MDMD(6): Uncomfortable religious questions arising.

[Michel Ryckx]

(1)  The meeting between Mason and the Reverend surprised me for it is
rather hostile.  Or did Mason have a bad night?  The Reverend is in a
good mood (he prefers Eve to Adam; it was Eve who brought the fun in the
world) and Mason says: "I shall kill him now".  Is there a theological
dispute present in the background?  The end of this chapter seems to
indicate this, as well the Reverend's description of the Mango:

"to peel it is to flay it, -- to bit into it is to eat uncook'd Flesh,
-- though I can imagine as well uncomfortable religions questions
arising." (85.27-29)

(2)  Another religious question: the Dutch act "as Judgment be near"
(p.78)  Well, if judgment be near, I'd do other things than work all day
long ("the long Dutch workday" at the end of p. 77 --too tired to count
).  Would a Dutch calvinist go on working the day before Judgment day?
Are they that afraid of their god?

(3)  The most religious question (this is a minor European joke) is sine
aliquo dubio "Sailors to whom ev'ry Port of Call's but another Imitation
of Wapping".  The "Street" comes to mind, as the first chapter of V.
does.  I cannot help but think that in mr. Pynchon's novels sailors
'know more' than other people.  Anyone?

Michel.