Tang and Napoleon

Christopher Keiser · 30 Jun 2009, 15:13 · from 2009-June.txt.gz

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From: slowalrus at gmail.com (Christopher Keiser)
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:13:41 -0400
Subject: (urth) Tang and Napoleon
In-Reply-To: <ecbb2eb0906291837p46e1e996u7d5a1819d66678d at mail.gmail.com>
References: <NGECKNKNFCCKJFJGAFLHMEIDDNAA.stephenhoy at yahoo.com>
	<d1bb7a150906291058j2534308frfc9bfe00e71e1b7 at mail.gmail.com>
	<ecbb2eb0906291837p46e1e996u7d5a1819d66678d at mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <d1bb7a150906300813v3f878b33y7b75448d5d3f0e2c at mail.gmail.com>

Well there are lots of theories, I remember something about Napolean
having Klinefelter's syndrome and increased breast development was
causing his nipples to run against his coat.  However, the truth of
the matter is less interesting:

http://www.napoleon-series.org/faq/c_hand.html

The hand in coat pose was just an artistic trope of the day.

But the question is: how is Wolfe using it?  Several people, including
me, have read through Ludwig, and find nothing about the pose, or,
truly anything that would "invariably offend."

This could point to several uses.

1. Wolfe misread (or didn't read) Ludwig, and just cited the biography
due to its popularity in that time period.  If so, the reader would
have to read Wolfe's mind to see which popular 'hand in coat pose'
theory he was using in the novel.

2. The discussion of the Dresden Napoleon figure is a red-herring.
The importance lies not in Napoleon's pose, but, describes the reason
Den never tells the whole truth, as he has learned that the whole
truth "invariably offends."

3. Most of us agree that the figure represents Smart.  Maybe Den is
pulling a Borges, and citing a source, but making up his own story.
If so, I think the reason for the pose is hidden in the story itself.

Or, all the above, or, none ;-)

On Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 9:37 PM, aaron<aaronsingleton at gmail.com> wrote:
> For some reason, I recall reading that the reason for the hand under the
> coat was to soothe gas pains... Perhaps I misremember.
>
>
> --
> Aaron Singleton
>
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