VL Ch. 14 Summary of pages 294-306 + comments questions

[Michael Bailey]

Joseph Tracy wrote:

>                   Comments/Questions
>
> The relationship of the 2 Z’s  is cordial, sympathetic, almost friendly with
> common cultural references like 2001, the Lone Ranger. There is a weird
> dynamic between this human side and the roles designated by the power games.
> There are lots of pairings in Pynchon. Why ?

we all love to see young people get together...

"two is twice as nice as one" - The Parent Trap (1961)

> What is this one about? Is
> there wisdom in Hector’s comments about remarrying? What about the fading
> highlights in Hector’s eyes?

pass....I have some thoughts but they are not up to even my standards...

>
> In CH 13 we saw Frenesi go through intense post partum depression but after
> hanging with Family seemed to be bonding with Prairie. So Vond’s smirking”
> so you’ve reproduced.”  is an assault on biology, family which despite its
> chilling coldness has an appeal for Frenesi . Part of the appeal of the
> argument is broader. It is a questionable vision of feminism as a liberation
> to behave as men: career first, pleasure first, self first.

hey, not all of us are like that...are we?

> It presents
> equality as equal sharing in the power structures, adopting the dominant
> paradigm ( to change it from within) with all the powers and privileges that
> accrue.  Sees this theory has played out big in the US so we have lots of
> women power players which is only fair,  but not much in the way of change
> from within; same pressures are turning Obama into a weenie .)

let's give him a chance.  Like Thomas Hardy in that poem about not
expecting much: first, if he represented all the changes I want, he
wouldn't have gotten this far.  Like Mick Jagger famously sang at
Alex's funeral, you can't always get what you want...
but if you try sometime...ah you know the rest...

>  Other
> readings of “ another planet where not everyone’s fate is to to produce and
> bring up children”?
>

simple meanness, it's something he can take away so he does

> Sasha’s comment “ About  the only thing‘ll get a fascist through‘s his
> charm.” seems a loaded observation worthy of comment.
>

charm of course numbering among its definitions both a subatomic and a
magical one...

> Thassit fernow  thought we'd start with a chunk of text and see if there is
> anything p-listers wanna zoom in on.

thanks and welcome to the host seat!
we're expecting great things

-- 
 - "Be groovy or B movie" - the old 24fps signoff