Difference between revisions of "Chapter 2"

 
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{{CL49 PbP Text}}
 
{{CL49 PbP Text}}
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a: 23, b: 13 - '''Sick Dick and the Volkswagens'''<br>
 
a: 23, b: 13 - '''Sick Dick and the Volkswagens'''<br>
Fictional, but a 1970s New York City punk band adopted the name. [http://black2com.blogspot.com/2006/03/black-to-comm-back-issue-update-hey-ya.html] "I Want to Kiss Your Feet" no doubt an allusion to the 1963 Beatles hit, "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Might this mean that Pynchon was fond of the Beatles but "did not believe in" them?
+
Fictional, but a 1970s New York City punk band adopted the name. [http://black2com.blogspot.com/2006/03/black-to-comm-back-issue-update-hey-ya.html] "I Want to Kiss Your Feet" no doubt an allusion to the 1963 Beatles hit, "I Want to Hold Your Hand." The 1960s Volkswagens were referred to as "Beetles" because they were similar in shape to the insect.
 
+
*Might this mean that Pynchon was fond of the Beatles but "did not believe in" them? Also, Pynchon explores the foot fetish in greater depth in [http://against-the-day.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=F#footfetish ''Against the Day''] (2006), and especially in [http://bleedingedge.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Chapter_20#Page_223 ''Bleeding Edge''] (2013).
Note that the series of events in ''Dick'' Wharfinger's "''sick''" play (Chapter 3) are also set in motion by an act of foot kissing.
+
  
 
a: 24, b: 14 - '''printed circuit'''<br>
 
a: 24, b: 14 - '''printed circuit'''<br>
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a: 25, b: 14 - '''believe in his job'''<br>
 
a: 25, b: 14 - '''believe in his job'''<br>
There's a dense thicket of religious allusions here, a collection and co-grouping of the spiritual and the technological that rivals the Beatles "Tommorow Never Knows', a tune released about the same time The Crying of Lot 49 first appeared on bookshelves, in that odd religious instant we now know as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sandals '''Summer of 1966'''], the last moments when [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,899158,00.html '''LSD'''] was still legal. Take a close gander at the religious/spiritual terms on this page, how close this constellation swirling around the Revelation in progress all around her aligns to the nascent [http://www.hippy.com/article-243.html '''Hippie Movement''']:
+
Echoes the "believe in" language from two pages back. Pynchon is drawing a metaphor between "believing in" a band and "believing in" a job.<br>
  
::. . . .'''''a hieroglyphic sense of concealed meaning'''''
+
:"Believing in" here seems to mean something like identifying with; being one with (sorta); not being alienated from. Which seems thematic to the mystery within the story.  
::. . . .'''''a revelation also trembled just past the threshold of her understanding'''''
+
:also see [[Voices,_Voices|'''Voices, Voices''']]
::. . . .'''''an odd, religious instant'''''
+
::. . . .'''''with movements stylized as the handling of chrism, censer, chalice'''''
+
::. . . .'''''voices, voices, the music, its message, surrounded by it, digging it, as were all the faithful it went out to'''''
+
 
+
. . . .all reflected in this [http://cahighways.org/maps/1963routes.jpg '''Map'''] of the [http://personales.ya.com/ejmills/radio_pages/radio/images/dansette222_2.jpg '''Transistor Radio's'''] [http://people.msoe.edu/~reyer/regency/schematic.jpg '''Circuit Board'''], a map that somehow matches the [http://tinyurl.com/3cqkk4 '''Visible Landscape'''] of the [http://www.upa.pdx.edu/IMS/currentprojects/TAHv3/Content/Conservation/JPGS/LA_Smog_Aerial.jpg '''Infected City''']. Note how messages are constantly distorted throughout ''The Crying of Lot 49''. The mode of distorted communication for the revelation in progress all around [http://cl49.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Chapter_6 '''Edna Mosh'''] being the [http://tinyurl.com/378qzn '''Pocket Sized Portable Transistor Radio'''], a media revolution very much analogous to the emergence of the [http://www.media-visions.com/itv-fox.html  '''Talkies'''] in the late '20's, and the current [2007] [http://www.insideretailing.com.au/articles-page.aspx?articleType=ArticleView&articleId=1863 '''I-Pod''']. All these major shifts in audio media have their own distinct sonic qualities, a distinct [http://tinyurl.com/2hl3mk '''Sound'''] akin to a musical instrument's [http://cnx.org/content/m11059/latest/ '''Timbre'''].
+
 
