"Low-lands," part 3a: Discussions & Questions, pg 55-66

[RuudSaurins at aol.com]

Sick-ology/Sick-o-therapy....
    I have never heard any rumors concerning any Pynchonian maladies or of his having been subjected to psychotherapy for any reason.  It has been my impression that his polymathic persona has included some advanced study of both clinical and experimental psychology (Psych 101, or some such rubbish).  My impression comes largely from the subtle, but effective and hilarious lampooning of both that he displays in GR.
    Laszlo Jamf's baby Tyrone experiments seem to me to specifically parody Watson's famous Little Albert (watch that feathered boa, there!) experiments.  Pointsman's lab and attitudes (about funding, the propriety of research animals provided, etc.) all "point" to sufficient familiarity with Pavlov and Skinner and the paradigms of "behaviorism" to further support my impression.
    If satire and parody represent forms of flattery, I would further venture a guess that Pynchon enjoys and values the study of psychology, but is possessed of a sufficiently critical intellect to see thru much of the posturing and pseudo-science that populate this fascinating field of inquiry.  Let me now charge you by the half-hour for giving latin and or greek labels for the delusions and intrusive thoughts that you are experiencing.
                                                  truly,
                                                  ruud