Atdtda [4]: I wish I knew, 111-112

[Paul Nightingale]

Another brief section that ends by asking, "was linear progression not at
all the point, with everything instead happening simultaneously at every
part of the circuit?" (112). This might well refer to progression in the
novel, and the perceived importance of imposing some kind of chronology, not
least when dealing with something called 'history'. AtD has more than a
passing interest in the writing of time and space, after all. If "everything
[does] instead [happen] simultaneously", then time takes precedence over
space.

The chapter begins with "just a week before" and "over the next few days"
(both 107); and then "only hours after", followed by "[m]ealtimes lately"
(both 109). This does not indicate that "linear progression" is of primary
importance. The current section begins by reminding the reader, and possibly
the Chums also, that "[i]n the USA, it was almost the Fourth of July" (111).
On a global stage, time is relative, of course, and the imposition of
(synchronised) Fourth of July celebrations on an island in the Indian Ocean
might be considered arbitrary, a case of cultural imperialism as time takes
precedence over space. It might also be a way of saying the Chums are always
'in' the USA; and of course always on a leash of sorts.

The section opens with more dispute among Chums, this time concerning the
upcoming celebration. Lindsay promotes "patriotic symbolism" (111) as,
earlier Randolph had opted for "a safe and patriotic choice" (110); the
authority figures take recourse in the idea of the "homeland" (111), which
recalls Pynchon's comments in the 1984 Foreword. Chick--now "Scientific
Officer Counterfly"--suggests that "folks will begin to confuse us with the
Anarcho-syndicalists", the first time the novel has offered this
construction. Earlier, Chick was relieved to know "we won't have to get on
to the Anarchist question" when Lew said he "read the sports pages mostly"
(37). That is to say, the topic can be avoided when passing the time with
idle chat. Here, one wonders who he thinks the "folks" in question might be,
as though he has 'forgotten' where he is. Randolph, more and more remote,
speaks "to no one in particular" (112); and no one seems to be listening.

We're reminded that "[t]he hour of the great experiment ... approached"
(112), another modest indicator of passing time. Conflict among the Chums
has been apparent since the moment they were left on the beach, "gather[ed]
closely", from which one can infer vulnerability and a heightened sense of
their mutual dependence. This was the point where their forward momentum, or
"linear progression" was halted.