Rocket(s) & Savagery.7

[Paul Mackin]

On Mon, 25 Sep 2000, Terrance F. Flaherty wrote:

> I have never argued that
> Weissmann/Blicero is a simple character. I have never argued
> that he is Hitler or any other historical figure. He is, as
> are most of TRP's characters, deep & "flat." 
> 
> What motivates him? Do ideas motivate him? What of his
> Quest?   
> 
> What of these descriptions of him? They are, like the
> descriptions of Slothrop, not how humans are described?
> 

P indulges in a funny sort of characterization.  Abstract and at the same
time quite corporeal. The sex is well fleshed out. With Weissmann
dualities reign supreme. On the one hand he's an ordinary civil
servant carrying out assignments at his country's bidding. But he is the
exact opposite in his apparent refusal to let the normal contraints of
finite being hold him back. This makes him hard to cotton up to as a
fellow human being. He's just not like us. 

We experience Slothrop's character entirely through his paranoia. The
story of his childhood and experience under the rocket are related as
actual events but deep down we know better. 

I'm sort of stuck at this point. Will think about your questions.

			P.