Augie March: Ch 12 to 14

[jennie fitz]

I really responded to Augie's newly-formed personal philosophy. This
passage comes from a conversation with his housemate Kayo about choice
and purity and God: "But I had the idea also that you don't take so
wide a stance that it makes a human life impossible, nor try to bring
together irreconcilables that destroy you, but try out what of human
you can live with first. And if the highest should come in that empty
overheated tavern with its flies and the hot radio buzzing between the
plays and plugged beer from Sox Park, what are you supposed to do but
take the mixture and say imperfection is always the condition as
found; all great beauty too, my scratched eyeballs will always see
scratched. And there may be gods turn up anywhere." (260)

I thought this was a fantastic philosophy: an understanding that you
start where you are and withhold judgement, especially in regards to
measuring up to a perfect standard. Recognize that human beings are
falliable; live and let live. This is a philosophy that I try and
incorporate in my life. I finally have something in common with
Augie!

Augie is continuing to forge his own way and chafes at the idea of
becoming one of the Magnuses like his brother Simon: '"All I had to do
was play along, make myself desired, intrepret, as I could do, the
role of the son-in-law her [Lucy's] parents wanted. It was a lead-
pipe cinch." (239) But he feels a greater loyalty to his housemate
Mimi. He helps her through an unwanted pregancy, two abortion
attempts, and the associated complications; when forced into it, he
chooses Mimi (and his own life) over Lucy (and a life chosen for him).

Speaking of Mimi, I reallty admired the way Augie supported her. I
don't get the sense that it comes from a desire to get in her pants; I
think he genuinely cares for her and wants to help in any way he can.
He shows great qualities of compassion and loyalty.

I also noticed an allusion to the possibility of Simon committing
suicide. When they go swimming together, Augie notices that Simon
jumps in "as if he went in to take a blind taste of the benefits of
staying down.." and "I knew it made a strong appeal to him to go down
and not come up again." (230) I wonder if something happens to Simon
later in the book?

Augie seems fine without the support of the Magnuses (just like he
bounced back from the Renlings and the Einhorns). He gets a union-
organizing job for the CIO. Seems like a good match; he's traveling,
talking, representing. He seems to have respect for the system; he
doesn't try to poach union members from AFL, the other organization.
And Thea's back! I'm interested to know more about her.

Until the next 100 pages............

Jennie