The Mailer Review/Volume 13, 2019/Prism Break: Difference between revisions

m
Corrections. Added cat and one image.
(added the body of the article, as well as the work cited)
m (Corrections. Added cat and one image.)
Line 31: Line 31:
the way, is also all about me.
the way, is also all about me.


'''PART 1. “THIRD PERSON FATHER”'''
===Part 1. “Third Person Father”===


It has been said that in families of two or more children, each child experiences
It has been said that in families of two or more children, each child experiences
Line 103: Line 103:
in the least, and spoiled. At a certain point, her presence became so insistent
in the least, and spoiled. At a certain point, her presence became so insistent
that she began to invade my personality. I started throwing tantrums, refusing
that she began to invade my personality. I started throwing tantrums, refusing
to take care of business, and so on— and this was just last week. Nothing
to take care of business, and so on—and this was just last week. Nothing
could stand up to this girl. So I finally caved, and—Here I am—
could stand up to this girl. So I finally caved, and—Here I am—
acknowledging her.
acknowledging her.
Line 161: Line 161:
For a long time, I did not want to come to the Mailer conferences. The
For a long time, I did not want to come to the Mailer conferences. The
ballast I was always seeking in our relationship could be further displaced by
ballast I was always seeking in our relationship could be further displaced by
any version of Norman I might establish hearing— or especially speaking—
any version of Norman I might establish hearing—or especially speaking—
about him. In the effort to connect with an audience who knew externally
about him. In the effort to connect with an audience who knew externally
more about him than I did, I could lose track of my dad completely.
more about him than I did, I could lose track of my dad completely.
Line 309: Line 309:
reflected in the crazy prism of our family.
reflected in the crazy prism of our family.


'''PART 2: THE PRISM, OR, THE DREAM LIFE OF MY SIBLINGS'''
===Part 2: The Prism, or, the Dream Life of My Siblings===


I would like to show you some diagrams featuring the nine children, six
I would like to show you some diagrams featuring the nine children, six
Line 435: Line 435:
husband can attest, that our house today does perhaps bear a resemblance
husband can attest, that our house today does perhaps bear a resemblance
at times to events described here.
at times to events described here.
 
[[File:Mr13-mai-12.jpg|thumb|'''Figure 12''': Young Maggie’s Note from Dad]]
At fifteen, I was still too shy to speak easily with my father. Days might
At fifteen, I was still too shy to speak easily with my father. Days might
pass without conversing, but we would always exchange meaningful looks.
pass without conversing, but we would always exchange meaningful looks.
Line 443: Line 443:
a note from Dad, placed at the entrance, so as not to disturb me. “He must
a note from Dad, placed at the entrance, so as not to disturb me. “He must
be really impressed to put it in writing” I thought, and eagerly read his assessment
be really impressed to put it in writing” I thought, and eagerly read his assessment
of my work. (See Figure 12)
of my work. (See '''Figure 12''')


When I read this note at the Carnegie Hall tribute, I wasn’t sure about
When I read this note at the Carnegie Hall tribute, I wasn’t sure about
Line 459: Line 459:


Dad had a great generosity whereby, if he felt that you were serious or excited
Dad had a great generosity whereby, if he felt that you were serious or excited
about something, he would forget his anger, and give you his full at-
about something, he would forget his anger, and give you his full attention. He found me a little later and said, “Listen, I didn’t realize you were up to something in there. I took another look, and I’m pleased. I think you
 
  placeholder for Figure 12 - Young Maggie's Note from Dad
 
tention. He found me a little later and said, “Listen, I didn’t realize you were
up to something in there. I took another look, and I’m pleased. I think you
may be an artist. Finish the sculpture, I’d like to live with it a while. Maybe
may be an artist. Finish the sculpture, I’d like to live with it a while. Maybe
we’ll put it in the Living Room.”
we’ll put it in the Living Room.”
Line 471: Line 466:


I miss you.
I miss you.
===Work Cited===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite journal |last=Mailer |first=Maggie |title=Prism Break |journal=The Mailer Review
|volume=13 |issue=No. 1|date=2019 |pages=65-84 |access-date=2021 |ref=harv }}
{{Refend}}


{{Review}}
{{Review}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Prism Break }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Prism Break }}
[[Category:Articles (MR)]]