M & D Deep Duck. Go East, Young Man.

[Becky Lindroos]

Off hand I’d say that the Dutch East India Company (VOC - “East Indiaman” mentioned) was fighting a lot of wars in the area of Borneo and Cherrycoke wanted in on the action.  This was a big world even at the time - lots of things happening even if,  to Americans, the US should have been the only focus.  Cherrycoke was as much an adventure-seeking male as any, so he wanted to get in on a little action which includes “ship-board romance”  pirates, big guns, and ocean storms, etc.  Unfortunately for Cherrycoke, the Brits ordered him onto a small warship heading West.  

Is that what you meant?  I think there’s more character insight into Cherrycoke and his love of adventure in addition to the hows and whys of his landing in the US than there is any kind of thematic allusion there. Just my o. -  There’s better stuff down the page and on the next (pp 10-11, Kindle edition):  

"Keep away from harmful Substances, in particular Coffee, Tobacco and Indian Hemp. If you must use the latter, do not inhale. Keep your memory working, young man! Have a safe Voyage.”

Bekah 

> On Jan 10, 2015, at 5:22 AM, Mark Kohut <mark.kohut at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> p. 10. Cherrycoke wanted to be sent East, a traverse [NB] presented
> as full of fun. Why, what's going on here in an aside TRP never had to
> make, which
> therefore has some kind of thematic meaning, yes?
> 
> 'Gale-Force Assemblies"---religious enthusiasm, among other things.
> -
> Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l

-
Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l