Drugs in Pynchon's fiction

[rj]

> How about Pot? I don't think Pot is portrayed in a positive
> light either? 

In the *Slow Learner* intro Pynchon describes it as a "useful
substance". This is about as clear an endorsement as I can imagine.

However, I don't think *GR* or any of the novels are intended as pro- or
anti-drug polemics. What Pynchon seems to be interested by in *GR* is
this cartelization of drug manufacture and supply beyond the putative
political divisions of the wars (II and Cold), in the same ways as
Imipolex and the whole Shell and IG Farben thing. He also portrays the
black market as a sort of underside reflection of this cartel process;
like the Trystero, it is a Counterforce operating beyond the legal
boundaries as well as being in opposition to the covert political
hierarchy pulling the strings (the "They"). But I doubt that you can
arrive at so simplistic a formula as saying that Pynchon presents the
one (the Cartel) as evil and the other (the black market) as positive
and potentially liberating, even so. Saure and der Springer aren't
heroes or saviours in my book either.

The references to transcendentalism and magic rituals involving natural
psychedelics seem to be nostalgic and idealised, but are affirmational
nonetheless. I get the sense that Pynchon is presenting the
transformation of social relations and of Nature brought about under
industrial capitalism, and how these individual and local enclaves where
naturally-occurring pharmaceuticals were used are gradually being
stamped out, in various ways. 

best