May her memory be a blessing. She like my mother-in-law who also lived through the Holocaust remained steadfast in belief of human potential for goodness.That in itself is sacred.
Ellen, I so agree that she understood goodness, believed in it -and that, in itself, is a blessing. Part of that, though I don't approach this in the interview, must have been the knowledge that her parents saved her by putting her on that train. What I didn't explain is that her parents also eventually escaped Vienna, but even when they managed to get to England, they had to work as domestic servants and—for reasons I don't know—she couldn't be fully reunited with them even when they got to England. Later, she and her mother lived in the same building in New York until her mother died.
Though I didn't study with her again, I learned so much by reading everything she wrote. I love her work so and was inspired by her.
A dear friend introduced me to Lore Segal's writing last year, an introduction for which I'm deeply grateful. What an absolute pleasure to read this conversation, Mary. Thank you!
So much revealing and deep thought here on the nature of goodness. I was hoping to get more of a definition of virtue which like grace is a concept that challenges a basically superficial nature like my own but i do get grace as being something akin to your abiding loyalty and affection for someone who could easily have become a source of resentment. xo
Exactly, Apple and a grand summary: "affection for someone ... ," as you've explained. I would hope that is "grace" and only hope to earn it. What gorgeous comment! I adore you, good sir.
Thank you. Adrian--but one clarification: I would never, could never have "stuck it to the system" because after I stayed I learned so much, was given time, earned my place in the glory of the system I had joined and am ever grateful. So glad I stayed and tried!
Amazing interview. One of your best, I think. Full of discovery and a way to look at what life throws at us from different angles. That last paragraph is especially poignant. Thanks for posting, Mary.
It's deeply moving to read this interview, between two writers who were initially opposed to each other. Literature achieves this magic of reconciling different minds through the good use of words. This is a fascinating interview where ideas flourish like in a blooming garden.
An outstanding interview, Mary. And my, how you prepared for it! I admire you for seeking her out and also getting her to be interviewed, given what happened while seeking your MFA.
Many of Segal's responses reverberate, and they will leave me reflecting for some time. She has a way, it seems to me, of answering with a non-answer, or with a response that's to a different and unasked question. I could be and probably am wrong about that, but of the Holocaust survivors I've personally known or interviewed, none, I can say with some certainly, would or did offer the responses she does. Her answer about survivor guilt and shame really stand out to me. There's a certainty (if that is the right word) about her person (as when she says she has a talent for sanity) that leaves me wondering about her views, asking if she's hiding behind something she'll never be able to reveal about herself because it would be too utterly painful. Moreover, what she's willing to accept credit for and what's she's not (as in her answer to your questions about teaching goodness or that twist on thoughts about compassion or her being "dazzled" by a person's morality or decision to help those in dire need) seem to be about something she must have decided early would be her way of moving through the world. I find her fascinating in these regards, and am impelled to find out more about her.
Maureen, your insights are deeply insightful. I found her comments about living in other peoples' houses a bit odd, particularly considering that she and her mother, once she was reunited with her parents, lived in the same apartment building for so many years. Her luck also was that her marriage was to a major editor at a famed publishing house at the time, and he published Cynthia Ozick, a close friend of Lore's once they met, also and William Gass. So, she also had some help to get noticed as a writer.
Fascinating interviewee Mary. I enjoyed getting to know Lore Segal through this piece. I wanted to not like her one bit after the story about how you were treated in your MFA class. I had a similar experience in University which changed the trajectory of my life completely. I often wondered what would've happened if I had stayed in the creative writing program instead of switching out after being terrified by a professor in my first class, first year. I'm OK with where I landed, but the curiosity is still there as to what could have been.
Kim, I totally get why you left. I did seriously think of leaving but was encouraged by another professor who told me that Lore had a view that if you hadn't made it by age 35, you weren't worth the trouble. In this program acceptance had to be universal with all the faculty in agreement. It turned out that Lore was on leave when I was chosen --and not only by where I ended up, but also 10 other programs and all with a large stipend or a full ride at the time. I am so glad that I stayed. No matter what she did in that first workshop, her work stands and, on the personal side, we did heal. I'm so glad you too found your way to your work. Getting in the wrong workshop with a leader who is a fab writer but shouldn't really be teaching is the caution I offer here.
Such a wonderful interview. Thank you, Mary.
Thank you, Victoria.
May her memory be a blessing. She like my mother-in-law who also lived through the Holocaust remained steadfast in belief of human potential for goodness.That in itself is sacred.
