On the grotesque--in Gaddis?, in Pynchon...Post the 2nd

[Paul Mackin]

On 8/9/2011 10:48 AM, Mark Kohut wrote:
> "The modern age questions the validity of the anthropological
> and the relevance of the scientific concepts underlying the syntheses
> of the 19th century. The various forms of the grotesque are the most obvious
> and pronounced contradictions of any kind of rationalism and any systematic
> use of thought. It was absurd in itself when the Surrealists sought to make absurdity
> the basis of their system."   ----Wolfgang Kayser


Rationality is still a pretty good approach to follow, once we have put 
down the art works and returned to the pursuit of our everyday lives.

Forget the contradictions.  They were always there. It was only the 
philosophers who failed to notice.

Just reflecting a bit.

P
>
> Cites Goethe on rationalism.
>
> Reminded of Gaddis massive dissing of rationality and Pynchon discovering surrealism..
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Mark Kohut<markekohut at yahoo.com>
> To: pynchon -l<pynchon-l at waste.org>
> Cc:
> Sent: Tuesday, August 9, 2011 9:41 AM
> Subject: On the grotesque--in Gaddis?, in Pynchon...
>
> I browse-read an old classic I found called The Grotesque in
> Art&  Literature by Wolfgang Kayser. (1957---English 1963.) Fun, insightful historical 'criticism'
>   
> but for our purposes the simplistic takeaway is this: the author finds
> the 'grotesque'---irreal exaggeration for thematic effect; thematic NECESSITY even---
> in three major periods in history AND related to the artists' having to
>   
> "INVOKE AND SUBDUE THE DEMONIC ASPECTS OF THE WORLD". (his caps)
>   
> One period is, of course, the 20th Century.. ..perhaps 'consciously opposed to the
> rationalistic world view developed during the Enlightenment; ...even questioning the
> legitimacy of the rationale for such a world view."
>
>