Allergic to What?

[RuudSaurins at aol.com]

"Show, Don't Tell"....
      ....is a phrase I seem to recall about the art of writing well.  With 
regard to the opinions about the relative merits of Vineland, I would like to 
offer the following observation.  I like the novel just fine, but I think that 
Brock Vond is not the most strongly or convincingly displayed of Pynchon's 
characters.  He should be.
     The reader is advised (told) that Brock is charismatic, magnetic to 
women, etc.etc.etc.  as we are advised of the subtle variations in the pleating of 
his trowsers, his gait and carriage...more "telling".  I seem to have missed 
the passages where Pynchon "shows" us how others are helplessly charmed, 
seduced, or manipulated by Vond.  As with my first reading, I simply never felt any 
credibility to Frenesi's attraction to Vond.  I was "told" that it exists, 
but it is not (imho) very convincingly "shown".
     This observation leads me to wonder if Pynchon really "understands" the 
character of Brock Vond ( "write what you know" as per Vonnegut), as opposed 
to needing this character to promote the narrative, even if he cannot be 
convincingly portrayed.  I wonder if a middle-aged Pynchon might not have been 
exorcising some old romantic demons of his own with the narrative; maybe an old 
girlfriend/lover that he was passionately attracted to that rejected his 
affections, against all prevailing logic, in favor of those of another individual.  I 
am thinking of the paradigm of the brainy, literate, artsy drama major who 
falls head-over-heels for some violent, abusive, selfish, arrogant, dishonest 
jerk, while her adoring "good friend" looks on in anguish. 
     Postings on the list have previously addressed the contention that many 
of Pynchon's characters are based upon his personal acquaintances.  I could 
think of worse ways to exercise some emotional house-cleaning than to put it in 
writing.   As with any foul-smelling medicine......

                                                                              
                                   ....pinch'n'swallow
                                                                              
                                   truly,
                                                                              
                                   ruud
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