Weird Studies Episode 156: The Only Possible End: On Donna Tartt's 'The Secret History'
Oct 25, 2023
Exploring Donna Tartt's novel 'The Secret History' as a work of weird fiction, discussing its machinesque writing style and supernatural possibilities. Gratitude expressed towards patrons and listeners for their support. Origins of dark academia genre explored, highlighting Tartt's influence. Nostalgia for college experience and impending doom discussed. Metaphysical and psychological aspects of the novel analyzed, character as fate and absence of redemption explored. Loss of classical departments and performances in academia emphasized. Internal conflict of following the heart or conforming to society examined.
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Dionysian Rite Feels Supernatural
- The students perform a bacchic rite invoking Dionysus, described in ecstatic, quasi-supernatural terms.
- Tartt uses Dionysian imagery to imply real metaphysical effects rather than mere metaphor.
Murder Hidden By A Shared Secret
- During the bacchanal the group murders a local farmer and hides the act, which becomes their shared secret.
- Bunny discovers and blackmails them, pushing the group toward murdering him later.
Psychology Framed As Fate
- Julian frames psychology as essentially the ancients' concept of fate, implying characters act out ineluctable patterns.
- The novel crafts a 'fate machine' where character drives inevitable outcomes.