1

Reflections on Kierkegaard's Either/Or

EITHER/ OR by Dianne Ganz [Scheper] 4

This baak i~ M: til-~'\1 cIMk, titf.!ant to 1;~en \n3 VIM Welk. rt~QPY"'i:e : d iii.nd
1'ral:t' asleep thl'-0n~1 1 _ ~:i ; : · '(Tt1:e - ~Qok i-~1 ;,i*~ ~laro., ltut ~$ : Mt r'..'ItllJ.y ~a,r'J\!.l .~ 1 , n&i,%
1tn tM, 't!la.nttl ~1! . }! th.ut 1.~le§/ r~J!_(i ~'t;cy. 1 : ~l . ±n t5 ..l.l>rr.d the •"-i.c!rn~s> . t:~ ' tlp · '!)1f"{'t1t ~rne ltF~inr'")

'"I Jli: .."!• '.LC:~;le!t .• +. .... .,,..

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h:~t'fE ·' !.\'t,~ t:)'f~ 1.¢
t!:Gl'.fi$-~ ~:-a , i,.~ Q'V.7 rflv~n · .tr;~ : ~;q'1li:d , -ap_:e"1 (;l!<lf '.L;i. fe, a.r,i:alltttiftlil:; :1,n ~ne:t-.,;1lry\!'J

~t o~ ·ai'!~ ~ : ~p/tlcNn- t(le/r~+ ,.~itJo;:Qrg lt. 1's &.lrJ\\l 'CbJil · ~j,l?tn "'~t> t~e

lib~ eoJ;i.t~ ~ )H'kl• Qf the ¢ . real~< 1,t.•nrld, beginn:i.ng- wi:th G!fXJe:Sis I whel'e G.od

wirttJ;;r. (W~l'bi? l'~<:;IJf.1,n fdJ.$ (JJi :tl\'tf;'ir'?;tt;t.. 1;iqq; e 1 M -~;.1 ,;y GJl. _;tf)acitl-oJ;?m.trhiei.11 :tn 't f{t~'\l:o

~
fJ:u~i-t , ,._~ . .....,._ l'rf.)}~
Jt;i;$f.J.k'Xf.li: ~ .
~ift.;:AOJh(Y ~ . .~ ~ m
. . .~ ., i.tJ;WnQ 4 'l}if • jie ! J.~ ! ey~ ; r~J)¢ (} i2e~:td c li);(t~Cb1 t'if:t
 2
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~'binl-y ~u1• iav~r,y e.l<' . ~rtea: -0t t-heo ".'(>1~ ~ij};_>.¢ 1tl~ ,, f'~ 9. 'to! :~
ev;,~r:t. as, ~ Rrles ~f c:hr>.1ClS~ , ~t t'i\:m-~d. 1 $ ~ . ~•!f/i;l' ~ t~ ~Mt h tanfi
th~ · tri~ c1-ti.a~ o:f clio-~ tilS~er O.f1< ~5 . dj;i,~y fltj a ~:tJ .~ ., ~"

~f¥ditl;' $~ · ~f" Wl~ .,, th~ · t1:hn-o.'Sir;~ il.t <ll1 ~.,/il- " ' . P:~ $c t.ia.Jth., llii .~ ' ~•il ~

i!th.~a ~t.s wa:t · tl~ugi the multi)l.~D:ilty* t})11!a ~'l;t.U- .g i\~ ~le ~ !eh-.: ex~
~ ~.liu• ~i-le1' un.'i ~ tv ·~ a:mtinuny..

t.;i:J!u,n~/O> ~(tM - ~! .'fu &l~UiM1!s . ·t if ~ : t-~\"! •. 'BU:tt.'¢ ll'l3 t~ - ~, t.e ~

~$ ·tQ · ~ -~ ~;¢Qld ih~ ~t:e1l ' Q;~ ' a ~.ih/ !i>.l", ~ · newrutf3! tmr xmnil:fc~ e~­

~(l) ~i vll.Wa· ~ l.:$;~ v,ia to;i" ~i:te"'¥ t- <i~d' tr> ~l itw ~l'i1!: :w~ t~ ~

~-tl\i 111ni!t :h - ~ - ~ ~e wut'.f,ne:Cl (wJd~'h i~ the · j~l£ ~f · ~ U:~, (ilt ~I!r'® ,

1m~ :n,f><t ca.~w:•;t · -e:-1.\'$.il.y ] , 'i!h~ j:o.'b: -1;,~i_ f:o· ~ to bMug ,Q:ll ;'*'11'.l.'Wllks ~ - W01'k

:!;4 -1:'.Ull¥, sWk~+ hie 1$ n~ · 1-a-nwar putl;u tW~ ''iit'iftf .and that 1fSIJFJ11 ti:a. ~ ~ V.Q;te~ ..
lfp.w; w~n4tl. t:b.~ s:t~ce woul:d ·l'ie ... 'P iiPt. c;f ~ (l'f•~d:ti ~b-()h ·v tt!t
t._ ±d~ ecf lith~" :\ ;part ·<>t' ~ 0
'bm4;~- - ,:1t :t me mf.!?llt ~} ,,. ~ : $. ~ tM'.QU.11'-J ~