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::Typical [http://meduci.com/amx2000.html '''AM Radio Sound]''' hardly exceeds 3,000 Hertz -- with audio fidelity that is typical of a telephone line connection -- perhaps ideally suited for news and talk program formats, however not for programing high quality music formats. Many receiver manufacturers intentionally reduce audio bandwidth in their product offerings, to decrease interference from closely spaced AM stations. Another reason for the super narrow audio frequency response is the high frequency noise caused by the disregard for any R.F amplifier stage. Dropping this R.F amplifier stage contributes to further cost savings in the product. Restricted audio bandwidth causes "muddy" music to be reproduced. It is not the medium, it is these lackluster radio designs that are to blame for this muddy sound
+
 
+
We are led to understand that while Mucho is aware that there is some sort of revelation in progress, it is a revelation that Mucho Maas is not yet privy to. As of this moment in the book, Mucho is not a 'believer' in that movement, but things can change,  see page a; 117, b; 143 [http://cl49.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Chapter_6 '''She Loves You'''].
+
 
+
Note as well the echo of [http://www.tonykline.co.uk/PITBR/German/Rilke.htm#_Toc509812215 '''Rilke'''] contained on this page:
+
 
+
:::'''''Voices, voices. Hear then, my heart, as only'''''
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:::'''''saints have heard: so that the mighty call'''''
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:::'''''raised them from the earth: they, though, knelt on'''''
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:::'''''impossibly and paid no attention:'''''
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:::'''''such was their listening. Not that you could withstand'''''
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:::'''''God’s voice: far from it.'''''
+
 
+
----
+
 
+
Echoes the "believe in" language from two pages back. Pynchon is drawing a metaphor between "believing in" a band and "believing in" a job.<br>
+
'
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"Believing in" here seems to mean something like identifying with; being one with (sorta); not being alienated from. Which seems thematic to the mystery
+
within the story.  
+
  
 
a: 25, b: 14 - '''religious instant'''<br>
 
a: 25, b: 14 - '''religious instant'''<br>
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Some fan has made a mock-up of what a CD by The Paranoids might look like, [http://www.entropic-empire.com/cds/paranoids.html here].
 
Some fan has made a mock-up of what a CD by The Paranoids might look like, [http://www.entropic-empire.com/cds/paranoids.html here].
  
Geli Tripping sez: "I think the Paranoids are a pastische of various record deals the author overheard from Richard Farina, the [http://www.pandora.com/?tc=x-036823-0035-1149&?searchFilter=artist&search=The+Byrds Byrds] were making demos for World Pacific in 1964, the Paranoids appear to be modeled on the Byrds more than anything else. Note as well TRP's fondness for the Beach Boys. The Beatles have a seriously silly Let it Be outtake as 'Los Paranoias.'"
+
The Paranoids are a pastische of various Rock & Roll bands struggling in L.A. in the wake of the success of the Beatles.  
 +
 
 +
see [[The_Paranoids|'''The Paranoids]]
 +
 
 +
b: 18 - '''kasher'''<br>
 +
Generally refers to a process that renders a utensil fit for use ("kosher") by removing material that has been absorbed in it.  However, it can also be used (as Metzger does) in reference to the process by which meat is made kosher, which involves soaking the meat in water, salting it, and then rinsing it. This process pulls the excess blood out of the meat and makes it kosher for eating.  
  
 
a: 30, b: 19 - '''Gallipoli'''<br>
 
a: 30, b: 19 - '''Gallipoli'''<br>
 
The Battle of Gallipoli took place at Gallipoli from April 1915 to December 1915 during the First World War. A joint British and French operation was mounted in an effort to eventually capture the Ottoman capital of Constantinople (Istanbul). The attempt failed, with heavy casualties on both sides. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gallipoli Wikipedia]
 
The Battle of Gallipoli took place at Gallipoli from April 1915 to December 1915 during the First World War. A joint British and French operation was mounted in an effort to eventually capture the Ottoman capital of Constantinople (Istanbul). The attempt failed, with heavy casualties on both sides. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gallipoli Wikipedia]
 +
 +
b: 19 - '''Hun'''<br>
 +
Slang/nickname for Germans.  Refers to a speech made by Emperor Wilhelm II in July 1900, wherein he urged his troops to emulate the brutal and merciless conduct of the Huns under Attila.
 +
 +
b: 20 - '''Fangoso'''<br>
 +
Spanish: muddy.
  
 
a: 31, b: 20 - '''hierophany'''<br>
 
a: 31, b: 20 - '''hierophany'''<br>
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ancient Egyptian funerary text used by the ancient Egyptians as a set of instructions for the afterlife. Not all the spells were used for every burial; some depended on wealth and status. Some spells were gifts to the gods, while other were used so the person could walk, a spell for not dying again in the afterlife, and even a spell 'For preventing a man from going upside down and from eating feces' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_Dead Wikipedia]
 
ancient Egyptian funerary text used by the ancient Egyptians as a set of instructions for the afterlife. Not all the spells were used for every burial; some depended on wealth and status. Some spells were gifts to the gods, while other were used so the person could walk, a spell for not dying again in the afterlife, and even a spell 'For preventing a man from going upside down and from eating feces' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_Dead Wikipedia]
  
