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

[jbor]

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

> Okay, but part of what I was trying to get at was that I think he
> underestimates himself, HE feels he's not up to some tasks.

Yes, I think that he of all the characters thus far observed carries around
a type of existential angst -- an extreme self-consciousness and lack of
self-esteem -- which might or might not be construed as a sort of
post-colonial "White Man's Burden" (cf. Slothrop).

> I agree he
> has common sense and concern for others and it does get overlooked.
> It's not that I think it wasn't noble of him to turn her away, but I
> don't know if nobility was uppermost in his mind.

I think that respect for both Fina and for Angel are uppermost in his mind.

> I still think there
> may have been a good dose of self interest here, more trouble than it
> could have been worth.

It's probably worthwhile to compare and contrast his response to Fina's
come-on with his earlier responses to Rachel and Paola in this respect.
Telling her not to go off "yelling rape" to Angel he is certainly trying to
cover his ass, but I think he proves himself a "friend" to both Fina and
Angel in this sequence.

>  He does show a certain amount of respect and
> gratitude for the Mendoza family, I suppose.  I don't really think that
> Pynchon is implying that Fina was gangbanged (and possibly beaten to
> death) BECAUSE Benny didn't come through and Benny probably doesn't
> think she was either, but that's a possibility we can talk about, it's
> not really clear.  I agree that Benny is likeable.

best