equanimity
Balance, evenness of mind and calm disposition
horsewife
Horsewife is one of Barthelme's invented words and a play on the original word, "housewife." It is used as a substitute for "housewife" and often defines Snow White, the housewife in the apartment she shares with the dwarves
vacillation
Uncertainty, irresolution, or indecision. This term refers to Snow White's doubt about her role as a princess and her relationship with the dwarves
postmodernism
artistic and cultural movement rising in popularity during the 1960s and 1970s characterized by irony and parody that criticized traditional literary forms or societal institutions. Postmodernists often incorporated comedy into their works as well as formal experimentation.
entrepreneurial
relating to the decision to start a new business from scratch and seeking opportunities to grow the business. The dwarves are entrepreneurial and obsessed with growing their business
enamored
infatuated, attracted to; beguiled and bewitched
baff
a misspelling of "bath." Paul and a few other dwarves retreat to the "baff" to think and talk to themselves, although the misspelling has no discernible value or symbolic meaning. It is one of Barthelme's many plays on popular words
vatricide
a composite word that the dwarves use at Bill's trial as the crime he is condemned for. He is accused of not committing himself enough to their work tending the vats of Chinese baby food. The word combines "vat" with "homicide" or "patricide," two words that refer to the act of murdering another.
loathsome
disgusting. This word describes Hogo de Bergerac, who behaves in an abhorrent way that the dwarves look down upon. He litters, drinks, and exhibits crude attraction and sexual urges towards women
Pontiac
an American sports car and the name of a Native American chief who fought against British forces in the 17th century
anathematization
pronouncing something as cursed. Barthelme states that anathematization is not a good enough response to an idea
apotheosis
defining something as divine. At the end, Barthelme relates apotheosis and Snow White, implying that she has become divine
skyhero
another of Barthelme's made-up terms. The dwarves state the Bill has become a skyhero after they hang him, implying that he has risen to heaven
baby Chinese food
what the dwarves produce as one of their occupations. It is never explained other than in one list comprised of traditional Chinese dishes with the prefix "baby." It is made in huge vats
The Passion of Joan of Arc
a 1928 silent film directed by French director Carl Dreyer depicting the burning of Joan of Arc. In a violent dream, the dwarves burn Snow White and liken it to the film, although they use the wrong name and call it The Burning of Joan of Arc
University of Bridgeport
a university in Bridgeport, Connecticut where Bill delivers a failed lecture which pushes him towards apathy and thinking he is a failure. The university is small and holds little prestige, which adds a level of comedy to Bill's immense disappointment
bourgeois
a social class that earns money by owning capital. Known for luxury and not needing to labor. The dwarves refer to themselves as bourgeois, which goes somewhat against the fact of their constant work while at the same time referring to their desire to rise in status by improving their business
metatext
a written work that depicts literature or is self-conscious of itself as a work of literature
absurd
lacking order, ridiculous
familiars
the demons and devils that accompany a witch. Jane's familiars are apes
satire
the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize certain aspects of a person, institution, or event
