Proper naming in Pynchon

[Paul Mackin]

On Thu, 22 Feb 1996, Andrew Dinn wrote:

> > Frenesi = free 'n easy?
> 
> I believe the name is taken from (a song employing) the Portuguese
> word frenesi which has an accent (i.e. stress) on the final i and, I
> am assured by a Brazilian friend, hints more at sexual ecstasy than
> any other form of frenzy.

It's also Spanish where the stress would be on the penult. (Unless
the i has an accent mark. Does it, I can't remember?)  Either would fit, I 
think, but see next paragraph. :)

It's my impression Artie Shaw popularized the tune after he came
back from Mexico in '39 or therearound. The word "frenesi" was heard 
in two ways. In the song's refrain, it would be sung "who wouldn't say 
freneSEE", Portuguese-style with the stress on the last syllable. But
anyone walking up to the bandstand would say to Artie, or whoever: 
"Please play FRENesi", anglicizing it to be stressed on the antepenult. 
Spanish got short shrift except as possible place of origin.

Incidently, didn't Pynchon "escape" to Mexico at one point--like
Artie had done--after he (A. for sure, but maybe P. also) got fed up 
with it all.

					P.