· ~'@! with ~floaS'ir:t ~t l~;$, When it i:a ~IV t'<Jd; l.Q: t'}l-$ ~J1 ' ~ & 1'.f~i$ 1;t,.
;ii
~ "'"'"'*,... fla,1'" ·~ · \~4U' •'~" 4£.W;~ .t . ~ -.q~ · )l;c.t,_lra
JJ,;irfi,4111'¥ h"'"'"'·
~ · Wi<l'o ,~ . ,.l':<'.1 c ,9 ,. &.~ ~
· ~ ~ \, _ 1
~ i.~ , .¢_ * "' f.~ .. '.J ,. .i..,,,""'
~\ ..,.,.,nt...fM"l 'lj.'1-¥. ~ ' Ll,-
W¥'.t .,...,.""'"'J
: O ~ "J'~.r, ·iS-:"'
~. ~ ~ ..41
"' ~ ..,...1\«...,,..ll
·~ . ·v· ~ ....hf.!!i.li!
.a~

II R®lni:,)~ ~ ~ . ~l!-$1' l>'t" ~ - O'l<>t:,\~i 't Q · ~O.fl · '.Cil,~q , "' w:r.. ~ \'i~Vt.

~/lt{f.i>n . (;u~'l i lY fJl'.Vo:~ ~'It!¢ ~t<:l ; ~:0' $~kf4; . ni~J .• i'S 1'1i"-a¢tii,.e:liltv af) 'l\\il<i.ta.tiG11

idt:h t~i .e .i tas o~:lin< ~ · ~&¥-M, &n:d l ftti.'l;\ Utli!'t tih~ ~ · I C'(}lJ¢~:t."-I tn ~i'VJlf

l' · ~$tl.1i, 'lme s-£1-r:r.' t1b:¢ ta~1 : be~1m!'.l a1~d • Ma~ we~a l · m~oe in. tum ..

lr~X"!fi tl:eVU\l{$ bi~ own: , tr~a\? 1 t ~ · i\$~ .S:n,f!t ~ t&i• 1~ -~ fiailt.tr-e 'i'!ttll
~-¢'ti1 :r'H\li*-t'l.<Y'e - ~ l{ll'd i~ 'tt> ·d'e!VlS!i! ~ .ocwil m;~'!l 'tif:¥ ~v-t1 ~A'>.iU: ,., i'Jl~
 6
3
back but -r:~ut out to it roams a:round 1 es.t:Lnr; nnd <::oting

But

admire the s trenuou s so1.J1 \."!ho c.;:;cn :-rather iris 1tfe I .n to a moment of dG,Cir:;ior1 and.

hurl h i .rH~e 1 f tnto one rnnrnc:n.tons x·t.';~:o1ve , I can only rJ..dmj_,J.,e; I seem not to be nble

o tl1erG? I:.re

of Eitb.er,/O:c ::Seems to be t.he idt:;a. of Hen.ven and Ile.11 ., or at best H.(;a.ven a. nd

di.nbe1ie:ved i.n the idea of lfol.l (a1though I

ace~t the hard fa~ts of the

to bc'U.f:ve lost, or t}v;tt anybody can

1. S

exc1up,:ive ulb.mu1·e1y. ( Con nw in Mj.racles which I am

sn:ve n.s f.rom Qltr T~-1. thE~:. ·s ?..r1cJ ()1}I' :tnoJ.~hE ~1 .de Ors anc!. len.cJ 110 (the Jon( ~ _,

mistake, so the soul mus t retrGce

:r cnn' t r enenbe:r where t.hi '·' of

 4 7

c0m~laeny-d like the of the

J.
he yi.snudonymnus u :r:i ter is J\ : th0 aest}H;to--and tho ri:nod o:f the whol(: colloct:ion

, fleeting, t1ollow.

:tt:.; nv_;n tr;:.:j_J of r·~:;f}ectLJn.

ell direetlonsil

--- - -·
Sr:.mn1ef;

0emnnd
thot;0 they do not htive . -1i"lH::y hr:rvH fre ~ dor:1 of "thocu~1-d:; they dem~:tr1 fr,~e1lom of
speech,. n

to

rn<~ f.:tand.s .(~di1J , tV:t 8 ~ (_~ :Cl y

r]y!':li_t tiC:tGl< tr:;cn , ~r1y:;.t 1:r~cn T L~ I even r·;o1 (.
int<J m~; DV/11 f<~C0. q

I C~ - 'YL
 58
1
~ Comr:J. t :·rcYu.r \~/:x,t·! tn the I10.rd,../ «..i:nd .YO'Ur \
· r _ ) (:~ (~St·bJ,j _ ~ ~bf:d ,¥ lf

In «J.lJ you.r
y-cu:r·

ny.-.10 une CO!tl{:~s back f:rcm th0 (t ~ ;ad .•. :uo onf~ ic~ f.:1-Skf;d \·!he11 he t!:LGheB
tc •Jnt: ·r~ li.f0, LO 011,13 iu .~ 1 sked \~ihon he uiishcs t o lc,:;i.ve.H

Is it b.le th.<-:t.t thi s is not tru.e? .J. hu.vc never question0d thi c, urrtil this

sum.m er study :i n g

ti\,.,
when we wisl1 t;o onter 1:1.·te . " Ferr1apr; even that is a matter of c . lor~ ina. '>.,}
PorhA..ns

J:Cithccr/<)r has truth tJ1at J.s not for i.: h J..s life only.

