GRGR(9) Pointsman/Slothrop

[Paul Mackin]

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> From: ckaratnytsky at nypl.org
no other, no distancing 2nd person filter. 

 The phrase "an 
>      interdiction, from which there is no appeal" on p.137 in the Pointsman 
>      section also links to Pirate (only I can't find where else it appears 
>      at the moment).  The observation you make, Andrew, about Pointsman's 
>      habituation to blankness/whiteness is well done, I think.  I was 
>      wondering what to do with that.  You would include the white flowers 
>      as another emblem of this habituation, yes?  (This brings to mind 
>      Blicero and *his* flower of choice, the lovely enzian.  Hmm, what's 
>      all this about flowers, do you think?)
>      
>      Andrew on question 12 after some snipping:
>      
>      >the creepiness comes from the fact that Pointsman will [make excuses 
>      >to justify his selfish actions] even to the point of destroying 
>      >Slothrop's mind. And the comment about losing control really gives 
>      >the game away. Anyone who needs to control things around them this 
>      >much really has problems. Remember Pynchon's aside at the seance 
>      >that `control was always the problem'. He was not talking about 
>      >Peter Sachsa. He was talking about the Ned Pointsman's of this 
>      >world.[...]
>      
>      Also, note two things about the last paragraph of p.144:  "There's 
>      something here, too transparent and swift to get a hold on--Psi 
>      Section might speak of ectoplasms..."  and "Whatever we may find, 
>      there can be no doubt that he is, physiologically, historically, a 
>      monster.  We must never lose control.  The thought of him lost in the 
>      world of men..."
>      
>      First off, I think there's a pun here (and in the line you cite above, 
>      Andrew) on "control."  As in, what kind of control *is* there for an 
>      experiment like Slothrop?
>      
>      Secondly, this image of an on-the-loose transparent blob recalls our 
>      friend, that lymphatic monster, the Adenoid, another link to Pirate 
>      and chapter one.
>      
>      Sure glad I had that cigarette after lunch.
>      
>      Now on to, whoa, this Steely/Tinasky thang.  Boy, RUTHSINGS, I've 
>      gotta hand it to you:  You may not post very often, but what you post 
>      is "cherce," as Spencer Tracy would say.  (The rest of us would say 
>      "choice.")
>      
>      That Chris
>