TRTR(I.3) Empty Handed Lazarus Flesh

[Erik T. Burns]

Jed:

thanks for pointing this out, and for pointing it up. repetition is
part of the beautiful flow of Gaddis. It's also what encourages
detractors (of almost every large book) to insist it could have been
(even) better if (more) edited.

sometimes repetition in Gaddis seems repetitious; most of the time,
though, it feels like he applies repetition skillfully in weaving his
very large, very dense, very detailed tapestry.



On Sat, May 7, 2011 at 9:09 PM, Jed Kelestron <jedkelestron at gmail.com> wrote:
> The attention to pattern recognition that permeates the text is
> illustrated by WG's technique of repeating words, images, and phrases,
> especially within chapters, but also over the course of the novel.
> There are numerous examples, but these caught my eye as I was
> reviewing the uses of hands in Chapter 3.
>
> -------------------------------------
>
> Left hand; right hand: they moved over her with equal assurance.
> Undistinguished here they raised her flesh, and Esther rose to
> reconcile them, to provide common ground where each might know what
> the other is doing. (79:11-14)
>
> [...] her hand moved down his body to find him and gently raise him to
> life. (86:31-2)
>
> -------------------------------------
>
> His empty hands opened and closed at his sides, as though seeking
> something to occupy them. (88:2-3)
>
> He stood, his hands at his sides, opening and closing on nothing. (134:6)
>
> --------------------------------------
>