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Originally Posted by Catlady
Why the odd names for the two primary people in Dick's life: Magnus (great) and Vita (life)? Any thoughts?
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The edition I read included an introduction by Celia Brayfield (written 2003). It's rather annoying actually, I really wish they'd put stuff like that at the back. Anyway, Celia points out these definitions, and also that "Dick" has a pejorative sense - Celia suggests some specifically American aspect to this that I'm not sure is correct.
Beyond being a convenient way of choosing characters names ("I want something who thinks he is great, let's call him Magnus") it is unclear to me whether the name definitions are otherwise interesting. "Magnus" does seem to invoke a certain sense of grandeur, perhaps, even if it is a self-professed grandeur, but Vita didn't seem any more alive than anyone else - with the possible exception of Dick, but then by the time we meet him he has already taken his first dose of a drug that turns out to be toxic (although that opening scene shows Dick feeling more alive in the past than he felt in the present).
Celia has more to say that I find questionable, like: "To which Magnus replies, ‘How you do know I’ve denied them?’ The implicit suggestion is that Magnus, finding Dick sexually evasive, is trying to possess him more completely through their shared drug experience."
Yes, Magnus rather shamelessly pushes Dick into doing what Magnus wants, but I don't see that as sexual or possessive - merely presumptive; a presumption that stems from years of friendship. Or, if we want the make it about names, this is Magnus the Great expecting everyone to treat him so. To put it another way, Vita may feel jealous of Magnus, but I don't think the reverse applies; I think Magnus is self-possessed and self-confident, with no doubts that Dick will be loyal, as always. It may be a one-sided friendship between Magnus and Dick, but I suspect that has suited them both very well (I get the impression that Dick is of a character that will always find someone to push them around, hence his choice of wife).