The Pisk Sisters--JAPs?

[davemarc]

That's an interesting comparison between the Pisk sisters and Rachel and
Esther. But looking at the cited Vineland passages, I agree with
bandwraith that there's nothing in that text suggesting that they're spoiled
rich kids. I think the caricature is more of "displaced Manhattanites"
rather than of Jewish-American Princesses. Like many displaced New Yorkers,
they're simply unwilling to relinquish the Big Apple standards of their
childhood--say, the Herald Square Macy's as the big department store,
readily available Danish, and their experience of neighborly apartment
living--and be enthusiastic about Magnin's, Danish scarcity, and the
isolating aspects of California's car culture. Their audience finds this
combo of
nostalgia and bi-coastal culture shock amusing, not obnoxious, perhaps
understanding
that it is absolutely typical and understandable (and certainly not absurd
parochialism). It's like a Cub fan from Chicago going to Dodger Stadium and
saying "You call that a ballpark?" Or like Paul Hogan's saying "That's not a
knife...Now THAT'S a knife." in Crocodile Dundee. This type of banter is
enjoyed or at least tolerated all the time
among good-natured friends.

I'm curious as to why Pynchon had the Pisk sisters pine for Danish rather
than, say, bagels or pizza.

Cheers,

d.