The tank is also one of two references I've found in Pynchon to zionism. The tank implies it is/was from the start a violent enterprise. The other one is the zionist scout encountered in Africa in Against the Day, also historically accurate that the Zionists considered a jewish homeland on Africa, highlighting the fundamentally colonial and white supremacist nature of the zionist project. Why would they be entitled to a colony in Africa? Because they are white europeans, too. Anyone find any others?
This is the first one I recall seeing in his works, but I must have forgot about the reference in Against the Day. I'll be keeping an eye out as I continue reading.
Speaking of keeping an eye out for certain references throughout his works, I've been pondering what to do once I'm done with the GR writings because I have loved doing this and it really opens up his work for me. So I've been thinking of eventually getting to the rest of Pynchon's novels as well, possibly in a historically chronological order beginning with M&D and ending with BE, using my GR writing as the kind of vortex that all his works surround (i.e. everything before WWII was built to lead to that point and everything afterward was the intended outcome). Might be getting too far ahead of myself, but it would be a fun project...
From the advertisement of the Luis Valdez Play "Zoot Suit", which was the first play by a Mexican-American playwright to show on Broadway. I haven't seen or read it, but thought it was an apt (and just generally cool) image.
I want to say: on top of your very helpful and insightful analysis/summaries, I really enjoy the images you choose to include. They all have some kind of literal or artistic relevance that adds to the whole experience. Thanks!
Thank you! I wish I had more knowledge of art in general so I could more often tie cool pieces to the themes of the story, but it has been fun finding the stuff that I can.
The tank is also one of two references I've found in Pynchon to zionism. The tank implies it is/was from the start a violent enterprise. The other one is the zionist scout encountered in Africa in Against the Day, also historically accurate that the Zionists considered a jewish homeland on Africa, highlighting the fundamentally colonial and white supremacist nature of the zionist project. Why would they be entitled to a colony in Africa? Because they are white europeans, too. Anyone find any others?
This is the first one I recall seeing in his works, but I must have forgot about the reference in Against the Day. I'll be keeping an eye out as I continue reading.
Speaking of keeping an eye out for certain references throughout his works, I've been pondering what to do once I'm done with the GR writings because I have loved doing this and it really opens up his work for me. So I've been thinking of eventually getting to the rest of Pynchon's novels as well, possibly in a historically chronological order beginning with M&D and ending with BE, using my GR writing as the kind of vortex that all his works surround (i.e. everything before WWII was built to lead to that point and everything afterward was the intended outcome). Might be getting too far ahead of myself, but it would be a fun project...
Wondering where the zoot suit image came from? Always enjoy your readings!
From the advertisement of the Luis Valdez Play "Zoot Suit", which was the first play by a Mexican-American playwright to show on Broadway. I haven't seen or read it, but thought it was an apt (and just generally cool) image.
Thank you for reading, as always!
That was my guess. Thanks!
I want to say: on top of your very helpful and insightful analysis/summaries, I really enjoy the images you choose to include. They all have some kind of literal or artistic relevance that adds to the whole experience. Thanks!
Thank you! I wish I had more knowledge of art in general so I could more often tie cool pieces to the themes of the story, but it has been fun finding the stuff that I can.