Pynchon courses

[Brian Stonehill Media Studies Pomona College]

Hi all,

I've "taught" GR in two ways: (1) as the only Pynchon text in a course in
Contemporary Fiction; and (2) as the penultimate text in a course dedicated
uniquely to the works of Thomas Pynchon.  These were both undergraduate
courses, and the latter produced the Pynchon web page
(http://www.pomona.edu/pynchon/) which some of you have been kind enough to
contribute to.

When taught to undergraduates with no particular Pynchon preparation, _GR_ was
much tougher going than when taught after _Slow Learner_, _V._, & _CoL49_. 
They seemed to provide a ramp -- or indeed, a course in reading Pynchon --
which made the novel a joy to all, especially the instructor.  Most students,
frankly, got lost when thrust unprepared into GR -- except the handful who came
to class every time with extremely bright eyes.  In the latter course, they all
glowed.

In both cases, I continue to figure that it was time rilly well spent.

Cheers,  Brian