By a rather random series of events, I've had a lot of chance to ponder Anthony Trollope's The Way We Live Now over the last few years. I read it for a small book group I'm in, and reviewed it at Escape Into Life. Then I happened to catch the Masterpiece Theatre series done on it, starring the superb and very transformed David Suchet. Wrote another little piece on that. In March of this year, I
started to see a certain resemblance between Trump and the novel's center stage monster, Melmotte. I thought I'd reprint this short reflection in its entirety, with an important postscript. Spoiler alert: the postscript gives some of the novel's plot away.
The Way We Live Now, again
Read your classics, people. It could serve you in good stead in areas you least expect it...
started to see a certain resemblance between Trump and the novel's center stage monster, Melmotte. I thought I'd reprint this short reflection in its entirety, with an important postscript. Spoiler alert: the postscript gives some of the novel's plot away.
The Way We Live Now, again
Far be it from me to turn this book review blog into a political commentary, but after just watching a segment on Lawrence O'Donnell on a shady Trump deal in Mexico, I just have to say that a Donald Trump was foreseen by Anthony Trollope in The Way We Live Now when he created the character Melmotte, who enters the political realm in England from a vague but somehow glamorous business past. Everyone is enamored with his wealth, but he eventually learns that politics may be a step too far. He even has a shady railroad deal out in the American West, which proves to be more than questionable.
Postscript: What I didn't tell readers then was that Melmotte, despite or because of all his chicanery, actually attains a place in parliament. But as I hinted, it is a bridge too far. He is ill-equipped for that august body and is soon laughed off the stage, to his ruin. Ridicule is a powerful weapon and normally I am not in favor of it. But I think it's very fair play for someone who has used it mercilessly against others to his own advantage.
Read your classics, people. It could serve you in good stead in areas you least expect it...
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Sorry to have two rows of other links here. Something that happened in the copying.
ReplyDeleteHmm, perhaps reading the novel in America, now, would constitute too painful an instance of wishful thinking.
ReplyDeleteI would actually recommend watching the PBS series, as the key roles are illuminated. The insight is about how people can dazzle us with nonessential things, but also how easily we tire of them once we have seen through them.
ReplyDelete"but also how easily we tire of them once we have seen through them."
ReplyDeleteThat's what I mean by wishful thinking. I'm always skeptical when someone says a situation will turn out all right in the long run. Or rather, I'm not skeptical, but I fear that such optimistic, boosterish proclamations ignore, intentionally or not, people who may be hurt in the short run.
The person I feel most sorry for or at least concerned about in this regard is Barron Trump. Poor kid is only ten years old. Actually, I may be mistaking your point, because I am more concerned for him in the long run than the short.
ReplyDeleteI just meant that I am two minds when I hear those proclamation that this, too, shall pass. On the one hand, I have rolled my eyes at the declarations that a Trump victory would be the end of the world. This country should be stronger than that. On the other hand, some people will suffer.
ReplyDeleteOne must strike a balance between self-crippling apocalyptism (does that word exist?) and excessive optimism of the this-too-shall-pass variety.
I liked Lawrence O'Donnell's segment on how the country will now try to normalize this guy. I will never accept that he is within the norm of what the country should accept as a commander in chief, and I will never believe a single word the guy has to say. It doesn't matter what the guy says after what he has already said. I don't usually resort to such absolute statements. Previously, the only person I think I've said this about is a guy who I used to work with at the bookstore who scammed the store out of thousands of dollars. I often thought that if I ran into the guy on the street, there was nothing he would be able to say to restore my low opinion of him. How could I ever trust him after he lied to and cheated not only the store but his fellow employees? That's a little like how I feel about our current president-elect.
ReplyDeleteWell, I suspect Lawrence O'Donnell is right that much of the population will try to normalize him. What this will mean for how the country conducts its business over the next four years, I don't know, of course.
ReplyDeleteNor do any of us. Strange days ahead.
ReplyDeleteWhere does one find that O'Donnell piece?
ReplyDeleteWell, it was on tonight. Here's the link to the show website.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word#
Thanks.
ReplyDeleteReading Rozovsky and Graham was as integral as staying up last night til 4:37 am to hear/see/witness with MSNBC's Chris Matthews and Lawrence O'Donnell what a chasm caused to a country, our country.
ReplyDeleteFittingly O'Donnell was the background thought-creation of authenticity and producer to West Wing. Should I wish a wish for our America past more than an arched eyebrow of skepticism or agita of fear ... it would be for the "Playing Multiple Chessboards" epic'sode where President Josiah Bartlett showed his what-was-what skills, imparting a gentle version of "gotcha" all along the sportsmanlike playing field.
Those were the days my colleague-friends, those were the days. Then again as eye of the lens Peter aptly said, "Our country should be stronger" than to let a singular individual wreak full havoc.
~ Kate of patriotism, absolutely
So great to see Absolutely Kate* weighing in here. Compensates us for a lot on this dismal day. I just happened to watch Donald walk on stage for the acceptance speech via Democracy Now. Hadn't watched it previously. I would say the response was sheepish. He didn't expect to get this far, not seriously. The way you know it's true is that his ten year old son, Barron acted out all his suppressed emotions. Poor kid.
ReplyDeleteI don't really blame the flim flam man for trying to sell his sad product. I blame a quarter of America for buying it, and close to half of America for not even waking themselves from whatever fantasy football dream they're living in to even roust themselves to bother to vote.
Lovely to have you drop by, Kate. I'd like to know where to see more of you in our virtual universe these days.
Always superb to run smack dab into your thought processes sensational Seana when our paths 'round WebTowne coalesce. Funny you should inquire where there's more of me to see 'round WebTowne -- seems as you were crafting your thoughts in reflection, I was brewing some of my own -- over @ THE ESPRESSO CAFE" where I felt the need to share the conversation of you and Peter to those sipping more robust.
ReplyDeleteYour venerable "Confessions of Ignorance", astute as they are now appear here:
https://www.facebook.com/TheEspressoCafe/
All right, that seals it. I've been inveigled to join Facebook for a group that I am supposed to join. Have been weighing it against my free time, but I guess I'm plunging in. Shall wait till tomorrow, though, dear friend. Meanwhile, thanks for the share.
ReplyDeleteWell, howzabout that -- I'm a conduit for change and further excitement. It's been a worthwhile day after all. Glad your plunge shall splash, dame Seana.
DeleteI thought of this volume as well. Trollope is an astute cultural critic.
ReplyDeleteThanks, for dropping in K.A. Laity. If I knew of a book that Trollope had written about what comes next, I would drop everything and read it. I fear though that not only didn't Trollope write one but that no one has.
ReplyDeleteSeana: That is big news. Let me know when you join Facebook. If you're going to waste time, I'll be happy to help you do so.
ReplyDeleteGeez, I know. I have seriously thought about not telling friends I'll be on it, but what is the point of that?
ReplyDeleteI can understand wanting to restrict one's availability to a select group of friends. I just hope I'm in that number.
ReplyDeleteSend me a friend request when you join.