VV(5) Porpentine--embarassed, bashful

[Paul Mackin]

----- Original Message -----
From: "jill" <grladams at teleport.com>


> Why is it that twice (or maybe more) we hear Porpentine described in a way
> that he seems to be pulling back, in retreat? Is this a kind of crablike
> walking that Pynchon is fond of?
>
> Once p. 65 when Mildred thrusts the rock out toward Porpentine and
> Goodfellow and Victoria says that she loves rocks and fossils. He
retreats,
> embarrassed. Could he be feeling humour from a joke that she is playing,
> that the listener is to associate the age difference between Victoria and
> the men surrounding her at this time? Why embarrassment?

The rock may also have something of the Petrine sense for Victoria, may it
not?  More dwelling  on that Catholicism of hers..  Yes, Porpentine seems
above average hesitant and scrupulous for a participant in the great game.
An international operator with morals--nice touch. Old  Max himself is full
or allusion and word play. Alice and her caroling--wrong spelling no matter.
It's well--read Pynchon who is THE  allusionist of course. The fellow  just
can't help it. And we certainly don't mind a bit.

This is related to the whole idea of symbolizing mentioned by jbor I think.

                P.