Thanks for sharing—and do so whenever it strikes your fancy. I, for one, am delighted to know the process and what comes out, as I’m new to Musil.
—btw, it was a pleasure to attend last nights conversation. I had a question that seemed too basic, so I skipped it, but you allude to it here—and that is, every translation is an interpretation. And so it’s every biography. The real question is then—how much leeway (or freedom) do we give ourselves? Alas, I missed my chance to ask, but it cycled to what Sam said—and I wouldn’t say it’s a violation, but a necessary incision:) I’m rambling, so I’ll stop!
Thanks so much for your participation last night, your great questions, and for commenting here. I am always striving to figure out whether I am being fair to Musil, doing him justice, whether he would think I represent him correctly. Of course I hope so, but I also know that I stress aspects of him that are congenial to me and probably leave out ones I don't get as much. It's like every relationship, I suppose. Even with someone one has lived with and loved for decades....one foregrounds certain things and neglects others. Elective affinities!
Thank you for your kind words. And love that, “elective affinities.” This reminds me of how painters render images, style, colors, and what they include and exclude.
Thanks for sharing—and do so whenever it strikes your fancy. I, for one, am delighted to know the process and what comes out, as I’m new to Musil.
—btw, it was a pleasure to attend last nights conversation. I had a question that seemed too basic, so I skipped it, but you allude to it here—and that is, every translation is an interpretation. And so it’s every biography. The real question is then—how much leeway (or freedom) do we give ourselves? Alas, I missed my chance to ask, but it cycled to what Sam said—and I wouldn’t say it’s a violation, but a necessary incision:) I’m rambling, so I’ll stop!
Looking forward to the updates!
Thanks so much for your participation last night, your great questions, and for commenting here. I am always striving to figure out whether I am being fair to Musil, doing him justice, whether he would think I represent him correctly. Of course I hope so, but I also know that I stress aspects of him that are congenial to me and probably leave out ones I don't get as much. It's like every relationship, I suppose. Even with someone one has lived with and loved for decades....one foregrounds certain things and neglects others. Elective affinities!
Thank you for your kind words. And love that, “elective affinities.” This reminds me of how painters render images, style, colors, and what they include and exclude.
Yes! I once wrote a bit about that in reference to Proust's description of Elstir's paintings in In Search of Lost Time (and Musil)....It's an aspect of metaphor making, that we select out certain correspondences to highlight and leave out others. https://numerocinqmagazine.com/2014/02/06/metaphor-as-extratemporal-moment-in-robert-musil-and-marcel-proust-essay-genese-grill/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CFor%20Proust%2C%E2%80%9D%20writes%20Gerard,7%2C%20226).
Definitely would be interested in reading any excised portions on Substack!