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another, but from mood to mood.  A theme is stated, then developed, pushed out of shape, imperceptibly deformed, until, though still recognizably the same, it has become quite different. . . . Get this into a novel.  How?  The abrupt transitions are easy enough.  All you need is a sufficiency of characters and parallel, contrapuntal plots.   . . . You alternate the theme.  More interesting, the modulations and variations are also more difficult.  A novelist modulates by reduplicating situations and characters. He shows several people falling in love, or dying, or praying in different ways -- dissimilars solving the same problem.  Or, vice versa, similar people confronted with dissimilar problems.  In this way you can modulate through all the aspects of your theme, you can write variations in any number of different moods.  Another way: The novelist can assume the god-like creative privilege and simply elect to consider the events in the story in their various aspects -- emotional, scientific, religious, metaphysical, etc.  He will modulate from one to the other -- as, from the aesthetic to the physico-chemical aspect of things, from the religious to the physiological or financial. . . . Put a novelist in the novel.  He justifies aesthetic generalizations, which may be interesting -- at least to me. He also justifies experiment.  Specimens of his work may illustrate other possible or impossible ways of telling a story."
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that if there is no real evidence of God's existence, everything in life is pointless. He meets Illidge, a young scientist of working-class origin, and taunts him for his angry left-wing rhetoric and actual political impotence in order to persuade him into helping him murder Everard Webley. Tragically, there is still no obvious heavenly negative and personal consequences for this ultimate sin, except to strengthen Webley's Brotherhood of British Freemen. Spandrell sends an anonymous note to the Brotherhood, informing them that the murderer is at his address. He tries one last time to find God's presence in the world when he asks Rampion whether
268:, but there are reasons for doubting this: see below.) Quarles' father, Sidney, is unlike his son: outwardly impressive, he is in reality pretentious, feeble and self-indulgent. An undistinguished MP and failed businessman, he has retired from public life, supposedly to concentrate on writing a vast and definitive study of democracy. In fact he has written nothing, but he employs a secretary; the girl becomes pregnant by him and threatens to make a scandal. Philip and Elinor have a young son, little Phil, who becomes ill and dies of 1300: 305:, (to symbolize the collision of science and technology with art) is an indication or proof of God. Rampion answers that even the sublimest of music, such as Beethoven's composition that they are listening to, is not a proof of God, this motivates Spandrell to call the police, essentially committing suicide, since when they arrive he allows himself to be shot and killed, while the third movement from Beethoven's String Quartet No. 15 plays in the background. 38: 236:, a young journalist. A weak and ineffectual man, Walter is living with Marjorie Carling, a married woman whose husband refuses to grant her a divorce. Marjorie is pregnant with Walter's child, but their relationship is disintegrating, largely because Walter has fallen desperately in love with the sexually aggressive and independent Lucy Tantamount (based on 260:, a writer (a self-portrait of Huxley) and his wife Elinor, John Bidlake's daughter. They return from India to England. Quarles is a withdrawn, cerebral man, ill at ease with the everyday world and its emotions; Elinor loves him, but is tempted to enter into an affair with the bold and attractive Everard Webley, a political 296:
and deliberate wickedness in order to prompt a reaction from God. He has found some pleasure in the corruption of an innocent young girl, both in the act itself and in his own feelings of remorse, but when he is not divinely punished, he looks for an even larger sin to force God's hand. He believes
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The musicalization of fiction.  Not in the symbolist way, by subordinating sense to sound. . . . But on a large scale, in the construction.  Meditate on Beethoven.  The changes of moods, the abrupt transitions . . . More interesting still, the modulations, not merely from one key to
250:). He is famous for his work and for his scandalous love life. However, his recent paintings show a creative decline, which he himself recognises but refuses to admit. He has an illness which is eventually diagnosed as terminal cancer. His wife Mrs. Bidlake is inspired by 319:, painter), who at thirty-five remains a virgin, having been molested as a young girl; for some time their relationship is platonic, but Burlap succeeds in seducing her. The novel ends with his having secured several thousand dollars for a book, 315:, Burlap is in his writings and public image a Christian and an anguished, self-accusing moralist; in his inner thoughts and private behaviour, however, he is calculating, avaricious and libidinous. He lives with Beatrice Gilray (based on 187:
The novel's title is a reference to the flow of arguments in a debate, and a series of these exchanges tell the story. Instead of a single central plot, there are a number of interlinked story lines and recurring themes (as in musical
282:, whom Huxley admired greatly, Rampion is a fierce critic of modern society. A full chapter in flashback shows Rampion's courtship and marriage to his wife, Mary (based on Lawrence's wife Frieda). 215:, and Huxley is depicted as the novel's novelist, Philip Quarles. Huxley described the structure of Point Counter Point within the novel itself, in a stream of consciousness musing of Quarles: 707:
Bradshaw, David (2002). "Huxley's 'Tinpot Mussolini' and the KKK's 'White Fox': A New Source for Everard Webley and the Brotherhood of British Freemen in 'Point Counter Point'".
