VLVL2 Preliminary: The Epigraph

[Tim Strzechowski]

Excellent post, Toby.

I never noticed it before, but _Vineland_ is the only Pynchon novel that
makes use of an epigraph.  Of course, GR uses epigraph*s*, but they precede
each of the four sections; there is not that one single epigraph that,
within the configuration of the opening pages, functions as an all-inclusive
epigraph as the Copeland quotation does for _Vineland_. (I suppose one can
argue that the von Braun quotation does, but it's not set apart structurally
as all-inclusive of the novel as the Copeland quotation is.)

Why would Pynchon decide that this particular novel requires one?

Why a blues artist?  As you point out, the quotation's been around a long
time.  Why does P use the version of a bluesman?

>
> Eddie Bo's chorus winds up with "Old Confucius say: every dog got his
> day."

[snip great stuff]

> Revenge is a prominent theme in the works of Thomas Pynchon.  The entire
> plot of "The Crying of Lot 49" can be viewed as revenge by Pierce
> Inverarity against Oedipa Maas because of her rejection of his
> affections.  Certainly there are many examples of revenge attempted and
> accomplished in Vineland.  Even Zoyd Wheeler's dog Desmond gets his
> revenge on the bluejays that steal his breakfast.
>
> But the saying, as used by Johnny Copeland and others (Charlie Gonzales'
> chorus includes the lines "Every Dog has his day, and a good dog sure has
> two") broadens the definition to the idea of rising to the top, or
> achieving a goal.  Indeed, Eddie Bo's idea of having his day is finally
> earning some money.  The wrinkle that Johnny Copeland adds to the saying
> is that there is a POSSIBILITY that a GOOD dog may get a second day in
> the sun.  Many of the characters in Vineland are Sixties refugees
> searching for new opportunities to re-shine in the Eighties.
>


In the grand scheme of the novel, Desmond has a very minor roll (sorry,
couldn't resist the pun). So I can certainly see how the epigraph perhaps
suggests an affirmation, eventual resolution, even come-uppance within a
"revenge" framework.  And, of course, tying together both revenge and the
genesis of the epigraph is our very own Prince of Denmark:

Let Hercules himself do what he may,
The cat will mew, and dog will have his day (Act V, sc. 1, ll. 263-64).

Tim