I think Saul may be right if he meant to imply that the quote from Fitzgerald was really about his, Fitzgerald's, problems with addiction and a desulatory lifestyle and their contradicting his enormous gifts -- and ambitions -- as a writer. If so, then the famous saying has less philosophical importance than is ascribed to it and is more of a cautionary tale for ordinary mortals while underscoring Fitzgerald's' knowing he was a genius.
wc ----- Original Message ---- From: saulostrow <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sat, June 9, 2012 9:41:40 AM Subject: Re: Scott Fitzgerald quote and "the definition of an artist" Alas too much critical distance - here I thought we could have a contest and give a prize for the best possible appropriation of this glib bit of wisdom - On Sat, Jun 9, 2012 at 10:24 AM, Tom McCormack <[email protected]> wrote: > Oy. A clarification I myself should have made. When I said, "Alas, I have > to > agree with William." I did not want to convey dismay about my ever agreeing > with William. Despite our frequent wrangles, I often agree with him. I > should > have said something more like, "Alas, admirer of Fitzgerald though I am, I > have to agree that his often-quoted remark is more than a little muddled." > > > > On Jun 9, 2012, at 9:58 AM, [email protected] wrote: > > > In a message dated 6/8/12 7:29:59 PM, [email protected] writes: > > > > > >> Frankly, I don't find this [the Fitzgerald quote, "The test of a > >> first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed > >> ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to > function.] > >> to be a very revealing > >> idea . . . . It's one of those > >> quips that sounds much more intriguing than it really is, despite > >> originating > >> with a truly great writer. > >> wc > >> > > Alas, I have to agree with William. > > -- Saul Ostrow *Crtical Voices* 21STREETPROJECTS 162 West 21 Street NYC, NY 10011
