Remembrance of things ProustWhat is it about memory? I was certain that Proust's memory-inducing treats were marzipan. Au contraire: they were madeleines. I can you tell where and when I slogged through who-knows-how-many pages of Swann's Way (London, fall of 1981), but I cannot tell you what I read. Something about marzipan—er, madeleines—and smell and taste and memory. Maybe there was an old lady in there somewhere? By contrast, I vividly recall Monty Python's "All-England Summarize Proust Competition" skit—or, at least, the Bolton Choral Society's tuxedoed, a cappella rendition of Remembrance of Things Past:
Gong! Time's up! So what is it about memory? To contemplate these questions—and perhaps some questions that actually matter—the French department is holding a Yale Proust Marathon on Saturday night, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Swann's Way. "In a full-scale recreation of Proust's cork-lined bedroom, approximately 100 students, scholars, and guests will take turns reading their favorite passages from the masterpiece in the language of their choice: French, German, English, Chinese, Portuguese, and more," the website promises. The fun begins November 16 at 7:30 pm and continues into the wee hours. I'm certain it will be a memorable event.
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Proust, French department
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