Analysis of Gravity's Rainbow, Part 3 - Chapter 21: Enzian, Christian, and Andreas Look for Maria, Jamf Ölfabriken Werke AG and Enzian's Epiphany, Finding Pavel, Thoughts of a Search Beyond the Rocket
This chapter and timing of the book aligns with the Vietnam mess. Seems like Vietnam was when the US first started to question the intent of the ruling class. The elites justified the endless mess of Vietnam with the distraction of stopping communism. Then we further question "power sources" with the assignation of JFK. This chapter still holds up with today's global circumstances, I think about it a lot.
And yeah this chapter holds up immensely. It is one of my absolute favorites of the book and is one of the most under-discussed things Pynchon has written.
Your ability to pull the lines that affect me most is astounding. Or maybe that's Pynchon doing his thing. Regardless, you've helped me understand so much more than I ever could alone, so thank you so much. The last chapter was my favorite and this one is beautiful in it's own right, it gives some substance to the meeting of Enzian and Tchitcherine, 'There's no money anymore--nobody's seen any out here for months, no it can't be money . . . cigarettes? I never have enough cigarettes. . . .'
Also, what's the name of the first piece you used above? I've never seen it and it's incredible.
Thanks again for all you do! I've almost caught up to your analysis in my 2nd trip over (under?) the rainbow.
This chapter and timing of the book aligns with the Vietnam mess. Seems like Vietnam was when the US first started to question the intent of the ruling class. The elites justified the endless mess of Vietnam with the distraction of stopping communism. Then we further question "power sources" with the assignation of JFK. This chapter still holds up with today's global circumstances, I think about it a lot.
Agreed.
And yeah this chapter holds up immensely. It is one of my absolute favorites of the book and is one of the most under-discussed things Pynchon has written.
Your ability to pull the lines that affect me most is astounding. Or maybe that's Pynchon doing his thing. Regardless, you've helped me understand so much more than I ever could alone, so thank you so much. The last chapter was my favorite and this one is beautiful in it's own right, it gives some substance to the meeting of Enzian and Tchitcherine, 'There's no money anymore--nobody's seen any out here for months, no it can't be money . . . cigarettes? I never have enough cigarettes. . . .'
Also, what's the name of the first piece you used above? I've never seen it and it's incredible.
Thanks again for all you do! I've almost caught up to your analysis in my 2nd trip over (under?) the rainbow.
Thank you so much! I appreciate the kind words and am glad the analysis has been able to help.
The piece is Ruben's "Massacre of the Innocents".