page 136 "given forty-five minutes, they could master anything": "given forty-five minutes, they could master anything": Helen Moore Barthelme, Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 20.

page 136 "Your recent articles in "Your recent articles in Partisan Review Partisan Review": Donald Barthelme quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 72.

page 137 " " Forum Forum is most attractive": is most attractive": Walker Percy quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Walker Percy quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 72.

page 137 "in Houston, a city ordinance": "in Houston, a city ordinance": Helen Moore Barthelme, Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 51.

17. The Psychology of Angels page 138 "old piece of junk": "old piece of junk": Helen Moore Barthelme, Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme: The Genesis of a Cool Sound Donald Barthelme: The Genesis of a Cool Sound (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001), 49. All subsequent quotes from Helen regarding the early years of her marriage to Don are from ibid., 4669. (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001), 49. All subsequent quotes from Helen regarding the early years of her marriage to Don are from ibid., 4669.

page 138 He enjoyed working with his hands: He enjoyed working with his hands: Don's narrator in "The Indian Uprising" also enjoys working with his hands. Throughout the story, he repeatedly makes tables out of hollowcore doors. Simon, the narrator in Don's narrator in "The Indian Uprising" also enjoys working with his hands. Throughout the story, he repeatedly makes tables out of hollowcore doors. Simon, the narrator in Paradise Paradise, remarks that there is "[n]othing more fun than buying furniture." See Donald Barthelme, Paradise Paradise (New York: Putnam, 1986), 138, 188. (New York: Putnam, 1986), 138, 188.

page 139 "issue would be closed out by the end of the month"; would "interest both the scientifically minded": "issue would be closed out by the end of the month"; would "interest both the scientifically minded": Barthelme and Percy letters quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Barthelme and Percy letters quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 7273.

page 139 "that being in the world": "that being in the world": Walker Percy, Walker Percy, The Message in the Bottle: How Queer Man Is, How Queer Language Is, and What One Has to Do with the Other The Message in the Bottle: How Queer Man Is, How Queer Language Is, and What One Has to Do with the Other (New York: Picador, 2000), 150158. (New York: Picador, 2000), 150158.

page 139 "very good-looking job": "very good-looking job": Percy quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Percy quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 73.

page 140 "aim of literature...is the creation of a strange object covered with fur": "aim of literature...is the creation of a strange object covered with fur": Donald Barthelme, Donald Barthelme, Come Back, Dr. Caligari Come Back, Dr. Caligari (Boston: Little, Brown, 1964), 14. (Boston: Little, Brown, 1964), 14.

page 140 She found the time spent on type fonts: She found the time spent on type fonts: In a 1972 interview, Don said, "I enjoy...problems of design. I could very cheerfully be a typographer." See "Interview with Jerome Klinkowitz, 197172," in In a 1972 interview, Don said, "I enjoy...problems of design. I could very cheerfully be a typographer." See "Interview with Jerome Klinkowitz, 197172," in Not-Knowing Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews The Essays and Interviews, ed. Kim Herzinger (New York: Random House, 1997), 201.

page 141 "evolved a new type dress": "evolved a new type dress": Donald Barthelme, letter to Maurice Natanson, October 17, 1957, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Donald Barthelme, letter to Maurice Natanson, October 17, 1957, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 141 "Our idea...[is to]... catch the dancers": "Our idea...[is to]... catch the dancers": Donald Barthelme, letter to Gene Gaines, October 2, 1957, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Donald Barthelme, letter to Gene Gaines, October 2, 1957, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 141 "It is difficult to know where to publish short stories": "It is difficult to know where to publish short stories": Donald Barthelme, letter to David Riesman, November 8, 1957, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Donald Barthelme, letter to David Riesman, November 8, 1957, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 141 "[W]e would...like to pay not more than $16.00 per page": "[W]e would...like to pay not more than $16.00 per page": Donald Barthelme, letter to Wayne Taylor, April 17, 1958, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Donald Barthelme, letter to Wayne Taylor, April 17, 1958, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 141 "[H]ow come a U. of Houston publication isn't paying": "[H]ow come a U. of Houston publication isn't paying": Percy quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Percy quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 73.

page 142 a "very nasty letter": a "very nasty letter": Donald Barthelme quoted in ibid, 77. Donald Barthelme quoted in ibid, 77.

page 142 "pale new critic[ism]": "pale new critic[ism]": ibid, 84. ibid, 84.

