Most recent public comments by Omer Seman https://nowcomment.com/users/18748 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46240?scroll_to=525715 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46240?scroll_to=525715 There has to been some professionalism maintained between the biographer and the subject. Without boundaries, neither of them would know where companionship ends and business matters begin. Fri, 20 May 2016 23:58:55 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43903?scroll_to=525714 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43903?scroll_to=525714 A dogwatch is an daily newspaper/magazine publication with flashy images and designs to catch someone's eye. Not as highly regarded as a standard newspaper. Fri, 20 May 2016 23:49:13 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43907?scroll_to=525712 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43907?scroll_to=525712 I think the last part of the sentence is there just to exaggerate the reporters enthusiasm for the job. Hyperbole is used to drive home the point. Fri, 20 May 2016 23:43:24 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43908?scroll_to=525710 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43908?scroll_to=525710 The light is limited in scope and serves as a metaphor for the reporter's lack of freedom of expression when it comes to his writing and reporting. Fri, 20 May 2016 23:35:52 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43908?scroll_to=525709 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43908?scroll_to=525709 The room is gloomy because the reporter isn't able to chase down the stories he feeds off of for energy. He, like the "downfunnelled light," is limited in scope due to his editor's restrictions. Fri, 20 May 2016 23:31:59 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43908?scroll_to=525708 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43908?scroll_to=525708 The reporter is always on the move, barely able to rest on his quest for the next great story. The editor has relegated him to dull, menial work. The thrill of the literary narrative was his life force and without it, he becomes corpse-like. Fri, 20 May 2016 23:27:11 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43907?scroll_to=525707 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43907?scroll_to=525707 The owners want a straightforward, detailed description of the events as they happened, no more and no less Fri, 20 May 2016 23:12:09 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44650?scroll_to=525706 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44650?scroll_to=525706 It's sort of like a "good cop/bad cop" routine. You play along with the guise of painting the subject only in a positive image and gradually unearth the truth you were searching for. Devious, but necessary in certain cases. Fri, 20 May 2016 23:05:34 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44648?scroll_to=525700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44648?scroll_to=525700 For me, the term "moral anarchy" evokes an internal conflict between a thirst for the true narrative you wish to discover and share and a respect for boundaries and rules. In Pylon, the editor and reporter personify this struggle, with the authoritative figure attempting to contain the creative, rebellious storyteller. In Michael Foot's biography, he is so driven to maintain order as he sees it that instead of sabotaging the biography, he injects it with another layer of complexity and makes the biographer's depiction of him all the more truer. The experience biographer didn't wrestle with guilt because he showed us all he could. Fri, 20 May 2016 22:54:28 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46240?scroll_to=525697 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46240?scroll_to=525697 Having a tape recorder present may make the subject more cautious or hesitant because there's a sense of permanence to their words now. Without a recorder, the subject might suggests some edits to their dialogue to sway the final product in their favor. Fri, 20 May 2016 22:36:02 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46240?scroll_to=525694 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46240?scroll_to=525694 Anyone can spit out/absorb a headline in order to get the gist of the story. The meaty core, the juicy narrative, the insightful commentary, those are what intoxicates the reader. What may seem like a page-filler is what fleshes out the story. Fri, 20 May 2016 22:28:34 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46240?scroll_to=525693 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46240?scroll_to=525693 When there are two or more pieces of the story arguing over the facts of a matter, one side is bound to get burned by the truth. Biographers/Journalists must remain steadfast in the face of scrutiny so as to honor the truth Fri, 20 May 2016 22:21:30 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46240?scroll_to=525691 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46240?scroll_to=525691 I'm not sure if Michael is defending Barbara. He might just not feel the need to carry on the conversation since he has no recourse against Tony. Sue him for libel, maybe, but I doubt he wants to bring attention to this slanderous material Fri, 20 May 2016 22:15:59 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46239?scroll_to=525688 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46239?scroll_to=525688 It's all about shining a light on a perspective others have yet to see. The biographer decides how to craft the narrative surrounding the subject and combines the facts of it with storytelling tools to engage the reader. Much like how painters decide which strokes and colors best illustrate