GRGR1: Discussion opener for section 1

[Wolfe, Skip]

>Here's a question that's puzzling me -- can anyone help?

>What's the deal with all the _iron_ in the first section?

Could just be stage-setting.  Pynchon, IMO, is a master at placing the 
reader into, not only the scene, but the historical era, through 
accumulation of evocative detail (rather than having to say "it's 1898" or 
whatever).  To me, at least, iron always evokes the industrial-age -- and 
this scene always conveys to me the "feel" of early 20th century England 
(with its references to iron, the Crystal Palace, coal, steam, girders, et 
cetera) -- the era that's in the process of being swept away.  Maybe this is 
the dream from which Pirate awakes into the new order (or the _transformed_ 
order, as discussed re. the revitalization of the rooftop garden for growing 
bananas), symbolized by the coming of the rocket.
     Skip