Pl _._',_'_ '._:···. 1·~- ,.·.:-.~., _ 1..',_:.·_ ...·.'· .: .r_;i

. 1mr.J ~ -s.. (~ : : ~'t r: ~ tr-·J. • - · - :tn my Herv~tG
·i , ~ 1
\'>'l.'\O
. (
, "'f.n.en '"'[·
L as,;:t~G ] •

· :_· \~) , r ~·: c)-f' \·Jt t:(~r , t me the wo1"'lt*~ Gost1:ieE;t

\vJ.'5.ne: ::,z b1ended ~ t n <:J. ch;:1 .1ice 'J I -shoulcl d:Lsrrr:i.::;fs bitn, tn order
Lo tea c h him i:h;d-. :pJ,2;::,sur& conr;ist~ noi: in wh:-1f; I >enjoy
bu.t

I hore is
1
~3urnctf1:'l.p; so ·o rofound her~ that it Cle serves a 1ifeti.rne of remember:ing :i.t.

· (~ iUHl5 •
 69

I~J t·. LJ.(j Lnui;:~ ,'...;.::t. 1

.r:. lr:;~ · chi: .I ' c.:1/; · ~:-L :L cJ .f:O.l" 1 i" u. r ~ y .. ~-'he n :fr!_(~
,~ )u .>~: .-: .·j · f}!. , :-.~ l;·.:. Jr t :. hl~;•, ~. ~n·t-cr .~l l. y , :1 1 ·N ot th:i...G Ms :r· ~'/ , ,:;_n,c::d.::·'.!cr
r'!;·,;-'," • *· . ''..1 ·.t :.i· -.~o• • c 'i :.: {~.Lr 1.~· ?r ..i"'cJ~: ? ~ . ir~ or~ ,~ o u t~. i.o tho ul·: ci&.H
;. .:~Yr ' 1.J , .:~ n,.-1 ~ . 1 ;.t0n it c·.)U K ~I-J :-~H)Jin . 1 .~ f; c !nr:H::t u.c; , thz..:n ~:e t;;,fay
i rl~.in ~. ! ;:. -~ r.:ot: f~i!.t M ·=~ -" . 'lf

.. II
 107

. ~ ; ;{ - :xlcr<J.61 b·i.;.t i;:.ncor1r.:;ci-;,)UG,. \ihr:;~-t

- ~-/

hourG

Ol~ t l.t~ . l'1Cd . Jesus? (i::·

) OX' of

not

11
In the fi.rr;t
JI (

-~ r; no t able T,r) su.s ta.i11 i.ts01~ un1ef5b

 8

to !:he thr:i 11 cf Per-

in this sutnxrban rituB1 of infidelity a

On~ of the rno;.;t e'r1.ter:tu:ir1i11.g anrJ wi..tty of t.he er; .qp'" ys--c-1 ki.nd oJ ~s0lf-hr:.p mr.niu~l

essay 1 too, as in the tl.~e t~r1d the

Cbie ·r of th.e fitr~a _

heu·~ _ ·1 ..e d ox~

He c an

cl
 9

useful '!:0 f!lf' , sin ce I tench G:re0k and modern dr;::ima

codr:d\cammentary on SK' s own r21.at·. ion to . h:i.G fa.t!:er ' s f",Uilt f!Hd the extent to

( () .156) and who s:;i.crificet> her love .f or Iberno n { ninc e ,she connot come l<l him with

In thP- J)SAUdonyrnnus ~·1nr 1 ks t.\~(:T 1

f: ·Ls nnt r;_ s:Ln!(i.r-! \~10.rd
which is nri _ , nr.~, 1 ha_v~ ; nn o;")inion nbc.1u t t;~:e0 \;. orks except 1

:~ .s a third yic:•Y- GO?'l, no k.no1~l . c~d·? :c of ·t:hc:ir m' !:.ni~ ox.cf :~ pt

1
;~r.: .9, J'n;;.d{.:r) -~ ·: rnd not t:J;~.1 r~?;: nte nr5 . v~1:e r( ~J :~t . :. i -. 1n t0
thr-~m ••• ( •:;51)
 10

it h:J~ for hiruseJ _f Yor h--; H erPr:l.:ronment ;-

I f the book v;a_,'c:.

bnck to tho ossay itself 1 there ny~ ~me ilb1minu

norneth:ing thr} t

affected forces of over ubic}: hE:: has control.

turns the

and

formula nr:C8i.1G~ J . ry fo:c·

 11

:f\d.ly iml.ividunl.i.z.e d, I"{)::JTXm·:;:ib} e for his own ~ .c t 2<.mo, free to clK1ose \vi thout ----------

:Lntor.ferem.0. from " de·:;t\.ny. 11

___
observation e.bouj;;
,.....-_.,,_.

their bu~ic "

diffe1. . enco i s pr()}··ound . :rhore is i n the anc:i.ent hero a l ack of self-

:i.n coelf-anoJ.ysis. In th0 sa me "'e.y, tbere is i.n an cient tra.gcdy more a.ttcntfo.n to

the effects of
 12

the pn:cr-11el to the

, cut off from the

i · ~( ! "f'n, .?.1.ieri.:.:.: t·.:::d frt)fn th+:"' comforting ti r-:: : :1 of

mi.r ~ ht offer r-:;c : c~1 · y· :i

n ,,
,.._,. Ot.t i.: of tn the ::o;.:r•ms1 n .f

He ntimds, ut v.1onc,

, '·: ~ - \· """ ~, A.,_ ,. A, •·. ~ ........ ·--. " .,. . .

