MDDM Ben Franklin

[jbor]

Yes, it's not *all* bad in the novel. It does appear that Pynchon's BF knows
what time it is without looking at a Time-piece (268) - then again, maybe
that's only another act, and perhaps he's given his "Masonick Astrologer's
Model" to Lewis (of Lewis and Clark fame?) to hawk to Dixon (269).

It's interesting, but it does seem that these two characterisations have
surprised and alarmed some readers, and even some critics. I won't insinuate
that others here are reading the book with their eyes closed or dismissing
out of hand totally legitimate interpretations (let alone actual textual
content!) - I'll leave that type of tactic to the two cheerleaders - but it
certainly seems that Pynchon's brief portraits of BF and GW in _M&D_ stick
hard in some throats.

best


Bandwraith@[omitted] Thu, 18 Jul 2002 06:15:03 EDT

> Franklin, of course, is the counter-example, but he represents a very special
> case. (I use the present tense to emphasize his timelesness, or at least it
> being under his control, on his side, in cahoots with him, etc.) Without his
> guidance and especially  his provocation there would not have been a
> revolution. He bridged the gap between the puritannical and the decadent, a