To Room 19

Liminality

2010-09-17T00:24:00.000-07:00

"Bergson saw in the words and writings of prophets and great artists the creation of an 'open morality', which was itself an expression of what he called the élan vital, or evolutionary 'life force.' Prophets and artists tend to be liminal and marginal people, 'edgemen,' who strive with a passionate sincerity to rid themselves of the clichés associated with status incumbency and role-playing and to enter into vital relations with other men in fact or imagination."

Angela Smith
Katherine Mansfield and Virginia Woolf: A Public of Two

Approaching Artaud

2009-04-30T09:18:00.001-07:00

"In one version, freedom entails total asceticism. In another version, it entails libertinism -- practicing the art of transgression."

Susan Sontag
Under the sign of Saturn

2009-04-15T21:30:00.001-07:00

“To Room 19” is a short story written by Doris Lessing. It struck me when I first read it, without any psychological preparation where it would lead me. It deeply resonates with my inner fear of married life and the stability that follows. The protagonist of this story is a married woman who has four children. Everyone thinks she and her husband are the perfect couple. When her children start going to school, she finally has some private time. She begins isolating herself by visiting Fred’s hotel in Paddington and every time she stays in room 19. This is a tragic story and reminds me of Katherine Mansfield's “Bliss”.

I love the story. I wanted to dedicate this site to explore more about the topic of freedom and maybe it could be considered as a virtual Room 19, a tribute to Doris Lessing.