Rickard A. Parker: It seems to me to the by using the languages so close together E. was
> striving to show a universality in life.

Could be; it could also be the opposite, a reaching across from one narrow niche to another narrow niche. TWL as a whole as a sort of claustrophobic quality.

But we have what in effect is a graphic: the visual contrast among several languages, and as famously dramatized in a conversation between Hamlet & some other character, graphic effects (cloud formation) are notoriously open to an endless list of "interpretations"; they can't be pinned down. Dante's allowing Arnaut to speak in his native Provencal is focused, but what about

Good-bye to my Juan, good-bye Rosalita,
Adios mis amigos, Jesus y Maria...

But as I think about it, what really bothers me is that there is no real distinction between universality and banality. Anyone can achieve universality:

It's a rough life.

That's the way the cookie crumbles.

Tell me not in mournful numbers,
Life is not an empty dream

It takes a heap o' living to make a house a home

No disputing taste

Ain't life beautiful.

Ain't life hard.


On and on.

Carrol