VLVL Prairie and DL

[jbor]

on 28/10/03 5:47 AM, Terrance wrote:

> Who narrates the story of DL's life?

In this chapter, the narrative conceit is that the story is information
stored on the computer (115.23 to 128.27).

In the present time of the narrative after the story of DL's life is told we
jump ahead a few weeks to when DL and Prairie are "on a break", chatting.
Prairie seems to have asked about how DL became involved with the Kunoichi
sisterhood, in response to which DL starts off by being her usual evasive
self: "You know, the way you do." (128.27-8) Then Prairie notices that DL
"seemed a little on edge" and wonders if it's because Takeshi was due in but
"hadn't shown" yet. So she asks if DL's worried, but DL fobs her off again.
But Prairie persists, asking how DL and Takeshi met. DL's cartoon scream and
Prairie's ironic rejoinder again emphasise how reticent DL has been in
providing information to the girl (128-9). And, again, Prairie seems by far
the more well-adjusted of the two.

> Why do the Sisters maintain a good-size file on Prairie's Mother
> anyway?

113-4. Not sure. Pynchon's reference to Frenesi's "legal history with the
DMV, letterhead memoranda" recalls a couple of the items which eager critics
have acquired to try and find out more about Pynchon's own personal life.

best