re Re: SLSL "TSR" - Buttercup
William Zantzinger
williamzantzinger at yahoo.com
Sat Nov 30 21:48:23 CST 2002
--- pynchonoid <pynchonoid at yahoo.com> wrote:
> I'm not quite sure what James Kyllo's beef is, what
> prompts the venom with which he greets citation of
> Hollander's article -- as host of this SLSL session
> it
> is my duty, among others, to bring to the group's
> attention materials that may illuminate a reading of
> "The Small Rain" and spark discussion. Is it just
> Hollander's articles you don't want to have
> discussed,
> or are you opposed in general to the idea of citing
> or
> referring to articles by Pynchon scholars about
> Pynchon's works?
Can't speak for James but... I think Hollander's take
on the SL tales is well known round here
and...well...and I know it's not polite to expect too
much of a host but I guess a glass of stale beer is
not what I was thirsting for. If this is all there is
to drink I guess we should feel free to pour it down
the drain and be done with it but I'm sure you plan to
get Jesus to make some fine wine soon. And the last
shall be best?
A good rule when writing about literature is: what you
have to say is more interesting than what others have
said.
As far as I'm concerned very little has been said
about this particualr tale.
I was hoping for a good old fashioned summary of the
tale. Maybe some comments on the protagonist and
supporting cast of characters. Outline of some of the
major and minor themes. The education/class stuff
Pynchon mentions in his Introduction. Possible
Influences, perhaps Joyce, i.e., "wandering jew" or
Hemingway, i.e., sex and death, Eliot, i.e.,
fertility/wasteland. How about the structure of the
tale? It would be cool if we could get a look at a map
of the story or even its historical setting and a
chronology of the events in the tale. How about style?
There are lots of allusions in the tale. What are they
doing? The Dialogue?
working up a thirst on the dance floor while we wait
for Jesus to work his magic on the water.
Bill
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