SLSL, 'UtR' Who won?

[Mutualcode at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/23/2003 11:16:18 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
paul.mackin at verizon.net writes:


> Porpentine falls in both versions. Whether anyone checks to see whether
> or not he's dead isn't said. Porpentine sees Victoria as the courtesan
> men ruin their lives for. Ultimately she represent Empire. His Manon.
> 
> 

Yes, but does that indicate a victory for Porpentine's opponent, or,
is this fall something which Porpentine is secretly longing for, and
provides a resolution of the demon's which seem to haunt him? At
least in UtR, he didn't have to pursue M.

Victoria certainly seems a good embodiment of the desire for empire,
although, I'm not sure that's what's meant by "His Manon?" The
question mark has me wondering if that doesn't refer to Porpentine's
past relationship with Moldweorp, in comparison with Goodfellow and
Victoria.

There is also a false religiosity about Victoria- perhaps meant to imply 
the religion of empire, as in God and country- the linking of religion
and patriotism.

Goodfellow seems to have come out ahead- alive and with the girl-
but was that meant to be accidental? Could Victoria just as well have
gotten into the first coach and sat next to HBS, or did she choose
the second coach, sticking with Goodfellow? 

There is a certain amount of looseness in comparison with V.
where a single shot has been replaced by three flashes,
although one of them may have come from the sun. Is that just
better writing, or something more significant?

respectfully
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://waste.org/pipermail/pynchon-l/attachments/20030223/714e8192/attachment.html>