VV(6) - Chapter Four

[David Morris]

Schoenmaker is the central character of Chapter Four just as Stencil is of 
Chapter Three.  Both chapters begin with an introduction and then a series 
of numbered sub-sections.  Each of these focus on a "development" of the 
main character.

Esther provides us with the introduction: "I'm late," with a perhaps implied 
sub-introductory plea: "Fix it."

I:  Schoenmaker goes to The War.  He becomes a mechanic.  He fixes things.  
He loves Godolphin, and then hates Halidom.  His love for the damaged 
Godolphin and his hate for the butchery of Halidom move him to become a 
mechanic of the human face (this includes other parts, but only 
cosmetically).

But Schoenmaker experiences a "decay of purpose."  His initial love and hate 
must fade.  They (love & hate) must of necessity be augmented in the cause 
of "purpose" by another means:  the "idea" of purpose.

II:  Here is the Nose Job.  This is where the fruit of Schoenmaker's "decay 
of purpose" is manifest.  He is of Pynchon's mad-scientists, complete with 
his cynical and salacious assistant Trench.  The ensuing threesome is 
chilling and fascinating.

III:  Here we have the product of the mad-scientist:  Esther after the Nose 
Job.  She has become Schoenmaker's slave.  She loves her new-found extreme 
passivity.  She is relieved and enthralled to be so fully controlled.
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