C of L49 & The Waste Land. "But he ain't him"

[Mark Kohut]

In many ways it seems, C of L49 takes off from some of the same ideas infusing The Waste Land. 
Anthropological, comparative religion, quest theme, Grail or no Grail notions to describe the Other America
Oedipa becomes aware of as she is caught in the American tower which is everywhere. 

But with the Tristero, it seems TRP wants to show that America in Oedipa's time---and History from way back--
has always had another tapestry--a Counter-Force, muted [a--and so almost-helplessly small in GR!]; some lilacs
always growing out of its dead land......??