MDDM Ch. 61: Miltonic Layers

[Tim Strzechowski]

"Eeh!" cries Dixon, who's been peering into the opening.  "D'yese see this, how these layers are set in? -- Mason!  That Device Mr. Franklin show'd us, -- his Leyden Jar!  Remember thee all that Fancy Layering inside it . . .?"

"Yes," impatiently, "but those were Gold-leaf, Silver foil, Glass, -- Philosophickal Materials," a quick glance toward Shelby, "whilst these, --" having a Squint, "-- seem but different kinds of Refuse, -- dirt . . . ashes . . . crush's seashells . . . not likely to be an ancient Leyden Battery, Dixon, if that's what you're thinking."

"A Marvel no one taught you this, Mr. Mason, for there is lengthy Knowledge of such things, -- according to which, alternating Layers of different Substances are ever a Sign of the intention to Accumulate Force, -- not necessarily Electrical, neither, -- perhaps, Captain, these Substances Mr. Mason so disrespects may yet be suited to Forces more Tellurick in nature, more attun'd, that is, to Death and the slower Phenomena."  (M & D, pp. 598-99)


                            ". . . at last appear
Hell bounds high reaching to the horrid roof,
And thrice threefold the gates; three folds were brass,
Three iron, three of adamantine rock,
Impenetrable, impaled with circling fire,
Yet unconsumed."   (Paradise Lost, Book II, lines 643 - 48)


Parallels, yes, but is there a significance?  All the layered objects in question are described in tri-layered structure. "Alternating Layers of different Substances are ever a Sign of the intention to Accumulate Force"???  And although Mason shakes his head, "having no idea how to control Ranting like this," is there a greater significance to the Pynchon / Milton parallel?



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"The old believe everything; the middle-aged suspect everything; the
young know everything."
                                                                        ~~ Oscar Wilde
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