Pnin's party

I think Pnin's party was overall a success. Pnin seems to be happy throughout it, and although he is perhaps not the most entertaining or gracious host, people generally seem to have a good time. The night, however, is of course brought to an unhappy ending when Pnin learns he is losing his job, a clearly unhappy bit of a news.

Describe Liza. What are her views, and how does she interact with the Underground Man?

Liza does not have a highly honed moral sense, whereas the Underground Man has a set idea of how the world should be and to what morals people should adhere. She treats him with respect in a certain sense by talking to him about his ideas, but they can’t really interact in a way either of them would find meaningful.

Why do you think Woland has come to Moscow? Why does he give the Black Magic Show?

I think Woland is ultimately driven by the desire to create as much chaos as possible in the world. Coming to a city like Moscow seems an appropriate action given that motive. The Black Magic Show is just another manifestation of this as well, causing such mayhem.

joe turner's come and gone

Please post a response to the play we saw today.

I wasn’t thrilled with Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. I thought it was a good production that was well acted, but the story and subject didn’t really strike a chord with me. I thought parts of it were powerful, like the end of the first act, but overall didn’t really hold very well. I also didn’t like the set design and thought it was cluttered and ugly.

What is Pnin like when he is with other emigres?
Pnin is sociable, talkative, funny, at ease. I think this says a great deal about Pnin -- he is much more functional and able to relax when he is comfortable. His obsession with the perfect apartment free of “sonic disturbances” is demonstrative of this as well.

post for January the 10th

the role of the squirrels in the novel is the fact that they serve as an all seeing eye of God. in times of great need for help and stability they are either a very helpful presence or a daunting, looming one that neither helps nor hurts.

Pnin's party was successful. Everyone behaved accordingly, and the narrator mentions Pnin's happiness more than once. It is, however, the occasion of Pnin's discovery of his impending termination. The loss of his job is extrememly significant for Pnin, who relies upon his colleagues and his studies not only for their intellectual pleasures, but also for the little social interaction he engages in.