TSI: 3 imaginary boys

[Michael Perez]

Cyrus wrote:
"Upon reading TSI for the first time, I was surprised to find in the
end that Carl was imaginary. Upon re-reading it immediately, it seemed
to me that, until quite late in the story (in McAffee's room) it is not
at all clear whether any among Tim, Grover, Etienne and Carl are real
persons. I constantly got the impression that Grover, Etienne and Carl
existed only in the imagination of Tim, with no hard evidence pointing
to the contrary. That is, of course, until Tim picks up the phone in
Mr. McAffee's room and hears Grover on the other end (pp.173-4). Now,
is it just me, or is Pynchon creating such an ambiguity on purpose?"

I was surprised about Carl the first time I read the story, too, but I
never thought about the possibility of Tim imagining the others.  When
I reread (over and over) the story, you begin to pick up little clues
about Carl, but I hadn't really got a feeling about the others. 
Interesting idea, though.  Maybe Tim falls asleep in the washing
machine and dreams up all the exploits and personalities.  Next stop
Willoughby . . .

Michael

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