Bergh: TP's postmodern woman

[jbor at bigpond.com]

Meanwhile, and though the essay (pdf) focuses on Pynchon's lesser 
novels - _Lot 49_ and _Vineland_ respectively - Patricia Bergh's study 
of Oedipa, Frenesi and Prairie as "differing representations of the 
female detective", is an interesting and persuasive one. (For example, 
Bergh astutely identifies Oedipa's character as "'protofeminist'", 
notes how Prairie "has grown up in a world filled with simulacra", and 
details how Frenesi in her career as a photographer "was able to slant 
her storylines in any way she chose in order to benefit whomever was 
funding her". She even makes a cogent point about the 
cultural-iconographic significance of _Gilligan's Island_, in relation 
to P's novel. As well, Bergh refers to a couple of the prominent female 
readings of Pynchon's work.) And even a minor Pynchon novel is still 
worth the effort.

'(De)constructing the image: Thomas Pynchon's postmodern woman' by 
Patricia A. Bergh. _Journal of Popular Culture_ Spring 1997, pp. 1-12.

best