Marie Monday

on Frown's post: I think the body interpretation is cool, I hadn't noticed that. I agree Dorothea seems a stretch but with this book and the symbolism of cities as states of mind I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are meant that way. Do you have any specific ideas about the meaning these metaphors would have? The concentric canal city isn't Isidora, but that city does contain interesting shapes that I was wondering about: spirals and curves (the violins). I think the theme here is escalation and amplification (also curves and phallic telescopes -> desire?) possibly relating to how things are inflated in our memories and legends of the past?

on ando's post: I agree that that's peculiar, I hadn't paid attention to that. I definitely think the order in which to read the chapters isn't important, but maybe I'm missing something there.
I see Chloe in a different way though: I associate it with shyness and social inhibitions and how our fantasies and tension between people can build up because of that. Even without daring to approach people, there is always the nonverbal, almost electric interaction of things like exchanged glances or even sensing someone's presence. And even apart from the social aspect it holds up as a general contemplation on dreamworlds. Of course that interpretation is heavily influenced by my own personality and experience (I think your focus is also valid and interesting because it shows how strongly I'm tied to my perspective, and actually I think escaping our own view and seeing things in different ways is what many of these cities are partly about). But it's also my favourite city for that reason; I relate to it the most.

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