results don’t prove your theory so you just destroy all your work)  “The discrepancy between faith and the facts is greater than is generally assumed.”p.136 Another story from the university student gave Brother Juniper a hint for how to proceed after the fall of the bridge. He was in the Cathedral of Lima and read the epitaph of a well-loved lady and got angry that people perpetuate the legend of selflessness and disinterestedness, so he sought out everyone who knew her and thinks she's just an exception. “And everywhere he went, like a perfume, her dear traits had survived her and whenever she was mentioned there arose a suffering smile and the protest that words could not describe the gracious ways of her.”p.137 

In compiling his book Brother Juniper feared admitting the little details will lose a guiding hint but still couldn't find their setting so he re-read to find hidden facts. People gave conflicting perspectives, and he found there was the least to be learned from those closest to the subjects. “He thought he saw in the same accident, the wicked visited by the destruction and the good called early to Heaven. He thought he saw pride and wealth confounded as an object lesson to the world, and he thought he saw humility crowned and rewarded for the edification of the city. But Brother Juniper was not satisfied with his reasons.”p.138 

After the book was done it was judged to be heretical and ordered to be burned with the author and Brother Juniper submitted the devil made use of him. He spent his last night in his cell seeking his own life pattern that escaped him in the five others and longed for a voice to testify for his intentions were for faith. “But the next morning in all that crowd and sunlight there were many who believed, for he was much loved.”p.139 There was little delegation from the village many stood puzzled as he was given to the flames. “Even then, even then, there remained in his heart an obstinate nerve insisting that at least St Francis would not utterly have condemned him, and (not daring to call upon a greater name, since he seemed so open to error in these matters) he called twice upon St Francis and leaning upon the flame he smiled and died.”p.139 

The day was clear and nice for the service, the Archbisop sweated on his throne, Don Andres knew the crowd expected him to play a grieving father and wondered if Perichole was there, Alvarado stepped in for a moment to call it all false. The Abbess sat with her girls, the experience left her pale and firm. “She had accepted the fact that it was of no importance whether her work went on or not; it was enough work.”p.141 Pepita wouldn't continue it and it would relapse to the indifference of her colleagues, sufficient for Heaven, the disinterested love in Peru flowed and faded and she quietly told Pepita her affection should have had more of that color and her life that quality but she was too busy. Camila attended, her heart filled with consternation and amazement. All the tragedies in her life and now the Viceroy was sending her daughters to a convent school in Spain, she was alone, (see be careful what you wish for) but she couldn't feel anything thinking she had no heart. (no you’re just numb) Then she felt great pain, “I fail everybody,’ she cried. ‘They love me and I fail them.”p.142 She despaired for another year then heard the Abbess lost two she cared for in the accident, she would know how to explain. 

She went to the Abbess and introduced herself, the Abbess knows her, having wanted to see her but was told she didn't want to see anybody and at the mention of her losses from the bridge Camila felt pain again. She asks the Abbess what to do she is alone, she takes her to the garden and tells her she wanted to know her even before the accident. She had lost two a year ago in the accident, but Camila lost her real child and has Camila tell her about it. 

“But where are the sufficient books to contain the events that would not have been the same without the fall of the bridge? From such a number I choose one more.”p.144 The Condesa d’Abuirre came from Spain to call on the Abbess, Dona Clara came in prepared to defend her mother to the Abbess to allow her to speak. (now you give a shit about your mother) At last the Abbess told her of Pepita, Esteban and Camila. “All, all of us have failed. One wishes to be punished. One is willing to assume all kinds of penance, but do you know, my daughter, that in love-I scarcely dare say it-but in love our very mistakes don't seem to be able to last long?”p.145 The Condesa showed her mother's last letter and she was astonished Dona Maria could have such words and was very happy the trait she lived for had proof and the world was ready and asks Clara if she’d like to see her work.  She showed Clara everything she worked for and spoke of there possibly being a language for the deaf (recorded history of sign language starts in the 17th century but reference to hand signs go back to 5th century BC Greece) and dumb (dumb as in not being able to speak) there’s hundreds in Peru, is there a way found in Spain, maybe someday there will be. She thinks something can also be done for the insane, but she can't go where those things are talked about, are they gentle with them in Spain. “It seems to me that there is a great secret about it, just hidden from us, just around the corner.”p.146 (the Abbess was truly ahead of her time) If there's something in Spain write it to her if she’s not too busy. (good luck she was too busy for her own mother) 

The Abbess leaves for a moment to talk to the very sick and returns with Camila and leaves again to talk to the flour broker. But Dona Clara watched the Abbess talk to them, to all those in the dark, Esteban and Pepita, alone, no one to turn to and those in beds within, a wall the Abbess built for them, light and warmth. “and without was the darkness they would not exchange even for a relief from pain and from dying.”p.148 Almost no one remembers Esteban and Pepita, Camila will die and so will the memory of her son and Uncle Pio. 

“But soon we shall die and all memory of those five will have left the earth, and we ourselves shall be loved for a while and forgotten. But the love will have been enough; all those impulses of love returns the love that made them. Even memory is not necessary for love. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning.”p.149  

FIRST

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The Bridge of San Luis Rey 3/5 -Thornton Wilder

PART THREE 

ESTEBAN 

One morning twin foundlings were found in a basket at the Convent of Santa Maria Rosa de las Rosas and given names that weren't useful since no one could tell them apart. As they aged their parentage was guessed Castilion, the one closet to being a parent was the Abbess Madre Maria del Pilar, who hated all men but was fond of Esteban and Manuel. She’d have tea with them and tell them stories and grew to love them all while waiting to see them grow the ugliness of men. “All the ugliness that made hideous the world she walked in.”p.54 They stayed in the convent until they became a distraction, (like how young girls are to creepy old men) since they dedicated themselves to cleaning other sacristies in town. As they grew older, they had no desire of clerical life, instead becoming scribes and made a living with it. (this was back when literacy and mass printing wasn’t widespread) 

Because they were twins with no family brought up by women, they were silent and lived in shame by their appearance. “They had to live in a world where it was the subject of continual comment and joking.”p.55 When they learned to speak, they invented their own language for when they were alone. The Archbishop was interested in languages but trying to get them to write it down was somehow humiliating to them and he eventually let them go. Their language was a symbol of their identity with each other, “so love is inadequate to describe the tacit almost ashamed oneness of those brothers.”p.56 Side by side existed a need of each other and exchanged few words and looks this produced natural miracles. (meaning the ESP twins share) 

Growing tired of writing they went down to the sea to work at the docks, pick fruit and ferry and always they were silent. “All the world was remote and strange and hostile except one’s brother.”p.57 Finally a shadow was cast over them by a woman, they returned to the city to copy a play and didn't like it seeing poetry as futile. Perichole was on stage as Esteban returned home to finish copying Manuel stayed, years ago they saw her before, seeing they were twins guessed Esteban was the younger one. Since all of Manuel’s errands ran past the theatre beneath her dressing room the first time his imagination was overwhelmed by a woman. He lost the dissociated of love and pleasure now it was complicated with love and he lost sense of oneself and neglect of everything that wasn't Perichole, 

  Esteban’s life was enough for him, no room for new loyalty because it was simpler now, he discovered the secret. “There may be two equally good, equally gifted, equally beautiful, but there may never be two that love one another equally well.”p.59 So Esteban stayed up wondering why Manuel was so changed, why meaning went out of their life. One evening Camila called for Manuel to write a letter for her and complains how they both never come see her, is it because she’s an actress. She sees Manuel's face he doesn't like her so wants Esteban instead, he stays saying she can trust him, does he promise to keep what they are secret even from Esteban, he does. She walks around dictating her letter and pays him and will call on him again, her uncle  Pio writes her letters but there are things she doesn't want him to know. 

