Prejudices

[Tom Stanton]

> > 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)
> 
> Andrew Dinn writes:
> Thank goodness there is someone out there without their head stuck up
> their arse.

You do need a vacation. I'm pretty fed up with the rude sniping
that has no basis except petulance. If you want to disagree, go
for it, but show some class.

> 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.

Your point was as a writer he must, by necessity, transcend it. I just
happen to think the guy's human. His selection of characters, use of
sterotypes, and wide range of attitudes & opinions is what I think we
love about the guy, but the very process of selection reveals some of
his
prejudices. For example, Marvy's eventual castration reveals something 
about Pynchon's attitude toward military authority.

> 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

Also agreed, but so far as I know he doesn't walk on water just
yet.

>...what is more he is savvy enough to use stereotypes and the 
> prejudices on which they depend to manipulate his readers. 

If Pynchon trancends any bias and prejudice, what need to manipulate
the reader? 

> 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.

And I contend his selection of various stereotypes & characters reveals
a lot about his attitudes and prejudices, and that these are a product
of the period. Would anyone inside I.G. Farben consider his a balanced
view? Would Von Braun have been flattered? Would the military of the 60s
(or today) turn Marvy or Chiclitz into recruitment posters? Would Nixon
be happy? While I happen to share his opinions of these & other SOBs,
I can think of a number of folks, including some professors who read
the book, who would vigourously contend Pynchon is highly prejudiced,
& these are folks I would never call PC.