GRGR(13) Paranoid Progression

[David Morris]

>From: RICHARD_WILSON.
>greetings,
>
>one thing i think i'm noticing in this section is that the object of 
>Slothrop's
>paranoia seems to progressing from plural (Them) to singular (Imipolex-G, 
>the
>Worst Thing, It) and finally to nullility or zero (PFP #5 - which 
>essentially
>says that there is no such thing as paranoia in and of itself).

Damn!  You've forced me to drag out my book to look up PFP#5.

It's all in the definitions: what is a "paranoid situation?"  Is it real, 
Memorex, or Sears?  Those preset patterns (cortex mazes), are they Nature 
(real) or Nurture (manufactured) or is there another option?

>
>for example, Slothrop's worries toward the end of this section that 
>Tchitcherine
>will return and catch he and Geli in the act seem well-founded enough not 
>to be
>a paranoid fantasy.
>
>has Slothrop's paranoia been extinguished?
>

Not by a long shot.  Remember PFP #0000000:  "Just because you're paranoid 
doesn't mean...."  Paranoia may not be "fantasy."

The closer focus which reduces numbers from "Them" to "It" (I-G) is  the 
result of a search.  The search could have (actually has previosly) resulted 
in a greater number of "Them:"  Slothrop was first Shang-Hai'd (sp?) at the 
Casino.  Wouldn't that make you paranoid?  Next he uncovers The Penis He 
Thought Was His Own.  Pretty personal stuff.  All the while he uses a rare 
but denigrated sense, Intuition, not that They really tried to conceal the 
fact that They were in Control.  Then he gets those Sandoz files...  Yahhh!  
Octopus!!!

Slothrop's recourse to the overwhelming is to choose a target, then choose 
another.  He starts with smell.  Even though it can't be he knows the smell 
must be Impolex-G.  Intuition, but really remembrance.  He becomes 
Sensitive.  But isn't he endearing in his Shaman ways?  Never takes himself 
seriously....  Slothrop shifts quickly from fantasy to realization.  Is he 
wrong?  Don't forget PFP#? (paraphrased):  "If They can get you axing the 
wrong questions, they needn't worry 'bout da answers."

David Morris


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