VLVL2 (1): Commentary and Questions (pp. 3 - 6) -- part 2

[Tim Strzechowski]

. . . continuing:

 
While many readers were initially put-off by the seemingly inane use of pop culture references in a novel by an author who demonstrated he could juggle references to mythology, architecture, physics, behavioral psychology, music, politics, social theory, etc. in his previous work, the pop culture allusions in Vineland serve a a variety of purposes to this particular novel and its themes.
 
What other purpose is served by the use of pop culture references?
 
What constitutes "cultural elitism"?  Is pop culture to be distinguished from "cultural elitism" if many in the "elite" don't catch the references to TV sitcoms, etc.?
 
Is Pynchon's style affected by his use of American pop culture references?  In other words, how does his style in this book differ from his earlier works which are less rooted in pop culture (or is it?  or are they?)?

What is the overall effect of pop culture saturation in this text?

To what degree does "Pale Fire" (i.e. the Shade poem) comment on "cultural elitism"?  How does it compare to the commentary Pynchon makes in Vineland?

Does Nabokov use the character of Charles Kinbote as a means of exploring and commenting on "elitism" in academia?


 

 
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