Lord and Master

Pets aren't supposed to be called pets anymore, apparently. It makes sense when you think about it. There's already something odd about referring to a dog and his "master," isn't there? Something 1950s, patriarchal, racist. The concept of master recedes further and further from our minds and everyday experience, until it relates solely to two opposite images: the Christian God (Lord = Master) and a fat Southern slave owner. A mental continent is sinking under the waves, with these two promontories the last pieces of ground above water. Is there anything valuable in seeing that they are connected under the surface?

Unfaithfulness

A certain stock scene has cropped up in a couple of recent books I've read. I feel like I should reflect on the meaning of the scene in it's various incarnations, but the closest I'll get is probably making a note of them here:

Work	Faithful spouse	Unfaithful spouse	Result
2666	Amalfitano	Lola	AIDS
The Moon and Sixpence	Dirk	Blanche	suicide
Todo sobre mi madre	Manuela	Lola[!]	AIDS
Hosea	Gomer	Hosea	reconciliation