Page 900

I have reached page 900, leaving only 118 pages to go in the first volume. I have found the writing to be a bit more open, leaning toward a more conversational style. The prose, is as ever, beautiful and the long descriptive passages blot the world around me out. The struggles I experience in reading Proust is the conflict between the rough rude ill-bred aggressive world I live in in comparison to the world rich in culture, manners, and grace. I often find myself distracted by the formal descriptions and respectful conversations, that imply or state that the people in the world of Proust are listening and interested in each other. Even as Proust details the separation of class and the oft denigrating or snobbish behavior of characters I find that at least they do not fear for their lives from those around them and even those in the class loser than the common servants are given polite words and connected interactions. The contrast is stark and troubling.