1984 Foreword: allusion

[Paul Mackin]

On Fri, 2003-05-23 at 10:39, Terrance wrote:
> s~Z wrote:
> > 
> > >>>...only if you manage to ignore the meaning of
> > "homeland" "circa 2003". <<<
> > 
> > Homeland is not located in 2003 in the essay.
> 
> 
> It sure is. 
> 
> If not, when is that that "those of us of fascist disposition" are
> living?

I think Terrance is being ironic. If not I apologize to this good
fellow, whose breadth of knowledge I respect and admire.

Surely the fascistic dispositions (in Orwell's eyes) were those
exhibited during the curtailments on freedom of speech and movement
during WW II. 

Pynchon doesn't say he agrees with Orwell's very strong condemnation (as
implied in the word fascistic which P uses) of people who might not have
been mindful enough of the dangers involved in too readily submitting to
wartime necessity. This early in the essay Pynchon was largely keeping
his own views to himself.  This seems to me like the seemly thing to
have done. The essay is after about Orwell and his book, not Pynchon and
his personal views.

P.