Se há algo para que novos leitores de Henry James raramente vão preparados é para o humor. A amnistia incondicional que o cânon lhe concedeu no século XX, veio munida de um estranho silêncio sobre um facto que deveria ser repetido muitas vezes: em boa forma, James é tão ou mais cómico que Dickens. A comédia pode não se impor de forma tão musculada, mas é seguramente mais versátil.
Temos a básica confusão de indentidades Shakespeareana:
«"Dora Forbes, I gather, takes the ground, the same as Guy Walsingham’s, that the larger latitude has simply got to come. He holds that it has got to be squarely faced. Of course his sex makes him a less prejudiced witness. But an authoritative word from Mr. Paraday - from the point of view of his sex, you know - would go right round the globe. He takes the line that we haven’t got to face it?"
Temos a básica confusão de indentidades Shakespeareana:
«"Dora Forbes, I gather, takes the ground, the same as Guy Walsingham’s, that the larger latitude has simply got to come. He holds that it has got to be squarely faced. Of course his sex makes him a less prejudiced witness. But an authoritative word from Mr. Paraday - from the point of view of his sex, you know - would go right round the globe. He takes the line that we haven’t got to face it?"
I was bewildered: it sounded somehow as if there were three sexes. My interlocutor’s pencil was poised, my private responsibility great. I simply sat staring, none the less, and only found presence of mind to say:
"Is this Miss Forbes a gentleman?"
Mr. Morrow had a subtle smile. "It wouldn’t be ‘Miss’ - there’s a wife!"
"I mean is she a man?"
"The wife?"»
E neste diálogo, que podia (com muito boa vontade) sugerir uma sitcom contemporânea, notem o timing perfeito da interrupção:
«I declared to Lady Augusta briefly that nothing in the world can ever do so well as the thing that does best; and at this she looked a little disconcerted. But I added that if the manuscript had gone astray our little circle would have the less of an effort of attention to make. The piece in question was very long - it would keep them three hours.
E neste diálogo, que podia (com muito boa vontade) sugerir uma sitcom contemporânea, notem o timing perfeito da interrupção:
«I declared to Lady Augusta briefly that nothing in the world can ever do so well as the thing that does best; and at this she looked a little disconcerted. But I added that if the manuscript had gone astray our little circle would have the less of an effort of attention to make. The piece in question was very long - it would keep them three hours.
‘Three hours! Oh the Princess will get up!’ said Lady Augusta.
‘I thought she was Mr. Paraday’s greatest admirer.’
‘I dare say she is - she’s so awfully clever. But what’s the use of being a Princess -- ’
‘If you can’t dissemble your love?’»
Há ainda um horrendo e memorável trocadilho - que Pynchon não desdenharia - envolvendo um versículo da profecia de Isaías e um prato de carne de borrego.
Há ainda um horrendo e memorável trocadilho - que Pynchon não desdenharia - envolvendo um versículo da profecia de Isaías e um prato de carne de borrego.
E para as multidões que nunca se cansam de abordagens à especulação metafísica feitas sob o signo de Beckett e do palhaço Batatinha, deixo aqui a primeira troca entre o narrador do conto e o seu inenarrável editor:
«Mr. Pinhorn pursed up his mouth. "Is there much to be done with him?"
"Whatever there is we should have it all to ourselves, for he hasn’t been touched."
This argument was effective and Mr. Pinhorn responded. "Very well, touch him." Then he added: "But where can you do it?"
"Under the fifth rib!"»
Agora liguemos a televisão.
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