IV Chapter 17 Thoughts

[Carvill, John]

<< Remember as well that Doc being constantly stoned-a wake 'n bake type- 
ties in with his soul brother Philip Marlowe. As Raymond Chandler  
faces up to such considerations as alcoholic black-outs and simple  
mortality in "The Long Goodbye," so does Pynchon face up to some of  
the consequences of Ganja's candy-coated fog and simple mortality in  
"Inherent Vice." >>

I know I'm in a minority in questioning the extent to which Doc actually is debilitated by dope usage throughout the book. But even if you assume Doc's constantly stoned, there is little similarity between him and Marlowe, in that respect. Sure, Marlowe usually carries a bottle of pretty good rye around with him, and often uses it to lubricate potential informants, but he doesn't stumble about drunk much of the time. Roger Wade, in The Long Goodbye, is an alcoholic. Wade is, to some extent, a representation of, and/or rumination on, some of Chandler's own traits. Marlowe is not an alcoholic, not really even a heavy drinker. Marlowe likes a drink, but is able to handle it.