The Great Divide

[jporter]

Thanks to someone who graciously contacted me off list, for gently
suggesting that I learn all about dietary laws before attempting to discuss
them, RE: Salt Pork for Pork. And thanks to Doug for citing an historical
interpretation of the events surrounding The Cruxifiction, although I was
concerned more with its mythic/ritualistic interpretations.

Someone also suggested to me that to be made "Salt Pork," as stipulated by
Pliny, might be more correctly interpreted, given the nautical context, as
a reference to keel hauling or walking the plank, and I love that
interpretation! Of course he's correct. But I'll add that both practices
are rituals, of a negative type, and do not totally derail the intent of my
post.

 And, as that person went on to suggest, there is probably more meaning to
be mined here, in terms of transmuting uncle Wicks into food, and its
intestinal consequences. It may (my guess here) tie in with Meg's questions
concerning the amount of attention payed by Pynchon to food, sanctioned and
proscribed, in Cape Town. I'll cease and desist at this point, and allow
any of my superiors who may want to, to pick up on that theme.

I will make one further venture out onto thin ice, however (I never seem to
learn): Spotted Dick might also be a reference to syphilis, or the pox.
Combining this with the idea that the scientific method may be the ultimate
negative ritual, undermining the role of ritual itself, suggests that the
essentially human quest for meaning through ritual has become a diseased
process, badly in need of a cure.

I was pleased (or not surprised) to be reminded by the members of this
learned community, that once again I had managed to get, in my grandiose
speculating, at least one important detail incorrect.

Thanks for your help,

jody