SLSL "The Small Rain"

[Mutualcode at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/29/02 7:43:45 AM, jbor at bigpond.com writes:

<< Yes. The (figurative) "small rain" which finally stirs Levine's "dull 
roots"
in the aftermath of the hurricane is just like the "little death" (*la
petite morte* - orgasm) which he and Buttercup experience "[i]n the midst of
great death" (50-51). Each is a sort of sensual/spiritual/mystical
epiphenomenon or metamorphosis, but self-consciously and even perhaps
ambivalently so.
 >>

I'm not so sure that Levine is alive enough to experience death,
either large or small. He seems to be hovering somewhere between
life and death. There is some ambiguity about his status which
reminds me of the confusion of the disciples over whether Lazarus
is dead or only sleeping.

respectfully