GR 'Streets'

[s~Z]

>>>It's more than just "the issue of Christian faith", however. There is an
attitude towards Christian faith, as destructive, as arrogant, as
coercive.<<<

Agreed.

>>>If "the pale Virgin" is Virgo then it's not really a Christian reference
at
all. It's an astrological reference. The mention of a "Western deity"
confused me into believing that it was a reference to the Virgin Mary. That
clears that up. Thanks.<<<

I'm not sure it's that cut and dry, but you're welcome. It is clearly an
astrological reference.

>>>While some might try to tie the imagery of astrology into Christianity, I
think you'll find that both the beliefs and the imagery predate, and extend
well beyond Christianity. Astrology and Christianity are not the same.<<<

Obviously. But astrological symbolism is one of many sources for the quite
derivative symbolism of Christianity.

>>>And what's so different about your attribution of the word "sovereign" to
Calvin
and my attribution of the word "nothingness" to Sartre?<<<

No difference. I think your reading of 'nothingness' as coming from
existentialism is fair game. I just don't agree that it is the only
possibility.

>>>I think the literal ending of the section (the bombing of Hiroshima)
isn't
something to be sidestepped so easily. <<<

I can't believe you think anything I have said indicates I want to sidestep
the presentation of the bombing of Hiroshima!

>>>The fact that the destruction and carnage in Hiroshima is associated with
Christian imagery adds to and
confirms the negative attitude towards Christianity which is evident
throughout the section (and the novel).<<<

That is obvious. But what does the choice of imagery say about the
relationship between Christianity and Hiroshima? Between phallus and Cross?
What is meant by 'Tree?'

>>>There's a distinct break between this paragraph and the preceding one,
which is where
the newspaper photo is described as reminding Slothrop of the Cross, a
"genital onset", and "a Tree".<<<

How do you know the image reminds Slothrop of these things? Perhaps that is
the narrative voice's POV. And what is the place of the astrology reading?
Why is it there?