CoL49 Group Read

[J K Van Nort]

Pynchon’s allusions may be rabbit holes or detours, distractions. Much of what we research and discover may lead down false paths. How much or how little the allusions and references have to do with understanding the central idea of the book may depend on how in depth we go or whether we ignore these detours.Either way, the reflections and analysis we practice, the more we have new/fresh interpretations of a story like Rapunzel or Oedipus Rex. Whether this is Pynchon’s intent or not doesn’t matter, he leads us to play with these ideas, which for me is one of the joys of reading TRP. Look at how much the group has explored Oedipa’s, Pierce’s and Mucho’s names. How much time we spent on a bust of a robber baron for that matter. At the same time, we have gained more knowledge about the stories, myths, people alluded to in Pynchon. Even if he didn’t intend to directly allude to them, he must have read/studied these allusions/references. We share his interest in them and vainly assume that we have some connection with the person, not just the author’s work.
In solidarity,
James

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