Tolerance and Allegory

[Paul Mackin]

On Sun, 10 Oct 1999, Terrance F. Flaherty wrote:

> "It is a problem for allegory, that while going about its
> own business, it draws attention to itself....Why does
> anyone tolerate it?"
> 
> James Wood, 'The Broken Estate' "Thomas Pynchon and the
> Problem of Allegory" (1999).
> 
> Wood's chapter on Pynchon is the least flattering I have
> read on M&D.

What's it say in a few well chosen words? Does it object to the talking
dog and clock? I've read a few glowing reviews of the Wood book but
nobody says much about the Pynchon chapter. I ordered the book--should
have just walked down the street to Borders--so'll have to wait.

I take it from the subtitle that fiction is a substitute for religion.
Therefore it is magical in itself. Therefore explicit magic like talking
animals is carrying coal to Newcastle. I don't know what I'm talking about
of course so please advise.

		P.