This essay is the source of the oft-quoted definition of intelligence as "the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.
In The Logic of Sense, Gilles Deleuze analyzes the Rougon-Macquart novels in terms of the title concept of this essay, which he links with the death drive. The author of this essay quotes the line from Matthew about the salt of the earth after being reminded of Spinoza by a woman who tries to convince him to blame the Grand Canyon for his woes. This essay is the source of the oft-quoted definition of intelligence as "the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function." This essay, which begins "Of course all life is a process of (*) breaking down," was followed up with "Pasting It Together" and "Handle with Care," both of which were also published in Esquire. It recounts the author's mental breakdown at the age of 39. For 10 points, name this essay by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
In The Logic of Sense, Gilles Deleuze analyzes the Rougon-Macquart novels in terms of the title concept of this essay, which he links with the death drive.
"The Crack-Up"