Gnome Chomsky

gnome in the likeness of noam chomsky
gnome in the likeness of noam chomsky
Gnome Chomsky, semanticist and intellectual from MIT.

This garden gnome in the likeness (more or less) of Noam Chomsky has been with me for about 15 years. The name on the front, which is under the snow in this picture, says “Gnome Chomsky,” I am particularly fond of this gnomic icon of an American intellectual icon.

We don’t have that many of them, I’m sorry to say. Public intellectuals, that is. The larger pantheon of American heroes encompasses primarily people with money.

Gnome began existence in our yard in New York and now adorns our property in Wisconsin. (If you’re thinking, boy, what a contrast, New York to Wisconsin…yes.)

Out of all the years Gnome has been on display no one has ever commented on him or made mention of him. I guess I don’t know the right people.

charles e. henderson, ph.d.