MDMD: Dixon's nonviolence

[Michael Perez]

Doug wrote:
"Try as you may to change it, Pynchon clearly writes that 'Dixon places
his fist in the way of the oncoming Face'), he  holds his fist
stationary, does not throw a punch."

A closed fist is a sign of violence.  Just to say someone sucked a
bullet into his chest does not absolve the one who held the gun, even
if the discharge of that gun was accidental.  I still don't quite
understand why it is so important to you to deny Dixon's possible
failings as a representative Quaker.  Throughout the book there have
been several mentions of his falling out of favor with other Quakers. 
To be moved to raise a closed fist is an understandable reaction in the
situation in question and to not actually throw a punch does show
restraint and, yes, there is a difference, but there is also a
difference between raising a closed fist and passive resistance.

Michael

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