Honest To Toby

[Otto]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Keith McMullen" <keithsz at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Pynchon Shitlist" <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Saturday, May 29, 2004 4:13 PM
Subject: Honest To Toby


> Tim S. wrote:
>
>  >>>his authorial tone in numerous
> passages definitely sympathizes with
> the dopers and common folk<<<
>
>  >>> _Vineland_ is most definitely a "left-wing novel."<<<
>
> In all honesty, Toby, I find it odd that one's reading of an author as
> complex and loony as Pynchon can be made with so much most
> definiteliness.
>

The problem is what is "left" and what is "right"? You may call the
former-GDR a "socialist" country, for me it's been only totalitarian and not
"left" at all. It wasn't "democratic" as it claimed in its name. That's pure
doublespeak. The GDR is the model where the idea of the "snitch system" in
"Vineland" comes from.

He's surely no apologist for the Vietnam War, which is still largely
regarded as a "just" war by the US-public. In questioning national history
"Vineland" is (as "Mason & Dixon") very critical of national myths.

Complex, yes, but the structures can be analysed, the references can be
explained.

I disagree that his writing is loony.

Otto