page 142 "You are absolutely right": "You are absolutely right": ibid. ibid.

page 143 "As to your sympathy with the 'existential-phenomenological movement' ": "As to your sympathy with the 'existential-phenomenological movement' ": James Boyer May, letter to Donald Barthelme, September 24, 1959, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. James Boyer May, letter to Donald Barthelme, September 24, 1959, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 144 "Paul and Eugenie went to a film": "Paul and Eugenie went to a film": Donald Barthelme quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 62.

page 144 "working in a vacuum": "working in a vacuum": ibid., 79. ibid., 79.

page 145 "I'll pay for it": "I'll pay for it": ibid., 83. ibid., 83.

page 145 "I've been reading and enjoying your "I've been reading and enjoying your Partisan Partisan pieces": pieces": Donald Barthelme, letter to Diana Trilling, undated (1957), Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Donald Barthelme, letter to Diana Trilling, undated (1957), Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 145 One of his favorite contributors to One of his favorite contributors to Forum: In all, Joseph Lyons published four essays in Forum: In all, Joseph Lyons published four essays in Forum Forum, including a phenomenological study of a rock and a meditation on tarot cards and magic. In the latter piece, he mentions a (probably fictional) astrologer named Madame Cherokee, whom Don resurrected at least twice in his own writing, including a story ent.i.tled "Affection" (where she is renamed Madame Olympia and takes on added echoes of Sosostris from Eliot's The Waste Land The Waste Land). "Affection" was collected in Overnight to Many Distant Cities. Overnight to Many Distant Cities.

page 145 "The response from our readers": "The response from our readers": Donald Barthelme, fund-raising letter for Donald Barthelme, fund-raising letter for Forum Forum, July 22, 1958, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

18. The Mechanical Bride page 147 "recommend some young fiction writers": "recommend some young fiction writers": Donald Barthelme, letter to Martha Foley, September 25, 1959, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Donald Barthelme, letter to Martha Foley, September 25, 1959, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 147 "wra.s.sling with a piece of fiction"; "ingenious young moviegoer"; "Yes, Knopf did option my book"; "Glad you wish to use as much as you do": "wra.s.sling with a piece of fiction"; "ingenious young moviegoer"; "Yes, Knopf did option my book"; "Glad you wish to use as much as you do": Percy quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Percy quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme: The Genesis of a Cool Sound Donald Barthelme: The Genesis of a Cool Sound (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001), 7374. (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001), 7374.

page 148 "[N]ot publishing this story"; "Joyce, Pound, Eliot, Lawrence, Stein": "[N]ot publishing this story"; "Joyce, Pound, Eliot, Lawrence, Stein": Donald Barthelme quoted in ibid., 86. Donald Barthelme quoted in ibid., 86.

page 148 "Any ethics that does not roundly condemn": "Any ethics that does not roundly condemn": William Ga.s.s, "The Case of the Obliging Stranger," William Ga.s.s, "The Case of the Obliging Stranger," Forum Forum 3, no. 4 (1960), draft in Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. 3, no. 4 (1960), draft in Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 148 "I... undoubtedly...have [a] different audience in mind": "I... undoubtedly...have [a] different audience in mind": Howard F. McGraw, letter to Donald Barthelme, October 30, 1959, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Howard F. McGraw, letter to Donald Barthelme, October 30, 1959, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 149 "I wouldn't say it was sadness": "I wouldn't say it was sadness": Marilyn Gillet, in a conversation with the author, November 17, 2004. Marilyn Gillet, in a conversation with the author, November 17, 2004.

page 150 "I could see and feel an abating of his exuberance for life" "I could see and feel an abating of his exuberance for life" to " to " had a responsibility to live out his life": had a responsibility to live out his life": Helen Moore Barthelme, Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 66.

page 150 Natanson "alluded to Don's penchant for fast cars" Natanson "alluded to Don's penchant for fast cars" to to "driving a Jaguar": "driving a Jaguar": ibid., 67. ibid., 67.

page 150 "Don saw it as the need to confront the choice"; "inappropriate for a serious writing career": "Don saw it as the need to confront the choice"; "inappropriate for a serious writing career": ibid., 66. ibid., 66.

page 151 "strange and beautiful" pieces: "strange and beautiful" pieces: "Interview with Jerome Klinkowitz, 197172," in "Interview with Jerome Klinkowitz, 197172," in Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews, ed. Kim Herzinger (New York: Random House, 1997), 201.

