"Naturally, a Manuscript"

     Please read the 'preface to the edition of the Manuscript', which
begins on page 1 of your edition of NOR, and ends with the date
"January 5, 1980". 

     Read this carefully, with attention to the fictional 'details' of
the discovery, translation, and loss of the 'old book.' 

     Then, write 150 words or a little more about what you think this
'preface' (I put it in '' because it is not called a preface -- in
fact, it isn't called anything) _means_. Certainly it establishes some
kind of relationship between the period of time, between 1968 and
1980, that this 'discovery' and 'translation' fictionally took place.

     Does this preface establish some kind of parallel between the
mid-20th century and the early 14th century (the novel is set in the
year 1327)? What do you make of this relationship? In what ways is Eco
implying that the 14th century may be a "distant mirror" to the 20th
century?

     Please post your views on our new Discussion
Forum. Your first post may be either a 'post' or a 'reply' to
someone else's 'post.' 

     Then, please go back later and post a 'reply' to someone else's
posting. Your reply doesn't have to be _just_ a reply -- you can
proceed to discuss other points, etc. But do reply in some way,
whether critically or positively, to another student in this second of
your contributions. Make this 'reply' about 150 words or so as well.