VLVL2 and NPPF: The Nature of Reality (part 2)

[Tim Strzechowski]

Yes, and if anything the nature of reality is more so a theme that is explored through the Pynchon text via its use of traditional narrative elements of character, plot, symbol, and so forth, whereas in Nabokov the nature of reality becomes a function of the text itself.  I find it interesting that both authors can explore this same theme, in such unique ways, but using different narrative methodology.

  In Pale Fire we are completely at sea. Each word in the book might have been written, edited, planted, manipulated, colored or at least shaded by any one of (at least) three candidate narrators. Trust no one.

  The correspondence between authority and author is right around a hundred percent in Vineland, imo. The narrator is omniscient but just a little choosy about what he wants to reveal, and when to reveal it. Sometimes, as in "He sure would,"  it suits his purposes to let us know what's *going* to happen. Whatever he says, he's not shitting you.

  Don Corathers

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