<div id="single_up_all_lines">a: 31, b: ? - '''singling up all lines</div>
+
Also a reference to the [http://near-death.com/experiences/buddhism01.html '''''Bardo Thodol'''''], or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bardo_Thodol '''''Tibetan Book of the Dead'''''], a text [http://www.randychase.com/leary_1.htm '''Timothy Leary''']:
 +
 
 +
::I was tremendously influenced by Thomas Pynchon whose book, "Gravity’s Rainbow," I think, is the Bible of the information and communication age. Naturally, it’s underestimated and ignored, because it’s so powerful, and because he won’t play the game. . . .
 +
found invaluable in exploring the [http://tinyurl.com/337xqe '''''The Psychedelic Experience''''']. In turn, this rediscovered material from the [http://www.lib.virginia.edu/small/exhibits/dead/otherworld.html '''''Tibetan Book of the Dead'''''] influenced the [http://www.egodeath.com/johnlennonhelp.htm '''Beatles'''] on their first track recorded for the LP  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolver_(album) '''Revolver'''],  [http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=Tomorrow%20Never%20Knows '''Tomorrow Never Knows.]
 +
 
 +
<div id="single_up_all_lines">a: 31, b: 20 - '''singling up all lines</div>
 
Pynchon was in the Navy for a spell and "single up all lines" is a common nautical term. Ships are docked with lines doubled -- that is, with two sets of ropes or chains holding the vessel to the dock. To "single up all lines" is to remove the redundant second lines in preparation to make way.
 
Pynchon was in the Navy for a spell and "single up all lines" is a common nautical term. Ships are docked with lines doubled -- that is, with two sets of ropes or chains holding the vessel to the dock. To "single up all lines" is to remove the redundant second lines in preparation to make way.
  
 
Pynchon uses this term in almost all his novels, notably as the first sentence of [http://against-the-day.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/ ''Against the Day.''] For more, see [http://against-the-day.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=ATD_1-25#Page_3 ATD, page 3].
 
Pynchon uses this term in almost all his novels, notably as the first sentence of [http://against-the-day.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/ ''Against the Day.''] For more, see [http://against-the-day.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=ATD_1-25#Page_3 ATD, page 3].
 +
 +
b: 21 - '''Jerry'''<br>
 +
A nickname for German soldiers that was popular among the British.
  
 
a: 33, b: 21 - '''a cash nexus'''<br>
 
a: 33, b: 21 - '''a cash nexus'''<br>
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(Capitalist) society are 'reduced' to economic relationships.
 
(Capitalist) society are 'reduced' to economic relationships.
  
a: 33, b: 22 - '''Manni di Presso'''<br>
+
a: 33, b: 22 - '''Manny di Presso'''<br>
 
Manic depression?
 
Manic depression?
  
 
a: 36, b: 24 - '''Botticelli'''<br>
 
a: 36, b: 24 - '''Botticelli'''<br>
 
Botticelli is a guessing game which requires the players to have a good knowledge of biographical details of famous people. The game has several variants, but the common theme is that one person or team thinks of a famous person, reveals their initial letter, and then answers yes/no questions to allow other players to guess the identity. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botticelli_%28game%29 Wikipedia]
 
Botticelli is a guessing game which requires the players to have a good knowledge of biographical details of famous people. The game has several variants, but the common theme is that one person or team thinks of a famous person, reveals their initial letter, and then answers yes/no questions to allow other players to guess the identity. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botticelli_%28game%29 Wikipedia]
 +
 +
b: 26 - '''Lord love a duck'''<br>
 +
An inoffensive expression of surprise of British origin.  Another example of Miles' affectation of British mannerisms.
 +
 +
b: 26 - '''seraglio'''<br>
 +
Harem.
  
 
{{CL49 PbP}}
 
{{CL49 PbP}}

Latest revision as of 22:27, 15 December 2013

Please keep these annotations SPOILER-FREE by not revealing information from later pages in the novel.
If your edition has 183 pages, follow the pages marked a: 49a.jpg 49b.jpg If your edition has 152 pages,
follow b:
49c.jpg

a: 23, b: 13 - Sick Dick and the Volkswagens
Fictional, but a 1970s New York City punk band adopted the name. [1] "I Want to Kiss Your Feet" no doubt an allusion to the 1963 Beatles hit, "I Want to Hold Your Hand." The 1960s Volkswagens were referred to as "Beetles" because they were similar in shape to the insect.

