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

[Michael Perez]

jbor wrote:
"I think that respect for both Fina and for Angel are uppermost in his
mind. . . 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."

Well, I still don't know about "uppermost in his mind," but I'm
certainly willing to consider that Benny should be given more credit
than even I might have been willing to allow him.  I always thought
Benny wasn't given a fair shake in some of the Pynchcrit written about
him, but I still don't know if I'd go this far.  What do you think of
his reactions at the end of the chapter - to the gangbang, the beating
and possible murder, the "code?"  COULD or SHOULD he have tried to do
something to diffuse the situation?  And since, of course, he did
nothing, what does this say, if anything, about his friendship?

Michael

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