page 151 "It looks as if I might receive better than full value": "It looks as if I might receive better than full value": Norman Mailer, letter to Donald Barthelme, quoted in Donald Barthelme, letter to Dr. Patrick J. Nicholson, January 9, 1959, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Norman Mailer, letter to Donald Barthelme, quoted in Donald Barthelme, letter to Dr. Patrick J. Nicholson, January 9, 1959, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 151 "[W]e thought you might be interested": "[W]e thought you might be interested": Donald Barthelme, letter to Ima Hogg, July 7, 1958, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Donald Barthelme, letter to Ima Hogg, July 7, 1958, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 151 "drudge work": "drudge work": Helen Moore Barthelme, Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 89.

page 151 "Because "Because Forum Forum has now published"; "Educational television, engineering education": has now published"; "Educational television, engineering education": Donald Barthelme, letter to Dr. Patrick J. Nicholson, January 9, 1959, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Donald Barthelme, letter to Dr. Patrick J. Nicholson, January 9, 1959, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 152 "get inside the...collective mind": "get inside the...collective mind": This and subsequent quotes from This and subsequent quotes from The Mechanical Bride The Mechanical Bride, including citations from Edgar Allan Poe's "A Descent into the Maelstrom," are from Marshall McLuhan, The Mechanical Bride: Folklore of Industrial Man The Mechanical Bride: Folklore of Industrial Man (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1967), vvi. (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1967), vvi.

page 152 "We read signs as promises": "We read signs as promises": Donald Barthelme, Donald Barthelme, Sixty Stories Sixty Stories (New York: Putnam, 1981), 3334. (New York: Putnam, 1981), 3334.

page 153 "[s]kiing along on the soft surface of brain damage": Donald Barthelme, "[s]kiing along on the soft surface of brain damage": Donald Barthelme, City Life City Life (New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1970), 149. (New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1970), 149.

page 153 McLuhan provided some of the earliest: McLuhan provided some of the earliest: By 1970, McLuhan's theories were wildly popular, upsetting traditionalists in many fields, from science to art to business. Don commented, wryly, on this development in "Brain Damage": " By 1970, McLuhan's theories were wildly popular, upsetting traditionalists in many fields, from science to art to business. Don commented, wryly, on this development in "Brain Damage": " The humanist position is not to plug in...flowers-to let them alone. Humanists believe in letting everything alone to be what it is, insofar as possible. The new electric awareness, however, requires that the flowers be plugged in, right away. ... My own idea about whether or not to plug in the flowers is somewhere between these ideas, in that gray area where nothing is done, really, but you vacillate for a while, thinking about it. The blue of the flowers is extremely handsome against the gray of that area." The humanist position is not to plug in...flowers-to let them alone. Humanists believe in letting everything alone to be what it is, insofar as possible. The new electric awareness, however, requires that the flowers be plugged in, right away. ... My own idea about whether or not to plug in the flowers is somewhere between these ideas, in that gray area where nothing is done, really, but you vacillate for a while, thinking about it. The blue of the flowers is extremely handsome against the gray of that area." (See Barthelme, (See Barthelme, City Life City Life, 136.) page 153 "... try an experiment in reading [McLuhan]": "... try an experiment in reading [McLuhan]": Andreas Huyssen, "In the Shadow of McLuhan: Jean Baudrillard's Theory of Simulation," Andreas Huyssen, "In the Shadow of McLuhan: Jean Baudrillard's Theory of Simulation," a.s.semblage a.s.semblage 10 (1989): 7. 10 (1989): 7.

page 153 "RUB and FAB and TUB"; "huddle[s] and cling[s]"; "G.o.d...stand[s] in the bas.e.m.e.nt": "RUB and FAB and TUB"; "huddle[s] and cling[s]"; "G.o.d...stand[s] in the bas.e.m.e.nt": Barthelme, Barthelme, Sixty Stories Sixty Stories, 272, 279.

page 153 "Don wanted 'to see the interior' "; "After we moved [in]": "Don wanted 'to see the interior' "; "After we moved [in]": Helen Moore Barthelme, Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 6769.

page 154 a doctor "down in Texas": a doctor "down in Texas": Barthelme, Barthelme, Sixty Stories Sixty Stories, 193194.

