AtDTdA (9): 245

[Jasper]

David Morris wrote:
>
> We've discussed previously Pynchon's repeated focus on personal
> responsibility for following orders versus the natural tendency to not
> want to know their origin or the consequences of obedience (as well as
> the personal consequences for disobedience).  And the Chums seem a
> perfect example of this moral quandary.
>
> What is it the Chums fear: growing old.
>
> Somehow they've been led to believe their status as flying Chums will
> allow them to remain youths, and that's what keeps them obedient.  And
> the parallel to this illusion of eternal youth is that, yes, they
> won't remain young if they start acting like adults and take
> responsibility for their own actions.  Such personal responsibility
> has its costs, but so does shirking the imperative to grow up, because
> death will still find them, and when it does they'll find their youth
> was illusory.
>
> David Morris
>

Do you believe we should draw connections to religions that promise 
eternal life for earthly obedience?