Esteban knew Manuel was brooding over Perichole but didn't know he was seeing her and for the next few months a messenger boy would ask which twin is which, Manuel was wanted at the theatre. Esteban assumed it was copy work then was surprised on the visit to their room when Manuel allowed a lady in to quickly write her a letter. (she’s impatient with her matador lover) Watching the two Esteban saw the new congeniality forming he’d never know and he seemed to shrink away unwanted, a shut out from the tableau of love. (it ain’t love it’s a hard crush and a woman either oblivious or stringing him along because she likes the attention) After she left Manuel worshipped her and gradually became aware of Esteban’s mood who told him, “Go and follow her, Manuel. Don’t stay here. You’ll be happy. There’s room for us all in the world.”p.65 And Manuel felt terror as the mental image of Esteban saying goodbye, understanding his misery, demanding he choose him or Perichole. Their loyalty had been diminished, understanding his suffering, Manuel removed Perichole from his heart. 

Manuel declared it would be the last letter he writes for her but Esteban still leaves saying he’s going for a walk and Manuel didn't have to say that. “You don't have to change for me.”p.67 Manuel calls him a fool for thinking he said that for him, how could he love her what chance does he even have. (absolutely none) He tells Esteban to go to bed in their secret language but Esteban still goes out knowing he’s in the way. It wasn't until Manuel cried out like Esteban was going away forever that he returned and they didn't speak of it for weeks. The next morning Perichole sent for him and he refused. 

One evening Manuel tore open his knee on a piece of metal, fairly healthy Manuel was now bewildered as his leg swelled and racked with pain. (it’s either tetanus gangrene or sepsis) One night Esteban ran to fetch the barber-surgeon (this was back when a barber could perform surgery it’s why they had that red and white pole interesting history look into it) but he wouldn’t be back until morning. In those hours they told each other after the doctor sees it all will be fine and Manuel will be walking in a few days. The doctor came and for hours they treated the wound, but the pain grew worse until nightfall, Manuel grew delirious and at two in the morning he demanded God to damn Esteban. “For coming between me and what was mine by right. She was mine, do you hear, and what right had you...”p.70 (she was never yours and never would be) These outbursts continued hourly and it was some time for Esteban to know his brother wasn't in his right mind and after some horror with being a devout believer, he returned to his brother with a bent head. 

By morning Manuel felt serener declaring he feels better and will be up and about tomorrow, (oh no) does he want Perichole, no. Esteban asks if Manuel still feels that he came between them he would have been all right if he’d gone away, no she’s nothing to him he’s glad things are the way they are. He’s not responsible for what he says his leg hurts, so he didn't damn him to hell for coming between him and Perichole, Manuel says he’s going crazy how could he damn him to hell when he’s all he has. The brothers argue whether or not to replace the dressings and this conversation would happen over and over. The noises would be so loud the other guests would complain and the innkeeper said he’d dump the brothers in the street in the morning. Esteban would go out so they’d rage at him, go inside and muffle his brother's screams, making him angrier. The third night Esteban sent for a priest and during the sacrament Manuel died. 

After Esteban refused to go near the building his brother’s body was in, drifting in the streets, eventually the innkeeper sent for the Abbess who made arrangements. She asked Esteban to help and remembered at fifteen Manuel had said he’s prevent the crucifixion of Jesus. She asks which one he is, Esteban says he’s Manuel and he won't help her, the Abbess reminds him Manuel would always help her. Does he remember what she did for him, yes, she reminds him she is also suffering loss. Esteban wouldn't respond and when the procession passed in the city he followed on parallel streets. All of Lima was interested in the separation of the brothers, Esteban would find work then disappear and reappear in another province but always return to Lima. After he lingered around the convent Madre Maria del Pilar failed to bring him inside, she’d be angry at God for not giving her the wisdom and grace then she sent for Captain Alvarado, (his reason for wandering is he had a young daughter that died) who went to Esteban who was doing copy work in Cuzco. 

The brothers had respect for Alvarado, in the short time they worked together the three made sense in the world. Alvarado found him eating and waited to introduce himself, he’s looking for workmen for a trip far from Peru. After yelling the question again Esteban agreed, he wants his brother too, no, why wouldn't he want to go and eventually Esteban told him he’s dead and Alvarado apologizes he didn't know. (seems like something the Abbess should have told him) Which one is he, Esteban, when did his brother die, a few weeks ago, how old is he, twenty-two, he’s still coming with him, yes. Esteban told him he has to go now to the city to see somebody about something, come back by supper and they’ll talk about the trip. They ate and arranged to go Lima in the morning and Alvarado got him to drink Alvarado talked about ships and Esteban asked to be kept busy and to pretend he doesn't know him, pretend he hates him, he can't write anymore and don't tell the pother men about him. (but why) 

Alrado knows he ran into a burning house to save someone, he didnt even get burned. “you’re not allowed to kill yourself; you know you’re not allowed. Everybody knows that. But if you jump into a burning house to save somebody, that wouldn't be killing yourself.”p.82 (oh Esteban) Not even animals kill themselves when they’re about to lose. Esteban wants to give Madre Maria del Pilar a present before he goes, he’ll need his payment now he won’t need the money anywhere. (oh shit bequeathing something important is sometimes a sign that person is going to kill themselves) “she had a serious loss, once. She said so. I don’t know who it was,”p.82 (it was your brother who was like a son to her same as you) He wants to give her a present, women can't bear it like men can (she’s faring better than you) and Alvarado promised they’ll look in the morning. 

The next day Esteban changed his mind about going, it’s impossible he can’t leave Peru, Alvarado asks about his present, is he going to take it away, it might mean a lot to the Abbess, Esteban agrees. Alvarado assures him it’s the ocean he wants now, go gather his things and they’ll start. Esteban tried to make a decision, it was always Manuel that decided for them and never one as great as this. Alvarado waited for Esteban to return but after a while goes up for him and hearing and rope on plaster thinks it might be for the best then after the rope snaps he runs into the room. (now you take action) Esteban cried that he’s alone making Alvarado relive his own pain. “We do what we can. We push on, Esteban, as best we can. You’ll be surprised at the way time passes.”p.85 They went for Lima at the bridge, the Captain went to the stream to supervise the passage of some merchandise as Esteban went across.  

