Pornography & Technics & Death

[Paul Mackin]

Lorentzen / Nicklaus wrote:

> Paul Mackin schrieb:
>
> > Unlike most  traditional novels I'd say GR
> > characters never really learn anything that transforms then.
>
>
>   doesn't slothrop learn to let it - b e ? kfl

Always so difficult to say much definite about what happens to Slothrop.
Mostly disappears after Peenemunde. through not entirely. S is 'paired'
with Pokler with regard to Ilse/Bianca and  0000/Imipolex G. If Slothrop
were 'saved' in some sense would this imply salvation for Pokler as
well?  What 'lessons' might this pair of gentlemen  have learned from
their experiences in the Zone? Is life for them in any sense relivable?
As a related question: Is there anything in GR that is instructive or
pedegogical for the reader. I know that people who read GR at a fairly
young age sometimes say the book changed their lives. I personally have
no way of judging this assertion.  However, I don't think it means
readers identify with certain characters in the book. More likely it
means they were exposed through the book to certain historic events and
ideas they were not previously aware of.

                                                            P.