VLVL2 (1): Man and Dog

[Terrance]

> jbor sed:
> 
> >> I guess the question is, who is the "dog"? (My money's on Zoyd.)
> 
> 
> Vineland opens with two characters who parallel each other in subtle
> ways -- Zoyd and Desmond.  Our first encounter with Desmond is with
> him "hanging around," and we learn that he is being victimized by the
> flock of blue jays who descend to steal his food.  Although Zoyd helps
> us realize that Desmond nonetheless is still fed by Prairie -- noting
> the chocolate crumbs on his face -- Desmond's easy-going response
> ("tail going back and forth to show no hard feelings") and lumbering
> gait as he returns to the house are comically suggestive of Zoyd's
> slapstick experiences to follow in the rest of the chapter as he, too,
> is robbed of his chance at "proper" media coverage of his antic
> disposition.


Z ain't exactly Benny Profane on the Volunteer Sewer Crew.  Zoyd is
WORKING for the Man. And he's gettin a check. What a Dog. A Rat in Dog's
clothing iz more like it. Female even. What a Bitch.