At break Oscar confessed unable to further reduce word count to less than 500. Decided to hold immediate study group at flat. Despite problem with sealed off area of kitchen floor because of Neville's shrine to Granny Elena (see post of April 7: Return to Edinburgh), considered best place to meet. Texted Saussure to see if he was home and could guarantee to make sure Neville didn't sabotage meeting. Flatmates troubled by white mouse's current behaviour. Hearing strange noises in middle of night and during day often has glazed look on face and slow to reply to questions. Wonder if he has personality disorder. Notsaussure, in irritable mood, suggested Neville give flat thorough clean, reminding him still possible to think loving thoughts about Granny whilst dusting and vacuuming. Neville horrified by blasphemous idea and responded by replacing decaying snowdrop with saffron crocus found near dustbin outside flat.
After class ended, made our way to flat. Decided to divide study into two sections. For first hour would discuss Plato's Pharmacy and Derrida. After that would brainstorm creative ways of doing impossible abridgement. Cindy and Maya shaking when they arrived. Confessed they'd started taking acepromazine for anxiety, willingly dispensed by empathic vet.
Cindy particularly relieved to be on it as it has anti-psychotic action and her second cousin apparently exhibited psychotic behaviour. Vet so concerned about anxiety levels caused by forthcoming assignment, gave first dose by injection for early benefits. Cindy still anxious, though, frequently glancing at clock and telling us repeatedly that each dose lasts no longer than eight hours. Véronique insisted she didn't need medication but noticed she'd brought along spare gilet, which she changed when first one became sweaty.
Oscar agreed to quickly put together presentation on Derrida and Plato's pharmacy and first slide made following point:
o Derrida attacked Platonic preference for speech over writing, which he considered manifestation of "logocentrism.”
o Criticised binary oppositions constructed by Plato.
When he finished, he looked at group for signs of understanding. Everyone averted their gaze. By now Maya shaking uncontrollably. Oscar offered to give definition of logocentrism, to which everyone nodded enthusiastically.
Logocentrism, he began, is a way of analysing literature, in which words and language are regarded as fundamental expression of external reality.
He looked at us and sighed. Then Cindy beamed and suggested we pop round the corner to the pharmacy and ask the staff there if they could help us understand about Derrida's pharmacy. Oscar's eyes narrowed, he opened his mouth to say something then closed it again. I tried to explain to Cindy that Plato's Pharmacy has nothing to do with chemist shops. Cindy looked crestfallen.
I asked Oscar to explain about binary oppositions. It's the relation between the members of a pair of linguistic items, as a pair of distinctive features, such that one is the absence of the other.' he pronounced in his presidential style.
'Light and dark', for example, said Saussure, entering the room. Oscar nodded. 'Young and old', Maya suggested. Oscar nodded again. 'Cats and dogs' Cindy said, wagging her tail. 'No, Cindy, I don't think you've grasped the concept yet,' Oscar said, in as gentle a tone as he could manage. Cindy swallowed hard and checked the clock again, clutching container of acepromazine capsules. Hope she doesn't overdose. Though she's not very bright, has sweetest smile.
Tried to discuss Plato's pharmacy again and before we knew it, it was six o'clock and Oscar and dogs had to leave. It was only on their way out we remembered we hadn't got round to discussing the abridgement assignment, to be submitted in three weeks' time.
Purrs Bakhtin
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