Torp E Dick

[Terrance]

jbor wrote:
> 
> Thanks, it does. So, are both the references (at 77.10 and here at 286.1) to
> the electric eel? (I.e. for Dixon, being able to whistle is a "freedom
> almost Torpedick", and the "Torpedo" which Mason describes at 286.7?)

There are several possibilities for what torpedick freedom might mean.
To MD77

 Dixon's sensorium is active, he heads out to the Prohibited parts of
town. 
Dixon likes to whistle. As you have noted, Dixon is not one to shut his
mouth or otherwise fall in line for authority. However, he is not
permitted to whistle aboard a
ship. A good rule and Dixon follows it. So, after being prevented, for
months,  from whistling, at last,  heading out into the Lawless bustle,
he is Free to whistle and does. Torpedick here has little, if anything
at all, to do with electricity or electric fish. At least there is
nothing on the surface that makes the connection obvious.