MAD Magician

[Paul Mackin]

On Tue, 14 Sep 1999, Richard Romeo wrote:

> 
> 
> >On Tue, 14 Sep 1999, Richard Romeo wrote:
> >
> > > PS Halfway through Mr. Mendelson's article on the encyclopedic
> > > GR--interesting contrast b/w pynchon's political usage of language as
> > > compared to Joyce's more "biological", natural progression of language 
> >in
> > > Ulysses.  Mendelson claims Pynchon's usage more relevant, since it is
> > > politicized.
> >
> >Naturally I guess I see what the gentleman means. However the word
> >'relevant' seems a tiny bit dated. Back before the 60s I don't remember
> >the word 'relevant' being used much in this sense. Don't think back then
> >we would very often express approval in that particular way,  though of
> >course I may be misremembering. If we liked something we might say we 'got
> >something out of it.' I certainly got a lot out of Ulysses but
> >please don't make me say what. Interesting difference in perspective.
> >Wonder what analogous approving word  might be applied to a
> >postmodernist work. Can something be relevant and irrelevant at the same
> >time.
> >
> >The correct answer is YES.
> >
> >:-)
> >
> >			P.
> ----------------------------------------
> I should've added Paul, that Mendelson is comparing specifically the Oxen 
> and the Sun episode and the NTA/Tchitcherine episode. Both focus on 
> language, the former as a means of growth and progression, from predawn 
> grunts to chattering in the street, the latter as a means of control by the 
> Soviet authorities in the 20s.
> 
> Mendelson also mentions that Enzian intends to launch himself in the 
> reconstructed rocket.  Is that implied in the text ot noted directly? Links 
> him to Gottfried and Blicero so make sense but I don't remember.

That focusses in on things. I would never deny that M's point is valid as
far as it goes. One possible thing I might add  would be that the 
"biological" in the Joyce episode is only figurative as far as prose
development down through the ages is concerned. The language
development is very cleverly made to be LIKE embryonic development.
(Or possibly visa versa) In any event language development is cultural,
not biological, whether it's in Joyce or Pynchon. Joyce may not be of a
mind to stress the political aspects in so many words. He refused to play
the game of political bombast. However you might say that since the
subject here is Ireland--John Bull's first colony--the subject  is 
implicitly political. Come to think,  the subject of Irish babies is
OVERWHELMINGLY  political (Swift). In fact in this case it may be down
right Feminist--how many was this for Mrs. Purefoy. I forget.

On the question of Enzian intention to go up with 00001, it is strongly
hinted at in the extended conversation between E and Ombindi in which O
extolls the sexual allure of suicide and E knows he's being conned but
doesn't resist.  There's the song "Sold on Suicide." There is much
surrounding material emphasizing Enzian's deep feelings about the rocket.


		P.