Golf Stories · Chapter
Prologue explained
The narrator and a companion visit an editor to propose a story, initially suggesting an historical tale but quickly pivoting to a golf story when the editor demands red-blooded, dynamic content with a love-motive.
What happens
The narrator and a companion visit an editor to propose a story, initially suggesting an historical tale but quickly pivoting to a golf story when the editor demands red-blooded, dynamic content with a love-motive. The editor, after a brief flicker of interest, dismisses them with a kick.
Themes in this chapter
Humor and Absurdity
The prologue is a satirical, absurd depiction of a writer's submission to an editor, complete with crawling on all fours, a kick in the face, and exaggerated descriptions of the editor's opulent accessories.
Key passages
“After we had sent in our card and waited for a few hours in the marbled anteroom, a bell rang and the majordomo, parting the priceless curtains, ushered us in to where the editor sat writing at his desk.”
After submitting our card and waiting for hours in a fancy waiting room, a bell rang and a butler led us through expensive curtains to the editor's desk.
Sets the scene of the narrator's humble and comedic approach to the editor.
“We advanced on all fours, knocking our head reverently on the Aubusson carpet.”
We crawled forward on hands and knees, bowing our head to the floor.
Exaggerates the narrator's subservience for humorous effect.
“What this magazine requires is red-blooded, one-hundred-percent dynamic stuff, palpitating with warm human interest and containing a strong, poignant love-motive.”
This magazine needs exciting, energetic stories full of human emotion and a powerful love plot.
The editor's demand for a specific type of story, which the narrator claims to provide.
“He kicked us in the face, and we withdrew.”
He kicked us in the face, and we left.
A final absurd and violent dismissal, ending the prologue on a comedic note.