Prejudices

[Andrew Dinn]

Paul Mackin writes:

> I am definitely not a fan of the school of thought that says Pynch
> was somehow retrograde in his attitudes toward various members of
> differing races, religions, sexes, and sexual orientations as a
> result of the inexorable prejudices of his time.  (natural
> misconceptions of extreme youth excepted)

[snip]

Thank goodness there is someone out there without their head stuck up
their arse. There have been several statements that Pynchon's writing
must, will he nill he, embody various prejudices - which `must' I
objected to. And lo and behold I am accused by several people of
arguing that Pynchon cannot possibly be subject to any prejudice. To
the contrary. But that `must' is just present-day PC paranoia. If it's
there it can be seen and shown in the book. If it cannot be shown or
seen then for all intents and purposes it is not there. The `must' is
metaphysics and bad metaphysics at that.

And I agree with Paul that not only was the Pynchon of 1960-73 more
likely than most to be aware of such prejudices and more likely than
most to be able to avoid building them into his literature, what is
more he is savvy enough to use stereotypes and the prejudices on which
they depend to manipulate his readers. Chiclitz is one good example.
Poekler (and his relation with his `daughter') is another. His
concentration on fetishes and fetishistic responses (e.g. Pudding and
Katje) ought to be a major clue that this is something he is employing
consciously. As should the lack of character to his characters.


Andrew Dinn
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And though Earthliness forget you,
To the stilled Earth say:  I flow.
To the rushing water speak:  I am.