Gore's rosebud

[Charles_Sligh at BAYLOR.EDU]

Sorry about the inaccuracies in my last post.  Didn't have Vidal's collected 
essays--_United States_--with me at the time. . . .

Vidal's remark concerning "homophobia" is specific to _Lot 49_--I assume that 
Vidal has Oedipa's chat in the Bar in mind. . . .

This same essay (pages 141 & following?? book's at home) contains the cryptic 
remark on "rosebud"--Kenosha Kid meets the Senator's grandson. . . .

I can recall seeing Vidal invoked as one of TRP's harshest critics--This 
misrepresents Vidal's position--I think that he is simply hesitant 
about/exploring some points about/reflecting upon  a trend in the American Novel 
that he sees as already played out--certainly, even if I don't agree with this 
point concerning _GR_, I find Vidal's qualified praise stimulating--especially 
in light of Vidal's comment that he doubts if anyone can ever really finish 
_GR_--we have finished it more than once, but if we forget that initial feeling 
of loss and alienation, we are denying our old "albatrosses". . . .

Apologies to Vidal for the mistakes;  apologies to Enzian for the stolen 
albatrosses. . . .

It is easier if you get the texts straight as soon as they're spoken. . . .