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From: "pynchon-l-digest" <owner-pynchon-l-digest@waste.org>
> pynchon-l-digest Sunday, July 20 2003 Volume 02 : Number
3427
>
>
>
> Re: VLVL2 work
> VLVL2 and NPPF: Cultural Elitism
> VLVL2 and NPPF: Kinbote the Schlemihl
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2003 00:41:23 -0500
> From: "Tim Strzechowski" <dedalus204@comcast.net>
> Subject: VLVL2 and NPPF: Cultural Elitism
>
> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
>
> - ------=_NextPart_000_000F_01C34E57.A50B2C40
> Content-Type: text/plain;
> charset="iso-8859-1"
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>
> >> To what degree does "Pale Fire" (i.e. the Shade poem) comment on =
> "cultural elitism"? How=20
> >> does it compare to the commentary Pynchon makes in Vineland?
>
> >> Does Nabokov use the character of Charles Kinbote as a means of =
> exploring and commenting=20
> >> on "elitism" in academia?
>
>
> Nabokov's Pale Fire presents both sides of the "cultural elitism" =
> question by giving readers a narrator who obviously fancies himself a =
> member of that elite, while conveying social commentary that renders =
> members of the elite as extraordinarily "human" (read: "common"). The =
> faculty lounge scene in the "Foreward" depicts a fairly routine =
> conversation, and the suggestions that Shade might be enjoying the =
> presence of the "striking blonde in the black leotards" contrasts =
> sharply with the expected discussions of higher-education that one might =
> expect to permeate the discussion. Likewise, the laughter that ensues =
> from the discussion of Kinbote's two ping-pong tables serves to underlie =
> the baseness of the characters, and to ensure the reader that these men =
> of the ivory tower are just as human, and in many ways as cruel, as the =
> rest of us.
>
> In Vineland, the repetition of TV sitcoms and pop culture references =
> serves a converse purpose: while readers of Vineland may find the =
> references mildly amusing and nostalgic, Pynchon is nevertheless =
> establishing a system of metaphor (e.g. the "game show" motif) that will =
> reflect the moral complexities and ambiguities of many of the novel's =
> characters. In essence, what seems to the casual reader a passing =
> reference to some element of pop culture becomes, later in the novel, an =
> ever-growing network of symbol and metaphor (cf. Paul N's and Michael =
> J's thread discussing mythology) that will vibrate throughout the work.
>
> Is there such a thing as "cultural elitism" in Vineland? Where? How?
>
> How does Nabokov address the notion of "cultural elitism" in the =
> "Foreward" to Pale Fire?
>
> "Game shows" signify choices, evaluations, often times =
> manipulation/understanding of uses of language. How is this significant =
> to the novel(s)?
>
> Is there a parallel image in Pale Fire to equate with choice, language =
>
> Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2003 00:56:19 -0500
> From: "Tim Strzechowski" <dedalus204@comcast.net>
> Subject: VLVL2 and NPPF: Kinbote the Schlemihl
>
> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
>
> - ------=_NextPart_000_0022_01C34E59.BAD67AA0
> Content-Type: text/plain;
> charset="iso-8859-1"
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>
> >> Does John Shade possess schlemihl-like tendancies? How? Does =
> Charles Kinbote? How?
>
>
> While the characterization of Shade in the "Foreward" might parallel the =
> classic "schlemihl" of Pynchon, Kinbote is the one character whose =
> behavior -- misinterpreting patterns and meanings, recipient of =
> slapstick endeavors, general ironic cluelessness -- is the =
> quintessential Pynchonian schlemihl. Shade has the good fortune of =
> merely being misinterpreted; it's Kinbote's misinterpretations that fuel =
> the narrative.
>
> What do Pynchon and Nabokov seem to be saying about the needs/drives to =
> interpret? to grant meaning? to express language?
>
> Does being a "schlemihl" serve a greater purpose in the works of these =
> two novelists?
>
> Does Pynchon seem to value "questioning" over "interpreting"?? Which =
> does Nabokov seem to value most?
>
> What is the value or signifiance of being a "schlemihl" for each of =
> these writers? Why?
