Zuleika Dobson · Chapter
Note to the 1922 Edition explained
Max Beerbohm reflects on the pronunciation of Zuleika's name, noting that after the book's 1911 publication, many London acquaintances referred to her as 'Zu-like-a,' a pronunciation he disapproves of, preferring 'Zu-leek-a.' He hopes reade
What happens
Max Beerbohm reflects on the pronunciation of Zuleika's name, noting that after the book's 1911 publication, many London acquaintances referred to her as 'Zu-like-a,' a pronunciation he disapproves of, preferring 'Zu-leek-a.' He hopes readers will adopt his preferred pronunciation.
Themes in this chapter
Artifice and Performance
The author's concern over the correct pronunciation of Zuleika's name reflects the performative and constructed nature of her identity.
Characters to notice
- Zuleika Dobson
The subject of the author's note on the correct pronunciation of her name.
Key passages
“I was in Italy when this book was first published. A year later (1912) I visited London, and I found that most of my friends and acquaintances spoke to me of Zu-like-a —a name which I hardly recognised and thoroughly disapproved.”
Beerbohm was in Italy at the time of the book's release; when he returned to London a year later, he was dismayed to hear people pronouncing Zuleika's name as 'Zu-like-a.'
Beerbohm expresses his disapproval of the common mispronunciation.
“I had always thought of the lady as Zu-leek-a. Surely it was thus that Joseph thought of his Wife, and Selim of his Bride?”
The author always imagined the name as 'Zu-leek-a,' comparing it to how biblical and literary figures would have thought of their beloveds.
Beerbohm asserts his preferred pronunciation with literary allusions.