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The Enigma Variations
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Psmith
May 25, 2012, 3:51:27 PM5/25/12
to
I like the reference to Elgar's "The Enigma Variations" on page 815 of
Against the Day. Bob Wilson told me he liked to watch old horror
films with the sound off with classical music playing, especially "The
Enigma Variations."
The reference to the fohn wind on page 815 makes me think of The Masks
of the Illuminati which takes place during the time of Against the
Day. I wonder if Pynchon read that book. Reading Mason and Dixon I
had a strong sense that he'd read Bob's Historical Illuminatus!
books. (Bob agreed with me.)
Against the Day. Bob Wilson told me he liked to watch old horror
films with the sound off with classical music playing, especially "The
Enigma Variations."
The reference to the fohn wind on page 815 makes me think of The Masks
of the Illuminati which takes place during the time of Against the
Day. I wonder if Pynchon read that book. Reading Mason and Dixon I
had a strong sense that he'd read Bob's Historical Illuminatus!
books. (Bob agreed with me.)
willems
May 27, 2012, 7:35:32 PM5/27/12
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suprised at some of the
similarities to "Against the Day " for instance there is a talking dog
simply refered to as the" learned english dog"
and also a ship named H.M.S. Inconvienance, the text explores similar
ideas of Hollow Earth and Extra Terrestrials ,
I began to consider various reasons for this ,perhaps it is the same
Phil Dickian notion that time and progress are more illusory and that
there is simply process and velocity to a greater degree, I am also
struck by the similarity in a simulation of power created by the
advent of cartography and the newer innovation of photography in that
these enable an elect group to have power to shape the world in their
image.Both present views as though no one in particular made them and
no ones self interest was involved. Pynch keeps refering to drinking
the water from the river Lethe ,which is the river of forgetfulness.
It is as though we forget our connectivity and fluidity and come to be
as if fixed on one side or another of a boundry.
Psmith
May 29, 2012, 11:09:31 AM5/29/12
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Yeah, I wonder about the metastructures Pynchon has set up in his
novels.
Bhavani, do you still want to read another Pynchon novel after Against
the Day? I think you had mentioned Mason and Dixon. That sounds good
to me.
Steve, I like your ideas of the power of cartography and photography.
That makes me think of McLuhan's ideas of the impact of new media as
well as Bob Wilson's ideas about how borders prepresent the battles of
past shamans, and Mason and Dixon discusses the creation of the first
straight border, hence of a new kind of shaman.
novels.
Bhavani, do you still want to read another Pynchon novel after Against
the Day? I think you had mentioned Mason and Dixon. That sounds good
to me.
Steve, I like your ideas of the power of cartography and photography.
That makes me think of McLuhan's ideas of the impact of new media as
well as Bob Wilson's ideas about how borders prepresent the battles of
past shamans, and Mason and Dixon discusses the creation of the first
straight border, hence of a new kind of shaman.
Bhavani
Jun 1, 2012, 4:43:29 PM6/1/12
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Eric, I'm going to have to pass on continuing the Pynchon cycle for
the time being. My life is in a very transitional phase, have to find
a new place to live, etc. Maybe we can continue when I get more
settled?
the time being. My life is in a very transitional phase, have to find
a new place to live, etc. Maybe we can continue when I get more
settled?
Psmith
Jun 2, 2012, 11:57:20 AM6/2/12
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That sounds great. I hope all goes well. I've enjoyed this Against
the Day process.
the Day process.
Psmith
Jun 5, 2012, 4:09:17 PM6/5/12
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Bhavani, yes, I would love to continue with more Pynchon at some
future date.
future date.
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