GRGR (9) - Slothrop meets Grigori

[Michael Perez]

Before we get TOO steeped in mythological allusions and monster movie
homages, does anyone think that it matters that the meeting between
hero and monster is staged?  I agree with David that the victim is
necessary for this meeting archetypically, but this one is cooked up
from the beginning.  The monster does not represent the enemy (or does
it?) here and the victim is (perhaps) in no danger, having offered
herself willingly (more or less) to aid Pointsman et al.  Slothrop, as
was pointed out about Heracles and the hydra, does not really perform
this labor on his own, being conveniently supplied with the crab
(Medusa's head or not) to lure the beast away - even Slothrop is
catching on that this might be a set-up.  Perhaps, more important here
is that Slothrop momentarily seized the opportunity to save the day. 
Before when he was vainly examining the after-effects of the rockets,
he was helpless - he couldn't even manage a stick of gum for the little
survivor he carried away.  He is now no longer a "St. George after the
fact" or so he is led to think - again, only momentarily.


Michael

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