th0.t
 13

comic :lnto thf! r e alm of tbc t.rrtg:Lc., the ter1denc:r of the

a.n d fonny; i.t then things suddenly ~H'A not

achi.P.vc1nyrtt fo'.r SK., x.:;o ski1IuJ~ i.s h0 in

~ ,-· •.,. , -~
....
.,,, ,.

bored,

frivoJ.ous and bo i ~ect-ar1 d I found it

most D.bou.t the nedu.cer not th~: ~. t he is

COUI'HB' ur t~:mi.d, but self-conscious in th<.tt every t1c·t of hir; is con-

c0iv0d v;ith the st-:~l.f e.nd it~3 sE~ ,tief~1c-ons in Jl!::i.nd. For oJ_l }1is; tulle of s~ _1 onlB.f:-'ity,

tl11']re is no suontanni

fo.r 11.im is

nv:. . inly

hi.u endlem: nnd lyrical

of the actual und iatc the tG~vac theater of th2 inction, where the reels are

for one':> vate for

, to cont:rnl, to mani}>n1ate.

·7he D..ctual rnGy not

to fsv.it on~;' D fancy.

 14
I13 t h e ;\ r::;d::htd:e tlte Voice o f »ur t:irne'? He :i.;;; C<'~r t a: ; _ n ly t ypic:aJ. of ma n y of our

1 i. ter".ry hE"~r o r:-; , f rorn Do ;; t oe v e,;ky ' s Under;:;1'ourid tfan , who bel ie v e s he is aff licte d

of tilP aesthete 1 to .John 1!00.:ikG ' !3 wit;hy-washy unfaithful husbands . Certainly

.:;eli' - indulc;E'm~e and cyni.c:i.s'.n arf~ 1oo:::;e cvcry1-1here . Col1ins , i n 'l'!.\C: Mind of
Kierkega a r d , says trio. i; the "anonymous clw.racter 11 o :f morlcrn people can b e t:rl'.~c d

t o tlw fac t that ;aodern c ulture lw.s itr,~ :cnoto i n tH;sthctic ex:istence . In '30 fa'!:"

outs:ldf: , r;:!.ther thDn looking: ir1si.de himt~·a 1.f for Sci.t il3fe.ction. Collin.::; also

a t.trthutes t:oth t~e unJ fo:rrn1-ty :JnG t.he irl:Losyncracy o f tnodern life to the

aesthe·t i c or·j.enta!:i.on-- r1n

OR
~ Ph i~: i;1 ( i~ Aid l)·y J:.o·,_.·n:·ic to be t)~!e 10sc intOJ:'Csting o f tl!f:- t wo v o 1um0s, })ut

bt~ solid , subs t-anti ul .

 15
.~\ '.;."!. l < ., fc J.l.ow ,

1')l{t net too

but neve:c c:t.1.i.1 d~ . jJ~e.

l.i.virig in eternity o.nd yr,; t he:u·-i.ng trw hull clock ;:;tr:Lke, n why wou1d one w;;mt to

Regina Olsons of th:L s world are not hurdles on the road to infinity i they are the

road itself." Ob,h01..1c;Jy t:ri:is rer:-:ark wa:; a c:hal1enge to SK' s decision to gJ.vc up

Regina, but i!.1. :J.t:s t:cibuto to finite love ~3.£5 a pnth to\·J.;trd. the infinite, it

wo ;1Jd gnin the endor '.:>e rr.ent of Judge \>/:i_llie.ms. Pr:trts of the esGay also remind

renv.:.,.rk i:br"t " F.ideli t y is not 1:1e•.'€l.l.Y dJ.r;c:i.pline, i t :ts h:-1.;:lpy discipb. nc. 'l'here i;;;

joy that come :., Crorn be:i.n~ f'nj thfu:! t:o nr1ctl J·:r. n One can i:;0e be re
1 th~ refJ.ect:i.on o f
 16
!'Not only the t,:;.J.1 ln o.f your chr.unbnrs chou1d be i!"lsct v.ri th mirroro, bnt f:ven

! E:qui1ibr·l nm 11
1

The b tlc poi.nts to the ot<'l.b:i 1i ty th;,,t can ·be g;-1:i.ned only t ••<"OU ·o·h .-;;. com-
..,_"~ - · -;:~= - ~; ~ . . ~- ..,.~ ~·lt<Y - ~· "- 1. "·-0: ..... ~- -·"l.!0:' ..... :.-;"' ~ .... - -/· •-~ ·• ' ,._ ..·~ · ~ -~ ;}j'°." '

fa:;l t o j.,i; d.evoteJ.1y, in wh.:o.t senst: CD!! it be n. •t:ronr; c: ~1oi.c:, ,1 Tt cou:i. d no t ---or

the · J~ , tr :Li ·y .i rt ~r aet 11/-i !~;y- o i· holdi.:v1g f;1r;t 1.-·ro1J.ld rJ1 fJO t1.)_rn t~i ~n ari:)1.tnd.
 17
Th1~t wh:i.eh hnr.; to be cho0e::11 st."').ntJs in the deo~nt
rolationship to the chooaer, anrl when it iB 0 question
of ri cho:i.Cl~ ·\nvolv:ing ;;J. life m·obJ.0:TI the :cw1 :ivi du<.tl
rrrur; t nr1tnrF1.11y he liv.nr~ in th<:~ n1c,1;.n ti me 1 and hence:, it~
comes about that the longer he ~1ost)ne:3 the choice the
t0<>sie:i: it is fo:r .hi.m t;o alter i. ts character •.• rn:,i_king the
cboi·~ ~ more dtfficult the next instcrn t becaune t.~hD ha~.:;
thus been not1i ted mny be revoked.,. I:f he forg0t .s to t~d:';.e
account of th0 he<.c;dway, there come '.> O'': J.nst dn in;s+.11n t
when there is n0 1onr-:er any q.u.c.s tion cf an '"'ithcr/or , not
because he has choi:,;en .but b< :~ ca . use he has neglected to
choose •••

hnrd on cu.:r. lives, but perhap:; tlrn.t is because we have l(~t the moment for

momrmt of po.st·poncment eroden th<:: w:i..11 unt il :f:i.nally 11.ie see m to be locked i . nto

ci•:rtsiri s:i t.u.nti-:•nD vri.thout D.rry :room for freedom . '.Lhe mornenl for free choor;Jng may

