GRGR(22) - Slothrop asking about the S-Geraet

[Jeremy Osner]

Jeremy Osner wrote:

> When Slothrop is asking Der Springer about the S-Geraet, I get the impression he
> is being deliberately obtuse

I reread the passage this evening and came away thinking something like this:

On p. 496 Slothrop asks "What's up the coast," immediately making himself an object
of suspicion. It's a little weird that he asked this; I think it was a slip -- he's
tired and all from his adventures on the river. But "Slothrop is no dummy" and picks
up on the fact that he's cast suspicion on himself. So, starting on p. 498 with
"Well. Where we going, fellas?" he tries (with some success) to get back in
everyone's good graces the only way he can, by playing up his naivety until it
becomes a joke.

Jeremy


--
Both Melissus and Parmenides argue fallaciously,
and they make false assumptions and their reasonings
are not logical; but the argument of Melissus is the
more wearisome, for it sets no problem, but granted
one strange thing, others follow; and there is no
difficulty in this.

Aristotle, Physics