the cunt retorted that art and life in general would be infinitely easier and much more interesting if only one could , in kindergarten , in school , in the club and in the lecture hall , identify the ones who are meant to fail , spectacular wipeouts etched in penknife on the reverse of their foreheads just behind their petroleum eyes themselves lanthorns lighthousing their failure into the world and the future , and befriend them in advance instead of having to read them off the front page of the times .