Sorry to disagree with the connection you wish to make. Not even a complex disquisition on the analogies between this ancient concept and aspects of mathematics, physics, chemistry, theology, Jacque [no "s"] Lacan's* psychoanalytic theorizing, Dr. Musing's paramystical musings, Via Conservatorio in Milan, Ballantine's beer, or the Borromeo family tree would "demonstrate" how three persons can be interlocked without "loosing" or losing their identities. It might express another kewt analogy perhaps, but certainly not a demonstration (conclusive evidence, proof).

From: Donald B. Johnson [mailto:chtodel@gss.ucsb.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 12:28 PM
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
Subject: Fw: Beau Romeo/Borromeo/Moore in TT

----- Original Message -----

From: Jansy Berndt de Souza Mello

To: Vladimir Nabokov Forum

Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 8:26 AM

Subject: Beau Romeo/Borromeo/Moore in TT

I had already mentioned the Borromean knot ( with which I got acquainted through psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan´s theories ) in connection to Beau Romeo and a geographical site.
After I discovered Wittgenstein´s reaction to the "Moore Paradox" and its marvellous fit in "Transparent Things", I concluded that some of VN´s "obscure jokes in Tralatitions" were more intertwined with "real math" than I´d originally thought.
It might be important then to post a quick reference to the borromean knot´s non-interlocking loops and add its representation. Not only for those able to deal with topology and mathematics, but also because yesterday I had written about the "shifting characters blending into each other" ( Mr. R, Von Librikov, Hugh, Romeo, VN - Armande, Julia, Juliet) and here it is demonstrated how three persons ( 3P ) can be interlocked without loosing their identity.

Borromean Knot

Three loops are tangled together but no pair is linked. This appeared on the Borromeo family crest of the Italian Renaissance. No two rings are actually interlocked. Each maintains its identity.