[M&D p. 22] Spoiler -- Question

[davemarc]

----------
> From: Juan Cires Martinez <jcm at mat.upm.es>
> To: pynchon-l at waste.org
> Subject: [M&D p. 22] Spoiler -- Question
> Date: Thursday, May 08, 1997 1:33 PM
> 
> 
> Spoiler-cum-question below:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On page 22, the L.E.D. says:
> 
>  "[...] we go on as tail-wagging Scheherezades, ever a step away from
>   the dread Palm Leaf, nightly delaying the Blades of our Masters by
>   telling back to them tales of their humanity."
> 
> What does the Palm Leaf mean?  What is it?  I am guessing that
> Scheherezade must be the wife in "1001 Nights", am I correct?
> (Right after that a sailor says: "Oh I say, Dog in Palm Leaf, what 
> nonsense")
> 
S is indeed the Sultan's wife, who postpones her execution by telling a
helluva lot of great stories.  When I read this section, it seemed that Dog
in Palm Leaf referred to a (theoretical?) dish, like Bass Wrapped in Banana
Leaf--or Macaroni Italian Style and Fop Fricasee, which the LED goes on to
mention.  Looking at it again, I feel the same way, but maybe there's
another usage too.  

Hmmm...the more I look at this, the less I'd be surprised if meats weren't
cooked in palm leaves at this time.  And then there's....

palmier (pahlm-YAY)  Also called *palm leaves*, this crispy delicacy is
PUFF PASTRY dough that is sprinkled with granulated sugar, folded and
rolled several times, then cut into thin strips.  After baking, these
golden brown, caramelized pastries are served with coffee or tea or as a
dessert accompaniment.
(Barron's Food Lover's Companion)

Maybe they can be stuffed with dog meat as a kind of hors d'oeuvre?

davemarc