V.V. (8) Benny (was Re: Violence ON Demand

[jbor]

----------
>From: Michael Perez <studiovheissu at yahoo.com>
>

> Benny seems to feel he was not up to any of the tasks mentioned.
> There's a hint of typical Benny indifference.  He was not willing to
> accept the responsibility for being the first and whatever personal
> plagues that might follow.  He doesn't seem to think too much about
> destiny, but thinks he knows when it's time to leave.

I think you might be underestimating Benny a little on this (but the rest of
your responses to jody's pop quiz are spot on imo). Benny asks Angel about
Fina at 137.17 (and so flags to him, her brother and ostensible paternal
protector, that there is an emergent problem there), seems genuinely
concerned about what might happen to her in her relationship with that gang
when he finds out about it, and, his gentle remonstrances with her when she
is in the bathtub at 145.15 seem sincere: he doesn't humiliate her in his
rejection of her because he keeps it "cool" and joky. I think he displays
enormous tact and respect for Fina as well as for the Mendoza family who has
taken him in.

There's a streak of common sense and concern for other humans (like the time
his partner is attacked when that "gator turned") with Benny which tends to
get overlooked. His acts of charity or benevolence stretch back to Rachel
and Paola as well. Benny is likeable I think, and it's do with that "local
good vs grandiose gestures" dichotomy which runs through Pynchon's fiction
like a vein of gold.

best