ATD in NOLA
David Morris
fqmorris at gmail.com
Wed Jan 19 05:11:09 UTC 2022
We’re reading of Reef’s brief visit to New Orleans as part of the Reddit
ATD group current schedule, so I thought I’d pass along what I’ve found
that seems to be a very sloppy research error (erratum, Mike?). I’d be
happy to hear what you think.
ATD Error Alert:
On page 369 ATD calls “Maman Tant Gras, a concert saloon just off *Perdido
Street* in the heart of the brothel district.”
Problem: The “brothel district” of New Orleans was a clearly defined
location, legally established in 1895 specifically for regulation of legal
prostitution. It was called “Storyville,” and *Perdido Street is well
outside its boundaries.* Reef was in New Orleans in 1903. There really
isn’t a way to smooth over that error. This seems to be a very flagrant
historical-location mistake, and I would be shocked if it hasn’t already
been noted somewhere.
Previous to the establishment of New Orleans’ “Storyville” (pre 1895),
prostitution occurred mainly on the wharves on the riverfront of the French
Quarter. Prostitution, traditionally occurring in places where sailors
first land, New Orleans was no different. But the newly
American-acquired bustling city wanted to clean up its look, so
prostitution was swept out of the French Quarter’s waterfront, and given a
new home outside its boundaries, in “famous” Storyville.
Storyville was the new red-light district of New Orleans, Louisiana, from
1895 to 1917, established via municipal ordinance by New Orleans City
Council, to control prostitution within the city. The area was originally
referred to as "The District", but its nickname, "Storyville", soon caught
on, much to the chagrin of Alderman Story, who wrote the new law. Bounded
by the streets of North Robertson, Iberville, Basin, and St. Louis Streets,
and located near the train station, prostitution was only legal within its
limits. It a became a very popular centralized attraction just outside the
“official” heart of New Orleans, the French Quarter.
It might also be noted that it was within the smaller, first-floor
parlor-bars of the **brothels** (not dance saloons) that proto-Jazz music
(Ragtime) was first born, prior to and during the Storyville era. But the
success of Storyville provided a centralized place for larger, full-time
venues for musicians. It’s from that (tourist trap) place that the
jazz-inventor “stars” (like Afro-Creole pianist Jelly Roll Morton and
band-leader Buddy Bolden) began their careers, and then, via vaudeville
and recorded music, brought jazz to the world. So Storyville (now long ago
mostly demolished) is a very significant place for “America’s” music.
Back to ATD, the literal translation from French of the of Reef’s
brothel-district dance hall name, “Maman Tent Gras,” would literally be
“Mamma so much fat” or “Big Fat Mamma’s.”
Also, the place where Reef ordered Sazeracs for himself and Ruperta was
owned by a guy named “Monsier Peychaud.” Wiki says the following:
“ The drink is most traditionally a combination of cognac or rye whiskey
<https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rye_whiskey>, absinthe
<https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe>, Peychaud's Bitters
<https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peychaud%27s_Bitters>, and sugar
<https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar>.”
“ allegedly with bitters <https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitters> being
made by the local apothecary [not bar owner], Antoine Amedie Peychaud.”
“June 23, 2008, the Louisiana Legislature
<https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Legislature> proclaimed the
Sazerac as New Orleans' official cocktail.
Another “problematic” part of this section is the flop house Tone takes
Reef to is in the “deep in the red light district,” but wouldn’t that also
be “the heart of the brothel district” they’re already occupying a la
Maman Tant Gras’ place?
And Tone’s flop (“Deux Especes” = “of them species” meaning “desperadoes
of one kind or another”) is described as a “Louisiana-style road-ranch,”
but WTF is that supposed to be? I’ve never heard of a “road-ranch” before
(neither has Google), let alone a “Louisiana-style” one. “Roadhouse,” yes.
“Ranch house,” yes. “Road-ranch?” Nope.
David Morris
More information about the Pynchon-l
mailing list