page 154 "washing...hands between hours": "washing...hands between hours": Donald Barthelme, Donald Barthelme, Come Back, Dr. Caligari Come Back, Dr. Caligari (Boston: Little, Brown, 1964), 4. (Boston: Little, Brown, 1964), 4.

page 154 "that when he had achieved certain things in life and in himself": "that when he had achieved certain things in life and in himself": Tim Fleck, "Burying the Dead Father," Tim Fleck, "Burying the Dead Father," Houston Press Houston Press, February 8, 1990.

page 155 "ordinary shrink could have said to me": "ordinary shrink could have said to me": Donald Barthelme, "Return," in Donald Barthelme, "Return," in Liquid City: Houston Writers on Houston Liquid City: Houston Writers on Houston, ed. Rita Saylors (San Antonio: Corona Publishing Company, 1987), 39.

page 155 elected destiny: elected destiny: Henri F. Ellenberger, "The Psychology of Destiny," Henri F. Ellenberger, "The Psychology of Destiny," Forum Forum 3, no. 1 (1959); draft in Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. 3, no. 1 (1959); draft in Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 155 "some of them four feet tall": "some of them four feet tall": This and subsequent quotes from "Pages from the Annual Report" are from Donald Barthelme, "Pages from the Annual Report," This and subsequent quotes from "Pages from the Annual Report" are from Donald Barthelme, "Pages from the Annual Report," Forum Forum 3, no. 1 (1959): 1318. 3, no. 1 (1959): 1318.

page 156 "his work has sought out the clutter": "his work has sought out the clutter": Harold Rosenberg, "The Audience as Subject," Harold Rosenberg, "The Audience as Subject," Forum Forum 3, no. 3 (1959); draft in Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. 3, no. 3 (1959); draft in Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 156 "It's my hope that these...souvenirs": "It's my hope that these...souvenirs": Barthelme, Barthelme, Sixty Stories Sixty Stories, 98.

page 156 "full of pep": "full of pep": Rosenberg, "The Audience as Subject." Rosenberg, "The Audience as Subject." page 156 page 156 Among the last pieces Don published in Among the last pieces Don published in Forum: Don published an essay on architecture by his friend Pat Goeters. Many of Goeters's ideas came from cla.s.ses he had taken with Don's father. In editing the piece, Don may have felt he was editing his father. The "public Forum: Don published an essay on architecture by his friend Pat Goeters. Many of Goeters's ideas came from cla.s.ses he had taken with Don's father. In editing the piece, Don may have felt he was editing his father. The "public does not like does not like houses which are designed by architects," Goeters wrote. "[The] consumer's idea of a house is not the architect's idea of a house. The architect is not in some sense houses which are designed by architects," Goeters wrote. "[The] consumer's idea of a house is not the architect's idea of a house. The architect is not in some sense ahead ahead of the public in this respect; he is, rather, in a different world." Shades of the old man shine through here. of the public in this respect; he is, rather, in a different world." Shades of the old man shine through here.

Goeters tended to be wordy. Don's edits aimed for severe compression and rhythmic grace. He changed the phrase "Avant-garde work...needs time to become accepted" to "avant-garde work will be accepted only with time." At one point in the article, Goeters spoke of the kitsch in many American houses. He imagined a "green china dog that whistles 'My Old Kentucky Home.' " Don changed the song to "Elmer's Tune." (See Pat Goeters, "Poetry and Pragmatism," rough essay draft prepared for Forum Forum 3, no. 4 [1960], Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. 3, no. 4 [1960], Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 156 "world of objects": "world of objects": This and subsequent quotes from "Sartre and Literature" are from Maurice Natanson, "Sartre and Literature," This and subsequent quotes from "Sartre and Literature" are from Maurice Natanson, "Sartre and Literature," Forum Forum 3, no. 3 (1959): 411. 3, no. 3 (1959): 411.

page 157 "[T]here is apparently a fundamental disagreement": "[T]here is apparently a fundamental disagreement": Helen Moore Barthelme, Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 87.

page 157 "very nebulous": "very nebulous": Donald Barthelme, letter to Herman Gollob, undated (probably late 1959), Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware. Donald Barthelme, letter to Herman Gollob, undated (probably late 1959), Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.

