C of L 49:

[Paul Mackin]

On Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 11:43 AM, <kelber at mindspring.com> wrote:
> I agree with Robin that Pynchon considers some characters "good" (or "better" -- no absolutes allowed)and other characters evil (or "worse").  What'sinteresting about COL49 is that while Oedipa is a "good guy," there's no Pointsman, Weissman, Vibe-type bad guy.  Most of the other characters (including Inverarity), whatever their flaws, are not part of any conspiracy.  I believe that the Tristero are also meant to be good guys, in that they're counter to the powers-that-be (as represented by the US Postal Service).  Whether they're anarchists themselves, they've helped foster the anarchistic W.A.S.T.E. system.  Pynchon has some qualms about anarchists and Tristero but, on the whole, considers them good guys.  The bad guys in COL49 are the "nameless forces of THEM," as Robin puts it.
>
> Laura

But really how bad are the bad guys (as I said to Robin)? True,
monkeying with peoples brains and wanting all the money in the world
are bad, but the situations are always comical.  Pynchon feels no need
to make us feel evil.  The evil is already built into history and
everyone knows about it.

"They" of course are perceived as pure evil. But are also described as
part of a delusional system. Without regard for reality or unreality
but, interestingly, officially defined.

(this doesn't mean they aren't out to get us but that's another story)

Roger didn't get it and I'm not sure I do either. Prentice did say in
addition to the they-system a well developed we-system was necessary
(for resistance purposes I presume). Delusions about ourselves are
just as important as delusions about them, even if they really are out
to get you.  Not sure I see the symmetry here but what the heck.

Perhaps I'm overstating my case, but I don't think by very much.

P