Kermode in Reykjavik

[Paul Mackin]

On Sat, 23 Dec 1995, KNOdom wrote:

> Cruelty in the
> >African veld arises from the defenselessness of the victims. And the
> >inability to refuse or talk back is often at least one driving
> >force in the desire and need for a very young sex object.
> 
> Let us not forget Bartleby the Scrivner's attitude of "I'd prefer not to":
> Where does that dividing line between what we would "prefer" become
> insignificant to the intentions of the aggressor? At which point does the
> "defenseless victim" become responsible for the survival of the self,
> irregardless of the species?

 
Pynchon and the Hereros are definitely at opposite ends of the spectrum
in this regard, with Bartleby (and his author) somewhere in between.
In a manner of speaking, it is P's public who are the _defenseless_ 
ones. We don't even know if he's reading any of this. As J suggests,
it might _seem_ impossible for P. to resist the temptation to listen 
in. But perhaps he, like B. would, for his own reasons, just prefer not
to. Have a feeling any attempt to reach TRP by email would turn out to be 
one of Bartleby's dead letters. As for us "defenseless" fans, we will just
have to lie back and enjoy it. And survive quite well.

Do I totally miss the point?

				P.