19. Darling Duckling page 158 "This is your big chance": "This is your big chance": Herman Gollob quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Herman Gollob quoted in Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme: The Genesis of a Cool Sound Donald Barthelme: The Genesis of a Cool Sound (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001), 8788. (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001), 8788.

page 158 a rigorous writing routine: a rigorous writing routine: In discussing Don's writing routine, I have drawn upon the chapter ent.i.tled "The Creation of a Strange Object" in Helen Moore Barthelme, In discussing Don's writing routine, I have drawn upon the chapter ent.i.tled "The Creation of a Strange Object" in Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 90101.

page 159 "The customer is never right in architecture": "The customer is never right in architecture": This and subsequent statements by Donald Barthelme, Sr., are from "Construction and Conformity: Architect-Professor Barthelme Talks," This and subsequent statements by Donald Barthelme, Sr., are from "Construction and Conformity: Architect-Professor Barthelme Talks," Houston Post Houston Post, January 10, 1960; Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 160 "I... sit in this too-small seat": "I... sit in this too-small seat": This and subsequent quotes from "Me and Miss Mandible" (originally t.i.tled "The Darling Duckling at School") are from Donald Barthelme, This and subsequent quotes from "Me and Miss Mandible" (originally t.i.tled "The Darling Duckling at School") are from Donald Barthelme, Sixty Stories Sixty Stories (New York: Putnam, 1981), 2435. (New York: Putnam, 1981), 2435.

page 161 "Well, Babe, are you ready for this?": "Well, Babe, are you ready for this?": Helen Moore Barthelme, Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, xiii.

page 161 "stark"; "fearlessly obscene"; "speak to the present": "stark"; "fearlessly obscene"; "speak to the present": Jonathan Vaitch, Jonathan Vaitch, American Superrealism: Nathanael West and the Politics of Representation in the 1930s American Superrealism: Nathanael West and the Politics of Representation in the 1930s (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1997), 48. (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1997), 48.

page 162 "much like Guillaume Apollinaire": "much like Guillaume Apollinaire": ibid., 16. ibid., 16.

page 162 curators translated the word curators translated the word Surrealism Surrealism as "Super-Realism": as "Super-Realism": ibid., 15. ' ibid., 15. 'page 163 In payment for his story: In payment for his story: Evan S. Connell and his coeditors struggled for seven years, beginning in 1958, to keep Evan S. Connell and his coeditors struggled for seven years, beginning in 1958, to keep Contact Contact alive. "We'd hear from everyone about how important the magazine was, how beautiful it looked, and so on," Connell recalled. "And then we'd have to beg in order to insure survival. We'd write to foundations, but most of them wouldn't even answer." Finally, in 1965, the journal gave up the ghost. alive. "We'd hear from everyone about how important the magazine was, how beautiful it looked, and so on," Connell recalled. "And then we'd have to beg in order to insure survival. We'd write to foundations, but most of them wouldn't even answer." Finally, in 1965, the journal gave up the ghost.

In 1932, as its second incarnation ended, William Carlos Williams had said, "When another of the little reviews...died, I thought it was a shame. But now I think differently. Now I understand that all those little reviews ought by necessity to have a short life, the shorter the better. When they live too long they begin to dry up. But they have had at least one excuse for their existence-they have given birth to at least one excellent writer who would not otherwise have had the means to develop. Contact Contact has published N. West. Now it can die." has published N. West. Now it can die."

Cited above: "We'd hear from everyone": "We'd hear from everyone": Connell quoted in Gerald Shapiro, "Evan S. Connell: A Profile," Connell quoted in Gerald Shapiro, "Evan S. Connell: A Profile," Ploughshares Ploughshares, Fall 1987; posted at www.pshares.org. "When another of the little reviews": "When another of the little reviews": William quoted in Vaitch, William quoted in Vaitch, American Superrealism American Superrealism, 66.

page 163 "Don observed that he felt a bit like he was starting a new life": "Don observed that he felt a bit like he was starting a new life": Helen Moore Barthelme, Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 93.

page 163 "did not enjoy writing such material": "did not enjoy writing such material": ibid., 9899. ibid., 9899.

page 163 "In a work of literature form and content": "In a work of literature form and content": ibid., 99100. ibid., 99100.

page 163 "everything is different"; "What I write has to be in the present": "everything is different"; "What I write has to be in the present": ibid., 96. ibid., 96.

page 163 " " have been suggested by an article that had appeared in have been suggested by an article that had appeared in Time Time magazine": magazine": ibid., 93. ibid., 93.

page 163 "speak of cinema as of a religion": "speak of cinema as of a religion": "New Wave," "New Wave," Time Time, November 16, 1959, 119.

