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SubTitle: SI in literature and the arts
Posted by: Bob Sheridan (bobsheridan@earthlink.net) on 10/19/1997@23:41hrs:
Louis Auchincloss (a cousin or other relative of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy-Onassis) in his works centered on New York society, depicts the partner-who-never-really-makes-it in a Wall Street law firm catering to the very-well-heeled as a Staten Islander, as though coming from SI either caused the partner's second-ratedness or otherwise put a limit on his success. SI symbolized the second-rate, compared to the more favored breed frequenting the City and its richer suburbs.
In "Working Girl," the Melanie Griffith character is a secretary-typist for a Wall Street banking house or trading firm. She comes from Staten Island complete with beehive hairdo. She rides the ferry and lives with her boyfriend, complete with a fifties era DA haircut. On his nitestand is a copy of Hot Rod magazine, or equivalent. Not a pretty picture. But that's SI. A college friend from the Island, I won't say which college, since I went to it, heard our alma mater referred to as "lugwrench" university.
Well, I'm used to coming from the Rodney Dangerfield borough and I'm proud of it. Or I tolerate it at least and make the best of the situation. When you're from Staten Island, you've got to be good!
Let's put it this way: Have you ever seen the hero come from SI? Apart from the Melanie Griffith character who wins in the end, thankfully.