MDDM18: German

[jbor]

I think that "among the Clientele" (298.17) at 'The Flower-de-Luce' are
German-speaking colonists and their descendants and friends, who congregate
there to speak with one another, in German, on topics of common interest.
Similarly, at 'The Fair Anchor', many of the discussions are "conducted in
Swedish" (272.30), and Franklin's audience at 'The Orchid Tavern' is
primarily comprised of "heedless Continentals". (294.24) I think that Dixon
"shows up one night" at 'The Flower-de-Luce' because he heard rumours that
people with "an interest in the Magnetick" also frequent the place, and he
happens to find Dolly there. (Perhaps he heard the "Rumors" from Franklin
and this was another set-up - we aren't told.)

I see your point that the "Quack Physicians, Land Surveyors [and] Iron
Prospectors" probably do share "an interest in the Magnetick" (though not
the "Watch-Thieves", except subversively, and despite the metaphor applied
to their undertakings), and the grammatical connection, but don't think that
this need necessarily apply to the "German Enthusiasts" as well. (In fact,
the recombined phrase would be "German Enthusiasts [...] with an interest in
the Magnetick", which is patently tautological.)

I think the references to the "German Dietists", "German Enthusiasts" and
"the German Packet" are aspects of Pynchon's focus on the multicultural
flavour of the colony at this time - scrupulously historically-accurate, I
might add - and read them alongside similar references to the Swedes,
Graziana [...] daughter of Naples" (260.15), the "Moravian Brethren"
(306.6), "Germantown" (306.14), and "expert [pigeon-wrangling] Belgians,
resident here". (309.26)

best



on 29/1/02 12:00 AM, Dave Monroe at davidmmonroe at yahoo.com wrote:

> Er, still confused at how y'all're reading this.  Not
> "Enthusiasts" of the "German" language but "German
> Enthusiasts" of "the Magnetick," right?  As in,
> Germans at "a Coffee-House frequented by those with an
> interest in the Magnetick," and thus, "enthusiasts" of
> "the Magnetick" who happen to be "German."  I'd read
> it the first way first, but I'm assuming the latter,
> which I THINK you are as well, so ...
> 
> --- jbor <jbor at bigpond.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> but, still, why "German Enthusists" of "The
>>> Magnetick" (vs. "Enthusiasts" of "German")?  Let
>>> me know ...
>> 
>> Not "of":  ... [as well as] ....  At assorted tables
>> and stools.