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of pynchon-l-digest V2 #3427
> ********************************
From: "pynchon-l-digest" <owner-pynchon-l-digest@waste.org>
> pynchon-l-digest Sunday, July 20 2003 Volume 02 : Number
3427
>
>
>
> Re: VLVL2 work
> VLVL2 and NPPF: Cultural Elitism
> VLVL2 and NPPF: Kinbote the Schlemihl
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2003 00:41:23 -0500
> From: "Tim Strzechowski" <dedalus204@comcast.net>
> Subject: VLVL2 and NPPF: Cultural Elitism
>
> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
>
> - ------=_NextPart_000_000F_01C34E57.A50B2C40
> Content-Type: text/plain;
> charset="iso-8859-1"
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>
> >> To what degree does "Pale Fire" (i.e. the Shade poem) comment on =
> "cultural elitism"? How=20
> >> does it compare to the commentary Pynchon makes in Vineland?
>
> >> Does Nabokov use the character of Charles Kinbote as a means of =
> exploring and commenting=20
> >> on "elitism" in academia?
>
>
> Nabokov's Pale Fire presents both sides of the "cultural elitism" =
> question by giving readers a narrator who obviously fancies himself a =
> member of that elite, while conveying social commentary that renders =
> members of the elite as extraordinarily "human" (read: "common"). The =
> faculty lounge scene in the "Foreward" depicts a fairly routine =
> conversation, and the suggestions that Shade might be enjoying the =
> presence of the "striking blonde in the black leotards" contrasts =
> sharply with the expected discussions of higher-education that one might =
> expect to permeate the discussion. Likewise, the laughter that ensues =
> from the discussion of Kinbote's two ping-pong tables serves to underlie =
> the baseness of the characters, and to ensure the reader that these men =
> of the ivory tower are just as human, and in many ways as cruel, as the =
> rest of us.
>
> In Vineland, the repetition of TV sitcoms and pop culture references =
> serves a converse purpose: while readers of Vineland may find the =
> references mildly amusing and nostalgic, Pynchon is nevertheless =
> establishing a system of metaphor (e.g. the "game show" motif) that will =
> reflect the moral complexities and ambiguities of many of the novel's =
> characters. In essence, what seems to the casual reader a passing =
> reference to some element of pop culture becomes, later in the novel, an =
> ever-growing network of symbol and metaphor (cf. Paul N's and Michael =
> J's thread discussing mythology) that will vibrate throughout the work.
>
> Is there such a thing as "cultural elitism" in Vineland? Where? How?
>
> How does Nabokov address the notion of "cultural elitism" in the =
> "Foreward" to Pale Fire?
>
> "Game shows" signify choices, evaluations, often times =
> manipulation/understanding of uses of language. How is this significant =
> to the novel(s)?
>
> Is there a parallel image in Pale Fire to equate with choice, language =
>
> Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2003 00:56:19 -0500
> From: "Tim Strzechowski" <dedalus204@comcast.net>
> Subject: VLVL2 and NPPF: Kinbote the Schlemihl
>
> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
>
> - ------=_NextPart_000_0022_01C34E59.BAD67AA0
> Content-Type: text/plain;
> charset="iso-8859-1"
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>
> >> Does John Shade possess schlemihl-like tendancies? How? Does =
> Charles Kinbote? How?
>
>
> While the characterization of Shade in the "Foreward" might parallel the =
> classic "schlemihl" of Pynchon, Kinbote is the one character whose =
> behavior -- misinterpreting patterns and meanings, recipient of =
> slapstick endeavors, general ironic cluelessness -- is the =
> quintessential Pynchonian schlemihl. Shade has the good fortune of =
> merely being misinterpreted; it's Kinbote's misinterpretations that fuel =
> the narrative.
>
> What do Pynchon and Nabokov seem to be saying about the needs/drives to =
> interpret? to grant meaning? to express language?
>
> Does being a "schlemihl" serve a greater purpose in the works of these =
> two novelists?
>
> Does Pynchon seem to value "questioning" over "interpreting"?? Which =
> does Nabokov seem to value most?
>
> What is the value or signifiance of being a "schlemihl" for each of =
> these writers? Why?
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of pynchon-l-digest V2 #3427
> ********************************