AtD/VL: The Traverse Clan

[Robin Landseadel]

On Dec 8, 2010, at 7:53 AM, rich wrote:

> Guten Tag, Kai
>
> - Anarcho-syndicalism:
> Pynchon transformed an inherent attraction to anarchism (political and
> otherwise), a romantic attachment even, and colored his work with to
> him I would argue as a recognition of its pre-ordained failure which
> tinges the work with emotional weight. Whether it be a lament for
> 'America' (a place), alternate worlds (as in AtD), sloth (Profane,
> Slothrop), unions, California, etc. At the least thats what attracts
> me to the work. I think most of us believe that, no? trying to fight
> the good fight despite some premonition of political doom. maybe
> others are more optimistic.

One of the reasons I consider Inherent Vice much better than any  
surface reading would convey. Picking the historical moment that he  
personally witnessed the so called "Youth Revolution" go down in  
flames, overtaken by its own inherent vices. He gives particulars,  
names names.

> - Disloyal women:
> Thought about this one. I know some scholars (women in fact) who scorn
> the easy explanation of Frenesi's pussy doing the talking in her life.
> But Pynchon may just turning tables, women free to act and rebel even
> if we don't really go along with their actions.
> But family is paramount--AtD being the ultimate statement on that. The
> Zombinis who are portrayed with such love by Pynchon and even the Reef
> Yashmeen Cyprian circle--all outsiders, lone wolfs, no attachment
> types who yes bond initially on a sexual level but become another form
> of family for sure beyond lust which redeems them. funny how of the
> three brothers Reef is the one to settle down.
>
> "man turns his back on his family--he just ain't no good"--Springsteen
>
> rich

Or maybe, just maybe it's a kink. The theme of women's disloyalty is a  
constant throughout his books, like fucking. I'm sure, if I dig deep  
enough, I could find a feminist reading of "V." but that would require  
a deep reading of a book I just don't enjoy reading.

Speaking about fucking, I'm finding the Uncyclopedia's take on Pynchon  
most edifying and deserving of the same canonical status as "Lines of  
Flight" -- worthy not only of group discussion, but also -- being a  
Wiki, after all -- an opportunity for the P-List community to let  
their shrill cries be heard over the Lit-Crit racket.

	“ I carried around a copy of Gravity's Rainbow for six-months,
	it was the most blissful period of my adolescence, not once
	was I in want for toilet-paper. ”

		~ Oscar Wilde on Thomas Pynchon*

	Thomas Pynchon is an American writer, as well as a running
	gag in American intellectual life, based in the Quaternions
	whose dense and impenetratable canon of books signals the
	end of everything that is good or legible in American fiction.
	Pynchon is also commonly agreed upon as the #1 name
	dropped by assholes attempting to look brainy. Born in 1937,
	he served his country during World War II by firing v-2 rockets
	out of his infant penis.

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Thomas_Pynchon

*eeeew!