re VLVL2 conservative values & wacky comedy

[Terrance]

The P-List discussion of VL and other works of literature provide an
environment that offers cognitive models of thought processes that occur
while reading.  Conflict emerge during literary discussions as
participants encounter alternative interpretations, or encounter
discourse that forces them to reconsider their own interpretations of
texts. Such conflicts involve cognitive processes that are brought about
in a social environment (i.e., The P-List). The value of such
social-cognitive conflicts during discussion of literature is that they
provide participants with an opportunity to engage in thought processes
(monitoring and updating one's interpretation) similar to those that
they use when reading independently.  That is, as readers talk about
texts and attempt to construct meaning, they monitor and update their
interpretations in order to communicate their thoughts to others.  This
process is similar to the type of monitoring and updating that occurs
when reading independently.  Social-cognitive conflicts are more likely
to be confronted in a social environment, such as a literary discussion
group (i.e., The P-List), because participants are confronted with a
conflict that is not only cognitive in nature, but is also social.  I
think one reason to participate here is to make use of the social
conflicts. A reader is less likely to ignore or deny a conflict in his
or her independent reading of a text once he or she shares it with a
group. I believe that the struggle, the collaborative struggle to
understand a complex text (VL, Pale Fire, GR) improves my independent
reading of complex texts.  I also believe that whenever a Host or other
any other discussion participant assumes a restricting role, as a leader
and inquisitor, the quantity and the quality of discussion abates. 

I'm not sure why you are trying to limit the discussion of character. We
have not ignored the settings, the plots, and the other elements that
make up fiction. In fact, we have discussed these at some length. That
we often start with characters is no mystery, Characterization is the
very heart of literature. Pynchon's texts invite the reader to connect
the characters to worlds outside the text and to other texts. But we
have certainly have Not effectively ignored the text as text or ignored
the fictional non-realistic characterizations.  


Keith McMullen wrote:
> 
>  >>>Did I miss something? I thought you were simply trying to amuse the
> natives. Like Otto I chuckled, but ...<<<
> 
> Ah, the "natives."
> 
> Actually I was trying to get a rise out of the bourgeois; however ...
> 
> The Monroe Doctrine is catchy.