NEXT

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The Bridge of San Luis Rey 2/5 -Thornton Wilder

PART ONE

PERHAPS AN ACCIDENT 

“On Friday noon, July the twentieth, 1714, the finest bridge in all Peru broke and precepted five travelers into the gulf below.”p.3 It was the high road between Lima and Cuzco, hundreds passed over it every day since it was woven over a century ago. No one descended and passed over the torrent with rafts father than cross the famous bridge named after St Louis of France who protected it. (so I guess that protection warrenty only lasts a hundred years) The bridge seemed to be one of those things that would last forever, (it was woven how many rope bridges last over a century) when news of it collapsing spread people walked in a trance like state thinking of when they last crossed it, when they had planed to cross it again and themselves being the one to fall. (so imagine a person who worked in the Towers was out for coffee when the planes hit) Ther was a great Catholic service when the victims were collected and separated this especially effected the Limeans who frequently delt with acts of God. “That is why it was so surprising that the Peruvians should have been especially touched by the rent in the bridge of San Luis Rey,”p.4  

Everyone was impressed but Brother Juniper (he’s a red head) was the only one that did anything about it, by some sense of coincidence he witnessed the accident. He stopped that hot afternoon and admired the view, “Joy was in him; things were not going badly.”-”At all events he felt at peace.”p.5 Then he glanced up at the moment of the twanging noise and saw the bridge break and five into the valley. (what a way to ruin your day) One thought visited Brother Juniper, “Why did this happen to these five?”p.5 If there was any plan in the universe and human life surely it could be discovered by the lives suddenly cut off. “Either we live by accident and die by accident, or we live by plan and die by plan.”p.6 At this moment Brother Juniper resolved to inquire of those five people and their reasons for taking off. 

Brother Juniper thought it was time theology to take its place among science and that he put it there, what he lacked was a laboratory. There was never a lack of human specimens that met calamity but those little things never quite fit for scientific examination and proper control, (that’s the scientific method baby) this bridge collapse was an act of God. (or poor maintenance) His plan would have perfect skepticism. “It resembled the effort of those presumptuous souls who wanted to walk on the pavements of Heaven and built the Tower of Babel to get there.”p.7 (the irony) No element of doubt in the experiment, he knew the answer, he just wanted to prove it. 

People were always asking for proof and this was the first time Brother Juniper resorted to such methods, often he would dream of experiments to justify God. Now it prompted him to be busy for the next six years, knocking on doors asking questions, filling notebooks to make those five lives whole. The completed book would be burned (foreshadowing) but a secret copy found its way to the Library of the University of San Marco. For all his diligences, Brother Juniper never knew the central passion of those five. “Some say that we shall never know and that to the gods we are all flies that boys kill on a summer day, and some say, on the contrary, that the very sparrows do not lose a feather that has not been brushed away by the finger of God.”p.9 

PART TWO 

THE MARQUESA DE MONTEMAYOR 

Any Spanish schoolboy is required to know more about Dona Maria Marquesa de Montemayor (she’s based on the real Marie de Rabutin-Chantal) than Juniper did with his research. Her letters became a monument of Spanish literature, but her biographers erred as greatly as Juniper did as they tried to invest graces into her life. “where all real knowledge of this wonderful woman must proceed from the act of humiliating her and of divesting her of all the beauties save one.”p.13 Her father was a cloth merchant that hated Limeans and her childhood was unhappy (she was an ugly child that stuttered) and she was determined to live single but forced into marriage at twenty-six, but still lived and thought alone. Her daughter, who she loved, took after her father and eventually Dona Clara left for Spain and the voyage was blessed by the church. 

Left alone the Marquesa’s life grew more inward, neglecting and talking to herself, “All her existence lay in the burning center of her mind.”p.15 She looked so terrible they thought she was constantly drunk and worse was said of her and rumors that she should be locked up and was denounced three times before the Inquisition. She would have been burned had her son-in-law not been as influential and had friends in court. The relations between mother and daughter were further embittered by money, Dona Clara received an allowance from her mother but even all the wealth of Peru wasn't enough to keep up her lifestyle. (what they hell does she do) The best traits of her nature was seeing everyone as her children except the cartographer De Blasius and scientist Azuarius.  

Four years after Clara left Dona Maria was invited to Europe, on both sides the reunion was anticipated with self-reproach and both failed to hold it in. Dona Maria left one day back to America before her daughter awoke. “Henceforth letter writing had to take the place of all the affection that could not be lived.”p.17 Her letters became the textbooks of schoolboys, so necessary was it to her love to attract her distant daughter. She forced herself to go out and trained her eye to observe, read masterpieces of her language and insinuated herself with conversationalists. Night after night she wrote the chronicles of the Viceroy court her daughter hardly read but her son in law was impressed.  

The Marquesa would be surprised her letters were immortal, though critics would accuse her of keeping an eye on prosperity, seemingly impossible she’d pain herself to dazzle her daughter. They misunderstand her as her son-in-law did, missing the purpose. She would sit for hours on her balcony wondering if the pains in her heart were natural. “This woman has suffered, and her suffering has left its mark upon the structure of her heart.”p.19 The words eventually, made it to a letter her daughter scolded her for being a cult of sorrow. (what a nasty piece of work you are) With the knowledge she’d never be loved in return acted in her ideas, first went to her religion, the sincerity of others. She longed to free herself of her love but how could she, with thousands of miles between them she wanted her daughter, for her to say she’s the best mother. 

Two years after she returned from Spain came a series of events she implored her son in law to convince her daughter to see reason and leave the cold. In Peru she is helpless, and she sends gum and a gold chain, the Viceroy also has gout again and couldn't be carried to the doctor. Clara warned her mother to be cautious with what she writes because the letters could be opened on the journey, she’s not funny, her remarks could lead her to a forceful retirement on a farm. Two women fell from a balcony and landed on Dona Merced all three lived, she and Pepita decided to go to a Comedia and a mysterious man is around the Perichole (an actress) all the time it’s unknown how they’re related. (hmm wonder who this could be) 

They play was Dona Leonor* perhaps it would go in her next letter, Pepita was borrowed from the orphanage to be her companion. The Perichole made comments on Marquesa’s appearance and supposed behaviors so all the house’s attention and laughter was on the old woman but she didn't notice thinking about Spain. Perichole became bolder and Pepita told her they should go and as they left the house erupted into triumph, but the Marquesa was pleased she had phrases to send to her daughter. 

