Still reading the same old book ...

[Paul Nightingale]

Terrance asks why readers/critics choose to identify the narrator with the
author (the guy with his name on the cover, recipient of royalties). With
particular reference to the passage on p108 ("Commerce without Slavery is
unthinkable ...").

Why knows? Certainly they should know better! I prefer to think of Pynchon
as a writer, rather than an author of anything he happens to write. And,
unlike
some, he doesn't write without thinking. There are probably many passages in
M&D (other novels too) that do a similar job of asking us how we read and,
by extension, how history is written; I thought this one was useful as a way
into this chapter, given that it (the chapter) does seem to have a pivotal
role (bringing in the 'family romance' that needs to be discussed further).

I agree that the novel doesn't have a clear-cut narrator (or even several
that might safely be identified as such - one of the functions of the family
group surrounding Cherrycoke is to confuse us regarding what he is actually
saying, the words leaving his mouth, given that parts of the story are
clearly 'unsuitable' for so young an audience). Which is why I cite
Foucault/discursive formations: seeking an author (ie the source of all
meaning) becomes a pointless activity, one doomed to failure.

With regard to Cherrycoke: I think his narrative is designed to make sense
of a loss of faith that was established at the outset (ie his status as
social outcast/outlaw - although I'm aware there are many ways of regarding
'faith', ie in the Church as an institution, as opposed to religion as a
philosophy of life). Ch11 opens with the exchange between Cherrycoke and
LeSpark about global trade: the "holy Smirk master'd in his first week of
curacy" (p105) points us towards the difficulty Cherrycoke has had dealing
with the unChristian behaviour of Godfearing Christians. Uncle Lomax is
perhaps used to mediating between Cherrycoke and LeSpark. Followed by
another reference to the opening chapter and Cherrycoke's status within the
family home: "From outside, frozen Rain sweeps briefly but pointedly at the
glossy black Window-Panes".