Pynchon & Film

[grip at netcom.com]

On Mon, 15 May 1995, Bonnie Surfus (ENG) wrote:

> Ron talks of form and chaos in TRP's work.  I've been reading GR for the 
> 2nd time and, natch, seeing much that is new.  One thing, in particular, 
> is this fractal structure that I suspect in _V._ also.  I've noted some 
> images, in particular--one is that of the serpent that is both a round of 
> weapons fed into a machine gun, the order of tea leaves in the bottom of 
> a cup, and more.  There are others and I'm prob going  to write about 
> it.  
> 
> I wonder--for any of you who went to Warwick--how much, if any, was 
> devoted to the study of chaos theory in Pynchon's work?  I don't mean 
> just to mention that he was/is aware of chaos theory, but to the extent 
> of tracing fractal images or even the text as fractal (whole.)  This last 
> could address the WWII theme issue, I think, esp. as Pynchon treats the 
> War as an almost inconceivable whole, almost personified being or formation.
> 
> Can anyone help?
> 
I'm not sure if you mean fractals or chaos, which are significantly 
different things, or if you mean some elements of both. I assume you are 
using the terms in roughly the same way that they are used in mathematics.

grip