Pynchonian Rorschach

[jporter]

A couple of things:

Jules Seigel came of age a good ten years before the mid-sixties, by which
time he was already middle-aged. I came of age in the sixties, which have
come and gone, but I do not pretend to be a Gen-Xer, or a member of the
Twenty-something crowd. I am content with my own generation. Jules, of the
fifties, seems to constantly need to identify with and speak for my
generation. I feel this urge to say: "It's okay, Jules. We can speak for
ourselves, and with alot more authenticity than you can. Tell us about
Elvis or Sputnik, or something."

I would also hasten to add that I am extremely impressed by the Gen-Xer's
and Twenty-somethings  on this list who speak very intelligently and
eloquently on the issues brought up. In fact, I'm usually envious, as I
often recognize their intellectual superiority, even on issues concerning
the sixties! Almost to a man (and woman- although I wish there were more of
them) they make no attempt to speak for any other generation than that of
which they are a part.

To the point: Seigel's criticism of Pynchon's fiction is most revealing of
Seigel. Pynchon's fictions, like the opportunities presented to Oedipa, are
more Rorschach than anything else. I.e., no right or wrong here, but Jules
just keeps adding to that already thick file labeled: "Jules Seigel."

Jody