" •
and move i".roi:.nd. r~:.'-1very cno1.c e

~PhuB., nvcn the hunlblest in6j 'r.i du;11 l:v - :i~; H. :~h;.-1J ':~ ·x i{: .d ~uncB. He
aJ ..f:;O hr+B a h~ story 1 nnd tl.1.i..E; :i.. ::; no1~ rHftre1:v 0. nro(luct ('f hi.s
o·vrn fr8e act·:io:!:1G . 'fbe in\'1·3.rt1 i:1orJ:::. , trrn the cont:ret:ry, tie long(::
to h·i.~r and must bcdon tn h5.m u:.1to al1 oterni ty; ncithe:r-
hi,c.;-tor~y fl\.\X' v1orld hi.story c;;.n t.nke th:·1t frnr:1 h:i m 1 it ¥1fo1.Lows
him · e:L·b11e :c for joy or for !:'~0r ot 1 •

'
i :rwt · · t
et'i:l'Iu·.y ' tne
1s j
memory or"' 1-JrE't
"'
a ma~n HB.c'S :i.n h<.s • · •
t?s~en.:-1•
4 • ~, ""'..·,.1'_ .·. ~· . · '·. , rc1
.•'... . '~" : .~I'· •. • "•}·.~ ..,
j i;t__
.

:.) c~., 1 ,~1hur 1. h0 nJ.tJY of ] i_f::;;. . ; .::::: ovr::r ; tJn.d t~1c c :u- · ·t.~ 1 i1
j_;:; ru1leddt,)W!l ttpon i.he 0 1·n e~ t.h\~ di.ft"Y!:ce~ .3 D.(~ .
t ' Pl~:1tiv.r Hl"liCh ht\V0 d· ~ _r ; r;:.i·,t(~d nv.:n anti \~J)m en. 4 ,., \.-Jll ..l
vrxrt!:<h , r:t!! d a.11 w'i'l.J he .:;~lmry l1~q,-:n f"l:~·i.n · i•; :; .
 18

On th0 ~t:ine :i.t in irnper.rxti.Vt) tLat the i1lus:inn be

rnaintainod to tho h :i.(!:hec:t de,r,reo i <~n ;:<ctor vJho
p1ays the :role of kinp; .;.s j f he 1;mi:; Dn r;fto:r ••• j s
pn:cis.e 1y a. )Joor e:~ctor. But on the ::;tc)ge of li fo,
the rcvo:~.· is thtJ co.Be , 1i1herf:: i . G in tbc tA.:~k 1
no t to riesv-~, but i:o eXllOse, the iJln::;j_on; to
win free frc.~m it while still rFHr,ain.i.ng one 1 ~;

I love this pas<:.;n.ge--so rnuc:n tha.t I will taJ~: u1) thr; :n.Jl'\Ce/timr~ to quote the last

1:1.nes.
'rhc di.1:;g;ui.sing garrnent oPght to flntt<:r 1ost~ly
about us, EO loom:::J.:1 that. tt1e le;.1st w:\.nd 'Jf hum!'m
f0e1ing that hJows mn.y r0v(~ S] th'' •··0y.':ll i,;u:rplc
of humanj_ty beneath. Thie> revelnt:ion ts the m0r<=t1
task ....

the hu man bein§~ ns Hn r-;ctor who wears his morta1:i.ty , thc 11 d:i,sr;nisi.np; garme nt"

loosely about him.

 19

~i?hls was the firct book

a.nd it \·ffl_fj th:.' last book of hie; that I read for a long time , bt'cause 1.t terrified
1:1£·, GO st'l'.'icken wa.B I by the notion of infinHG · ,.~·' · · ~·-'71 ~t :i,s;,-i__.
- -, • - i-~..cu1 ....-. _,:;.1;:H,
:::.,,,,.. t!, ,.r·l~
n.1.-1,11., '·re·
requi
. ··- ·" - ''" :-::··:-o -- - - - -- - -

of one" the mo_nt ext·rpme sacrifice ima.g:inable. Thi.it thiu i cJ true or.ouJd be no secret
r~, ~-" ~ ~,. ..... __....-_. , ....,.. ....,... ,"",._..._,. .,. ............. , . .• ..,._ . ......-..........................--....... - ..,.-.... ·-
UH d. ~L-1 :irtrtir-o·uifh"f; hn1 1e to 1 o~l(;'. by -r:h·~ wor~I n of Sjf~ or of f:tn;:rone -eJr:c:; ; th.c p roo f

