ATD, page 609 question/discussion

[alice malice]

A close reading of the passage in question suggests that a literal
reading is unsatisfactory and that a figurative reading is profitable
in the characterization of Lew  and in the development of themes and
tropes. Though there is nothing in it that allows us to construct any
definite reading and this seems to be the point, as we share Lew's
journey and his thoughts, how Lew's detective work is going,  and,
though we need to read on into the next chapter to get a better sense
of the pale husbands and the lives they had hoped to live, the
draining of dreams by maps and grids and connotative re-defining of
and proscribing of work.. etc. and then read through several chapters
to the couple-few chapters at the end of this Part to see how the
passage resonates with all the mapping and un-mapping, doubling and
detective coupling, un-coupling...we can at least say that the use of
imagery, the first pale husbands, the gathering evening, the fog, then
condensing water and shine on hats that certain individuals of a
nervous constitution may see as portending something evil, thematic
and is also parodic.

As in BE,  we have allusive parable and parody. Though here, of
course, the distance, of setting, and of texts that are serve parodic
purposes, the style, seems elevated to romance; notice the if and as
if and to certain points of view, which invites us to consider other
points of view, other dispositions that might even find the shine on
the hats a blessing...so the subjunctive perspective of romance
precludes a literal reading & Co.

On Sat, Apr 19, 2014 at 8:04 AM, alice malice <alicewmalice at gmail.com> wrote:
> I am curious, so where did you get the idea that the pale husbands are
> widows, and do you mean widowers or men who have lost their wives?
>
> In any event, here are some useful links to discussion of the passage.
>
> http://chumpsofchoice.blogspot.com/2007/05/zetamaniacs-strike-back-pp-588-614.html
>
>
>
> http://www.vheissu.net/atd/chapter.php?s=43
>
>
>
> http://against-the-day.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=ATD_588-614#Page_609
>
>
>
> http://www.vheissu.net/biblio/abstracts.php?a=32
>
>
>
>
>
>>> "The first pale husbands of the evening stood waiting for suburban trains
>>> never meant to arrive at any destination on the rail map—as if, to be
>>> brought to any shelter this night, one would first have to step across into
>>> some region of grace hitherto undefined." (Page 609)
>>>
>>> I'm confused as to the meaning of this sentence/image in Against The Day,
>>> page 609. The only way I can make sense of it is that the "pale husbands"
>>> are grieving widows waiting for the return of their lost, departed loved
>>> ones and the only way they can return to them is by making a step across
>>> into some otherworldly region/space/dimension/etc. Anyone care to offer some
>>> help/an interpretation?
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