detractors
Posted by Marie-Bernadette on April 30, 1998 at 14:02:26:
In response to regarding de Sade:, written by P. Bingham on April 30, 1998 at 02:34:10
Patricia: It is said that much of what has been written of him has been written by his enemies who purpously made him a degenerate.
Marie-Bernadette: I had thought about that, too, and there could definately be something to it because he certainly seemed to have his share of enemies. He was out spoken, that is for sure, and *ahem* quite amourous, but his enemies used his foibles against him and, I think, exaggerated them greatly.
P: Now, after reading some of this man's writing, its hard to believe that anyone had to make de Sade appear like a degenerate. I've read quite a bit and I can tell you it is not particularly "appetising". If you've read his work yourself, I think you might know what I am specifically referring to.
M-B:The writings that I read of his that were done later in his life in prison are extremely vile but the writing (the little that I have seen) that he did earlier is not so violent or perverse and some is very thought provoking. Not all of de Sade's works are erotic, either, but how often does one hear those works discussed? This is a very weak comparison but it would be like remembering Jane Austen for Lady Susan alone and forgetting all of her other works.
P: But basically, his fans have said that his perverse behavior was limited to his writing, and of course all of his writing was done while in prison. You know, people can write nasty things and not be nasty themselves.
M-B: That's true and by the time he was in prison he would have been quite degenerated by the syphillis (if he did, indeed, have it and I would bet that he did). Some modern psycologists say that some people may write or say horrible things and this exercise acts as a catharsis which in and of itself is often enough of an emotional release. I think that may be true in some cases. The Spanish fly incedent, if true, was not so much a malicious act on de Sade's part as it was mischievous and done out of ignorance (I don't think he realised that Spanish fly is really much more of a poison than an aphrodisiac).
P: And de Sade was very devoted to his wife, treated her very well and was petted by her in return. Remember all that chocolate she sent him? As well as other things? So I myself am coming to believe that perhaps he was not such a bad guy after all. Aside from his syphlis.
M-B: Could anyone who loved chocolate that much be so bad?
- ahem... P. Bingham 15:50:58 4/30/98
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- No excuses Marie-Bernadette 23:32:31 5/10/98
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- I was just kidding! P. Bingham 00:08:27 5/18/98
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- How do you always get tucked down here in corner, Patricia?;-)nfm Marie-Bernadette 16:40:47 5/19/98
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- As you must know by now... P. Bingham 00:08:04 5/21/98
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- As you must know by now... P. Bingham 00:08:04 5/21/98
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- How do you always get tucked down here in corner, Patricia?;-)nfm Marie-Bernadette 16:40:47 5/19/98
(1)
- I was just kidding! P. Bingham 00:08:27 5/18/98
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- No excuses Marie-Bernadette 23:32:31 5/10/98
(3)
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