GRGR(23) - Down Below (Was: test)

[Mark Wright AIA]

--- David Morris <fqmorris at hotmail.com> wrote:

> Somebody has literally "rubbed Slothrop's face" in it, right?  Very 
> apropopriate for Slothrop's life as a dog, no?  Guilt (and fear of 
> punishment) is the motive force at work.  And what does Slothrop have
> to 
> feel guilty about?  Abandonment (and maybe abuse) of the Child,
> another very 
> reccurent theme in GR.

I think you are right aboaut the guilt.

I apologise for the boring pop-psych speculation to follow here, but
here goes...

Perhaps Slothrop is feeling guilty about his constant (and variable)
betrayals attendant upon his lack of attachment to people and places in
favor of the *thing* which rules him as the planets are ruled by the
sun.  He just keeps on moving, loosing short and long-term memory,
"thinning for himself as well as for others".

Is he supressing a sense of guilt over not having stayed to help
Narrisch who he believes to be dead, and transferring this onto his
failure to stay and help Bianca, who must therefore also be dead for
him?  (And the constellation of other women he left behind, in the fist
of the Rocket, and who were dead -- for a while at least -- for
everyone but Slothrop?)  The poor man is awash in shit, no?

Upcoming episode with Ursula will illustrate for him an absurd extreme
of fidelity, to contrast with his own relative lack of same.  He will
be restored to balance.  Perhaps seeing himself as healthier, more
moderate and sensible, by contrast.

Outgassing gently,
Mark

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