3- Proustaverses
Marcel is a spoiled, conceited, snobbish mama’s boy who whines incessantly about himself. In an egocentric way – the concept of narcissism had not yet been invented – he twists his surroundings, mama at the head, friends, staff, and others around his finger to make them dance to his whimsical tune. Soft terror through ‘Oh poor me!’.
3- Proustophiles
Marcel Proust is politeness itself, well-spoken and affable in his dealings with his many friends and acquaintances. He tends to be a bit too effusive in his praise of others, which has prompted his friends to coin the neologism ‘proustify’. However, throughout his life, Marcel Proust has always done what he wanted to do and has never allowed himself to be pushed in a direction he did not like by anyone or anything. His weapon in this is a crushing kindness and the ability to package his wishes in the form of questions. Few people can resist this approach. His illness (and the disastrous way he ‘takes care’ of himself, including an increasing use of medication and all kinds of drugs) plays an increasingly invalidating role and he increasingly shuts himself up in his ‘cork-insulated coffin’. He only comes out into the world to gather material for his life’s work. The circle of friends that he still allows is gradually shrinking. From those who he judges that they can no longer contribute to the ISOLT, he – kindly, respectfully but consistently – distances himself by no longer organizing further meetings with them. In his race against the death knell to finish his life’s work, everything must give way, including his own health.
Leave a Reply