The Horse's Mouth

The Horse's Mouth

"The Horse's Mouth" is a 1944 novel by Joyce Cary, the third in his "First Trilogy", whose first two books are "Herself Surprised" (1941) and "To Be A Pilgrim" (1942). "The Horse's Mouth" follows the adventures of Gulley Jimson, an artist who would exploit his friends and acquaintances to earn a quid, told from his point of view, just as the other books in the First Trilogy tell events from their central characters' different points of view. Cary's novel also uses Gully's unique perspective to comment on the social and political events of the time.

Plot

Jimson's father, based on a real person known to Cary, was an Academy artist who is heart-broken when Impressionism drives his style from popular taste. Jimson has put aside any consideration of acceptance by either academy or public and paints in fits of creative ecstasy. Although his work is known to collectors and has become valuable, Jimson himself is forced to live from one scam or petty theft to the next. Cadging enough money to buy paints and supplies, he spends much of the novel seeking surfaces, such as walls, to serve as ground for his paintings.

When the novel opens, Jimson has just been released from jail. He seeks money from Hickson, his sometime patron. Later in the book, he tracks down Sara Monday, his ex-wife, and tries to obtain an early painting from her that is worth a great deal. Sara is reluctant to give up the picture, which serves as a reminder of her youth. In the struggle that follows, Sara falls and suffers a fatal injury. Jimson is unsentimental about his life and work and sees himself as someone who has given over to a destructive passion. Yet he regrets nothing.

At the novel's end, Jimson reflects on his life and the home and family that he has missed. But he recognizes that he himself made the decision to sacrifice those possibilities in order to pursue his art. It is only clear at the end that Jimson has suffered a paralysing stroke, and can no longer paint. As he is being taken to hospital, a nun who is nursing him remarks that he should be praying instead of laughing, "Same thing, Mother." replies Jimson, his last words.

Adaptation

In 1958, a film adaptation, also titled "The Horse's Mouth", was released, with an Academy Award-nominated screenplay by actor Alec Guinness. The film was directed by Ronald Neame, and starred Guinness, Kay Walsh, Renee Houston, Mike Morgan, and Robert Coote. It generally follows the book, except for deviating from the ending. It focuses on the Jimson character and what it means to be an artist, rather than the social and political themes.


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  • The Horse's Mouth — De la bouche du cheval De la bouche du cheval (The Horse s Mouth) est un film britannique réalisé par Ronald Neame, sorti en 1958. Sommaire 1 Synopsis 2 Fiche technique 3 Distribution 4 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • The Horse's Mouth (film) — Infobox Film name = The Horse s Mouth caption = The Horse s Mouth US Theatrical Poster director = Ronald Neame producer = John Bryan writer = | writer = Joyce Cary (novel) Alec Guinness (screenplay) screenplay = Alec Guinness starring = Alec… …   Wikipedia

  • from the horse's mouth — phrasal : from the original source : from an unimpeachable source information he had just obtained … from the horse s mouth Newsweek * * * from the horse s mouth see ↑straight from the horse s mouth below. • • • …   Useful english dictionary

  • straight from the horse's mouth — From a very trustworthy source (of information) • • • Main Entry: ↑horse * * * straight from the horse’s mouth phrase directly from someone who knows I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth. Thesaurus: talking in a direct waysynonym …   Useful english dictionary

  • straight from the horse's mouth — {slang} Directly from the person or place where it began; from a reliable source or a person that cannot be doubted. * /They are going to be married. I got the news straight from the horse s mouth their minister./ * /John found out about the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • straight from the horse's mouth — {slang} Directly from the person or place where it began; from a reliable source or a person that cannot be doubted. * /They are going to be married. I got the news straight from the horse s mouth their minister./ * /John found out about the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • straight from the horse's mouth — Meaning From the highest authority. Origin In horse racing circles tips on which horse is a likely winner circulate amongst punters. The most trusted authorities are considered to be those in closest touch with the recent form of the horse, i.e.… …   Meaning and origin of phrases

  • straight\ from\ the\ horse's\ mouth — slang Directly from the person or place where it began; from a reliable source or a person that cannot be doubted. They are going to be married. I got the news straight from the horse s mouth their minister. John found out about the painting… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • straight from the horse’s mouth — mod. directly from the source. (As if a racehorse were giving racing tips.) □ Of course it’s true. I got it straight from the horse’s mouth. □ This came straight from the horse’s mouth. It’s Zeerocks Copy in the sixth race …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • straight from the horse's mouth — (straight) from the horse s mouth from someone who has the facts. “Are you sure she s leaving?” “Definitely, I heard it straight from the horse s mouth.” …   New idioms dictionary

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