« Mel had such certainty. But she didn’t rant, she didn’t bluster. Caroline admired that. Mel somehow escaped being smug because she didn’t say more than she had to. Rants always make it seem as though the person ranting is desperetaly trying to convince himself of something. Or maybe the ranter becomes so interested in the rhetoric of what he is saying that convincing is beside the point. It is just about language and pattern and repetition. And the rush of words and adrenaline as it all spills out, exhausting any opposition with an overload of words. Mel was not evangelical in this manner. »
From the novel Eat the document, by Dana Spiotta, which I finished reading a few days ago. A great book about idealism, activism in the 70s vs the 90s, and what it means to truly « engage » yourself (or not) in the world.
Who’s the Mel? (she typed, knowing full well that the instant she would hit the Submit button, she would be blinded by a flash of OBVIOUSLY!).
For that matter, who’s the Caroline?
Caroline is the main character of the novel (though she changes names through the story because she’s running away from the FBI). Mel is the head of a woman’s organization in the 70s who does not believe in using violent methods of protest, but who doesn’t mind being somewhat cold and « violent » in the way she talks to people. ;-)
Now that I think of it, I think you’d love this novel!
It sure looks that way!