M&D Deep Duck 4-6: Line-Crossing Ceremony

[kelber at mindspring.com]

Lucky guy!


-----Original Message-----
>From: David Ewers <dsewers at comcast.net>

>
>And this, from Chapter 4 of Two Years Before The Mast:
>
>Wednesday, October 1st.  Crossed the equator in lon. 24deg 24' W.  I now, for the first time, felt at liberty, according to the old usage, to call myself a son of Neptune, and was very glad to be able to claim the title without the disagreeable initiation which so many have to go through.  After once crossing the line, you can never be subjected to the process, but are considered as a son of Neptune, with full powers to play tricks upon others.  This ancient custom is now seldom allowed, unless there are passengers on board, in which case there is always a good deal of sport.
>
>On Jan 20, 2015, at 12:28 PM, <kelber at mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>> There's tons of info on the 'net about the line-crossing ceremony, past and present, along with YouTube footage of some of the more toned-down ceremonies.
>> 


>> Cherrycoke's description of the ceremony to his audience seems in keeping with the general practices. Is Pynchon trying to suggest something more humiliating by the Spotted Dick reference, or is that name just too good to pass up. Is there a Disgusting English Candy that recreates the experience of eating Spotted Dick, stale raisins and all?
>> 
>> Here's a paper on gender and sexuality as portrayed in the line-crossing ceremonies of the US Navy, written in 2003, during the "don't ask, don't tell" period.
>> 
>> " … it's only queer if you're tied to the pier."
>> 
>> http://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1071&context=djglp
>> 
>> Laura
>> 
>> -
>> Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l
>
>-
>Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l



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