Team America, f*ck yeah!

[jporter]

On Nov 4, 2005, at 1:26 AM, Cometman wrote:

> Theodore Roosevelt, a cheerful survivor of battle and leader of men,
> plops down from the upper level (saved from debalustration by Pirate's
> quick reflexes) in the person of Teddy Bloat to be 2nd witness to the
> sunlit arc.


Teddy Mc Ardle, I think, would be more apt, no? Highlighting
the difference between a conscious versus an unconscious
plunge from the minstrel's gallery, i.e., "The Middle Way" of
Buddha? Capt. Geoffrey is not only a pirate's apprentice but
a type of bodhisattva, a student of Zen-like disciplines, on a
path toward enlightenment- up the spiral ladder.

Before he can attain enlightenment he is challenged by reality-
is it all a dream, or was the darkside from which he has just
awakened the dream- or, is it some synthesis of the two?

Teddy has "chosen" to collapse at just at the spot where he
is in danger of falling- was he exercising free will?

In the fall of Bloat, Pirate is confronted with the classic
buddhist dilemma of motivation (a theme of the whole novel,
in the context of gravity, entropy and free-will)- the dilemma
of rebirth and unconscious suffering. Without thinking,
reflexively, Pirate chooses compassion. This is the perfect
buddhist response. His mind is clear for enlightenment.
Instant Karma- satori- awaits on the roof. He will balance
the weight of The Rocket on his head, return to suffering
masses and serve them breakfast.

Memo to Pirate (incoming mail): you do still really have to die.

I think there are other Salinger references in the novel, if you
want to play spot that quote. The story "For Esme-With Love
and Squalor" bears some striking resemblances with regard
to setting.

All of which is not to say that I don't find the idea of
Bloat/Roosevelt interesting:

	"Cheer up," Teddy crawling back toward the
	busted cot. "There'll be more."

	Good old Bloat, always the positive word.

sounds very TR. It could be, of course, that Pynchon is
channeling Salinger who was channeling TR in "Teddy".

More Double Integration. Double Irony. Double Trouble.

Given the gallows humor of Bloat, whose life was recently
and rather miraculously saved, it's almost anti-irony. Some
of that new iron that can "sing in the wind" as opposed to
the rust of the screaming dream. It beats pissing into the wind,
I guess.

I gotta go to work,

jody