Just a minor point: I have heard that the significance of the
nail is that it is misbehaving. It's not supposed to
stick out. When it is hammered back down it is punished for
its misbehavior, not for being nonconforming.

The details get lost in translating from Japanese to English.

So I've heard. What the facts are, I don't know.

Maybe we can all be good nails and get back to Pound's
poetry?

--
John K. Taber


-----Original Message-----
From: - Ezra Pound discussion list of the University of Maine
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of charles moyer
Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2000 11:26 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Wei's Tarantella


Wei,
    I know in the East a favorite saying is "The nail which stands up
gets
driven down." And for the running of a smooth society it probably has
its
usefulness. But, frankly, I don't like it. And would say that those
nails
which stand up may have a far-sighted vision which is incapable of those
level ones around them. Afterall, "the artists are the antenae of the
race."
If we Pound them all down we do ourselves a great disservice.

[snip]