Pynchhon as historian/Novel as history text (vaguely related to RE: IDOLATRY)

[Peter Giordano]

I read some of the responses to "IDOLATRY" and thought about the
following:

1) Pynchon himself addresses this very issue about mid-way in M&D (as has
been pointed out - What I find interesting in this passage is that it does not
seem to be about the narrative of M&D but about the flow of history through
stories and memories and art and even history texts - Obviously history
flows through
all three of TRP's major (as in larger) novels - Perhaps there is more
to this as a self-referential theme in M&D - I've not been watching for it
but the passage eluded to above and the Patrick O'Brien refernece come
to mind - This might be something to watch for in a re-read or group read

2) One wonders why people would expect novels which include giant
albino alligators, trained octopi, talking dogs, mechcanical ducks, ghosts,
etc. to be historically accurate

3) Keeping in mind the above - I'd also consider all the references to
specfic "historical" details outlined in the volumes of companions and
commentaries - Why does TRP pour over issues of the London Times
(in a library I'm sure) to get the exact details of the weather in London
in 1944/45?  Perhaps the details are the anchors upon which he builds
his more chaotic themes - The apparent confinment of an historical
detail may in fact drive the "art" - This happens in poetry all the time
Horace and Molire (sp) write in very specific meters which if you or
I tried to replicate we would be able to say nothing - But for these artists
the confinment of the meter opened doors to various artistic choices they
would otherwise have not considered

4) There is a genre called "historical fiction" Do V, GR, or M&D belong
in that genre?  I don't think so - A novel like THE KILLER ANGELS is
designed to give a sense (albeit through mid-20th century eyes) of  life
during 3 days in 1865 - Novels like V, GR, & M&D use history for
a very different purpose - The details of historical action become metaphors
for themes which transend time and space - (hence, one can set WS'
RICHARD III in 1945 England and its themes still come through)

I would say that TRP uses historically accurate details to create a universe
in which to stage his vision, explication, and solutions for issues facing
20th century humanity

Peter Giordano
Williams College
Williamstown, MA