3. Strauss was a refugee from Nazi Germany, as such he would've been mindful of how people in tyrannies have to write in code.
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Replying to @HeerJeet
4. Best modern example of esoteric writing comes from someone who had big impact on Strauss, Carl Schmitt (in letters ot Ernst Junger)
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5. Schmitt & Junger had parallel careers: fellow-travelers of Nazis in early 1930s (when Schmitt key ally), fell out with regime late 1930s.
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6. In correspondence of late 1930s, Schmitt & Junger discuss at length Herman Melville & story "Benito Cereno"
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7. Of course, Schmitt & Junger were talking about Melville not as literary critics but rather in code: as way to talk about Hitler.
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8. Strauss wouldn't have been aware of Scmitt/Junger correspondence but knew that that's how intellectuals in Nazi Germany communicated
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9. Other biographical source of esoteric writing is Strauss's experience as immigrant, especially in England.
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10. As non-native speaker, Strauss was puzzled by how English politeness meant that words were opposite of literal meaning.
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11. Strauss would meet an Englishman who would say "good to see you" and "we must meet again." but discover that person didn't like him.
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12. Trying to comprehend English genteel politeness & its circumlocutions, Strauss discovered esoteric writing.
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13. What we need is a social history of Strauss & the Straussian movement, with emphasis on etiquette & assimilation.
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Replying to @HeerJeet
14. If we understand that Strauss-as-immigrant fascinated with decoding manners & mores, becomes clears why he valued Jane Austen so highly
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15. Strauss believed Austen much greater writer than Dostoevsky, a defensible position but worth unraveling a little.
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