LSD

[Paul Mackin]

----- Original Message -----
From: "jbor" <jbor at bigpond.com>

but I'm not really certain *why* Hilarius is
> experimenting with the LSD in the first place, what he's trying to prove
or
> gain. He seems to want to brainwash people, but to what end/s?


We can't discount the circumstance that Hilarius has sexual designs on
Oedipa though she's plainly not very attracted to him (couldn't feel his
footsie playing through her boots.). Pretty sure my original reaction to the
scene was that whatever else  the "LSD study" might signify (Menlo Park VA
Hospital, overmedication of women, etc.) it was very much a seduction
strategy. She sees this and decides she doesn't want him involved in any
kind of mind manipulation on her--mind manipulation being what  LSD
expermentation  would imply to her and most readers. Her refusal to take
even the sleeping pills he prescribes seems to be a further indicator of her
distrust of his interest in her..

                P..