the motif of marriage

[Muchasmasgracias at cs.com]

Yeah, it seems like in general anti-traditionalism abounds in these books.  
What it makes me wonder sometimes is whether there's any alternative put 
forward or if it's an entirely negative spin on things?  I've heard/seen 
people who take TRP to be this wildly cynical/existential dude, but I don't 
really buy that.  Nevertheless, if it ain't so then where's the affirmative 
in there?  Does Pynchon project a world with no happy families because he 
doesn't think are people with happy home lives?

I read an interview with DF Wallace in which he said something that seems 
relevant:  "I also write because it seems to me that all the really important 
stuff to talk about is stuff that can't be said- except indirectly."  (FYI, 
this is from a back issue of "The Oregon Voice".)

So maybe the thing with Pynchon and no positive examples of families is that 
he can't bring himself to do a postive portrait because then somebody might 
pick up on the example as a prescriptive guide.  "Ozzie and Hariet look so 
happy, we should act/look/be like them..."  No more sacred codes, and 
everyone should be their own creator?  Aw, artists these days are always 
saying that.

Another possibly germane quote, and then I'll sign off and get back to work 
before my boss catches me:  "Do not do what the masters do.  Seek what they 
sought."

I think I got that out of a fortune cookie.  Mmm, fortune cookie....

BS