the l:ive.:;; of other1:> .l3uL 1.n thl book you ure forced to consider Lhe connection that
you try to avoid making in c-verday life~: the sucrifice tha.t is required by God.
The requirement by God i.s not SK ' s central Uwme; of course; hin tentral
theme is the re spons,; r!lhde by '~breha .m . Bnl r"!a.<ie:r.s find in o. book 1,i]1;1t they o.rc
prt'purecJ to finrl, and my fiTGt :re.:idins thirteen yee:c·c a.r:o w;;i.fi Gole ly preoccupied
with the terror elf God's requirr;ment. 'l:hi.G tj_me, wha.t h<~ld rr.2 to th0 bock wn,s not
of infinite ti.en ,

thnt tt
 20

J0::v>i: ' lOt to n r 2-::>d.cr :Uke myro01.f. 'J.1h0 pro.r,; Jed:. {)f i-w.c:r f ~ce, if ii: ic tc be
end>_;red , JnuGt be :reuder-•::d t:rc-~nslvGe nt r,;0 thut j_t sho 1,;s ·t;i:1ro1H>'.!1 Di vine Peace tJ:in.t is

ou. rrht not tn o.sk j t. '1D.s he

1
·"leems from his jovrn:~1 entr1 t'!G thB.t

"tlw.t to be a Chrts~n j_s the rnol?t ter:r:i. hle o f r~ . 1 t orn1ents 1 " (q1J.oted in U:pd:i.ko,1!(
-_L?O) !•.'.a.ch one mlwt \.;ork out bin own E>alvr, ti.on " in f;c;iu' H112. t:r ernbl:i.ng, 11 it is
true, mv'J :1. t si::e ms Un t. SK 1 c> t rr:ths wire oftr-ri bloody, but. it is n.1. •30 w1rt of lbc

of h:i;3 oHn life th;'t it H<:B not meant to be a model, but a co rect:i_v,~-by wh:i.ch
I und0r--:;tand ti-;:) t not f' v o:ryone should jmnV,n0 t.ha.t he serves God be:::;t b:y 11 vowiug
1
to ma.ke all th.i.np;r:; rJi.ff},cnlt .. ' ~ I~hir:q _SG g<;t rl:i ff:i.cult ~Jon enntv1; 1'l frYt"' rnos t peo1)le,
and ,,f.hen triJ\1:1 c o me , it :i,::; ::•. m0.t:T.nr of SfLir:L.turl life and · ch::: <! th thr:.:.t. on0. have

·hn.rt: ; : ~na no1.-1 t1~ s t:re1· ~; :t t. ) a:nd thH in.11Pr ?0o.ce to r.;uccor tbe ()C1iev ( ~r Jn t h 1~

~ :Jh _ c n~ -t hH chi1 •J rnu :..:d: be t1 i:~v ..ru~o, th0 mother hn.t; Gtron.u:e.r · r~ oci
·.i.:z r c a <J.in.•:: ..:.. r5 ., J :. ~-; t. t~"' C c.h il {; uhoul d. -_ve rl,·_;h . . Jk /o.~ Y' the .~ :. ' ( U. ~ ')Ol
'.:J~· r ~ 1~ :. . :· : Hi.- :i .>t Jn~ · e ~- £\ -. :)d i.n r- t- '<. ~d .;_ i H'! G fi !
 21

li.ving l ike ;.:ny other ordin . 0 r~ mon 0~cept th2.t he kno1.;s the c~ed;t of controlled
folly.

Tle go r:fi to Church . No heavenl.y g1anc<~ ., no st n;n of the incor:1ml.~Gabe

bet.ray:-;; hi1n; i.f on~ d:i d not know hi r:i, it 1..;ould bo }rrt};)O.St5:i.bTe to
disUnguish 'nj.rn from the r;;r3t of t!1e crosd ..• in the fd ternoon he goes
out to the fort> st . He rejoiceG at HVorythina; hr'! r::<:es • .. 'l'ovm.rd:3 evcnin5
he goe:s homo, \•1ith a g3it o.G tire1.€!uE:; tuJ t.\ ·?ostmon 1 s. On the way he
reflects that h:is \·;j_.fe dcmbt:l.r~; !1as :.:•n \~:xtra 1:Ht1e warm d:i.sh we.iting
for h:irn when hEJ ~:et.> hornE~ ••. lf she h3.s it, the sight might well
arouse the envy of superior pocml0 and the enthu:'.1iosm of comr::on folks,
for his a·pnetite ifi ~reat than :-~sa.u'3 Els !~·J:l.fe hrlf3 no r;uch tt11-ng
ready--stri:inge1y enourh , it ~ all _the ~ to xnm .

who tal~es what God offerr,; , he.ppineo;;i or •rnlw.uoines;:;, ti112 le.ft or the t'ight hand ,
Dnd roceives d. ther with tho so.me oy..on tru;;t----do<:o thi" 1:0 l.; once , but dE).y in
and day out, 1.lve,; with perfect e.soure.ncc though perched, tW are 'de all, on th~

r a zor' s edge of uncertainty.

a d:iffe:rent way the attitude of fa:i.th, but :i.t too ha.s become om: of my collected

is so bfk;iltifuJly oxpressed in the \•Io:rdc;: 1 I know that nothing in the ¥J01"1d •..