page 164 It is a McLuhan-like exercise in reading American culture: It is a McLuhan-like exercise in reading American culture: The story also owes something to the literary theories of Kenneth Burke. The main character, Burlingame (Burke literary game?) interprets his situation according to some of the terms ( The story also owes something to the literary theories of Kenneth Burke. The main character, Burlingame (Burke literary game?) interprets his situation according to some of the terms (agent, agency, purpose) in Burke's Pentad, a method of dissecting literary structures. In the 1950s, Burke was especially interested in how symbols symbols could provoke could provoke physiological responses physiological responses (for example, the way a stage play-a symbolic activity-can induce weeping or laughter in a viewer). Don was well aware of Burke's work. (See, for example, the opening paragraphs of Don's essay "After Joyce," in (for example, the way a stage play-a symbolic activity-can induce weeping or laughter in a viewer). Don was well aware of Burke's work. (See, for example, the opening paragraphs of Don's essay "After Joyce," in Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews, ed. Kim Herzinger [New York: Random House., 1997], 3.) At one point in "The Hiding Man," a character starts sobbing and the theater's "cooling system switches on." This incident parallels numerous examples, in Burke's writing, of physiological reactions as a form of "communication" directly affecting the environment. Burke was fond of using movie theaters to ill.u.s.trate his theory: "[C]onsider the operations of air conditioning equipment in a movie house," he wrote. If "a thriller is being played, this mechanism must work much harder than if the plot is of a milder sort because of the effects which the excitement of the audience has upon the conditions of the atmosphere in the theatre. Such bodily responses as increased warmth and accelerated respiration place a greater burden upon the air conditioning device, which is equipped with mechanical 'sensors' that register change in conditions and 'behave' accordingly." (See Kenneth Burke, "(Nonsymbolic) Motion / (Symbolic) Action," Critical Inquiry Critical Inquiry 4, no. 4 [1978]: 834. This particular statement, though made after Don's "The Hiding Man" was published, is a succinct example of the kinds of ill.u.s.trations Burke used throughout the 1950s to animate his theories.) 4, no. 4 [1978]: 834. This particular statement, though made after Don's "The Hiding Man" was published, is a succinct example of the kinds of ill.u.s.trations Burke used throughout the 1950s to animate his theories.) page 164 page 164 "People think these things are jokes"; "Most people don't have the wit to be afraid": "People think these things are jokes"; "Most people don't have the wit to be afraid": Donald Barthelme, Donald Barthelme, Come Back, Dr. Caligari Come Back, Dr. Caligari (Boston: Little, Brown, 1964), 37. (Boston: Little, Brown, 1964), 37.

page 164 "As Don wrote his first stories": "As Don wrote his first stories": Helen Moore Barthelme, Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme, 99.

page 164 "Though Don was an essentially postWorld War II product": "Though Don was an essentially postWorld War II product": Maggie Maranto, in an E-mail to the author, August 9, 2004. Maggie Maranto, in an E-mail to the author, August 9, 2004.

page 165 "[his] vision is too ghastly": "[his] vision is too ghastly": "Waiting for Oblivion," "Waiting for Oblivion," Time Time, June 1, 1959, 92.

page 165 nihilism and absurd laughter; reactions to the war in Korea: nihilism and absurd laughter; reactions to the war in Korea: See Hamlin Hill, "Black Humor: Its Cause and Cure," See Hamlin Hill, "Black Humor: Its Cause and Cure," Colorado Quarterly Colorado Quarterly 17, no. 1 (1968): 57. 17, no. 1 (1968): 57.

pages 165166 "if you are alive today"; The " "if you are alive today"; The " New York Times... New York Times...is the source and fountain": Bruce Jay Friedman, Bruce Jay Friedman, Black Humor Black Humor (New York: Bantam Books, 1969), viii. (New York: Bantam Books, 1969), viii.

page 166 "Lenny Bruce seems concerned [only] with"; "direction in which I was going"; "clearly the equivalents of the brief but corny 'quotes' ": "Lenny Bruce seems concerned [only] with"; "direction in which I was going"; "clearly the equivalents of the brief but corny 'quotes' ": Frank Kofsky, Frank Kofsky, Lenny Bruce: The Comedian as Social Critic and Secular Moralist Lenny Bruce: The Comedian as Social Critic and Secular Moralist (New York: Monad Press, 1974), 2227, 9397. (New York: Monad Press, 1974), 2227, 9397.

