Preterition revisted

[Bill Burns]

A few weeks ago, I responded to Andrew's discussion of brennschluss as the
moment of preterition, stating that the rocket's moment of preterition would
be at inception (to remain consistent with the metaphor). Tom Stanton added
that the metaphor is taken further by the randomness of the pattern with
which the rocket drops. Many of us are rereading GR now, and the question I
have will provide one possible focus (of many) for inquiry. 

I'm presently teaching a course on early American literature. We're
discussing the New England Puritans' use of typology in their journals,
sermons, and poetry. (Typology is the practice of appplying prefigured
events from the Old Testament to fulfillments by Christ in the New
Testament. Many New England Puritans extended typology and applied it to
current events.)

Obviously, Pynchon plays with Calvinist themes in GR, especially concerning
the doctrine of predestination (introduced by Augustine, I believe). The
inclusion of the biographical element (William Slothrop/William Pynchon)
tends to bring out this parallel more than some of the other parallels that
occur.

So here's the question. Is Pynchon inverting the concept of typology here?
Are the Preterite led to their Promised Land by the Khirghiz Light? Is the
Rocket the inanimate medium for the dispensation of Divine wrath on the Elect?

Bill Burns
WDBurns at micron.net
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             Champion of the Excluded Middle
              Scourge of Binary Opposition
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