GRGR(6) - section 8 (#3)

[Terrance F. Flaherty]

Paul Mackin wrote:

> On Thu, 29 Jul 1999, Terrance F. Flaherty wrote:
> > If Pynchon is following Joyce and Melville and I think he is, his
> > universe is not undefined.
>
> I probably should NOT have said P's world is UNdefined. I was thinking
> more of overdefined or multidefined. In the case of the time dimension,
> what if the time t of a given event is such that t square minus  t equals
> zero. Thus t equals either one or zero. In other words we can chose to
> call the event either proleptic or simultaneous with respect to the
> base. Or, if instead, t square PLUS  t equals zero, then t is either
> negative one or zero, and the event can be either ANAleptic or
> simultaneous. (this works well in a one or zero situation--the kind
> preferred you know who)
>
> Just playing this morning.
>
>                 P.

“The time of this episode is indistinct, though from its placement it would
seem to occur on Sunday, December 24, 19944.”
  Weisenburger, GRC.82

This is not convenience, but a misreading of the text. The previous episode
and three earlier “mistakes” with “time” indicate that Pynchon is up to
something that Weisenburger’s reading can not account for. There is no way to
determine that episode 17 follows episode 16 chronologically. The structure
of episode 17invites comparison to episode one and provides many clues to how
the reader is to read the book and what time it is.



Of the seven holders of Pavlov’s “Book,” only two are left after this
episode: Pointsman and Gwenhidwy. Unless of course the reader is, zero. “It’s
six on the dot
 six is the hour of the appearance of the light
hands
perfectly straight up and down.” Zero on the y-axis. Now, as I asked in
episode one, who is dreaming and whose dream is it anyway? “You didn’t really
believe you’d be saved.” “It is a judgment from which there is no appeal.” In
Pointsman’s dream it is  “only an interdiction, from which there is no
appeal.” So YOU are not yet doomed, but if YOU are Pointsman, YOU are
prohibited from grace. YOU are not excommunicated, but YOU can not share in
the Ritual of Grace. Pointsman is the minotaur.



Pointsman’s solipsistic obsession with Slothrop is akin to Satan’s with “our
Grand parents.” All of satan’s efforts only turn inward towards the minotaur
that is himself. He must control or destroy, but his doom reserved him to
more wrath...

“he with his horrid crew
Lay vnaguished, rowling in the firey Gulfe
Confounded though immortal: But his doom
Reserved him to more wrath;
  ---Milton, PL BK I

tf