Back to AtD. how does TRP feel about railroads? p.930

[Phillip Greenlief]

like, railroads are not dissimilar to communication lines, telecommunication, 
satellites, internet passageways, etc? is TRP talking about all the shit that is 
to come with those lines of travel, both physical and informational?

i think in this case railroad equal "progress" in the capitalist sense of the 
word - meaning, more access to more users. a lack of railroad means lack of 
access, at least that's how i'm reading it. and capitalists want access to 
buyers, markets, etc.

the contradiction here is that just about everyone is traveling somewhere in 
AGAINST THE DAY. moving by train, by foot, by balloon (somehow this seems like 
pynchon's ideal mode of transport, especially if you consider the end of ATD), 
or by some sort of watercraft, so ...

i'm sorry, mark, what was the point you wanted to make? it's not clear to me. i 
feel like i'm finishing your sentence here, or trying to.

pg





________________________________
From: Mark Kohut <markekohut at yahoo.com>
To: pynchon -l <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Fri, June 29, 2012 8:41:44 AM
Subject: Back to AtD. how does TRP feel about railroads? p.930


We may not get to--nor agree--on what, if any, metaphysical/religious beliefs 
TRP might have
or have had BUT......
 
Aren't we more sure of his take on railroads, the effect of. (perhaps a safe 
subject to bring up
what becomes quite contentious about many other things, like political beliefs 
(of TRP): ) 

 
How much are Frank's words TRP's feelings, do we think? Or must we be agnostic 
here too?
(think about the myriad railroad slams elswhere in TRP's works, if you want)
 
p.930 "Frank respected this--who at some point hadn't come to hate the railroad? 
It penetrated, it
broke apart cities and wild herds and watersheds--[maybe only TRP would add 
THIS?]--
it created economic panics and armies of jobless  men and women, and generations 
of hard, bleak 

city-dwellers with no principles--[another P subtlety? discuss.]--who ruled with 
unchecked power.
---[more TRP specialty, yes?]---it took away everything indiscriminately, to be 
sold, to be slaughtered,
to be led beyond the reach of love." 
 
And, to have this vision in "symbolic form" mean he never rides nor sees any 
good at all brought by
railroads?.......
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