1'hen, too, thf; .....a.l .l}~9/J,;y ... - ~J_-we.c:n f<-.J.i t~1 · ~,_nd. t;;v1i;;md.. tt£:' .. · _ .~·:1_, ..:reJ~,.!'· ,iQjJ.f; r:x-peri.enc?: is
e!:~snt-i_.ly an ex-z)rf~sin o:f.' tf1e <.,;on:ftch~ that ma n by Got~ 1
~; &'ssistsnce is
 22

"'---··

God fo:r he love :->"'----

Gwd ~boe all, ev~ ~b uve hjs on

-'1 ......
·' ., : v·-1
,J.. .P:."
,..,,. '<, C "k
l.' 1,;.. t·J !·
.,, .,,. u11u'c»"F·+'l()r'
... · - ,) ,.,... '· ' V"'n
v . .,., ""-• ~

sepBr::i t-e d fro~ e c.ch other onl:v hy t .i.:-w:. Tlwy ~,re s e pa r a ted a1so by th~:i.r dif- ·.
 23

to obey ( which mes,trn

I
etym olf~i<:n." ly t:o he<Jr ) . i\. b; -,_ ~H<1W <:;.b,o;',<1'< 11-,ty :i.c n ot thnt hit' vi sion is focused on

I ti?. .l .nk of f ~t ith

01~ th (. ! 01.:1v::::· i~ · ~ : nd., t~';G ~ i : : :ivf.'lH~< <~ n -~ · · ·f.L.r::· ~ ·1 ·:i. r : .i L , \ ·il~_, ~;b_ -!_~ :; c 1ea.rl::i· K:Lc.r}:cege.e.!.. . dt.3 •

d'-J Clr ).1" (":t; t he soul . 11

 -..21-
24
bo in

mind 2nd thP ~il ,

 25

relri.tion. •>:iucc de~1,xli.' is :in 'the ..:;0Jf ( :is tho self?) the despe.iri.ng man woult1

like to put himtJel:f out of h:ii; mi.nery by get ting r:Ld of tlrn self . This is lvhat he

does not htJ.Ve the! power to do.

8.s one ,foes not :::-e2;ar d mu.u <::0 r;;p :i ri t( :i.n \'-lhich ca;-oe \JO ct.mnot ci.tlk about despair)

but on:l.y as ;; ''J'nthe r;J.c; of r;oul c.md body, heul tt. io v.n ' 1:1.mmedi.ate" determinant, and
(p. 15n)
only the aick.nesrs o:f t:joul or body i3 r~. dialcc.t:Lcnl detc~rnix. tf In f ,·:'.l. cl:, I don ' t
26
 27

:JT[fLIOC'I? :\ PHY

Bedell, Geor ~e C. K:i_erk~! .d ~t nd 'fnu.lkner: i · 1odnit~s ()f .Existence . Louisiana

S t:.:?.te Un . 1- - ~I0rcity P:r.0ss, 1 97 ; ·~.

Brown , Jmn:i~· K~c·kep.-tH£ '. He:i~'."+2 , i'>~bo.r 2!~ ;Barth : ~ Study oI 5ubjectivity
crnd Oo1ef':t:1.vJ.ty ?.E. . F.;~nistfm:1 _.:honv-t1t. Collj.er Bo o'.·~s, 1955-

Kierkega a rd, :.>oren . The ,Journr.:.1n 2 ed . Alex.::mder Dr u. lhr.uer 'I'o:t'chbook, 1959·

- - - - - - - - , Eithe:t'/O:r , Volume I. tr<rns. David and Li lli an Swenson. Princeton

Univor1;ity Press , 1971.

l~ i ther/Or . VoJ ume II. trans. \•fa1 ter Lo•·ir::i.e. Princeton Unive rn1.ty
Press , 1974 •

------ --- -- ------ --·-

• Fenr arnJ Tre;nbl:in,e: and The
Prince ton Univertd ty P.reG('.'J , 19?1+.
.,.,-- --- ----
.S j.clme;:;s Unto Derlth. trans. Waltex· LQ1,;r:Le.

• ConcJudin.c: Unscientific Po<>tccrict . trans . David S;,;enson and \#alte r

___L_o_w_r_i_e-. Pr i nceton Urrversity P r e s s , 1968.

Plato. The Republic and Otti_e r v Jor~ · Trans . B. J owett . Anchor Pape rback, 1973.

- - - - - · ?ha.Hdrt:i<:; . Trv.rw. v: . G. Ifolmbo1d and Rabinowitz. Li.bra ry of Liberal Art s:

Bobbs- Mtt-ir:r:i.11, 1956.
• P huedo. 'rr;m:;; , F' • .J . Church • Libre!ry of I,iboral J\rts : Bobbs -i4errill, 195L

--··--.. . . - - • Svm:posium.
.u.-----

.!* L o v;r].~L , V.l ...:tl t nr . K ie. r ke?:; 1r ~1:a. . Vnlumes I and II. Glouee:::;ter, Mass: · pE~ter Smith
P u bliBh i n~ , r~t . 1970.
 28
Postlude to:
1
Reflections on Kierkegaard's Either/Or,
with preliminary comments about Professor Mary Rose
Something About Rose: by Dianne Ganz [Scheper]
Personal Relections on Professor Mary Rose
by Dianne Ganz [Scheper]

of h{;}i\rf;le, npt really·. tot' yo'U }mys g:ivl'm ho m~ so •nan:;? th~lig'.r§J to ~nl'. ' t ~o

1l!acy t.a~ . a$ to. e:X;tloi·e-..,net to meation so many ~k:> to T'!!d-- that I have\, ~ "

f~<;t 1 a. Rose e.urricnluro: ta 4st· rste- fm• a li.fe.t:i..ma. St:Ul , I worJ. 1 t 'be ~itn(5
•in- th:~ R o ·~ q);,~$it6 '( t!H:HAgh wh¢l l<n<>w13 1 I (llt¥y d.:r.ibp i n. ~o:i1etn'l! f'pr, ~ . >rilo';l;!;.t.),
- ~$ . ,
w:l81,1 ;'!tHl3:' ol.."ls'S $.esf.lioo$: :oe-c,uJnf' .;;t. sp¢>cia,~ ~ place i,n my a.f:~gti,cpQ . ;J,1A\'J. in my l'.tril!l11W

\
~.thle t:o t:J..m% ~ - o p!iln:L~ for my mind tQ eat.e r :Lnt o t•i."Jis new . a . d:v~nture ·of be.lie!,.