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and would remain so until 1931. The BUF was not founded until 1932. A number of other fascist groups preceded Mosley, the most prominent being the
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discusses the connection in a new introduction to the novel. David Bradshaw has argued that the most likely source for Webley is
74: 727: 985: 642: 157:, first published in 1928. It is Huxley's longest novel, and was notably more complex and serious than his earlier fiction. 81: 55: 1001: 668: 264:
and leader of his own quasi-military group, the Brotherhood of British Freemen. (Webley is often assumed to be based on
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Comparisons have been made between the character Everard Webley with his Brotherhood of British Freemen and
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many of the characters are based on real people, most of whom Huxley knew personally, such as
1216: 1083: 935: 903: 612: 251: 1057: 919: 312: 292:, who of course did not live in Huxley's time). For years Spandrell has devoted himself to 212: 8: 1208: 895: 863: 204: 569: 477:"Collecting Point Counter Point by Aldous, Huxley - First edition identification guide" 421: 352:, and possibly one of those may have been Huxley's inspiration. In the 1996 reprint of 289: 24: 632:
Huxley, Point Counter Point, Harper's Perrenial Classic, chapter XXII, page 301 (1965)
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Watt, Donald (1977). "The Fugal Construction of "point Counter Point"".
587: 381: 365: 302: 269: 855: 261: 134: 37: 792: 778:– a collection of links relating to Huxley's works in general 696:. Garden City, New York: Dalkey Archive Press. p. v-ix. 323:, and enjoying an evening of sensual pleasure with Beatrice. 528:"Point Counter Point - The Greatest Literature of All Time" 293: 775: 240:, with whom Huxley had a similarly unsatisfactory affair). 387: 394:, starring Tristram Jellinek. It was later broadcast on 503:"Public Domain Day 2024 is Coming: Here's What to Know" 494: 170:
100 best English-language novels of the 20th century
62:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. 728:"TV: B.B.C. 'Point Counter Point' Provides Satire" 224: 1316: 327: 808: 344:, Mosley was still a prominent member of the 1330:British novels adapted into television shows 1031:" (1940s; radio script 1956; published 1997) 725: 613:"Point Counter Point | Dalkey Archive Press" 815: 801: 182: 122:Learn how and when to remove this message 706: 133: 422:"Point Counter Point | novel by Huxley" 246:, Walter's father, a painter (based on 1317: 726:O'Connor, John J. (20 February 1973). 691: 986:Two or Three Graces and Other Stories 796: 1058:The Discovery: A Comedy in Five Acts 666: 551: 500: 471: 469: 467: 416: 414: 364:, the founder of The Kindred of the 311:, Walter Bidlake's editor. Based on 60:adding citations to reliable sources 31: 1002:After the Fireworks: Three Novellas 19:For the segment of the TV magazine 13: 14: 1356: 822: 757: 464: 411: 278:, a writer and painter. Based on 229:Some of the main characters are: 1299: 1298: 978:Little Mexican and Other Stories 321:St Francis and the Modern Psyche 299:Beethoven's String Quartet No 15 36: 719: 700: 685: 660: 635: 501:Moss, Aaron (4 December 2023). 380:(1968), miniseries directed by 301:, played on the newly invented 47:needs additional citations for 1038:" (1944; children's book 1967) 626: 605: 580: 545: 520: 439: 371: 225:Main characters and storylines 179:in the United States in 2024. 1: 404: 340:. However, when Huxley wrote 7: 328:Real-world British fascists 10: 1361: 1127:Science, Liberty and Peace 928:The Genius and the Goddess 447:"Modern Library's Choices" 18: 1294: 1235: 1192: 1157: 1110: 1075: 1068: 1049: 1020: 953: 946: 839: 830: 338:British Union of Fascists 1119:The Perennial Philosophy 1036:The Crows of Pearblossom 168:44th on its list of the 1340:Novels by Aldous Huxley 1135:The Doors of Perception 1010:Collected Short Stories 692:Huxley, Aldous (1996). 