Jonathan Rosenbaum revisits his review of Thomas Pynchon's classic novel "Gravity's Rainbow," originally written for the Village Voice in the 1970s. The review explores how Pynchon's novel encapsulates the post-war fears and paranoia of America, particularly the anxiety surrounding the V-2 rocket and the looming threat of nuclear destruction.
Rosenbaum begins by recalling his first encounter with the novel and the eerie parallels it draws with a childhood horror story. He emphasizes that Pynchon's vision is not merely one of being victims of conspiracies but also of being complicit in creating them. The novel's apocalyptic theme culminates in a movie theater setting where the audience is about to be obliterated by a V-2 rocket, symbolizing the collective dread of the era.
The central symbol of the rocket represents a variety of destructive and creative forces, from the military and technological advances to sexual potency. The novel's structure is compared to a parabola, mirroring the trajectory of a rocket, and the characters' journey from awareness to dissolution.
Slothrop, the main character, initially appears to be a narrative thread but gradually disintegrates, becoming a scattered set of impulses. This fragmentation reflects Pynchon's exploration of entropy and dissolution, themes that contrast sharply with the Faustian power trips and Oedipal searches prevalent in his world.
Rosenbaum discusses the novel's complexity, which includes a vast array of characters and allusions, and acknowledges the challenges it poses to readers. Despite these difficulties, he highlights the novel's redeeming qualities, including its lyrical passages and surreal elements that offer a glimpse into Pynchon's unique vision.
The review concludes by considering the enduring significance of "Gravity's Rainbow," suggesting that it serves as a time capsule for the late 1960s and early 1970s, capturing the prevailing anxieties and fears of that period.
Rosenbaum begins by recalling his first encounter with the novel and the eerie parallels it draws with a childhood horror story. He emphasizes that Pynchon's vision is not merely one of being victims of conspiracies but also of being complicit in creating them. The novel's apocalyptic theme culminates in a movie theater setting where the audience is about to be obliterated by a V-2 rocket, symbolizing the collective dread of the era.
The central symbol of the rocket represents a variety of destructive and creative forces, from the military and technological advances to sexual potency. The novel's structure is compared to a parabola, mirroring the trajectory of a rocket, and the characters' journey from awareness to dissolution.
Slothrop, the main character, initially appears to be a narrative thread but gradually disintegrates, becoming a scattered set of impulses. This fragmentation reflects Pynchon's exploration of entropy and dissolution, themes that contrast sharply with the Faustian power trips and Oedipal searches prevalent in his world.
Rosenbaum discusses the novel's complexity, which includes a vast array of characters and allusions, and acknowledges the challenges it poses to readers. Despite these difficulties, he highlights the novel's redeeming qualities, including its lyrical passages and surreal elements that offer a glimpse into Pynchon's unique vision.
The review concludes by considering the enduring significance of "Gravity's Rainbow," suggesting that it serves as a time capsule for the late 1960s and early 1970s, capturing the prevailing anxieties and fears of that period.
