GRGR(5): note on Katje

[Bernier, Jeannie]

I would argue it is the "passive" way - neither Frenesi or Katje seem to
have any real voice to me - both seem to have their path chosen for them,
Katje in order to survive plays along with whoever is in power, Frenesi
falls into Brock's schemes to stay out of jail - again, a survival tactic.  

This passivity is a strong trait with most of his female characters - most
of them seem to go along with the activity of the moment, even if that
activity may be victimizing them.  It's a troubling portrayal at best.
Although Oedipa Maas is more active, so I don't know that Pynchon's view is
necessarily misognystic.  It has always struck me as very male, though.

Thinking out loud, really.  

-----Original Message-----
From: lorentzen-nicklaus at t-online.de
[mailto:lorentzen-nicklaus at t-online.de]
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 1999 3:56 AM
To: lupine at ncia.net
Cc: pynchon-l at waste.org
Subject: Re: GRGR(5): note on Katje


Scott Badger schrieb:
> The same effect, I think - and mentioned before I believe -, that we find
> with Frenesi.  There has been recent talk, and during VLVL about Frenesi,
> that they take the "selfish" or easy way.  I've never understood this.  I
> can't imagine how they could have put themselves in more dangerous, more
> punishing - more lonely - postions.  Why?


ONE answer: Because in both of them there is "primary masochism" (Freud). -
KFL