Slothrop's age

[Paul Mackin]

On Wed, 26 Jul 2000, Douglas Lannark wrote:
> 
> Aware that TS was raised "puritanically," he probably had little drinking
 experience in puberty, and did vomit in the toilet at the Roseland Ballroom.


Not sure what you mean here. He might have had a Catholic upbringing
according to one report anyway. But why would it be puritanical, except in
matters of sex possibly. If he hadn't had experience vomiting from
drinking by the time he was through high school it would be quite unusual
for the 1950s in America. Especially for a future writer. Vomiting seems
to be so much a part of youthful drinking, such a natural things for
Harvard students to be engaged in, P would have observed it even if not a
drinker himself. A heartbreaking thought for me.  Why is it grownups  can
drink much greater quantities without feeling nausea from it. Oh well.

			P.