GRGR(28) -- Questions for first section

[Jeremy Osner]

Hi everyone,

Geez, this week we finish out "In The Zone" and next week we start
reading "The Counterforce" -- of whom, note, there have already been
a couple of mentions. Is Slothrop a member of the Counterforce? Is
"member of the Counterforce" as meaningless an expression as "member of
the Hierarchy"? (I think The Hierarchy is a good name for Them.) Some
questions and observations:

What perfectly rational explanation to Tchitcherine's experiences (p.
610) is contained in "Martin Fierro"? I remember the plot a bit, from
when someone posted it a few months ago; but I don't quite see how it
plays out for T. Also -- the people he's watching with the guitars, are
they the Argentines? He calls them "townspeople", I wasn't sure what to
make of it, they're in the Lueneberg Heath too after all.

On p. 611, T. observes that "There is a counterforce in the zone", and
then thinks of Slothrop in his Soviet Army disguise. I had been thinking
of Slothrop as having escaped from the Hierarchy into at least temporary
freedom, but I guess that's really illusory, he's being manipulated now
by two competing cabals. -- or three? The Rocket-cartel, is that a third
party, or is it another step up the binary tree of power, using and
shaping the destinies of the lower-order cartels of Elect and Preterite?
(Is the Counterforce also elect? -- I would think yes.)

Another wrinkle in the fabric appears on p. 612, when T. wonders if the
Soviet Apparat is "using him the way he thinks he's using Slothrop". --
I get an image here of a hierarchy in which each level of authority is a
degree of illusory power over the lower levels, there is a string rising
from the marionetteer's hand...

"Among the prehistoric German tribes, that's what this country [the
Heath] was: the territory of the dead." -- Can anyone provide more info
in this regard? Kai?

More to follow.
Jeremy

--
A dialogue between the Intellect and the Senses.
    I: It is by convention that color exists,
       by convention sweet, by convention bitter.
    S: Ah, wretched intellect, you get your
       evidence only as we give it to you,
       and yet you try to overthrow us. That
       overthrow will be your downfall.

Democritus
http://www.readin.com/books/presocratics