The Line of Beauty

An ogee is a double curve that is shaped like an elongated "S." This double curve is Hogarth's line of beauty. The ogee is a symbol throughout the book in a variety of forms. Nick notices the "curlicue" of the path at Hawkeswood and finds another curve at Hawkeswood, on the handsome waiter, Tristao. Nick is attracted to Tristao and focuses on the curve of his trouser front. Nick chooses the name Ogee for his magazine with Wani. He thinks of the name while in Wani's bed. He sees the ogee curve in the mirrors, pelmets and mainly in the canopy of the bed. Nick explains to Bertrand and Monique Ouradi that the ogee actually originated in the Middle East, but the Ouradis are not interested. The ogee, the line of beauty, symbolizes Nick's focus on aesthetics.

The line of beauty is present throughout the...