I have heard that Pynchon uses a lot of esoteric subject matter to provide meaning in his books. Is there any need to do outside research to understand what he is trying to say? To make it easier, I plan to read his novels in order of publication. Since it is claimed he repeatedly uses the same symbolism and develops the same ideas, this should help right?
>>7647148
Among other things he uses a lot of obscure bits of historical information. Like I had no idea who/what Lothar von Trotha, Walter Rathenau, IG Farben, and Phoebus (the 1920s lightbulb cartel) were until I read his books.
it adds more to your reading but isn't necessary
stop making these threads
>>7647148
>esoteric subject matter
dude weed lmao
>>7647253
Somebody hasn't read any Pynchon
It's a device actually to intentionally disorient the reader so they have a shared experience with the equally disoriented and paranoid characters in it.
>>7647277
Lmao bro lemme tell you something. I was reading this vintage edition of Gravity rainbow and tb h I couldn't understand shit, I'm not a smart man you know, I decided to smoke some dank ass kush. So I smoked that shit good and long, got baked as fuck, picked up the book again and I got 100% of the book.
Pynchon is CLEARLY as stoner breh
>>7647290
I could see this as an MDE sketch
>>7647277
>pynchon
>literature
>>7647305
>(You)
>meme
>>7648666
Fucking saved pic related. Best Pynchon pic i've seen in a while. Also, check 'em, you where a (2) away from a full Bolaño
