… "Beyond Eastrod": Ernest Hemingway, romantic fantasies, and carnal realities: Going down below the surface to consider the submerged seven-eighths of "Up in Michigan".
It's always good to know when to stop. And in the story Jim is too drunk to know that. On the other hand, it's good to know when not to start. Liz has to know that Jim is drunk, and that it might not be a good idea to be alone with him just then. My Jesuit preceptors would have pointed out that the onus of responsibility falls on Jim, because he is responsible not only for getting drunk, but for the consequences of getting drunk. But some responsibility falls on Liz as well. Life can be so messy.
It's always good to know when to stop. And in the story Jim is too drunk to know that. On the other hand, it's good to know when not to start. Liz has to know that Jim is drunk, and that it might not be a good idea to be alone with him just then. My Jesuit preceptors would have pointed out that the onus of responsibility falls on Jim, because he is responsible not only for getting drunk, but for the consequences of getting drunk. But some responsibility falls on Liz as well. Life can be so messy.
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