page 166 West related these disasters in Alger's cheerful style: West related these disasters in Alger's cheerful style: Even more than this, West lifted several pa.s.sages, in their entirety, from Alger's books. Gary Scharnhorst is the scholar who discovered West's extensive "quoting" of Alger. The results of Scharnhorst's scholarship are discussed at length in Robert Emmet Long, Even more than this, West lifted several pa.s.sages, in their entirety, from Alger's books. Gary Scharnhorst is the scholar who discovered West's extensive "quoting" of Alger. The results of Scharnhorst's scholarship are discussed at length in Robert Emmet Long, Nathanael West Nathanael West (New York: Frederick Ungar, 1985) 84108. (New York: Frederick Ungar, 1985) 84108.

page 166 "[H]umor [lay in] distinguishing": "[H]umor [lay in] distinguishing": Kofsky, Kofsky, Lenny Bruce Lenny Bruce, 97.

20. The Ugly Show page 167 "Composing a great or even near-great bookshop": "Composing a great or even near-great bookshop": Larry McMurtry, Larry McMurtry, Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999), 158159. (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999), 158159.

page 167 "elegant"; "heart, all along": "elegant"; "heart, all along": ibid., 162. ibid., 162.

page 168 "My book hunting": "My book hunting": ibid., 163. ibid., 163.

page 168 "powered by eight mighty Weed-Eaters": "powered by eight mighty Weed-Eaters": Donald Barthelme, "Return," in Donald Barthelme, "Return," in Liquid City: Houston Writers on Houston Liquid City: Houston Writers on Houston, ed. Rita Saylors (San Antonio: Corona Publishing Company, 1987), 35.

page 169 "You sure are an illiterate b.a.s.t.a.r.d": "You sure are an illiterate b.a.s.t.a.r.d": Helen Moore Barthelme, Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme: The Genesis of a Cool Sound Donald Barthelme: The Genesis of a Cool Sound (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001), 181. (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001), 181.

page 169 Don "worked in even greater isolation": Don "worked in even greater isolation": ibid., 102. ibid., 102.

page 169 Early in 1960: Early in 1960: ibid., 110. ibid., 110.

page 170 Accounts vary as to when Jean and Dominique de Menil got involved: Accounts vary as to when Jean and Dominique de Menil got involved: See Frank D. Welch, See Frank D. Welch, Philip Johnson and Texas Philip Johnson and Texas (Austin: University of Texas Press, 2000), 53. For much of the background information on the Menils' involvement with the CAA, I have drawn upon Welch's account. See also "Contemporary Arts Museum" at the (Austin: University of Texas Press, 2000), 53. For much of the background information on the Menils' involvement with the CAA, I have drawn upon Welch's account. See also "Contemporary Arts Museum" at the Handbook of Texas Online Handbook of Texas Online ( (www.tsha.online.org/handbook/online/article).

page 170 "traveling through Europe on 'business trips' ": "traveling through Europe on 'business trips' ": Welch, Welch, Philip Johnson and Texas Philip Johnson and Texas, 39.

page 170 "just loved things American and "just loved things American and Texan Texan!": ibid. ibid.

page 170 "Houstonians [think] nothing about spending thousands": "Houstonians [think] nothing about spending thousands": ibid., 53. ibid., 53.

page 170 "[Jean] and Dominique wanted to set an example": "[Jean] and Dominique wanted to set an example": Marguerite Barnes quoted in ibid., 41, 43. Marguerite Barnes quoted in ibid., 41, 43.

page 171 the first International Style house built in Houston: the first International Style house built in Houston: Welch, Welch, Philip Johnson and Texas Philip Johnson and Texas, 45.

page 171 "controversy over...MacAgy's radical ideas"; "Menil grip": "controversy over...MacAgy's radical ideas"; "Menil grip": ibid., 66. ibid., 66.

page 171 "The city...may be seen as a texture of signs": "The city...may be seen as a texture of signs": This and subsequent quotes from the catalog are from Donald Barthelme, "Architectural Graphics: An Introduction," in This and subsequent quotes from the catalog are from Donald Barthelme, "Architectural Graphics: An Introduction," in Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews, ed. Kim Herzinger (New York: Random House, 1997), 165167.

page 172 "The public demands new wonders piled on new wonders": "The public demands new wonders piled on new wonders": Donald Barthelme, Donald Barthelme, Sadness Sadness (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1972), 139. (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1972), 139.