MDDM Ch. 77 Dogs and dogsbodies

[Bandwraith at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/19/02 5:20:30 PM, jbor at bigpond.com writes:


>>Which was my point. Boswell, like Wicks, is a very *particular* observer and

not just "any Third Observer". In fact, Boswell, vis à vis Johnson, isn't a

"*Third* Observer" at all.<<

I take Boswell/Wicks to be representative of the "third person"
narrative voice which Pynchon seems to be having so much
fun pretending does and does not exist. In this chapter- 76,
he seems to acknowledging that a bit, i.e., by way of contrasting 
the general with this particularly notorious case.

"Boswell is either rolling his eyes, or has eyes for the last roll."


>>It's a neat turn of phrase, as is the description of Mason's wry smile just

after (746.19-20). These two details (along with other non-verbal cues in

the scene) show that there's an extra level of communication going on

between Mason and Boswell behind Johnson's back, or perhaps beneath his

notice. <<

I'm struck by the level of cooperation between Boswell
and Johnson. It could all be explained by dovetailing
ambitions, why else would Boswell allow himself to be
the butt of such joaks, but I think there is a deliberate
reprisal, or inversion, of the Washington/Gershom act,
although only partly. I'm not sure, either, if at the time
in question, the historical Boswell was as notorious for
being a "Boswell" as the narrative has him. More
of those historical re-constructions, I guess.


>>Boswell's actually eating a chop, nasty "Cannibal" that he is. And

Johnson stereotypes the Scots thoroughly (745.18-20). In the context of what

else he's saying about them, his description of the Scots as "strong,

shrewd" is not meant as a compliment. He regards them as a meaner race than

the British, as "Savages" just like the Native Americans. Like Franklin

earlier, it's a pretty scathing portrait of the Doctor.<<

If you insist, but I'm not so much reminded of Franklin,
as amazed by the obsequiousness of Boswell, who admits
that he is the target of these comments, and continues
to prop up his companion. 


Either way he's compromised. [745.17, 747.18, 745.21]


>>I like the way that Mason tries to engage Boswell in conversation, but

Johnson keeps interrupting with his pompous harangues. The Doctor certainly

has an overblown sense of his self-importance.<<

That's mild compared with the way he acted toward many of
his comtemporaries. Pynchon is more of the "wet noodle"
type than the scathing.

>>I also like the way that Boswell positions himself in the discourse as a 
secretary rather than as an equal interlocutor (744.17, 746.8). He's learnt 
his place.<<


If Boswell wants to continue to share his company, that is.

I think Rev'd has chosen to relate (create?) this scene in order
mainly to demonstrate the mental state of Mason at this
point. M. can see something of his own earlier foolishness in
Dr. J, and yet, as the final page seems to indicate, he is
powerless to change his fate at this point- more impetus
to push him a little further toward "the walled city of Melancholy."

regards





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