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The quote Travis brought up today in class,
should return to haunt us at the end of the novel:
"Oedipa wondered whether, at the end
of this (if it were supposed to end), she too might not
be left with only compiled memories of clues, announcements,
initimations, but never the central truth itself..."
(76).
Remember, to some extent, we will share
Oedipa's fate. Will Pynchon provide us an end and if he
does will we find ourselves on the path to a central truth,
or will we find ourselves no more centered than when we
first joined Oedipa's quest?
Before offering a few reading questions and
supporting information, let me provide some instructions
for the SCHEMATIC OUTLINE I would like you to email me and
bring to class on Wednesday.
Schematic Outline (due
emailed by 10 AM Wednesday; Bring hard copy to class)
This assignment prods you toward developing
a thesis and paragraph outline for an analytical eesay about
Pynchon's COL 49. To prepare for it, you should read carefully
looking for patterns of images, ideas, words, characters,
scenes, and symbols that interest you. As you juggle that
pattern in your mind, look for a thematic idea--a comment
on America, the human condition, or some other context or
idea--that you think the text might be making. Your thesis
will explicity link the pattern to the intepretation you
make about it.
Write your thesis at the top of your page,
and then identify at least 3 topic sentence ideas (they
do not have to be complete sentences but they do have to
link a specific example to your thesis). The list underneath
your topic sentence ideas 3-5 quotes or examples that you
will discuss in each paragraph.
Your Schematic draft should look something like this when
you submit it (I use a Bradstreet thesis so that I do not
steal any good topics or ideas about Pynchon from any of
you).
Jim Sullivan
Schematic Outline: Pynchon Paper
Thesis: Through her frequent juxtaposition
of images of earthly pleasure with the language of salvation,
Anne Bradstreet exposes the vulnerability of an ideology
that separates the flesh from the spirit.
1. In "Contemplations," the euphoria
of Bradstreet's affection for nature magnifies the resigned
quality of her testimonies to God's will.
- quote / example 1 (include page number)
- quote / example 2
- quote / example 3
2. The sterile artificiality of the dialogue
between the sisters in "Flesh and Spirit" underscores
the impossiblity of separating these two inextricable aspects
of our humanity.
- quote / example 1 (include page number)
- quote / example 2
- quote / example 3
3. Although "Upon the Burning of Our
House..." concludes with a submission to God's will,
the poet's description of domestic joy she associates with
her lost home implicity criticizes a theology that does
not do justice to human love on earth.
- quote / example 1 (include page number)
- quote / example 2
- quote / example 3
Back to the Text
Chapter five, the longest in the text,
escalates in intensity from its predecessors. In it, Oedipa
journey rapidly from event to event. You might productively
compare it to other epic journeys in literature. This journey
offers an ideal point for you to beign identifying patterns
of images, incidents, words, and characters that interest
you.
You should definitely read a little bit about entropy before
jumping into the chapter (try my links to the Encyclopedia
Britanica or bartleby.com). Through the idea of entropy,
Pynchon explores the notion of closed systems of economics,
communication, and love (or lack of it) in the terms of
science and technology that rule our culture.
I was going to give you some guidance
on chapter six, but I think I will let you explore on your
own without my efforts to corrupt you (and the genius of
your interpretation). I will say this, however. The way
you read the ending will have a tremendous impact on the
analytical angle you take in your essay. So take it slow
and read the language carefully (and multiple times). We
should have an interpretation extravaganza in class on Wednesday.
Preparing for Class
Please come to class prepared with scenes
and quotes and patterns that interest you. I hope that each
of you will provide some material for our interpretive efforts.
And remember, if you are confused by
anything Pynchon, the schematic outline assignment, life,
the question of who invented liquid soap and why, do not
hesitate to email or call me and ask.
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