defining the Holocaust?

[Michel Ryckx]

The perception of the 'Holocaust' concept (ancient Greek for 'complete
burning') has known a very strange evolution and the word itself was not
generally used until about 25-30 years ago.  When one refers to the
systematic
killing of jews in Nazi Germany, the word 'Endlösung'  is more accurate,
or the
hebraic Shoah ('devastation').

The Dora KZ was of the 'Nacht und Nebel' type, which means that an
inmate was
not to come out again.  In the meantime he had to work as much as
possible.  We
discussed that back in July.

I agree wholeheartedly with Doug that the Holocaust is present, and even
central in GR, though hardly mentioned.  The reason for this is very
simple
-apart from the text itself-: the reader's mind.  I have the impression
that
mr. Pynchon, as he often does, plays with the reader for he knows that a
reader
of  GR, due to the settings of  this work, is expecting references to
his (the
reader's) perception of WWII.  The 'Kinderofen' is for me proof enough:
I
associate it with the Hänsl und Gretl story, but in this work, I cannot
do
otherwise than associate it (even without thinking about it) with the
Ovens.

But I also agree with jbor that the proofs are very faint.  He reads,
quite
rewardingly, the text in a very severe, scientific way.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with that, but it is not the only way
to read
a novel.

Looking forward to the discussion of Mondaugen's Story, when all this
will come
up again,

Kind regards,
Michel.