CoL49 (1): Oedipa's a Head Case

[Joseph Tracy]

>
> Robin:
>
>> I wish/hope that you good folks reading this can point to the
>> psychological implications of Oedipa's name and the role psychology
>> plays in CoL49. .

1)One obvious connection is the issue of inheritance, and the means  
by which an inheritance is communicated, bequeathed,  seized,  
claimed.  The inheritance in L 49 is based on land speculation, the  
quintessential colonial enterprise and a foundation of the good ole  
USA. It seems to me that TRP is connecting Inverarity's will it  to  
another more famous testament which continues in much dispute. He  
does this via the relative innocence of Oedipa and her place of  
origin ,Kinneret another name for the Sea of Galilee. Who owns the  
nation, who owns LA, who owns the earth , who owns the truth, who  
decides and on what basis?  This everyman/woman  figure poses the  
question of   heritage, national cultural etc.  as as the  
quintessential dispute to be faced by every generation.

2)Another obvious connection  is the sphinx-like riddles faced by the  
heroine to negotiate the proper execution of the testament in  
question. These questions in the original greek myth concern the  
nature of man, but while that is always being explored, the question  
here will focus on the nature of information, of mediums of exchange,  
are riddles guides to truth or artifices of language.

3) a third connection has to do with the nature of marriage.  The  
tendency to marry via parental forces.  The sorrow engendered by the  
various schemes to escape pain.

4) the 4th connection has to do with the question of  getting what  
you seek. What happens if everyperson can't  answer the sphinx's  
riddle; how is it worse than having an answer.
In the end is Oedipa in the maw of the sphinx or  exorcised but  
blinded?   If we see our condition clearly will we be wise kings or  
become blinded and self destructive.