592:Encyclopedia Britannica 426:Encyclopedia Britannica 1335:Doubleday, Doran books 1166:Beyond the Mexique Bay 1100:Literature and Science 1029:Jacob's Hands: A Fable 588:"Novel - Roman à clef" 222: 183:Title and construction 175:The novel entered the 145: 16:Novel by Aldous Huxley 904:Time Must Have a Stop 667:Marovitz, Sanford E. 252:Lady Ottoline Morrell 217: 137: 71:"Point Counter Point" 1244:The Devils of Loudun 920:The Devils of Loudun 709:Aldous Huxley Annual 554:Studies in the Novel 313:John Middleton Murry 213:John Middleton Murry 56:improve this article 1345:Roman à clef novels 1325:1928 British novels 1225:A Woman's Vengeance 1201:Pride and Prejudice 896:After Many a Summer 872:Point Counter Point 864:Those Barren Leaves 783:Point Counter Point 765:Point Counter Point 694:Point Counter Point 451:archive.nytimes.com 398:television in 1972. 378:Point Counter Point 354:Point Counter Point 342:Point Counter Point 205:Katherine Mansfield 166:Point Counter Point 150:Point Counter Point 1212:(uncredited, 1943) 732:The New York Times 532:www.editoreric.com 290:Charles Baudelaire 146: 25:Point/Counterpoint 1312: 1311: 1182:The Art of Seeing 1153: 1152: 1045: 1044: 286:Maurice Spandrell 132: 131: 124: 106: 1352: 1302: 1301: 1073: 1072: 951: 950: 817: 810: 803: 794: 793: 751: 750: 748: 746: 723: 717: 716: 704: 698: 697: 689: 683: 682: 680: 678: 673: 664: 658: 657: 655: 653: 639: 633: 630: 624: 623: 621: 619: 609: 603: 602: 600: 598: 584: 578: 577: 549: 543: 542: 540: 538: 524: 518: 517: 515: 513: 507:Copyright Lately 498: 492: 491: 489: 487: 473: 462: 461: 459: 457: 443: 437: 436: 434: 432: 418: 350:British Fascists 142:Doubleday, Doran 138:First US edition 127: 120: 116: 113: 107: 105: 64: 40: 32: 1360: 1359: 1355: 1354: 1353: 1351: 1350: 1349: 1315: 1314: 1313: 1308: 1290: 1284:Brave New World 1276:Brave New World 1268:Brave New World 1231: 1188: 1149: 1143:Heaven and Hell 1106: 1064: 1041: 1016: 942: 912:Ape and Essence 888:Eyeless in Gaza 880:Brave New World 835: 826: 821: 760: 755: 754: 744: 742: 724: 720: 705: 701: 690: 686: 676: 674: 671: 665: 661: 651: 649: 641: 640: 636: 631: 627: 617: 615: 611: 610: 606: 596: 594: 586: 585: 581: 550: 546: 536: 534: 526: 525: 521: 511: 509: 499: 495: 485: 483: 475: 474: 465: 455: 453: 445: 444: 440: 430: 428: 420: 419: 412: 407: 390:mini-series by 374: 356:, Mosley's son 330: 227: 185: 139: 128: 117: 111: 108: 65: 63: 53: 41: 28: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1358: 1348: 1347: 1342: 1337: 1332: 1327: 1310: 1309: 1307: 1306: 1295: 1292: 1291: 1289: 1288: 1280: 1272: 1264: 1256: 1248: 1239: 1237: 1233: 1232: 1230: 1229: 1221: 1213: 1205: 1196: 1194: 1190: 1189: 1187: 1186: 1178: 1170: 1161: 1159: 1155: 1154: 1151: 1150: 1148: 1147: 1139: 1131: 1123: 1114: 1112: 1108: 1107: 1105: 1104: 1096: 1092:Ends and Means 1088: 1084:Music at Night 1079: 1077: 1070: 1066: 1065: 1063: 1062: 1053: 1051: 1047: 1046: 1043: 1042: 1040: 1039: 1032: 1024: 1022: 1018: 1017: 1015: 1014: 1006: 998: 990: 982: 974: 966: 957: 955: 948: 944: 943: 941: 940: 932: 924: 916: 908: 900: 892: 884: 876: 868: 860: 852: 843: 841: 837: 836: 831: 828: 827: 820: 819: 812: 805: 797: 791: 790: 779: 773: 759: 758:External links 756: 753: 752: 718: 699: 684: 659: 634: 625: 604: 579: 560:(4): 509–517. 