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

[Mark Kohut]

My "points" are made by me or not....others can make points from what I post...


From: Phillip Greenlief <pgsaxo at pacbell.net>
To: Mark Kohut <markekohut at yahoo.com>; pynchon -l <pynchon-l at waste.org> 
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2012 12:58 PM
Subject: Re: Back to AtD. how does TRP feel about railroads? p.930


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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