GRGR(5) Katje and the Nazis

[David Morris]

Mark Wright AIA:
> Can't say as I understand fully what all the fuss is about here,
> either.  Even WITH an apostrophe the SS reference would remain
> unmistakable.
> Mark

rj:
>Hmm. Let's see:
>... cast-iron pulleys whose spokes are shaped like Ss.
>... cast-iron pulleys whose spokes are shaped like S's.
>[snip]
>There's no analogy or metaphor being made between the pulleys, or the
>spokes, or anything else in the sentence, and the SS, is there?
>(Although, now that I think about it ...?) If we assume it to be a
>*definite*, intentional reference then it suddenly becomes a pretty
>gratuitous and weak and unPynchonian one, doesn't it?

rj hits the nail squarely.  The image is really the yin/yang, and it is
repeated later in the two goldfish in a bowl making a Pisces sign, swimming
head-to-tail (174.11)