Katsen+40-44

Kat Tsen 41 // In context, Norma dismisses Elizabeth’s claims about animals and “divine maps” as “just anthropology”. // // This is another term Norma uses to dismiss Elizabeth’s claims. Norma does not think too highly of “anthropology” and “folkways” as support for an argument in terms of animal rights. // --- 42 // This is an example Norma brings to the table (or so to speak) of superior casts within society to prove her point. The use of this term is particularly interesting as the first two meanings of “Brahmins” are clearly referring to the social elite and the last relates to cattle-or animals. // // John uses this idiom to emphasize the unease Norma has caused due to her domination of the conversation. However, it is also awfully clever of Coetzee to employ such an idiom as it relates to the eating of animals. It is as if he is saying that Norma is “eating” away at Elizabeth’s argument. // --- 43 // An example of “certain fringe elements of English society” which Elizabeth Costello claims made Ghandi “feel at home” as a law student in England. // Theosophy is a doctrine of religious philosophy and metaphysics. Theosophy holds that all religions are attempts by the "Spiritual Hierarchy" to help humanity in evolving to greater perfection, and that each religion therefore has a portion of the truth. The Theosophical Society was established in 1875. Theosophists believe that religion, philosophy, science, the arts, commerce, and philanthropy, among other "virtues," lead people ever closer to "the Absolute." // Another example of “certain fringe elements of English society.(see above) // // Elizabeth //// warns the president (Garrard) not to have “overmuch” respect for her vegetarianism because she is still using leather goods. // Pouring oil on troubled waters ** Attempt to calm a problematic situation. This phrase alludes to the calming effect of that oil has on wave action as it spreads over the surface of the sea. Very small quantities of oil can cover a surprisingly large area as it spreads into a layer just a few molecules in thickness. The surface tension of the oil layer has an effect similar to that of a thin skin and is surprisingly effective at calming 'troubled' water. // An idiom (what’s with John and idioms…?) that John uses to describe the president’s attempt to ease the tension in the room. // --- 44 // Garrard murmurs that “consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds”. He means to say that there are “degrees of obscenity” and degrees of difference in terms of vegetarianism. //
 * Anthropology**: The science that deals with the origin and physical and cultural development of mankind. This includes biological variation, geographic distribution, evolutionary history, cultural history, and social relationships.
 * Folkways ** : the patterns of conventional behavior in a society, norms that apply to everyday matters. They are the conventions and habits learned from childhood.
 * Brahmins:**
 * 1) a member of a social and cultural elite (especially a descendant of an old New England family); "a Boston brahman"
 * 2) a member of the highest of the four Hindu varnas; "originally all brahmans were priests"
 * 3) any of several breeds of Indian cattle; especially a large American heat and tick resistant greyish humped breed evolved in the Gulf States by interbreeding Indian cattle and now used chiefly for crossbreeding
 * Close to the bone: ** an idiom: it is close to the truth in a way that might offend some people.
 * Fabians:** a member of the Fabian Society in Britain which has recommending and researching policy of political ideas and public policy on the left of centre for more than 100 years in the UK. It is also called “the UK’s oldest think-tank”
 * Theosophists: **
 * Overmuch**
 * 1) more than necessary; "she eats too much"; "let's not blame them overmuch"
 * 2) overabundance: a quantity that is more than what is appropriate; "four-year-olds have an overabundance of energy"; "we received an inundation of email"
 * 3) very great in quantity; overabundant; "showed overmuch affection"
 * Hobgoblin:** bugbear: an object of dread or apprehension;