... and the rest will slowly, slowly happen." That, if memory serves, is the final sentence in D.H. Lawrence's final book, Apocalypse, in which Lawrence argues that those who preach apocalypse do so because they crave destruction. I am reminded of this by this link that Dave Lull has sent: Sorry to ruin the fun, but an ice age cometh.
One of these climate predictions is bound to prove right some day. But visit Climate Debate Daily before you place any bets.
One of these climate predictions is bound to prove right some day. But visit Climate Debate Daily before you place any bets.
Lawrence could be a great writer, but he could also be the most appalling of thinkers. Everything is made to fit ferociously into his instinct driven feeling for life. Apocalypse is a mixture of the brilliant and appalling. His essay on Dostoevsky's Legend of the Grand Inquisitor- related thematically- is atrociously willful in its distorted understanding of that piece, deciding as he does that the Inquisitor is correct. His understanding of the Revelations is far from deft, though his understanding of the psychology of its obsessives more accurate. Lawrence was more at home with human flesh than the subtleties of thought.
ReplyDeleteThat said, Climate Change reeks of deceit.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Francis, that Lawrence is far from being a sound thinker a good deal of the time. But, as you suggest, his psychological insight is something, and in the case of the apocalyptists, I think, spot on. Because he does say what is on his mind and usually says it engagingly, I usually find his nonfiction entertaining. His piece on Whitman in Studies in Classical American Literature is excellent, in fact.
ReplyDeleteHe's certainly rarely dull, given the mentioned ferocity. And Whitman's 'natural man' exaltation right up Lawrence's street. Perhaps he doth protest a little too much regarding the body- bit like Nietzsche, sickly chaps both- but, like you say, his understanding of those lustful for apocalypse probably was hitting the mark.
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