Gottfried

[LARSSON at vax1.mankato.msus.edu]

Welcome to David, who writes:
"His union with the rocket continued the theme of a sexual love with death
which is seen throughout GR in various physical relationships (Brigadier
Pudding comes to mind). Gottfried to me does not appear to be victim but
volunteer - prepared through his lifetime with Blicero for this ultimate moment.
 
His descent finds its mark on the theater in which Pynchon places all of us
readers. It seems that this sexual love as well as the tendency of man
towards machine is leading to this destruction.
 
We do not even seem to be involved in the process. We theatergoers are not
aware of what's going on around us. What we care about is the show on the
screen that has not started yet. Something to distract us as our fate is sealed.
 
Or maybe it means something completely different. Who am I to say?"


One thing about Gottfried is that we know so little about him compared to
Katje, Enzian and Blicero himself--or have I missed something?  His past--
perhaps because he is younger--seems to be more obscure, and his thoughts
are not described in as much detail--though I think the transitions in and
out of the Titans passage give some insight.

Don Larsson, Mankato State U (MN)