The Jewish "Nigger"

[Bandwraith at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/9/02 4:23:57 AM, ottosell at yahoo.de writes:

<< > 

> Or does Pynchon have something else in mind by making Gershom a jew?

>


The question indeed is what he tries to express with this double minority?


Otto >>

Yes, but here (or there) in colonial america, not all minorities are 
equivalent, 
and so, the identity encompassed by the character "Gershom" is possessed 
of a certain assymmetry, or valence, if you will, depending on the social
circumstances.

Much the same might be said of the L.E.D.- not just your average British
Dog- but a Norfolk Terrier, and a raffish one at that. Which is not to say 
that
Martha and George are the equivalent of the Fabulous Jellows- their timing
is better- but there are the parallel questions of ownership, talent, 
identity, 
etc.