[Alice and the White Rabbit discuss the value of literary connections to classical music. You can catch Part 2 here.]
I was a bit sleepy at this point from the tea, but as the Rabbit kept talking and as I liked to listen, I pinched my arm a few times and managed to stay awake.
Now my dear, do you think the Cow destroys the moon when he jumps over it in the music?[1]
I suppose he might…
But when you place a tablecloth on a table, like this one here, does there cease to be a table?
Why of course not!
Does the table cease to be necessary?
I should say not! Without the table, the tablecloth would not be a tablecloth anymore, but just a cloth! (In reality, the tablecloth was just a cloth—rather a blanket that depicted a beautiful scene of the Mad Hatter watering his shoes on a Sunday.)
Quite right. Now, does that mean the tablecloth is not necessary if there is not a table?
Well, no. You see (I suggested, hesitantly so as not to offend) it is actually a tapestry and not a tablecloth at all.
Indeed, indeed! (The White Rabbit was getting excited now.) Then is the table not necessary if there is not a tablecloth?
Well, no. The table is still wonderful without a tablecloth. Rather, the tablecloth allows it to become something new and allows it to serve a somewhat different purpose.
Now you’re getting it![2]
[1] The White Rabbit asks Alice whether having literary associations with music demeans the value of the music.
[2] Throughout this conversation, the White Rabbit shows Alice that a tablecloth (or tapestry), representing literary fiction, does not demean the music and in fact gives it a different and worthwile value.
[Stay tuned for the final part…]
If Mermaids Wore Suspenders 