544: 519: 493: 481:www.biblio.com 463: 438: 409: 408: 406: 403: 402: 401: 400: 399: 373: 370: 329: 326: 325: 324: 306: 283: 280:D. H. Lawrence 273: 258:Philip Quarles 255: 241: 234:Walter Bidlake 226: 223: 201:D. H. Lawrence 184: 181: 162:Modern Library 153:is a novel by 130: 129: 44: 42: 35: 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1357: 1346: 1343: 1341: 1338: 1336: 1333: 1331: 1328: 1326: 1323: 1322: 1320: 1305: 1297: 1296: 1293: 1287: 1285: 1281: 1279: 1277: 1273: 1271: 1269: 1265: 1263: 1261: 1257: 1255: 1253: 1249: 1247: 1245: 1241: 1240: 1238: 1234: 1227: 1226: 1222: 1219: 1218: 1214: 1211: 1210: 1206: 1203: 1202: 1198: 1197: 1195: 1191: 1184: 1183: 1179: 1176: 1175: 1174:Grey Eminence 1171: 1168: 1167: 1163: 1162: 1160: 1156: 1145: 1144: 1140: 1137: 1136: 1132: 1129: 1128: 1124: 1121: 1120: 1116: 1115: 1113: 1109: 1102: 1101: 1097: 1094: 1093: 1089: 1086: 1085: 1081: 1080: 1078: 1074: 1071: 1067: 1060: 1059: 1055: 1054: 1052: 1048: 1037: 1033: 1030: 1026: 1025: 1023: 1019: 1012: 1011: 1007: 1004: 1003: 999: 996: 995: 994:Brief Candles 991: 988: 987: 983: 980: 979: 975: 972: 971: 967: 964: 963: 959: 958: 956: 952: 949: 947:Short stories 945: 938: 937: 933: 930: 929: 925: 922: 921: 917: 914: 913: 909: 906: 905: 901: 898: 897: 893: 890: 889: 885: 882: 881: 877: 874: 873: 869: 866: 865: 861: 858: 857: 853: 850: 849: 845: 844: 842: 838: 834: 829: 825: 824:Aldous Huxley 818: 813: 811: 806: 804: 799: 798: 795: 789: 785: 784: 780: 777: 774: 771: 767: 766: 762: 761: 741: 737: 733: 729: 722: 714: 710: 703: 695: 688: 670: 663: 648: 644: 638: 629: 614: 608: 593: 589: 583: 575: 571: 567: 563: 559: 555: 548: 533: 529: 523: 508: 504: 497: 482: 478: 472: 470: 468: 452: 448: 442: 427: 423: 417: 415: 410: 397: 393: 389: 385: 384: 383: 379: 376: 375: 369: 367: 363: 362:John Hargrave 359: 355: 351: 347: 343: 339: 335: 334:Oswald Mosley 322: 318: 317:Dorothy Brett 314: 310: 307: 304: 300: 295: 291: 287: 284: 281: 277: 274: 271: 267: 266:Oswald Mosley 263: 259: 256: 253: 249: 248:Augustus John 245: 242: 239: 235: 232: 231: 230: 221: 216: 214: 210: 206: 202: 198: 195: 191: 180: 178: 177:public domain 173: 171: 167: 163: 160:In 1998, the 158: 156: 155:Aldous Huxley 152: 151: 143: 136: 126: 123: 115: 112:December 2014 104: 101: 97: 94: 90: 87: 83: 80: 76: 73: –  72: 68: 67:Find sources: 61: 57: 51: 50: 45:This article 43: 39: 34: 33: 30: 26: 22: 1283: 1275: 1267: 1259: 1251: 1243: 1223: 1215: 1209:Madame Curie 1207: 1199: 1180: 1172: 1164: 1141: 1133: 1125: 1117: 1098: 1090: 1082: 1056: 1008: 1000: 992: 984: 976: 970:Mortal Coils 968: 960: 934: 926: 918: 910: 902: 894: 886: 878: 871: 870: 862: 854: 848:Crome Yellow 846: 833:Bibliography 782: 764: 743:. 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Retrieved 425: 377: 353: 346:Labour Party 341: 331: 320: 309:Denis Burlap 308: 285: 276:Mark Rampion 275: 257: 244:John Bidlake 243: 238:Nancy Cunard 233: 228: 218: 209:Nancy Cunard 196: 194:roman à clef 190:counterpoint 186: 174: 165: 159: 149: 148: 147: 118: 109: 99: 92: 85: 78: 66: 54:Please help 49:verification 46: 29: 20: 1286:(TV series) 1278:(1998 film) 1270:(1980 film) 1236:Adaptations 1193:Screenplays 1158:Non-fiction 1111:Uncollected 1076:Collections 1021:Uncollected 954:Collections 776:Somaweb.org 745:11 December 677:11 December 652:11 December 618:11 December 597:11 December 537:11 December 486:11 December 456:11 December 431:11 December 392:Simon Raven 372:Adaptations 1319:Categories 1260:The Devils 1252:The Devils 770:Faded Page 405:References 382:Rex Tucker 366:Kibbo Kift 303:gramophone 270:meningitis 82:newspapers 21:60 Minutes 1217:Jane Eyre 856:Antic Hay 740:0362-4331 715:: 146–59. 566:0039-3827 512:1 January 336:with the 262:demagogue 192:"). 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Point/Counterpoint

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Doubleday, Doran
Aldous Huxley
Modern Library
100 best English-language novels of the 20th century
public domain
counterpoint
roman à clef
D. H. Lawrence
Katherine Mansfield
Nancy Cunard
John Middleton Murry
Nancy Cunard
Augustus John
Lady Ottoline Morrell
demagogue
Oswald Mosley
meningitis

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