It reached the Viceroy his aristocrat was baited in a theater and summoned Perichole to apologize to the Marquesa. (she complied of going barefoot and in a black dress and was given shoes to shut her up) The Viceroy had three reasons for this, the singer took liberties in his court, Don Andres built up exile so ceremonial and complicated society had nothing else to think about, in his court any insult to the Marquesa was an insult to him. Second, Dona Maria’s son in law was an important personage in Spain with possibilities to injure or supplant him, he wasn’t one to vex even through his half-wit mother-in-law. Finally, he meant to humble the actress and suspected she was deceiving him with a matador or another actor, forgetting he was one of the first men in the world. (the phrase ‘not even if you were the last man on earth’ comes to mind) 

Having not heard the insulting songs the Marquesa was surprised by the visit, after her daughter left she took to drinking at night until she passed out. (oh so she is an alcoholic) Several days after the scandal at the theatre she lounged in bed and at dusk Perichole arrived, with effort tried to understand what was said to her and eventually went to meet the actress. Camila (Perichole’s real name) intended to be imprudent but was now struck with the old woman’s dignity even when drunk and timidly began her apology surprising the Marquesa. “How can I be offended, senora? All that I can remember is that you gave a beautiful performance. You are a great artist. You should be happy, happy.”p.29 And Perichole felt shame for her songs the Marquesa tells her they left early for some reason and apologizes for it. Perichiole believed she was playing a farce, everyone saw that performance but still was in tears apologizing astonishing the Marquesa. It’s been a long time since anyone gave her consideration, how could this woman have offended her, an unwise unloved old woman, then asks if she knows her daughter, yes. 

Dona Maria has Pepita get some sweets and talks about how she and her daughter had a falling out over something she can't remember. She goes on complimenting her daughter, how one shouldn't believe rumors that say Clara was unkind to her, any misunderstandings were her fault but were quick to forgive each other and she practically acted it out while in tears. She’s glad Camila was there to hear Clara wasn't unkind to her as people say. “There was some mistake that made me the mother of so beautiful a girl. I am difficult. I am trying.”p.32 While repeating she’s impossible she fell out of her chair and Pepita took her back to bed and Perichiole went home and stared at herself for a long time in the mirror. (reflecting on herself I’m sure) 

The one who saw the most difficult hours of the Marquesa was Pepita, given as a companion to her. The Abbess Madre Maria del Pilar, “who was able to divine the poor human heart behind all the masks of folly and defiance, had always refused to concede one to the Marquesa de Montemayor.”p.33 She wanted to let Pepita live in the palace, have a worldly experience, bend the old woman to her own interests but was indignant. “for she knew she was gazing at one of the richest women in Peru, and the blindest.”p.34 The Abbess was someone who allowed themselves to be gnawed away, fallen in love with an idea several centuries before it appeared in civilization. (she’s a feminist) She knew that for a woman to survive she must have a man and all the misery was worth his caresses and only knowing Lima assumed its corruptions were normal for mankind. “Looking back from our century we can see the whole folly of her hope.”p.34 (yeah...) 

All her charity relied on money and obliged to watch herself sacrifice her kindness and idealism to generalship and struggled to obtain her subsidies from the church. (the archbishop hated her) Lately the Abbess felt old age and a warning feeling of terror for her work. “who was there in Peru to value the things she had valiued?”p.34 So she looked for a soul to be trained as her successor and found Pepita at twelve recounting to other girls the life of Saint Rose of Lima. The education amid a convent must be conducted with indiscretion so Pepita was given the most disliked chores. The Directress would talk to her for hours on religion, how to manage women, plan contingencies, words and beg for money, lending her duties as Dona Maria’s companion at fourteen. 

Few trials were physical, the servants took advantage of Dona Maria’s indisposition, Pepita, for standing up, took the discomforts. She also suffered distress, when accompanying the Marquesa on errands when ordered to stay put her trained obedience left her in the street for hours wanting her mistress who had left the church by another door. Her heart also suffered as Dona Maria sometimes became aware of her and talked to her for hours then the next day withdraw. “The beginnings of hope and affection that Pepita had such a need to extend would be wounded.”p.38 She tiptoed around the palace clinging to her sense of loyalty and duty to Madre Maria del Pilar who sent her there.  

Now something new that would affect both their lives, Clara (she hates the smell of flowers) wrote that she’ll be replaying less, if Vicente returns he’ll tell her about her life, also her child will be due in October. Now Dona Maria was anxious as her daughter would be a mother, she combed for all information of new medical knowledge to send even to taboos for her child. Witnesses agreed there was no harm and perhaps it did some good practicing both paganism and Christianity, at times she felt revulsion. “Nature is deaf. God is indifferent. Nothing in man’s power can alter the course of law.”p.40 She would stop in the street longing to be taken from the world that had no plan but soon belief would surge up and she would run home and light candles in her daughter’s room. 

At last she made a pilgrimage to the shrine of Santa Maria de Chuxambuqua if there was any efficiency in devotion it would be there, the ground has been holy through many civilizations. The Marquesa was carried in her chair across the bridge of San Luis Rey up the hills to the city, when she saw the walls of the town her prayers of her fright were cut short. As Pepita arranged for their stay at the inn as she went to the church a tide or resignation rising, perhaps she would learn to allow her daughter and gods to govern their own affairs. She was not annoyed by everyone around her and ordered her letters from Spain to be brought to her by messenger even as she traveled. At the shrine she read them wrapped in understanding and forgiveness sinking in her heart. 

After preparing their lodgings Pepita waited in the rooms and wrote to the Abbess about the day. The Abbess molded Pepita, “She had talked to Pepita as to an equal. Such speech is troubling and wonderful to an intelligent child and Madre Maria del Pilar had abused it.”p.44 Expanding Pepita’s view beyond her years and making her frightened of her own insufficiency then she cast her into this solitude which Pepita refused to believe she’d been abandoned to. As Pepita tended to the porridge the Marquesa returned having done what she could, “What will be, will be,”p44 (we have a similar saying ‘it is what it is’) and dropped her amulets into the brazier feeling she antagonized God by too much prayer. She sat for a long time then saw Pepita’s letter and read how she’s mistreated by the servants who steal, inquiring about the Abbess’s health. She thinks of her all the time wishing to visit, she’s lonely, wondering if she forgot her, wondering if she could write back. (oh Pepita I want to give you a hug) 

Dona Maria felt envy, longing to command another as this nun did but mostly, she longed to be back in the simplicity of love, to throw off vanity and pride. She reread the letter to find some secret to it as Pepita came back with supper having already ate and Dona Maria takes it as rejection, Pepita offers to read but was sent to bed. She offers to send Pepita’s letter with hers but she denies any letter and pretended to be busy over the brazier, she’s changed her mind of sending it. Dona Maria tells her the Abbess would be happy to receive it, Pepita says it’s not a good letter, Dona Maria thinks it was beautiful, what could have made it better, Pepita admits she wasn't brave, she took the letter to her room and tore it up. Dona Maria thought back on her life the way she acted, “It’s not my fault that I was so. It was circumstance. I was the way I was brought up. Tomorrow I begin a new life.”p.48 (you had no control on how you were raised but you do have control as an adult how you respond to that) She wrote a new letter, remembering with shame how she’d ask her daughter how much she loved her. (ok King Lear) By dawn she finished her letter then checked on Pepita whispering to let her live and begin again. (it’s never too late to change for the better...) Two days later they crossed the bridge during the accident. (...until it is) 

NEXT

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Jim Henson's Labyrinth 19/19 -A.C.H. Smith

14 

Jareth held a few crystals, one of them swirling in the air and flicking it away into a bubble. it drifted and the other three followed outside. The four bubbles approached Sarah, who stared at them entranced. hearing music, the first one had the dancer from her music box. Sarah swayed with the music inside the bubble, dressed in a ball gown, dancing with the others, each bubble had a dancer in it, approaching the other bubble, inside was a ballroom with Jareth waiting. Didymus and Ludo came to the edge of the forest, in the distance the walls of the castle. as Didymus turned to call Sarah she wasn't there, they didn't notice the bubble floating above their heads. 

