Book Review

The Rise of Silas Lapham
by William Dean Howells

Another book I read as a result of my recent interest in the lesser-known authors and novels of the ninetheenth century, Silas Lapham was pretty good. Part tragedy, part comedy of manners, it gave me a good look at the late nineteenth century clash between old money and new money. The comedy part comes in with the irony that Silas Lapham views his honest earning of a fortune through commercial enterprise as a sign of his social worthiness, while the old money upper class society views that same thing as a sign of his social unworthiness. And neither side ever becomes aware of this difference in perspective as the root of the gap between them. The tragedy is Lapham's loss of his fortune through honest errors and an unwillingness to engage in shady dealings. And yet, Silas and his family come through their financial ruin with their characters not only intact, but also strengthened and edified. It is to Howells' credit as a writer that this aspect of the novel is not treated with mushy sentimentality.

Off to Oregon

I'm finally all packed. Going to a composers symposium for two weeks requires a lot more stuff than just going on vacation for the same period of time. My presentation notes are written and organized. I have the required number of copies of the scores I'll be including in my presentation. I have a CD of audio examples. I have a fresh notebook for taking notes. I have two nice dresses for the more formal occasions, whatever they may turn out to be. I have plans to squeeze in a meeting with Dr. Kyr about re-applying to the doctoral program there. I have everything I need. I think this is going to be really fun and very productive.
I'm very excited to be going back to Eugene. I really liked it when I visited in November. It's a great place, very green with lots of trees. And I already know my way around a bit. And an added bonus is that Eugene is no longer a town of strangers for me. It turns out Simon, a friend from college and Alpha Delta Phi, lives out there. I haven't seen him in about six years. WE're planning on getting together at some point during the two weeks I will be there.
I'm not sure what kind of internet access I'll have in Eugene, although I imagine I'll be able to do some stuff on the computers in the library and the music building's computer lab. Updates and e-mails may be sparse. In any case, I will post all about it when I can.