  • Might this mean that Pynchon was fond of the Beatles but "did not believe in" them? Also, Pynchon explores the foot fetish in greater depth in Against the Day (2006), and especially in Bleeding Edge (2013).

a: 24, b: 14 - printed circuit
Many people have undoubtedly seen civilization from a plane or high place and been reminded of a circuit board, but this description is probably one of, if not the first time it's been set down in American fiction.

a: 25, b: 14 - believe in his job
Echoes the "believe in" language from two pages back. Pynchon is drawing a metaphor between "believing in" a band and "believing in" a job.

"Believing in" here seems to mean something like identifying with; being one with (sorta); not being alienated from. Which seems thematic to the mystery within the story.
also see Voices, Voices

a: 25, b: 14 - religious instant
May be a stretch, but Pynchon's works seem to have many such "religious instants," in which a character experiences a flood of ideas and emotions in just a few moments. Further discussion

a: 25, b: 15 - giants of the aerospace industry
Pynchon worked as a technical writer at Boeing from 1960-62.

a: 26, b: 15 - horse
Heroin.

a: 26, b: 17 - the Paranoids
Some fan has made a mock-up of what a CD by The Paranoids might look like, here.

The Paranoids are a pastische of various Rock & Roll bands struggling in L.A. in the wake of the success of the Beatles.

see The Paranoids

b: 18 - kasher
Generally refers to a process that renders a utensil fit for use ("kosher") by removing material that has been absorbed in it. However, it can also be used (as Metzger does) in reference to the process by which meat is made kosher, which involves soaking the meat in water, salting it, and then rinsing it. This process pulls the excess blood out of the meat and makes it kosher for eating.

a: 30, b: 19 - Gallipoli
The Battle of Gallipoli took place at Gallipoli from April 1915 to December 1915 during the First World War. A joint British and French operation was mounted in an effort to eventually capture the Ottoman capital of Constantinople (Istanbul). The attempt failed, with heavy casualties on both sides. Wikipedia

b: 19 - Hun
Slang/nickname for Germans. Refers to a speech made by Emperor Wilhelm II in July 1900, wherein he urged his troops to emulate the brutal and merciless conduct of the Huns under Attila.

b: 20 - Fangoso
Spanish: muddy.

a: 31, b: 20 - hierophany
Physical manifestation of the holy or sacred. This manifestation can be in many forms, often in symbols or rituals. An example of a hierophany would be an apparition or image appearing on a window bearing resemblance to the virgin Mary.

a: 31, b: 20 - Book of the Dead
ancient Egyptian funerary text used by the ancient Egyptians as a set of instructions for the afterlife. Not all the spells were used for every burial; some depended on wealth and status. Some spells were gifts to the gods, while other were used so the person could walk, a spell for not dying again in the afterlife, and even a spell 'For preventing a man from going upside down and from eating feces' Wikipedia

Also a reference to the Bardo Thodol, or Tibetan Book of the Dead, a text Timothy Leary:

I was tremendously influenced by Thomas Pynchon whose book, "Gravity’s Rainbow," I think, is the Bible of the information and communication age. Naturally, it’s underestimated and ignored, because it’s so powerful, and because he won’t play the game. . . .

found invaluable in exploring the The Psychedelic Experience. In turn, this rediscovered material from the Tibetan Book of the Dead influenced the Beatles on their first track recorded for the LP Revolver, Tomorrow Never Knows.

a: 31, b: 20 - singling up all lines

Pynchon was in the Navy for a spell and "single up all lines" is a common nautical term. Ships are docked with lines doubled -- that is, with two sets of ropes or chains holding the vessel to the dock. To "single up all lines" is to remove the redundant second lines in preparation to make way.

Pynchon uses this term in almost all his novels, notably as the first sentence of Against the Day. For more, see ATD, page 3.

b: 21 - Jerry
A nickname for German soldiers that was popular among the British.

a: 33, b: 21 - a cash nexus
a phrase of Karl Marx that refers to the way interpersonal relations in a (Capitalist) society are 'reduced' to economic relationships.

a: 33, b: 22 - Manny di Presso
Manic depression?

a: 36, b: 24 - Botticelli
Botticelli is a guessing game which requires the players to have a good knowledge of biographical details of famous people. The game has several variants, but the common theme is that one person or team thinks of a famous person, reveals their initial letter, and then answers yes/no questions to allow other players to guess the identity. Wikipedia

b: 26 - Lord love a duck
An inoffensive expression of surprise of British origin. Another example of Miles' affectation of British mannerisms.

b: 26 - seraglio
Harem.



Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6
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