VLVL(8): summary

[Jeremy Rice]

Annotations soon to follow . . . (research research research!) . . .
apologize 4 delay:

This is mostly an "in the past" story, a filling in of the spaces &
connection of dots.  There's a lot of jumping around; many memories
which spurn other memories.  It begins with Brock inspecting PREP with
Roscoe (as well as developing their friendship/comeradery).  PREP seems
to be a re-education camp designed to put plants into subversive lefty
organizations.  It is further explained that Brock is "a devotee of the
thinking of criminologist Cesare Lombroso" (272), and heavy detail is
paid in this respect.  Frenesi (?) and Brock have a
confrontation/meeting (with or without sexual overtones?).

We get more insight to Brock's head--his bad dreams of a Madwoman in the
Attic, and after he learns of Frenesi's escape from PREP he starts
having heightened sexual fantasies about her.  It is noted that some of
his superiors see him as "a federal prosecutor carrying the torch for
some third-generation lefty" (279), see that in a way it is a set-up.
Fade.

Frenesi, meanwhile, has married Zoyd & birthed Prairie.  Zoyd &
Frenesi's first meeting is related (w/incredibly bad lyrics by Zoyd).
After Frenesi becomes pregnant, Zoyd starts to sense a shift whereby
"critical abilities lapsed" (283) and rock'n'roll become flooded in
aural pollution, the Corvairs own music going nowhere, too.  Frenesi
gives birth (Zoyd is almost not invited), and becomes depressed, feels
trapped. "Now Time had claimed her again" (287).  Hubbell leaves the
grand opening of his discount furniture store to visit with Frenesi and
to see his new grandchild.  There is a recounting of Hubbell's struggle
against Hollywoods studios, and from there to blacklisting.

Frenesi's only happiness seems now lost in the past, with memories of
Sasha.  Brock returns.  Frenesi can only see death ahead.