The ballroom was full of opulence that hard worn away, (100 years of dripping wax candles making stalagmites and threadbare silk tapestries) and the thirteenth hour clock chimed. Sarah watched the bubble dancers and they watched her behind their masks moving in a ring lethargically as they did all night or they lounged against the wall or cushioned pits, (tended to by maids and footmen that had parchment skin so how long have these people been here at this fae party) smiling like knives at Sarah. “She was the picture of innocence in that setting, a picture that excited the dancers, who never took their masked eyes off her,”p.157 Sarah looked in a mirror and saw Jareth pass by dancing with a woman, as she turned he vanished and as she looked for him didn’t notice a young man leering at her. Jareth watched it all, following her in the corrupt ballroom. Sarah was self-conscious now among these strangers who acted like they knew something she didn't and she hurried looking for Jareth, not knowing what to say, just that it was important she found him. 

She saw him whispering to his partner and she looked away in embarrassment to another mirror and saw Jareth now alone (another My Immortal like description of his clothes) and he held out a hand for her. Sarah took it and her dizziness ceased as she spun around the ballroom, she knew she was the loveliest woman of all by the way Jareth smiled at her. She feels it’s like dream but she doesn't remember any dream like this. She saw in his face he was enjoying this moment with no mocking or secretiveness on the others. “And when you’ve found your way in, stay in your dream, Sarah.”-“Believe me. If you want to be truly free, wholly yourself-you do want that, don’t you?”p.159 Sarah did. “Then you will find what you want only as long as you stay in your dream. Once abandoned, and you are at the mercy of other people’s dreams.”p.160 

As she almost kissed him, she closed her eyes but the silence made open them, the music stopped and everyone else was watching, almost laughing. Sarah wrenched herself away from him as he tried to force a kiss, (he’s such a creeper I’m glad David Bowie adamantly refused to kiss the underaged Jennifer Connelly) the clock struck twelve. She ran through the crowd until she saw the membrane and hurled a chair at it bursting the bubble. (yes Sarah get out of that Weinstein Schneider Hollywood party) She was sucked through space and on the ground saw her friends looking up at her. Behind her the ballroom collapsed into junk she recognized from her room. “If this is the debris of the ballroom, she thought, then all my life must have been at that ball, in disguise.”p.161 (hmmm) The sea of junk stretched beyond the horizon spinning Sarah around with it, then it stopped and she was on the ground still holding the rotting peach, she flung it away and fainted. 

15 

Sarah woke up nowhere and could only remember being at the ball ashamed at almost falling for Jareth’s charm and feeling soiled. “Those men who pawed her, Jareth trying so rudely to force a kiss upon her-had she been truly innocent, they would not have behaved like that toward her, would they?”p.163 (Sarah Sarah normally I’d say you acted like a stupid child not thinking but this this you are a child and they are a bunch of creepy adults who took advantage of a child) She looked at the desolate landscape wondering what she was doing. “No one in sight. It was a place where you would soon forget your own name.”p.163 When she stood up the pile of rags she was on moved, the woman told her to get off her back. A little old goblin woman carried a pile of junk on her back, that’s what the other mounds of garbage were. 

Sarah doesn't know where she was going, “You can't look where you’re going if you don’t know where you’re going.”p.164 Sarah didn't argue she just knew she was looking for something, of course she was, they all are, she’s already found lots of things. She gave Sarah things to get started on her own pile, digging through she gave Sarah Lancelot bringing her childish joy like she was a little girl again. Is it what she was looking for, yes, she forgot about it and the old goblin points to her tent for Sarah to look through, inside was her room. 

Sarah woke up in her bed holding Lancelot, it was all a nightmare it was so real and she was still nervous, she opened the door and it led to the wasteland. The old woman asks if she likes the things as Sarah repeats that it’s just a dream, she opens the door again, this time the old woman barged in. She told Sarah it’s best to stay inside, nothing she wants is out there, as she looked around finding things and putting them in Sarah’s arms. She names Sarah things asking if she remembers, “something else was working at Sarah’s feelings, something grey and listless, like despair. She recognized it, but couldn't be sure of its cause.”p.167 (ah this old lady is Sarah’s depression and attachment disorder talking) 

The old woman piled things on her back as Sarah stared at herself in the mirror (she’s also smearing lipstick on her mouth) her shoulders were starting to bow. She starts to think of what she was looking for but the old woman tells her not to talk about it. “It’s all here, everything you’ve ever cared about.”p.168 Sarah stopped listening to the woman or she would have cried and looked for something to distract her off the condescension. On the dressing table was the Labyrinth book, she picked it up and recited the lines and remembered Toby then everything altered, the room was the same but Sarah looked at it with new eyes. “the whole room was a garbage heap, a dead shrine to a spirit that had fled.”p.169 (that spirit being her childhood self) She called it all junk and the woman was taken aback trying to find things and gave Sarah, the music box, (sounds like the ballroom) it’s also junk. “she knew what the grey despair had been. This room was a prison, and she was her own jailor. And so she had the key to release herself, to go and do the thing that mattered.”p.169 (yay she’s breaking out of her arrested development) She had to save Toby and heard her name being called, she stood up shrugging off the junk and the room fell apart. Two hands reached from above and Sarah grabbed on being pulled up to the ground to her friends, behind them was the castle. 

16 

They were at the gates of the Goblin City, Didymus asks if she’s sure she wants to go to the castle. she has to or she’ll lose her little brother. They move forward with Hoggle lingering behind, Didymus shouted at the sleeping goblin guard to open up (that let men in meme) until Sarah begged for him not to make so much noise. Ludo pushed the gate and it swung open (remember the beginning when Sarah was looking for the key to unlocked labyrinth) and it slammed shut as soon as they were in and another pair was open ahead of them but shut before they reached them. At each door was half a set of armor that now formed a titanic warrior called Humongous who wielded two axes. He missed his swing and it hit the wall sending sparks, they dodged his swings trying to take cover. Between a blow Didymus spotted something on the parapet, Hoggle running along toward the inner gate with a purpose. 

