VLVL concluding Chapter 7

[jbor]

on 20/10/03 1:29 PM, Michael Joseph at mjoseph at rci.rutgers.edu wrote:

>>>> It's pretty straightforward that Prairie is asking for information and help
>>>> in finding (physically and metaphorically) Frenesi. And it's immediately
>>>> followed by DL realising she's "in a pickle", acknowledging Takeshi's
>>>> fallibility,
>>> 
>>> The text suggests that DL feels that she is in a pickle, not because of
>>> Takeshi's "fallibility" (your intervention), but because of his
>>> prowess--"she was still finding out what he could do" (100). Pynchon is so
>>> obviously implying Takeshi might be capable of doing anything. Why else
>>> rig up his business card as an "amulet"--and why else repeat the term
>>> "amulet"? Surely there are better ways to imply "fallibility"?
>> 
>> Years with Takeshi, and she was still finding out what he
>> could do. And couldn't.
> 
> Nice try, but clearly a reference to their sexual abstinence, and his
> ability to exert self control.

Sure it is, Mike.

best