pynchon the picture

[John Pendergast]

Enough already about picutures taken by a rent-a-journalist. When I
read Pynchon (and I assume by the posts I am joined by a few others) I
find myself in the presence of a master. How do I judge a master? By the
ability of the writer's words to stand alone, and to stand the test of
time. Our literary culture is based upon the "presence" of Shakespeare,
a figure about whom we know next to nothing, yet who sets the standard
(rightfully so especially in comparison to Pychon, given their emphasis
on popular culture and "higher" education", but the specific reasons are
could fill a book--or at least a hack dollar per word article).

I, like so many others, found myself looking for the Times in the hopes
of seeing Pynchon, perhaps so that some perverse desire would be
fulfilled. But I think it is important to not let the same repitillian
(sp?) part of our brain which buys pornography also drive us to search
for pictures of Pynchon which we all know will not add any real
appreciation to his art.

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"What?" Richard Nixon

John Pendergast
Virginia Commonwealth University