Ellen, I so agree that she understood goodness, believed in it -and that, in itself, is a blessing. Part of that, though I don't approach this in the interview, must have been the knowledge that her parents saved her by putting her on that train. What I didn't explain is that her parents also eventually escaped Vienna, but even when they managed to get to England, they had to work as domestic servants and—for reasons I don't know—she couldn't be fully reunited with them even when they got to England. Later, she and her mother lived in the same building in New York until her mother died.
Though I didn't study with her again, I learned so much by reading everything she wrote. I love her work so and was inspired by her.
A dear friend introduced me to Lore Segal's writing last year, an introduction for which I'm deeply grateful. What an absolute pleasure to read this conversation, Mary. Thank you!
A remarkable writer--so glad you read this, Amanda and that you are reading Lore.
So much revealing and deep thought here on the nature of goodness. I was hoping to get more of a definition of virtue which like grace is a concept that challenges a basically superficial nature like my own but i do get grace as being something akin to your abiding loyalty and affection for someone who could easily have become a source of resentment. xo
Exactly, Apple and a grand summary: "affection for someone ... ," as you've explained. I would hope that is "grace" and only hope to earn it. What gorgeous comment! I adore you, good sir.
Superb exchange, Mary. So much revealed in the obliques. And I’m so glad you stuck it to the system and trusted your inky path. ☄️
Thank you. Adrian--but one clarification: I would never, could never have "stuck it to the system" because after I stayed I learned so much, was given time, earned my place in the glory of the system I had joined and am ever grateful. So glad I stayed and tried!
😂 My Irish rebellious spirit may have gotten the better of me, Mary. I meant to say I’m glad you trusted yourself and pushed on into the headwinds.
Amazing interview. One of your best, I think. Full of discovery and a way to look at what life throws at us from different angles. That last paragraph is especially poignant. Thanks for posting, Mary.
Thank you so, Isabelle. Means much.
You asked penetrating questions, she responded in kind. What a marvelous, provocative conversation.
How kind, Rona. Thank you for reading and commenting.
It's deeply moving to read this interview, between two writers who were initially opposed to each other. Literature achieves this magic of reconciling different minds through the good use of words. This is a fascinating interview where ideas flourish like in a blooming garden.
Super insightful, Tarik! I love when healing occurs and when two folks can come to appreciate each other, especially in this case, as I explain. xx.
An outstanding interview, Mary. And my, how you prepared for it! I admire you for seeking her out and also getting her to be interviewed, given what happened while seeking your MFA.
Many of Segal's responses reverberate, and they will leave me reflecting for some time. She has a way, it seems to me, of answering with a non-answer, or with a response that's to a different and unasked question. I could be and probably am wrong about that, but of the Holocaust survivors I've personally known or interviewed, none, I can say with some certainly, would or did offer the responses she does. Her answer about survivor guilt and shame really stand out to me. There's a certainty (if that is the right word) about her person (as when she says she has a talent for sanity) that leaves me wondering about her views, asking if she's hiding behind something she'll never be able to reveal about herself because it would be too utterly painful. Moreover, what she's willing to accept credit for and what's she's not (as in her answer to your questions about teaching goodness or that twist on thoughts about compassion or her being "dazzled" by a person's morality or decision to help those in dire need) seem to be about something she must have decided early would be her way of moving through the world. I find her fascinating in these regards, and am impelled to find out more about her.
Maureen, your insights are deeply insightful. I found her comments about living in other peoples' houses a bit odd, particularly considering that she and her mother, once she was reunited with her parents, lived in the same apartment building for so many years. Her luck also was that her marriage was to a major editor at a famed publishing house at the time, and he published Cynthia Ozick, a close friend of Lore's once they met, also and William Gass. So, she also had some help to get noticed as a writer.
Very interesting.
Fascinating interviewee Mary. I enjoyed getting to know Lore Segal through this piece. I wanted to not like her one bit after the story about how you were treated in your MFA class. I had a similar experience in University which changed the trajectory of my life completely. I often wondered what would've happened if I had stayed in the creative writing program instead of switching out after being terrified by a professor in my first class, first year. I'm OK with where I landed, but the curiosity is still there as to what could have been.
Kim, I totally get why you left. I did seriously think of leaving but was encouraged by another professor who told me that Lore had a view that if you hadn't made it by age 35, you weren't worth the trouble. In this program acceptance had to be universal with all the faculty in agreement. It turned out that Lore was on leave when I was chosen --and not only by where I ended up, but also 10 other programs and all with a large stipend or a full ride at the time. I am so glad that I stayed. No matter what she did in that first workshop, her work stands and, on the personal side, we did heal. I'm so glad you too found your way to your work. Getting in the wrong workshop with a leader who is a fab writer but shouldn't really be teaching is the caution I offer here.