Religion

[Michel Ryckx]

Mike says:
"Whether P is advocating monism and materialism or dualism and religious faith is not obvious from
my reading of his works. That he appreciates religious feeling as a vital part of human existence is
obvious. "

You're absolutely right.  I think that it would be most interesting to take a closer look of mr.
Pynchon as a writer using the metaphor of religion; which he, as Mike and Jane (rather sad seeing
her go) both state, clearly does.

But before we go into this (provided some people are interested) religion as a concept has to be
defined; otherwise this subject will end up very confused --as a thread fairly often does.  Mr.
Pynchon's works are full of people (or bulbs) seeking for a meaning --but they usually end up
without one (like in real life): Stencil's religion may be called V., Byron the Bulb is an inanimate
(!) object preaching humanism; even the nihilism of the Whole Sick Crew may be considered
religious.  I think a minimalistic definition is needed, without throwing in abstract concepts like
a god, or such things like organised  religion.  If I remember my Latin from school, quite a long
time ago, well, 'religare' means: 'to accept what cannot be proven'.

On the other hand: a religion usually has some rituals, and these rituals are full of meaning for
the members of that religion.  Rituals occur fairly often in 'Gravity's Rainbow': that nasty
Blicero/Weissmann character, though ambiguously, performs constantly (rather self-serving) rituals.
It is my opinion (for what it is worth) they are also metaphors.

Kind regards,

Michel.