Tentative Theory of CoL49

[peterthooper at juno.com]

Looks like "Tentative Theory of CoL49" tried to be a meaty, humorous, and informal addition to the discourse. 

While some of the Tentative Theory is interesting, the expression is labored, points not clearly distinguishable, and it's kind of rambly/kitchen-sinky - which is always fun to write (voice of experience here) but not always fun to read (and here.)

A) yes, to comparing Oedipa's actions to an ideal executrix

https://estate.findlaw.com/estate-administration/what-does-an-executor-do.html

http://www.divorcelawmonitor.com/2009/07/29/does-your-ex-spouse-inherit-your-estate-if-you-unexpectedly-die/


B) why the disparity? What is Pynchon getting at?

An answer is suggested, something like "because Pierce's affairs are so large and so tied up in a global situation that they have begun to execute themselves - in fact he may have realized this and felt comfortable topping himself - so that her only hope is to find those aspects that she can actually do something about." 

Is it callous to think a person could be comfortable with suicide? (Yes!) 

And does this relate to Barthes's "death of the author?". 

And is there anything to the suggestion that Oedipa's course of action might have been Pynchon's tentative conclusion for himself and/or recommendation to those who might share his sensibilities?

It doesn't have to be a sound bite but can it be boiled down?

C) I like the central metaphor, probably because I liked watching Quickdraw McGraw and other Hanna-Barbera cartoons and the 3 Stooges and Li'l Rascals and Popeye with my sister, and, sometimes, cousins and neighborhood friends. About 1960 to 1965, so they were already reruns. 

D) Oedipa as feminist? I could run up a huge stultifying word count simultaneously objecting to and elaborating on that. Could something cogent be said briefly? 

E) role of alternative communications systems, especially WASTE, its role in 60s USA and thus its importance to the plot, which was Mark Kohut's initial essay question, but isn't really the focus of this TToCoL49. 

Bearing in mind that Pynchon's work contains both "official" and "alternative" (a-and maybe even transgressive) modes of expression, WASTE et al comprise one set of Quickdraw's stagecoach wheels, and received traditions, logos and ethos of "history's winners" the other.
In this scheme, WASTE and USPS are both important in her perception and deliberation.

The two modes, while in conflict, also cooperate in her endeavor, supporting her progress. The Tentative Theory posits a 3rd mode, the Preterite (developed further in GR), and a 4th mode, Oedipa in her carriage. 

Can this relate to her paranoia diagram with its quadrants without overtaxing the metaphor? Probably not.

That sort of thing could lead to associating the book's developments point by point with the metamorphic progress of Quickdraw's stagecoach. Labored and tedious, but a way to get really familiar with the text, though, wouldn't it be? If it weren't completely verkackte!




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