The phrase

[robinlandseadel at comcast.net]

Yeah, screw monotheism!

Seriously, Pynchon involves one whole hell of a lot of deities
in Against the Day. Pynchon probably wouldn't be worth reading if it 
wasn't for the poetry .I guess it's wise to remember that OBA 
references Rilke when praising"Been Down So Long, Looks Like 
Up to Me." Poetry is one of his touchstones.
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Mark Kohut <markekohut at yahoo.com>
> Hey, maybe with TRP, often a lyrical poet, both meanings are sorta intended at 
> once?....all meaings sorta?
> 
> As in T.(ough) S. (hit) Eliot--a Pynchon great fave--- and his beloved 
> 'metaphysical poets", that ole lover of a woman and God and multiple meanings,  
> John Donne say?
> 
> Some on this list have taught me not to reduce to 'the one' meaning.......
> 
> Mark, 
> Conflict Resolution Counselor
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: "kelber at mindspring.com" <kelber at mindspring.com>
> To: pynchon-l at waste.org
> Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 11:13:33 AM
> Subject: Re: The phrase
> 
> To quibble further about p. 683:
> 
> TRP uses the construction: "contrary to Reason, against the Day" then, later in 
> the same sentence: "to turn, to go back"
> 
> In both cases, the phrase after the comma is a restating (or enhancement) of the 
> first.  Reason: Day, as turn: go back.  Day is akin to enlightenment, directed 
> reasoning.
> 
> Laura
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com>
> 
> >
> >Not surprisingly, Pynchon uses this phrase in different ways,
> >especially in AtD.  The usage in MD pg 123 seems to mean "in
> >opposition to" the coming light of day.  "Opposition" to the light is
> >akin to "holding up for examination or comparison" but with critical
> >differences.  I think he uses the phrase both ways in different
> >places.
> >
> >But the meaning in MD pg 683 is more a time usage.  I don't think
> >Laura's "enlightenment" works.  The sentence is a bit complex, but it
> >refers to their holding on to a hope of possible return in the future,
> >not what seems their inevitable "[not] make all come right."  And this
> >hope will be maintained "till the Moment they must pass over the Crest
> >of the Savage Mountain," a point of no return.
> >
> >David Morris
> >
> >On Jan 23, 2008 4:34 PM,  <kelber at mindspring.com> wrote:
> >> p. 683 (in part):
> >>
> >> " ... yet, whilst they bide in this Realm of the Penny-foolish and 
> Pound-idiotick, till the Moment they must pass over the Crest of the Savage 
> Mountain, does their remain to them, contrary to Reason, against the Day, a 
> measurable chance, to turn, to go back out of no more than Stubbornness, and 
> somehow make all come right ..."
> >>
> >> "Day" seems to refer to "enlightenment" in this context.
> >>
> >> Later on this same page, the phrase "against the low-lit Day" is used, and 
> TRP also uses the phrase "against the sky" a number of times.   The way he uses 
> these phrases suggests (to me, anyway) that "against the day" means something 
> akin to "holding up for examination or comparison" to the "light" or 
> "enlightenment."  More in keeping with Robin's "light" interpretation than the 
> OED "storage" usages.
> >>
> >> Laura
> 
> 
>       
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