MDMD[6]: Fatherhood & The Absent Author

[Paul Mackin]

Harrison S. sez:
I don't think it's unfair to speculate that there must be a fairly
onerous tension in Pynchon's life, between the Absent Author persona he
has been carefully cultivating for these many years on one hand, and the
parent's obligation to provide a healthy, happy and reasonably normal
home life for young Jackson. 

>>>It seems to me the only thing "absent author" Pynchon is absent
from is interviews and publicity appearances. There is no conflict in that with
parenthood, is there? Seems to me it is much more "normal" NOT seeing
Daddy's image every time you turn on the TV. Also it leaves more time
at home for playing catch and indulging in other father-son activities.

There seems to be the implication that avoiding celebrity is a highly
active endeavor requiring huge amounts of effort and concentration that
otherwise might be spent being a good father and husband. As far as I
can see it's mainly just a matter of not returning certain telephone calls.

The idea that P's fatherhood per se might have changed his writing
(expressed by somebody recently) seem to me unlikely. I think what
we are seeing at work is greater maturity and skill, which often come
in time, with or without the arrival of children. As to the possibility that
P is now writing with reader Jackson in mind (a slight exaggeration of
a recent suggestion) , again I have to say no way. All, IMHO, of course.

				P.