Index to Daniel Charles/John Cage: For The Birds, Boston/London (Marion Boyars) 1981

[239 pages; original text in French, then translated into German; later translated into English; 1981 edition is out of print but a reprint of the 1990s is possibly still available]

Version 1.82 (6/10/2003)
Explanations/Key to index
Compiler of index: Clemens Gresser c.gresser@gmx.net
Please take notice of the update page

You have to main options to use this index:
  • Table of Contents
  • Search the Index

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    Table of contents:

  • Preface
      - Preface or expected FAQs
      - Explanations/Key to index
  • Concepts/terms/other
  • Names
  • Cage's works (music)
  • Cage's non-musical works
  • Places
  • Works of others
  • Headings/keywords, given at the beginning of each interview


    • Preface or expected FAQs

    Why I indexed this book

    When starting to read this book for my Ph.D. I found it to be very helpful – except for the fact that it did not have an index (note: it does have keywords/headings which are listed at the beginning of each interview; which I have listed here). Larry Solomon's example of having indexed Conversing with Cage struck me as a good example and I started doing it for For The Birds. Even though it is primarily supposed to be a tool for my own work, I believe that it could be of use to the community of Cage scholars.



    How I indexed it

    I decided to have several types of indices, which appear in the following order in two files:

    1. Concepts/terms/other
    2. Names
    3. Cage's Works (music)
    4. Cage's non-musical Works

      5. [all the above can be found in ftbindex.html]

    5. Places
    6. Works by others

      7. [all the above can be found in ftbindexb.html]

    The reason for this slightly awkward approach was that I was not happy about the size of the index, because I want the loading time not to be too long. This means one can browse by category and search within the two files/pages for particular keywords, names, etc. Until there is no search-option for the index, one has to use the search function (built-in in each browser) on one of the two files/pages.

    Be warned from a non-specialist compiler of indices: The entries or keywords I decided to list are sometimes not straightforward (e.g. Cage mentioning his dislikes of hierarchy and structures in society and/or music can also be found under 'politics' or 'government').



    FAQ

    I have spotted misspellings or mistakes. What do I do?

    I don't believe that I am perfect, in fact I believe that there are quite a number of mistakes in this index (only by using the index myself I spot them; for a stupid mistake of mine see update 1.61.). I will appreciate any kind of pointers about misspellings or wrong entries, and suggestions how to make this index better are appreciated (and other users will be grateful too :-): please mail me at c.gresser@gmx.net



    Why is there no search function? "I don't like the layout"; etc.

    Gradually, I want to improve the layout of this index and make it easier to use (I have loads of ideas, but also have loads to do – like work on my Ph.D.!). I also still need to check some things out and therefore a few entries or words have question marks nearby. However, I intend to fix these – if you can help with any of these I will acknowledge your help.



    How often will I update this index?

    The short answer: Whenever, I feel like it and have some spare minutes. The longer answer: If I make loads of changes and/or get loads of hints for correcting specific entries, I shall try to priorities working them into the index and uploading the files.



    I like this index or find it useful, what can I do about this?

    First, if you can help with getting rid of mistakes and flaws, please tell me, so that the index is even better (see above 'how to'). Second, if you feel like doing something similar for yourself and for the Cage community, why don't you index Cage's Silence book? Or if you don't like this idea how about any other Cage book which does not have an index?

     

    Explanations/Key:
    • entries in italics within the concepts/terms/others section can found in exactly this way on the listed page.
    • entries in square brackets indicate that this entry is based on my wording; in these cases my idea is to sum up a concept or an idea which is not actually (with a set terminology) mentioned in the text.
    • entries in square brackets and italics indicate that I picked up words mentioned in the interview and put them together for expressing a concept.
    • page numbers in square brackets indicate that this page number does not refer to a statement by Cage or that the statement's origins are not clear (this mainly happens in SIXTY ANSWERS to thirty-three questions from Daniel Charles; p. 15-27
    • page numbers in round brackets indicate that this page number refers to a statement by Daniel Charles (this mainly happens in SIXTY ANSWERS to thirty-three questions from Daniel Charles; p. 15-27)
    • page numbers in braces indicate that this page number is related to this entry, but does not quite focus on the keyword
    • all spelling is in American English, as publication follows this spelling
    • * entry is not mentioned in the text, but Cage/Charles refers to it indirectly.  Back to tabel.
    • [D.C.] means that it is Daniel Charles's wording of this entry; Cage probably did not agree with it.
    • FN means footnote (followed by the number of the footnote).

    Usage is free for non-commerical use; © CG 2001-2003