V.V. (2) Eulenspiegel (Owlglass), Rachel

[David Morris]

>From: "jbor" Eulenspiegel, Till. The name [...] of a 14th Century villager 
>of Brunswick who became the subject of a large number of popular tales of 
>mischievous pranks and crude jests, first printed in 1515.
>
>Though it brings in the picaresque link again, I don't really see any 
>meaningful connection between this character and Rachel, and I think that 
>what it might demonstrate is how the apparent resonances in Pynchonian 
>names (eg. Oedipa Maas = Oedipus, McLintic Sphere = Monk etc) are in actual 
>fact red herrings, leading nowhere, perhaps deliberately and tantalisingly 
>so.
>
>The other half of her name has just as much potential resonance: Rachel.

Well, I don't know about those "red herrings."  Maybe so, maybe not.  But 
significance is in the eyes of, and is the responsibility of, the beholder.  
"Owlglass" as both the common-man jester (the Fool?) and as a mirror are 
significant in the book as a whole, but not specifically for Rachel.  
Narcissism and the mirror seems an important connection too: loving one's 
projection onto an inanimate object.

Rachel is a very common name for a Jewish woman.  Rachel is a very prominent 
heroine in the development of Judaism in the Old Testament.  As you note, 
she bore an heir to continue the line of the "chosen people," and this at a 
very old age, her faith in God's promise in the face of the impossible is 
credited.  I have read one review (I forget where) which called Rachel the 
heroine of V. but I'm not sure I'd agree.

Benjamin was not the chosen heir.  In fact he was one of the jealous group 
who sold their brother Joeseph into slavery.  I don't think this has much 
application to Benny Profane.

David Morris
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