GRGR(1)

[Spangenthal, Robert E.]

Re: "knotting into"...

The preterite evacuees are "knotted into" a critical mass via the train   
system,
while the elect circle around in limosines. Interesting atomic analogy.

Isn't the "knotting into" theme a red herring? Pynchon knows the reader   
expects
an entropic theme as per his earlier works. But ultimately we are still   
left with
the dissipation (dissolution?) of Slothrop.

Perhaps the "knotting into" theme reflects the arrival of the nuclear   
age. An Atom
bomb relies on "splitting" hydrogen atoms, while a nuclear explosion is   
caused
by the device reaching "critical mass."


Re: "Bananas"...

Phallic symbols aside, Pirate grows them in a "hothouse" evocative of   
earlier works...


Re: "Preterition"...

Pirate "saves" Bloat from his fall, but not from his preterition. Doesn't   
Pirate
ultimately fail as a Christ figure? Cf. his failure to do anything when   
he sees a V-2's
brenschluss.

Also, the segue from Pirates dream about the preterite evacuees   
transitions into at least
an implication that Pirate and his buddies in the maisonette are somehow   
elect.
Are they? Do they believe so? Does it matter? Note how the incoming V-2   
passes
them over.


Re: Steam engine technology"...

Might this be a wink and nod acknowledgement of Pynchon's earlier   
references
in V. to Henry Adam's 'Dynamo'?


 -------------------------
Bob Spangenthal
spangere at vtg.com