In Which Jung prewrites AtD's epigraph

[Paul Mackin]

On 3/17/2012 9:31 AM, alice wellintown wrote:
>> Don't want to have this carry all the meanings of paranoia being used but I
>> might suggest that in AtD Pynchon makes fun of higher mathematics for its...........self-contained
>> irreality?
>
>
> In his greater works, the great romances, (AtD, M&D, GR, V.), and here
> we apply Richard Chase's definition of American Romance---see
> http://public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/novel.htm---we can identify the
> reality that is opposed, by Pynchon, to the irreality (and math is one
> such). The reality of these Pynchon works is an unseen, material
> reality, forces unseen, something under or below consciousness and
> language that humans are too paranoid  to acknowledge as the real
> (this form of paranoia, a positive paranoia, makes connections at a
> conscious level, cause and effect, but is ever weary of the unknown
> forces, the forces below and beyond, that cause such causes and
> effects). Thus, Freud, Nietzsche, Marx, all materialists, serve us
> well when reading Pynchon.
>
> And, Pynchon's Romances have all the elements of Menippean Satire.  from Wiki:
>
> characterized by attacking mental attitudes instead of specific
> individuals. Other features found in Menippean satire are different
> forms of parody and mythological burlesque, a critique of the myths
> inherited from traditional culture, a rhapsodic nature,[citation
> needed] a fragmented narrative,[citation needed] the combination of
> many different targets, and the rapid moving between styles and points
> of view. [...]     Typical mental attitudes attacked and ridiculed by
> Menippean satires are "pedants, bigots, cranks, parvenus, virtuosi,
> enthusiasts, rapacious and incompetent professional men of all kinds,"
> which are treated as diseases of the intellect.
>
>
> What about Newton? Newton spent a goo deal of time, as did Tesla,
> working on mad persuits. He was often out of his mind. But Newton has
> a special place in Pynchon's works. I would argue, that we can add him
> to Paul's Trinity of Marx, Freud, and Nietzsche.
>

The Four Men We admire Most
Does not include the Holy Ghost
The first proclaimed a world turned red
The second told us God is dead
A third dug deep into our Psyche
The fourth took motion for enquiry