# Note to the 1922 Edition explained — Zuleika Dobson

> Chapter companion for Zuleika Dobson by Max Beerbohm.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### Zuleika Dobson

The subject of the author's note on the correct pronunciation of her name.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/chapters/note-to-the-1922-edition
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuleika_dobson_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/chapters