their ideas onto a canvas, biographers must use literary devices to construct their narrative. Fri, 20 May 2016 22:05:24 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46239?scroll_to=525684 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46239?scroll_to=525684 He is very cautious about his legacy and wants his hands steering the ship for his biography. The first thing he says about Francis Wheen after your comment is "Yes, and he’s a very good friend of Jill’s too," laying his intentions bare for us to see. You wanted the biography to tell the whole story about the man, warts and all. Fri, 20 May 2016 21:57:22 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46239?scroll_to=525683 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46239?scroll_to=525683 It's a French term that translates to "self-love." Specifically, a sense of self-esteem that's derived from the opinion of others. Journalists have to uncover the truth with little regard for feelings. Otherwise, their results may be tainted. Fri, 20 May 2016 21:47:36 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46239?scroll_to=525681 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46239?scroll_to=525681 Because you agreed to be so involved in Michael's life, his inner circle assumed you worshiped the ground he walked on, no matter how candid you were with Tom. Fri, 20 May 2016 21:39:11 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46239?scroll_to=525679 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46239?scroll_to=525679 Calling them material voids any future interactions of emotion, allowing you to extract what information you need. But I would be careful not to become so detached that it feels like an interrogation. Fri, 20 May 2016 21:25:08 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46239?scroll_to=525678 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46239?scroll_to=525678 Michael wouldn't dare speak ill of the journalist who is writing his biography so as to keep his image clean. That, and he genuinely enjoys the company of a former colleague Fri, 20 May 2016 21:15:32 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46238?scroll_to=525677 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46238?scroll_to=525677 They might become more defensive and give rehearsed answers or even cancel the biography altogether if they are deeply offended. Fri, 20 May 2016 21:06:00 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46238?scroll_to=525676 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46238?scroll_to=525676 Michael wanted to maintain his friendship with Barbara and put that ahead of journalistic integrity. Fri, 20 May 2016 20:58:39 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46238?scroll_to=525675 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46238?scroll_to=525675 Writing a biography is an intimate endeavor for all parties involved. Long conversations with storytelling and secrets being passed can produce intense emotions. Conveying those stories through imagery, allusions, metaphors, tone, etc., is how is relates to the literary imagination Fri, 20 May 2016 20:55:16 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46238?scroll_to=525674 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46238?scroll_to=525674 refers to the uncut, unedited version of your subject's thoughts on any topic you discuss. It's the authentic conversation that authorized biographies can leave out if it doesn't pertain specifically to the book. Fri, 20 May 2016 20:47:34 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46238?scroll_to=525671 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46238?scroll_to=525671 A salacious biography is one that is raunchy and filled with vulgar topics. It could be considered "clickbait" in our era. Fri, 20 May 2016 20:32:29 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46237?scroll_to=525660 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46237?scroll_to=525660 Then it is doing its readers a disservice by not sharing all sides of the story. The platonic ideal of a biography should let the readers form their own opinions of the subject based on facts and anecdotes, good and bad. Fri, 20 May 2016 20:00:37 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46237?scroll_to=525655 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46237?scroll_to=525655 Journalists must be able remain objective in their reporting, no matter who the subject may be. If a friendship stands as a roadblock, then it is incompatible. Fri, 20 May 2016 19:50:25 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46237?scroll_to=525651 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46237?scroll_to=525651 Gossip is typically not grounded on facts, but if the right story is worked, you could unearth some "unknown unknowns." They could lead to a more rewarding biography Fri, 20 May 2016 19:37:56 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46236?scroll_to=525648 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46236?scroll_to=525648 Calling him an Apostate is a slight jab at his character. He is quick to change his stance on information dissemination to whatever suits his needs. Fri, 20 May 2016 19:26:15 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46236?scroll_to=525645 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46236?scroll_to=525645 The author is only allowed to ask questions pertaining to the book. This limits the potential for free-flowing conversations where the most interesting details could be found. Fri, 20 May 2016 19:21:39 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46236?scroll_to=525629 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46236?scroll_to=525629 Someone who is uncompromising when it comes to hunting down