Sex and Sensibility

[LARSSON at VAX1.Mankato.MSUS.EDU]

About a couple of current debates here:

1) Sex--let's remember Pynchon's dual Calvinist/Catholic background as
the ground for the presentation of sexuality in the book.  The Calvinists
acknowledge the body's needs but revile them as aspects of preterition and
damnation, while Catholics have their venial and mortal sins of the flesh
to straighten out at confession time.  That's all got to have *some* effect
on a guy.  But, yes, at the risk of making Pynchon sound like E.M. Forster(!)
it's when one "only connects" that it truly matters.

2) Prejudice--Of course P. is a creature of his times, as Diana suggests.
We all are, aren't we?  Only some people are a bit more aware of what that
means than others, and there are always degrees and mixtures involved
(no 0 and 1 here either!).  Eg., one can see ways in which Twain evinces
racist thought and language, but as often (especially in HUCKLEBERRY FINN)
he is devastating in his comments and presentations of white society.  The
Truly Enlightened are darn hard to find in history and may not exist at all,
but some glow brighter than others.


Don Larsson, Mankato State U  (MN)
(whose own wattage could stand a boost now and then)