ATDDTA (8) Towers of Silence (209:26)

[David Morris]

On 5/2/07, Joseph T <brook7 at sover.net> wrote:
> I have a different theory on the Zoroastrian reference. The entire section takes  the form of  a crucifixion scene with several Christian references including mocking reference to resurrection. I think the Zoroastrian reference is trying  to show the strong influence of Zoroastrian ideas on Jews of the Christian era and early Christians.

OK, but why would that be of concern in AtD?  -- and I know you try to
answer that question below --

> Judaism has very little to say about an afterlife. And the idea of a cosmic battle between good and evil , light and dark was a late blooming development, clearly borrowed from Zoroastrians and reaching its apex near the time of Christ with cults of armageddon and resurrection, and  dreams of the rebirth of the Davidic Dynasty.
>
> Christianity borrows a lot of this Zoroastrian imagery and language (especially John's Gospel)in the  image of final cosmic battles and Christ as the "light of the world".

Your answer:
> So to me this is one of many ways the author invests this formative event in the life of the Traverses with the kind of eclectic gathering of forces that the questions of death and meaning seem to generate. Through it we also revisit the complexity of forces which played out in the focal event of  Christianity.

OK, eclectic life & death rituals and philosophies.  But, again, just
a grab bag?  Or Pynchon's wanting to impart a bit of religious
trivia/history?

> It also reminds of the Roman use of crucifixion to subdue local resistance.

Yes, and that seems the real purpose of this episode.

But why throw in the comparative religious stuff (which is interesting
to know, thank you)?  As Robin points out, we are being given a tour
of Hell, and all scary effects are welcome.  But for Pynchon to
specifically say that the towers will be "quickly identified by
sophisticated world travelers," rather than letting the reference
remain obscure, makes me think he was doing more than just layering on
cultural/religious historical differences.

David Morris