My one true Marxist state, and even MORE!

[Tim Strzechowski]

Said MalignD to Doug:
> You'll allow, I trust, that most of the rest of the list sees you as being
> pummeled in this particular exchange.
>

"Most" is inexact.  I for one found the whole exchange at a draw, simply
because neither was backing down from argumentation that each had
established as best he could, but had become too muddled with "how" they
were arguing, rather than the arguments themselves.  Someone else even
mentioned this, as I recall.

I think "most" of us would agree that Pynchon is an ambiguous author (which
would make _The Confidence-Man_ such a perfect next-read, *hint*) whose
depictions of both Gershom and Washington are equally ambiguous.
Personally, I read Gershom as a slave who has perhaps grown apathetic with
his place, and Washington as a master who rather enjoys the image of himself
(by himself) as a "progressive" slave-owner.  I'm comfortable with that
interp, for it helps me come to terms with the reading.  Doug and Rob are
obviously comfortable with their readings, as well.