BTZ42Read: it has happened before

[kelber at mindspring.com]

Hey, wasn't the official group read start date tomorrow? Will we have anything to compare the discussion to then?

I take the opening sentences at closer to face value - the prosaic view:

A screaming comes across the sky. The V-2 rocket, super-sonic, so its sound is out of kilter with time. "Screaming" reflects that more than "a scream."

It has happened before … Again, the prosaic read - if you're hearing the V-2, it's already landed - no need to kiss your ass goodbye.

 … but there is nothing to compare it to now. This is the toughest nut to crack.  " … and, therefore, there is nothing to compare it to now," seems a more logical end to the sentence. The word "but" emphasizes the word "now." It implies that when it happened before (when this rocket was launched? Or: whenever these rockets have been launched in the past?) there WAS something to compare it to. So I guess what I'm saying is that the word "but" derails the simplistic V-2 reading. What in hell does Pynchon mean?

Laura


-----Original Message-----
>From: Ray Easton <raymond.lee.easton at gmail.com>
>Sent: Mar 14, 2016 12:51 PM
>To: P-list List <pynchon-l at waste.org>
>Subject: BTZ42Read: it has happened before
>
>How do you (any of you) read the second sentence?
>
>Ray
>
>-----
>You don't need a Weatherman to know which way the wind blows
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Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l