GRGR (7): The minotaur

[Lorentzen / Nicklaus]

Lars schrieb:
> Hi everybody,
> On Page 142 to 143 Pointsman reflects on defeating the minotaur and the
> labyrinth. He wants a go at the Nobel Prize, of course, but I think
> there´s actually more to it than that.
> First of all, I think that Slothrop is not the minotaur, for this
> Bull-Man is older in Pointy´s awarenes than that American Lieutenant:
>
> "Oh yes once you know, he did believe in a Minotaur waiting for him:"
> (142.14) and "Years ago. Dreams he hardly remembers."(143.18).
>
> Yet there is definetly a connection between Slothrop and the ruler of
> the labyrinth for:
>
> "But now with Slothrop in it [...] MIght Pointsman get to have a go at
> the minotaur after all?" (143.22)
>
> After rereading those two pages a couple of times I came to the
> following conclusion: The labyrinth is the human brain. When we look at
> the human brain (at a picture I mean, don´t try it actually at home!) it
> looks very much like one. Also it has the colour of wax and in Pointys
> dream of defeating the labyrinth the main chamber "flow[s] like wax"
> (143.14). Here Ned´s subconscious may have associated the waxen
> complexion of brain tissue with actual wax. Speaking of subconscious:
> I´m no psychologist but this dark region of man´s mind is often likened
> to a labyrinth.
> Finally I´d like to add, that to Pointsman the full understanding of the
> human brain is as important as saving Ariadne was to this old greek chap
> who´s name I´ve forgotten.
> Now the mad scientist, who has already unlocked every secret dog´s
> cortex may have to offer, tries to do the same with the human brain- and
> he believes Tyrone is the key. At the very least the American will give
> insight into the interface of the human cortex. (144.23) Pointy thinks
> he can overcome the old master of the brain (the minotaur) and replace
> him thus starting a new age of reason.
> Pointsman actually persuades himself, that the experiments he does with
> Slothrop are for a greater good even if "the man will suffer"(144.24).


Good Posting: Hamburg's P-List Rocks The House! Kai