the truth Fri, 20 May 2016 19:06:18 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46235?scroll_to=525627 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46235?scroll_to=525627 Friends can ask you to hide their side of the narrative or vice versa. Fri, 20 May 2016 18:58:06 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46235?scroll_to=525625 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46235?scroll_to=525625 Autobiographers struggle to balance of pride and humility. If they skew too far to either side, the audience will begin to question their authenticity. Even if one extreme is the truth, one might tweak the story to find the right balance that is palatable. Fri, 20 May 2016 18:53:22 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46229?scroll_to=525605 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46229?scroll_to=525605 Mr. Foot might start to open up and be too authentic for his own liking with the biographer. Whether he was okay with having his secrets publicized wasn't as important as how he interacted with the biographer Fri, 20 May 2016 18:26:54 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46229?scroll_to=525593 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46229?scroll_to=525593 The process of accumulating information and facts about the subject from secondary sources Fri, 20 May 2016 18:06:51 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44121?scroll_to=525454 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44121?scroll_to=525454 It has as much "literary imagination" as a beige wall. All of the color, imagery and personal style is gone. What's left is the hollowed out husk of the story with the bare-bones information remaining. Fri, 20 May 2016 15:19:28 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44121?scroll_to=525390 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44121?scroll_to=525390 The reporter, lacking some sense of agency, is lashing out at his editor. Choosing to get drunk is one of the few things he still has control over and since the editor is inhibiting his creative prowess, he is due some compensation. Fri, 20 May 2016 13:36:59 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44058?scroll_to=525233 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44058?scroll_to=525233 I remember near the beginning of the course, we talked about how journalists were perceived to be at the bottom of the totem pole of writers in the early 1900s and unpleasant to be around. This may be what Faulkner is trying to show us. Fri, 20 May 2016 06:48:07 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44058?scroll_to=525214 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44058?scroll_to=525214 The reporter's don't laugh because the joke was probably as stale as the air they were inhaling. The "brisk dead slap-slap-slap" spoke to the repetitive nature of these interactions which causes the reporter to be in this catatonic state. Fri, 20 May 2016 02:15:13 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44058?scroll_to=525205 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44058?scroll_to=525205 The editor doesn't want the reporter to lose his objectivity and he can sense the reporter is getting too attached for his liking. Fri, 20 May 2016 02:04:27 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44058?scroll_to=525186 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44058?scroll_to=525186 Maybe Faulkner added the vomit comment to convey the intensity of the scene and possibly allude to a sudden release of information Fri, 20 May 2016 17:43:31 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44057?scroll_to=513692 https://nowcomment.com/documents/44057?scroll_to=513692 The reporter wants a biographical story to depict the human condition from a personal perspective. Wed, 27 Apr 2016 07:45:18 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43908?scroll_to=513181 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43908?scroll_to=513181 Newspapers offices were unkempt because journalists didn't care about the aesthetics of where they wrote. It could be argued that their real "workspace" is outside the office, interviewing subjects and being a passive (or in this case, active) observer of the world. It feels "gloomy" because the thrill comes from interacting with people, not sitting behind a desk. Fri, 20 May 2016 23:31:59 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46232?scroll_to=466883 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46232?scroll_to=466883 The biographer is tasked with fully fleshing out Michael Foot, the good with the bad. Foot's generous character opened him up to the writer, but naively (probably a harsh description) expected a rosy picture of himself. Wed, 10 Feb 2016 10:35:32 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43907?scroll_to=466881 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43907?scroll_to=466881 The reporter either neglects or fails to make the story relatable to the reader on an emotional level. He's great at telling what happened, but not how it affected his subjects. Wed, 10 Feb 2016 10:42:34 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46229?scroll_to=464779 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46229?scroll_to=464779 The book doesn't follow a traditional storytelling arc; there's a technical approach to it. Biographical narratives may contain a good amount of detail, but there is an inherent bias which may leak into the writing. Fri, 20 May 2016 18:06:51 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43903?scroll_to=457306 https://nowcomment.com/documents/43903?scroll_to=457306 The reporter's world is portrayed as kinetic and vibrant, but the tone suggests a grandiose version of reality. Fri, 05 Feb 2016 07:38:18 -0500