More about that darned ampersand

[LARSSON at VAX1.Mankato.MSUS.EDU]

Here's what *might* be a more substantial thought about the ampersand.

The & in old-style script not only connates an older American text (along
with the parchment-like paper, etc.), but replaces the hyphen that links
the two names in their most common usage: Mason-Dixon line.  Rather than
seeing these two worthies as an adjectival unit, a virtually phatic
utterance for the signifier of an essential division in American geography
and history, they are now separated, restored to their individuality (yet
still paired) and to be examined for the Men Behind the Legend.

Still, the & also is common in corporate titles: Sears & Roebuck, etc.
Thus, the two individuals once again become a unity but a corporate one.

I haven't separated any more out on this level, you're undoubtedly thankful
to learn.


BTW, among the various postings about possible parallel pairs to M&D: Laurel
and Hardy (overtly raised in the text at several points), Hope and Crosby,
etc., I don't recall if anyone mentioned Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.  I'm
thinking of the admonition to Mason (by Rebekah?), which is something like
"Sailor, then, beware!"
(I don't have the book at hand to check)

Well, SAILOR BEWARE is indeed the name of the first Martin and Lewis film!


Don Larsson, Mankato State U (MN)