evocation of melancholy throughout. For example, in addition to taking note of the miserably hot weather, White cites the "grave face" of the lovely young trainer, the "gloomy octagonal building" (487), the "preliminary shabbiness" of the rehearsal-ring environment that is contrasted with the "final splendor" of anticipated performance (488). This is not to say that the entire mood of the piece is melancholy, for White describes the pleasure and admiration he feels at watching the girl's physical beauty and athletic competence. However (possibly because of the theme of the essay), there is throughout just a hint of fatal contingency about a slice-of-life, or inde
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