GRGR(5): Pudding & human respect

[Benjamin G. Sayre]

On Mon, 28 Jun 1999, Lorentzen / Nicklaus wrote:

>  One of the clearest pleadings for human respect in the whole book. The   
>  clearness of the statement is pointed out by the drama-like style of 
>  dialogue.
> 
>   Why here? Why without ambivalence? Why Pudding? 

Because Pudding is tragically weak.  Doesn't it seem later in the book
that Pudding has been somewhat complicit in PISCES depravity?  Pudding 
knows Pointsman is warped at a basic level, but he still allows himself to
be manipulated because Pointsman seems to have some scientific/objective
wammy on the Brigadier.  Perhaps he's interested in maintaining the
appearance of power.  (Pretty plain the man has some interesting
sensibilities.)

A character saying the right thing when he is unable to do it is pretty
fucking tragic.  But hey, WWII wasn't exactly funny.