Gore: A Personal Reminiscence
Keywords:
Gore Vidal, The City and the Pillar, gay liberation, sexual revolution, literary reminiscenceAbstract
This article presents a personal reminiscence of Gore Vidal, focusing on a weekend spent with the author in October 1974. The paper explores Vidal's literary career and his impact on American culture, particularly his role as an early spokesman for gay liberation. The article argues that Vidal's novel 'The City and the Pillar' was a seminal work that challenged societal norms regarding homosexuality. The study examines Vidal's diverse labels and his independent stance from the movements he helped originate. The author contends that Vidal's work remains significant in understanding the evolution of social change in America. This personal account provides insights into Vidal's wit, charm, and enduring influence on literature and society.
(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)
References
60 Minutes. Perf. Harry Reasoner, Mike Wallace et. al. CBS, 1968-.
Corey, Donald Webster, and Albert Ellis. The Homosexual in America: A Subjective Approach. 1951. New York: Ayer Publishing, 1975. Print.
The David Susskind Show (aka Open End). Perf. David Susskind. Pamandia, 1958-87.
I Love Lucy. Perf. Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz. Desilu Studios, 1951-60.
Kinsey, Alfred Charles, et. al. Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. 1948. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1998. Print.
The Last Laugh. Dir, Alain F.W. Murnau. Perf. Emil Jannings, Maly Delschaft, Max Hiller. Universum Film (UFA), 1925.
Last Year at Marienbad (L’Année Dernière à Marienbad). Dir, Alain Resnais. Perf. Delphine Seyrig, Giorgio Albertazzi, Sacha Pitoeff. Corinor/ Terra Film/ Cormoran Films, 1961.
Miller, Merle. What it Means to be a Homosexual. 1971, New York: Penguin Books, 2012. Print.
Nin, Anaïs. The Diary of Anais Nin, Vol. 4 (1944-1947). Ed. Gunther Stuhlmann. 1971. New York: Mariner Books, 1972. Print.
---. Diary of Anais Nin, Vol.5 (1947-1955). 1974. New York: Mariner Books, 1975. Print.
Perry Mason. Perf. Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale. CBS, 1957-66.
Tyler, Parker. The Magic and Myth of the Movies. 1947. London: Secker and Warburg, 1971. Print.
Vidal, Gore. Burr. 1973. New York. Vintage, 2000. Print.
---. The City and the Pillar. 1948. New York: Vintage, 2003. Print.
---. Julian. 1964. London: Abacus, 2003, Print.
---. Myra Breckinridge. 1968, London: Abacus, 1993. Print.
---. Two Sisters. 1970. London: Abacus, 2005. Print.
---. Washington, DC. 1967. London: Abacus, 2000. Print.
---. Williwaw: A Novel. 1946. Chicago: U. of Chicago Press. 2003. Print.