Hoggle jumped down on Humongous and kicked his helmet knocking it open revealing a tiny goblin working the controls. Hoggle grabbed him and tossed him out and took over the levers making Humongous go out of control and smoke as Hoggle jumped out. Humongous was on a rampage working his way back to the inner gates, swinging into the arch and breaking down as he overloaded. Sarah asks Hoggle if he’s alright, but Hoggle says he’s not asking to be forgiven. he doesn't care what she thinks, he said he was a coward and not interested in being friends. She forgives him and Didymus says what he did was courageous, Ludo calls him a friend. Sarah gives him back his jewels and Ludo opens the gates and the party heads into the Goblin City.     

The goblins watched Jareth play with Toby, wishing they could play with him, Jareth would tickle Toby and when in range, Toby would punch him in the face. Jareth laughs that he’s spirited, he’ll name him after himself, (is this just for Toby or does he rename all the stolen babies) he has his eyes, and as Toby smacks him in one says his disposition too. Goblins then came running in yelling that the girl who ate the peach is here with a monster, Sir Didymus and a gnome. (his wiki says he’s a dwarf) They got past Humongous and are on their way to the castle, Jareth commands them to stop her. He hands Toby (he calls him Jarethkin unsure if that means he’s now family or all the goblins are considered that) off to one of the goblins to take care of,  Sarah must not get him. As the goblins run off Jareth was left alone repeating she must be stopped from getting the baby. 

17 

Goblin City was a shantytown decorated in Goblin Grotesque style and rotting garbage littered the streets huddled in the shadows of the castle. In the dawn the city seemed asleep, and the party made their way through the marketplace as Sarah and Hoggle tell Didymus to keep quiet. Hoggle calls it a piece of cake as Sarah thinks they're going to make it. Hoggle should have known better the last time that phrase was said and now the danger was a bugle that sounded the goblin army they could only run back into town. (thanks a lot Hoggle you jinxed it) Jareth watched the chaos and winced as the four ran through the city as other goblins popped their heads out of windows to look. Sarah had them run into an abandoned house and bolted the door telling Didymus to guard it while she and Hoggle watched the windows and Ludo the roof. 

As a goblin smashed through a window Sarah brought a plate down on its head, one recognized Hoggle as he used to be with them, Hoggle hit him with a teapot. Sarah and Hoggle were overwhelmed and Didymus wondered if he should disobey orders when the door started to splinter by a battering ram he tried to fend them off with his staff but it wasn't in reach when the door burst open. Sarah and Hoggle were running out of crockery and the horde kept coming, they asked Hoggle what did they do to him, they stole Sarah’s brother, he knows they steal babies. Ludo was knocking down goblins on ladders when canons were called up that misfired. 

Inside Didymus heard the goblins talking about eating Sarah and he was infuriated and charged at the goblins in town, disarming the horde. Sarah saw him surrounded by goblins wielding spears and called for Ludo to summon rocks and for Hoggle to retreat up the stairs. As Ludo roared a distant rumbling followed as bits fell off the castle walls but, in the meantime, Didymus was cornered, and they were trapped on the roof. Sarah calls for Didymus to hold them back as she made a rope out of sheets for them to climb down. Didymus fought his way to the roof and while on the rope, cut it, so the goblins wouldn't follow and fell using the sheet to parachute down. Meanwhile the rocks filled the streets overtaking the army and walling them up allowing Sarah to lead her friends back to the castle and walk inside the throne room. “The chamber was deserted. In the middle of it was a cradle, empty. The clock showed three minutes to thirteen.”p.190 (gasp Jareth you cheating bastard) The vulture sitting above the throne laughed. 

18 

Toby was gone, but Sarah knew Jareth wouldn't abandoned his castle, the only other way was a set of stairs. Sarah ran for it and the others followed but she stopped them, she has to face them alone. “Because that’s the way it’s done.”p.192 All the stories do Sarah felt awful, but she was right and Didymus agreed. “But shouldst thou have need of us...”p.192 (hmm) She went up the stairs and found herself in a hall with many staircases, balconies doors and windows, inside out, backwards and upside down and went on alternating. (so an MC Esher painting Winchester Manor mix with Hogwarts physics) Sarah edged her way along when Jareth calls that he’s been expecting her, Toby is safe in his keep, he’s not keeping him because she’s here. Jareth tells her she’s answered none of the riddles and doesn't even know the questions, she understands nothing. (thank you for calling that out) “You are wrong. I have come to understand one thing very well. You are just putting on a show of confidence. It doesn’t take me in anymore. You are frightened Jareth.”p.193 (yes call his ass out too) They both are. 

They stared at each other for a few seconds then Jareth moved around the stairs calling Sarah cruel and they are evenly matched. “I need your cruelty, just as you need mine.”p.194 Sarah was losing balance watching him then she saw Toby, she had to reach him, Jareth mirroring everywhere she went, laughing. Jareth tossed a crystal ball, Toby followed it over the edge along a wall, defying laws of gravity. Sarah chased after him but he kept getting out of reach at risk of falling off a balcony or stairs. (safe in his keep my ass you don’t even have a single baby gate) Suddenly Jareth spun her around, “It has been a fine game, Sarah, and now it’s time to finish playing, because you cannot ever win.”p.195 Sarah saw Toby near a window, birds were outside, it wasn’t an illusion and she jumped to reach him, Jareth smiled triumphantly. “If he could not keep the baby, nor would she.”p.196  

Sarah opened her eyes and found herself in another part of the hall, something changed, a wing of the castle was in ruins, the stones were gone, grass in the cracks the turrets collapsed growing brambles. The sound around Jareth now had a forlorn ring to it. “Jareth stepped out from a shadowy archway, wearing a faded, threadbare cloak. His face looked older, drawn. In his blond mane was a trace of grey.”p.196 (so what does he really need baby youth to keep himself young and his kingdom running) She demanded Toby, he warns he’s been generous until now, but he can be cruel, he’s done everything she’s wanted. “You asked that the child be taken. I took him. You coward before me, I was frightening.”-”I have reordered time,”-”I have turned the world upside down.”-”And I have done it all for you,”-”I am exhausted from living up to your expectations. Isn’t that generous?”p.197 (he played the role of the villain in her story) 

Sarah starts to recite the lines from the play as Jareth yells at her to stay back and stop, offering another crystal to show her her dreams. She continues and he says he asks so little, just believe in him and she can have everything, when she fumbles the lines again. “Just fear me and love me, “-”and do as I say, and I...I will be your slave.”p.198 And Sarah finally recalled the words. “You have no power over me.”p.198 Jareth and the goblins shouted no as the clock struck, (there’s no way all that happened in three minutes) he tossed the bubble up his face distorted in it and when Sarah touched it it burst. Jareth disappeared, leaving his dusty cloak and at the twelfth chime a white owl flew out from under it, flying circles over her. 

