Mr. Smith...
December 29, 2007
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is on the TV right now....on TCM. Gunfight at the O.K Corral is lined up next. We're at the climax of Mr. Smith. Jimmy Stewart is in the middle of his filibuster...I love this movie, even though it's about America...But it's about the dream of democracy. And America is a beautiful dream...the idea of America. Not sure why I'm telling you this. I've been working the new book like crazy. It's way over 90,000 words right now. Just added a new beginning that slays. And I'm slowly working my way to a new climax, a slower, more intense climax. Even though there are about a dozen really fine characters already, I've added a couple more -- one of them key to the plot. More later....
4 Comments
1. mary had this to say: Dec 31, 2007 ~ 10:34 ~ #
Have you ever stopped to consider the word “filibuster”? It is one of my favorite things (along with jerrymandering and cheez-whiz). Anyway, apparently it (filibuster) is an amalgamation of dutch and english meaning free-booter (as in a pirate)... now to consider that in light of democracy….
2. Adam Snider had this to say: Jan 04, 2008 ~ 11:28 ~ #
Man, I love when the comments in a post are as interesting as the post itself. Cool info, Mary. I think piracy is, in a way, a great metaphor for democracy. It’s ugly and messy, but it’s also about living free. OK, maybe it’s not the best metaphor, but I still think it’s at least semi-appropriate.
3. mary had this to say: Jan 05, 2008 ~ 21:53 ~ #
well, at the risk of starting a tangential discussion on a website which i am not affiliated, the filibuster is kind of a piracy of the legislature….
4. thomas had this to say: Jan 05, 2008 ~ 22:31 ~ #
Odd that a word that means to “pirate” is very likely a fundamental element of democracy. Jimmy Stewart’s filibuster is lovely, and heart-breaking…and I think, a key part of the dream of America. It’s the noble, we’re-willing-to-air-our-laundry-in-public America.
It’s a huge experiment, imperfect and probably hopeless.