· y~u nrovi'ded that: ~1eniru .~ It W<.;s no:c. i'l:;-' rliHqJ:i t~Ji1· y<.1~i J:i.1'1-d.t: l? ~±H 't .~ - '1¢:LJ,.~t\l)I

i:'e . s'!;t~S ;\ l.>i ; e ., but t1m.t -;f-OD n\itd~ '. ~1e:t ·t;1 ~ir1:tn ·mfvent.1.t!"e r41 mind r1nd. be~yt;_,.
'
a 2n1~fi?B o .f 00nt'i ntud rl:i.t.;c.o ver;;i :Lti! ut:ri..c.h t;he mind o<:JuL& pr:rt;:J:tri'f)t. ·tJ::i . ! C'f.l.m.<> t:o\
 29

t~m1j ~&:t I $~ · ~ '(111\l\y ri~ ~ li «" l:i . e m;; r:iir.t.., ~ ~irl :t1c£ h!itx_l~ ... 'tt • m;r- em~1& ~

~I · t*· ~'ml !iV ' ~lt. t~ 1*~ t ·it ~Ii ~ ~ W - ~d; : ei!l;, ~ . l ~$;\ ~ ~ lf l!t~ 1 : a;t
1J:i t!r1t"'' ~Ji 1 t ,t : $1.~ it i'l!ll ~;eyt ~c.-,bnl i.' ~* nr.:~v ~:tnirs •~ , · t~@ ~t:iJa

~ 1th. ~ · -t l do;n 1·t •1w,. t).t tt ! . , ~re fi~t the~ ·~ . httnt'h:>11!di1Jt \•ll · ~.J ({$ ~ ¢9

t!.l:Wi~ ihrJ ~em ' ~l• li ~ is ~ $~rt&, a ~ile •(U.~ r;rl.!Ml ~n 'C.l s ~!i 't:l ~ ~l'
:v~ , t~•4 tm!\l. · ~(tr»edl unA. $-!ue ltO~ 'e : l~s: ' ; \ · Q~Y ~'W-e ~rnti.e&7 u•ln":

, f;re'~d ' "1lwir;e~ wa : e.J1~l ' M1.;e ,~ liJ:&t $~t"1. /4!1$.(ti~ \ tl~ •~:i ;' e:n~ \tl1 nu
~iv9.

~ · ia. iJlO · 'Il,~ to · adt~l'!i;I J:l.8:.Y '$;.fli: l ';ni . ~ . ~ ta $«~ ~-P .1 f<> l l~ 'S · ~ 1 "2'1 1'ead:,,, I

-~ :l: ~ t tli ·~ ®'• o;t .. ~-Ra$'iltV. ¢~ you ~ . ~ ·~ i~ ~I

~ · .~ '"n,.uv~g i~ •rrq nt¥•~k$ • ~4 ·:~ ~ t~ju ev~ sitfl)~ .. J'.i~ at.

~Bdo . Jt,; h«re: EIJJ}tt •me ~i:Jlf ~>i ~ 'W IW§~i

"l'jt'
:4 . ~
· ·· : ~ · ~ ' "'° · . ~:w4{ ~ ..,,..;t·!hJ11 '\Ji' "'-<>!<·
~
t.
~ : v.
""lfaJJf
-. .
~~
.' R'ir -~ - !, . ·~'(.it
: +.~ 1'<> \i'.~ i ~ '.k j;- " +.,,...
-~
~"' ' ~\U' ::;/
~ ·

\>/,t.--..
.. 4:"~ - ~ -~ ~ :ou~t · ~¥ ~~ .. - '~<\'.,•.._ •.Jit .,~ > Vl!:~ ·~ . ·t'\i.e
t1J.i ___ te"'"''\.'
...,. ~'.lI ."
"'* 'r· no"'"""""·
. ·- ~ ~ .fo\il · ..

~ l(,¢~ :d,,,$ ~- i~ · t:~ ~ Yi)f a A4tJt · ~]ih,-. ~$ tb'ft: - ~1 ~t : tf7

'Wi?iS ;n~i1 '.if~! 'ttte ~Qt& ~ t~ ma~ti . ~l mt~ .. ·

'! dtfi ~ 'Ml.a .~ ·~ t:~ Q; ~$ ~:atI , W.~ • .Qt ~ , .~ ;~ i~t '16'.tf ;tiJ.~ ·
~•flth<I it·:.{. gra~o II':®.. ~ ~ W~ tf$.E-~ t~ "'~ ~ :it. u~ ...

1:'h~ · ~D d:ivl.n~ l;\~ :;tp. ~ · ~ NatuTa ;.t~, . : \l'.n~egft, :a tl'1~if · ~ ~e ..~

t,:¥;:e ~ f!;,i ' - -'lt~