19 

Sarah wiped her eyes saying she needs to get out of the habit of crying and going over the top, (finally some growth) then remembered she hadn't found Toby. The owl was still flying above her but she was on the staircase of her home. The owl flew out an open window and she ran up the stairs shouting for Toby, he was asleep in his crib, she woke him up cuddling him and gave him Lancelot. She watched him sleep for a long time before going back to her room, it was after midnight and her parents would be home soon. She looked around her room, at the old photographs and removed them one at a time, putting them in a drawer including the old family photo and music box. 

Downstairs, Irene called for her and Sarah held the Labyrinth book, “Wait,”-”I am closing a chapter of my life. Just wait.”p.202 And she put the playbook in the drawer and called back she’s there and welcome back, surprising Irene. Sarah thought once was enough for now and pushed the drawer shut, behind her in the window was a reflection of Ludo saying goodbye. When she spun around the room was empty then it was Sir Didymus. “And remember, sweetest damsel, shouldst thou ever have a need...” “I’ll call.”p.203 She told him goodbye and Hoggle appeared. “Yes, if you ever need us...for any reason at all...”p.203 Sarah says she needs them all then the Wise Man appeared. “Sometimes,”-”to need is...to let go.”p.203 Outside the owl watched and waited and flew away unseen. (growing up isn’t leaving childish things behind it’s carrying them with you in different ways)  

FIRST

[crackspinewornpages]

Jim Henson's Labyrinth 13/19 -A.C.H. Smith

9 

Behind the tree Ludo was hung from were two high doors in a stone wall, both had iron knockers that were repulsive faces, one with the iron ring in his ears and the other his mouth, which to choose. “She always found choices hard to make; if there were two kinds of cake at a birthday party, she would contrive to take a bit of each, at a decent interval, naturally, and hoping that no one noticed.”p.103 (what party serves two kinds of cake also Sarah is it really that hard to choose between chocolate and vanilla) The knocker with the ring in his ears said it’s rude to stare she tried to apologize but the second knocker tried to say something. She took out the ring so he could speak and after the knockers had a fight Sarah asked which way to go, they don't know. they're just knockers. Since she spoke to the second door, she chose it or would that be rude since they might not like their doors opened. “If she weighed the implications of every alternative, would she ever get to make a choice at all? When one door opens, so does another one.”p.105 

She tried to open the second door but it wouldnt budge and so she asked how to get through, knock on the door. (Knock On Doors That’s What The Knocker’s For~) The second knocker refused to have the ring back in his mouth, so she used the first door. Through it she heard giggling and laughter, but Ludo refused to follow so Sarah went ahead. She followed the sound of merriment in the forest and found it was the forest that was laughing, and she joined in until she felt faint, and the forest pitched in hysterics. She couldn't stop and could see Ludo at the door encouraging her to come back. As she dropped herself close enough so he could pick her up and take her back inside. (so...what was the lesson here) 

After she recovered, she went to the second knocker and when he refused to open his mouth, she held his nose until he gasped for air. After knocking the door opened to a foreboding forest but there's no other way (you could try the maze again) and she’s not turning around, and Ludo reluctantly followed her. She didn't know which way to go now, “A path ran in front of her into the forest, but how could anyone take it for granted that a path was the way you wanted to go?’p.109 Sarah was so distracted she didn't notice the ground open up swallow Ludo and close again. As she tried to climb a tree it fell over, and she saw it was made of bone and now the whole forest was collapsing into a heap of bones. “And Sarah knew it was all her fault, the destruction of this delicate balance. And Sarah knew it was all her fault,”p.110 (well it’s about time) It was too much, and she broke down crying she couldn't do anything right and after a while noticed Ludo wasn't there with her. She couldn't stay and ran anywhere, the forest getting darker the deeper, she went until a bright savage creature leaped in front of her. 

10 

Hoggle was hoggling around the hedge maze, the girl had his jewels, he tried to please her and Jareth. “and that’s what you get for trying to please everyone.”p.113 He stopped when he heard a scream and with a second scream his rudimentary conscience came to a decision, and he ran to her. Around the corner there was Jareth asking where he is going, after some time Hoggle said Sarah gave him the slip but he heard her just now and he will take her to the beginning like he told him to, while wishing Jareth would do anything but smile at him. Jareth nods and for a moment he thought he would help her, but he wouldn't after his warning, that would be stupid. Jareth points out his missing jewels, Hoggle promises he’ll find them and the girl just like they planned. 

Jareth stops him, he has a better plan and tosses Hoggle a crystal that turns into a peach, it won't hurt her will it, why the concern, just curious. Jareth says all he has to know is to give it to her and Hoggle was torn between fearful obedience and unknown affection. He won't harm her and Jareth is surprised at him losing his head over a girl, how could she ever like someone as repulsive as him, (whatever Lord Farquaad) is he her friend, Hoggle says it doesn't matter. Jareth warns to give her the peach or he’ll be put in the Bog of Eternal Stench and if Sarah kisses him, he’ll turn him into a prince of the Land of Stench and walks off laughing. (that joke sucked) 

What leaped in front of Sarah was a Fiery and they are wild, and it told her to cut out her screaming it won’t do any good. (well it’s right crying might be an emotional release but what good will it do when you're in trouble to just sit there and bawl) Four more appear, they’re just having a good time here and they hooted and jumped around lighting a bonfire with sparks from their fingers. One used tree stumps as drums and the rest broke into a dance around Sarah, she couldn't have run if she wanted to. She was horrified by their antics as they dismembered themselves and tried to persuade her to join in. “But she thought she had their number now-just crazy good-times, out of their skulls and she was no longer frightened, not even when one tried to lift her head from her shoulders.”p.118 (I’m serious this could easily be a horror story) 

Then she remembered her predicament and started to cry again (she cries so much for a fifteen-year-old) and tells them she’s trying to get to the castle, is she sure she knows what she’s doing, yes. The drums pick up and the Fierys grinned at each other it's not a problem, they’ll take her there, they’re not that wild. She can't walk around here by herself, she did have a friend with her, Hoggle, they know Hoggle, and they pull her along into the wilderness. Meanwhile in the castle Jareth was watching from a crystal and held Toby up to it who recognized Sarah and reached for her. Jareth shook his head so much trouble for such a little thing, but soon she’ll forget everything once Hoggle gives her his present. 

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Sarah was hauled along reluctantly, she couldn't see the castle, time was ticking and tried to think of when she could have made a different choice. “How would she know? What evidence had she been given that any of her choices were the right ones? If there were right ones; if it wasn't all a cruel hoax by which Jareth tormented her with the illusion that Toby could be rescued.”p.123 Instead of crying again she focused on what she did right, she had to to have gotten this far, but it would mean nothing if she couldn't get away and save Toby. 

