SLSL 'Low-lands': racist, sexist and fascist talk

[jbor]

on 8/1/03 2:21 AM, The Great Quail at quail at libyrinth.com wrote:

> 9. Again, referring to Pynchon¹s own claims that "Low-lands" is infected by
> sexism, racism, and fascism:
> 
> A) Does anyone see any overt racist elements in his characterization of
> Bolingbroke? The gypsies? Is this what he even meant?
> 
> B) What about fascism? Does anyone but Pynchon see any elements of this in
> "Low-lands?"

In the 'Intro' Pynchon writes that "[m]odern readers will be, at least, put
off by an unacceptable level of racist, sexist and fascist talk throughout
the story. I wish I could say that this is only Pig Bodine's voice, but, sad
to say, it was also my own at the time." He concludes the paragraph thus:
"the narrative voice in this story here remains that of a smart-assed jerk
who didn't know any better, and I apologise for it." (p. 11)

There is, particularly in the first half of the story, a flip, sophomoric
tone to the narrative voice, I agree.

I think the characterisations of both Cindy and Nerissa - the attitude of
the male characters in the story *and* the narrator to women - are what he
is thinking of as "sexist". (Eg. the narrator describing Cindy as a
"terrier", Pig saying to Flange "Bring her in and let me have seconds." etc)

As for "racist talk", well, Cindy referring to people like Rocco and Pig as
"animals" and "apes", the comically condescending ethnic stereotypes (Rocco
the Italian garbage man, Geronimo the crazed Hispanic psychiatrist,
Bolingbroke the Negro bigamist/alcoholic/dump watchman), the way
nationalities get attached to characters like labels, and the dump-living
gypsies who "only come out at night". (NB Flange's comment that "it was
right that there should be gypsies living in the dump".)

I think the "fascist talk" might relate to Flange's admiring vision of
Bolingbroke as the dump-kingdom's "uncontested ruler", Bolingbroke's "booby
traps" and "hunk of pipe" at the ready to injure or maim those shady gypsies
who are like a subject population or bunch of rebels within the territory,
and perhaps the story about invading Cuba and claiming it for Italy?

best