• Chapter

      Index.

      Index. Cover
      by LovelyMay Henri Bergson's work, as summarized in this chapter, emphasizes the exceptional importance and infinite reach of his new philosophy. This novel approach, marked by its uniqueness and potential for misunderstanding, positions itself as the future departure point for speculative philosophy, attracting an increasing number of adherents despite the inevitability of misinterpretations and the potential for its transformation into a new form of scholasticism. Bergson's philosophy underlines the centrality of…
    • IN THE COACH-HOUSE Cover
      by LovelyMay In a dimly lit coach-house surrounded by the nocturnal quiet of a large estate, a group consisting of Stepan the coachman, Mihailo the house-porter, Alyoshka the coachman's grandson, and Nikandr, a septuagenarian salt herring vendor, gather for a casual game of "kings" in the shadows of carriages and sleighs. The game's camaraderie is punctuated by the ringing of the gate—a call to the porter, revealing a grim situation in the master's household: a tragic incident involving a fatal gunshot. As the night…
    • Chapter

      IN EXILE

      IN EXILE Cover
      by LovelyMay In the stark and unforgiving expanse of Siberia, by a riverbank and the flickering light of a campfire, Old Semyon, known as Canny, converses with a young Tatar, revealing the profound isolation and despair of exile. The narrative unfolds through their dialogue, contrasting experiences, and contemplations of life in a remote, desolate environment. Semyon, hardened by twenty-two years as a ferryman, claims contentment with his simple existence, devoid of desire or ambition, preaching a philosophy of…
    • III. Theory of Perception. Cover
      by LovelyMay Henri Bergson's philosophical work, as summarized from the provided chapter, delves into the relativity of perception and the transformative journey from common experience to profound action. Bergson distinguishes between fact and construction, proposing a series where each term can be seen as fact to the following terms and constructed in relation to preceding ones, aiming for a "contact with pure immediacy." This effort signifies a critical journey from complexity to simplicity in understanding…
    • III ‑The woman in the Alcove Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter III of "The Woman in the Alcove," the protagonist is engulfed in a whirl of despair and confusion as the illustrious diamond, central to a crime, is discovered concealed within her possessions. She vehemently denies any involvement, asserting her ignorance of how the jewel and the gloves, in which it was hidden, came to be in her bag. The kindly inspector, while expressing belief in her innocence, hints at a man's involvement, leading her to staunchly defend Anson Durand's integrity, suggesting…
    • Chapter

      II. Immediacy.

      II. Immediacy. Cover
      by LovelyMay A New Philosophy: Henri Bergson This chapter introduces Henri Bergson's philosophy, centering on the concept of duration as its foundational intuition. Bergson's philosophy is distinguished by its emphasis on action and the intuition of time, challenging the traditional static view of existence. The chapter outlines Bergson's critical approach to understanding and evaluating philosophy, not through isolated propositions but through the holistic experience of duration, illuminating its significance by…
    • II ‑The woman in the Alcove Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter II of "The Woman in the Alcove," the narrator regains consciousness to find herself in a room filled with tumult and concern, her fiancé, Mr. Durand, standing beside her. A tragedy has occurred: a woman has been found murdered in an alcove, leading to a state of shock and bewilderment among the guests. Although weak, the narrator insists on staying alongside Durand, despite his apparent unease and the general atmosphere of suspicion that begins to envelop him, particularly due to his last known…
    • I ‑The woman in the Alcove Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Woman with the Diamond," the narrator, a plain but immensely happy girl, experiences an unexpected turn of events at a grand ball in New York. She does not see herself as lovable due to her plain appearance and has dedicated her life to nursing, believing love was not meant for her. However, this changes when Anson Durand, a man she admires, chooses her over more vivacious women, declaring his love in a secluded conservatory. He professes his love passionately, asking her to marry him soon, which…
    • I ‑Frivolous Cupid Cover
      by LovelyMay Upon Harry Sterling's return to Natterley, his transformation from a schoolboy to a university-bound young adult becomes the talk of the town. At the lawn-tennis club, Harry, with his newfound maturity symbolized by the cigarette perched between his lips, is received differently by his peers: warmly by the young men, reluctantly by the younger boys, and with a mix of intrigue and formality by the girls. Among the observers is Mrs. Mortimer, who notices the significant change in Harry, remembering him as a…
    • HOW ULYSSES STOLE THE LUCK OF TROY Cover
      by LovelyMay In the chapter “How Ulysses Stole the Luck of Troy” from "Tales of Troy," the narrative progresses after Hector's burial, with the siege of Troy continuing languidly. The Greeks, inexperienced in siege warfare, cannot breach the Trojans' defenses, bolstered by their anticipation of reinforcements, including the Amazons and the Khita, led by King Memnon. Central to Trojan defense is the Palladium, an ancient divine image within the temple of Pallas Athene, believed to secure Troy's…
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