The Fierys were pointing at random things asking if that’s the castle and Sarah asks to be let go but the Fierys ignore her and continue their good time. They dragged Sarah further, as they were goofing around she tried to slip away but they quickly caught up to her. Not knowing where to go, Sarah wondered what the point was of doing anything. “Maybe just havin’ yourself a good time was the best anyone could hope for.”p127 But that’s besides the point, she couldn't do anything until she got rid of the Fierys. 

She got an idea and told them they don’t even know what the castle looks like as they goofed off. One showed how wild he is by taking his head off, Sarah grabbed it and threw it as far as she could, she did the same with the others and in the pandemonium she ran. The Fierys called back that it’s fun, to take her head off too, as she climbed a rock face to escape a rope hit her in the nose. Hoggle hauled her up as the Fierys were eager to dismember her for a good time. (ok so these guys are allegory for being wary of dangerous friends who put having a good time over safety and also going off with strangers) Sarah found she was atop a turret of the Great Goblin Wall after Hoggle beat off the heads he turned to Sarah who thanked him with a kiss then the earth moved beneath them. 

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The paving stones they were on tipped them into a chute, having gotten this far required Sarah to be persistent and solve paradoxes. (she hasn’t solved shit) “Jareth was King of the Castle, and he would tolerate no display of emotion here, no gesture of friendship or sentimentality.”p.131 With her kiss Hoggle became Prince of the Land of Stench. “Everyone in Jareth’s realm was an island. If you did something for someone else, it was never an act of kindness but a calculation, an investment that would return a percentage when you called on it.”p.131 The words, to give, were obscene and, to love, only was desire, you stand on your own feet and only on someone else's to get higher. Your success was measured of how you could commend others, this was why Jareth was envied, and he was gong to keep it that way.  

They skidded to the edge of the Great Goblin Wall and were made sick from the smell, Sarah didn't take Hoggle’s fear seriously, she did now. (evisceral glairy mucilaginous weren't enough to convey revulsion for the noise let alone smell) Their only path was now along the narrow wall of crumbling stones, but it was the only way. As they wondered which way to go the stones beneath them broke up and Hoggle was angry at Sarah for kissing him, Sarah tells him not to pretend, he came back for her because he’s her friend, he denies it saying he only came for his property and to give her something. More stones were crumbling away and Sarah tried to grab for him but lost her balance and also fell and landed on Ludo who howled at the smell. They were on a shoal a few feet from the mire and Hoggle was angry he wasn't Sarah’s only friend and Sarah calls him impossible, he’s as possible as she is. (dayum) Sarah moved on and Ludo pointed to a bridge and beyond a forest, better chances of getting to the castle so Sarah urged them on quickly. 

The bridge stood on a pier of stones and as they neared a little fox creature in military dress stopped them, no one without his permission may cross. Sarah says they only have a little time left and Hoggle and Ludo complain of the stench, Sir Didymus can’t smell, he detects nothing calling the air fragrant. (I suppose it is smart to have someone who can’t smell guard a bridge over a putrid swamp) Ludo howled and Hoggle tried to force his way pass and Didymus warns he swore to do his duty and points his staff at him. Ludo, seeing a friend of Sarah threatened, advanced and Didymus attacked him too and Hoggle took that opportunity to run but Didymus was quicker. Didymus enjoyed the exercise, few travelers passed this way and none tested his knightly skills and would gladly fight off a hundred Hoggles and Ludos. “How might a knight prove his valor, except it be tested?”p.137 

Sarah walked up and asked to cross but Didymus forced them back with finesse while he was distracted Hoggle scuttled to the bridge. (dammit Didymus you had one job) As Sarah watched him look out for himself again, she stood by Ludo for moral support. As Hoggle trampled to the bridge bits shook and fell off, when he reached the far bank he looked back, perhaps Sarah was getting through to him. The battle was at a stalemate, Ludo was fed up enough to beat at Didymus with a log and Didymus was bouncing around, both were nearing exhaustion when Didymus leaped back to his bridge and shouted enough. He’s impressed, never before has someone met him and come to a standstill and yields his staff, let them be brothers in arms. Sarah had enough and made for the bridge, but Didymus stopped her, she brought up Ludo is his new brother, but he’s taken an oath. He swore none without his permission may pass, Sarah asks for permission and Didymus was shocked into silence until he came to a decision to allow them to cross. (see how easy things can be Sarah when you ask for permission) 

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The moment Sarah stepped on the bridge it sank several inches, she immediately got off of it, Didymus told her there’s nothing to fear, it stood thousands of years. (and it hasn’t been maintained since) Sarah began walking on it holding the railing as the bridge swayed and bits fell off into the bog. Didymus was glowing with the prospect of a quest certain they must have one the damsel was urgent (I kinda want to see a Labyrinth D&D campaign) and would follow them and encouraged Ludo but with his weight the bridge started collapsing and Sarah ran for it. As the planks dropped beneath her she flung onto the branches of a dead tree. Didymus stood dumbfounded, the bridge was gone and so his purpose then he remembered he dedicated himself to this group’s quest and set out to rescue Sarah. His staff was much too short then Ludo howled louder than he ever did and from the far side of the bog came a rumbling noise, a large boulder rolled right under Sarah as she fell. 

Ludo wasn't done, he summoned rocks from beneath the mire creating a causeway for Sarah to cross. (so he could do this the entire time) In the reunion Didymus called for his steed Ambrosius, an Old English Sheepdog, (oh here’s Merlin but seriously do not ride big dogs like horses they aren't strong enough and it will hurt their backs) a flawless mount except when he sees a cat. He rode Ambrosius across the causeway to join them and they told him their perilous quest. Hoggle hesitated by the bog, if he did give Sarah the peach he’d be dumped into it, he almost dropped it in. “the peach might even slip accidentally from his fingers and relieve him of the responsibility of making the choice.”p.150 But he heard Jareth’s voice warning him not to do it so Hoggle put it back in his bag and miserably rejoined the others. 

Didymus took over the leadership and they all went in silence reflecting on their situations. Didymus on future perils with his brother Ludo, Ludo on how hungry he is, Sarah with how Toby was fairing and Hoggle with his choice and consequences but decided it’s all Jareth’s fault. “I’m just obeying an order that I can’t refuse.”p.151 (Hoggle no) Didymus knows the way to Jareth’s castle they’ll be there before dawn, Sarah thought how that would be too late. When Ludo complained of being hungry Hoggle offered Sarah the peach, ripe and juicy, it appeared to be glowing, and she realized Ludo wasn’t the only one hungry and thinks Hoggle is so kind. Hoggle looked at her expectantly, so she took a bite and was so regretful to spoil such a pretty thing. “Although that was the point, wasn't it? A peach made itself lovely just so that someone would spoil it.”p.152 (why is this giving me creep vibes) If that’s the case, then it’s clever to be repulsive, then rattlesnakes would rule the earth. Sarah mentions it tastes strange then sways and understands what Hoggle did, he damns himself and Jareth as Sarah totters and forgets everyone but Jareth mentioning how everything is dancing.

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