Chapter 18

Revision as of 23:24, 16 August 2009 by Lahope (Talk | contribs) (Page 322)

Please keep these annotations SPOILER-FREE by not revealing information from later pages in the novel.

Page numbers refer to editions with 369 pages, where the story begins on page 1. Not sure if there are other editions with variant pagination. Please let us know otherwise.

Page 315

bindlestiffs
Pynchon may just be using the word in with its basic literal meaning (hoboes), but it is also the name ("Bindlestiffs of the Blue A.C.") of a "club of ascensionaries from Oregon," referred to in Against the Day at page 18 and again at page 1083.

Page 316

Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Yastrzemski played for the Boston Red Sox from 1961-1983, and was at the peak of his career between 1967 and 1970, when he was among the most formidable hitters in professional baseball. Like Pynchon, he grew up on Long Island. He was generally admired as a hard-working, unpretentious player.

Page 318

Mike Curb
In addition to contributing the musical score for "The Big Bounce" and other movies, Mike Curb was the leader of The Mike Curb Congregation, a popular music group with a wholesome, all-American image. The group often appeared on the Glen Campbell Show. He was also a record-company executive and, later, a Republican politician who was elected Lieutenant Governor of California in the late '70s.

The Big Bounce
Is a film adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel. The score is bouncy and peppy, and entirely out-of-place in the movie, and Doc's opinion regarding it is likely shared by many, if not most, viewers.

Page 322

your hour is at hand
In Matthew 26:45, Jesus wakes up his disciples and warns them that the "hour is at hand" (i.e., Jesus is about to be arrested).

dropped it inside the forms for a concrete support column about to be poured.
The fate of Adrian's victim is similar to some of the theories about the 1975 disappearance and presumed murder of Jimmy Hoffa and the disposal of his body.[1]

Page 326

Dagwood and Mr. Dithers, Bugs and Yosemite Sam, Popeye and Bluto
These are all pairs of cartoon characters who are in conflict.

Dagwood butts heads with his controlling boss Mr. Dithers in the comic strip Blondie.
Bugs often has to hide from his nemesis Yosemite Sam in the TV cartoon Bugs Bunny.
Popeye and the brute Bluto fight for the affection of Olive Oyl in the cartoon Popeye.

Page 329

'59 Cadillac hearse

photo courtesy Mark & Debbie Teague


Chapter 1
pp. 1-18
Chapter 2
pp. 19-45
Chapter 3
pp. 46-49
Chapter 4
pp. 50-54
Chapter 5
pp. 55-67
Chapter 6
pp. 68-88
Chapter 7
pp. 89-110
Chapter 8
pp. 111-123
Chapter 9
pp. 124-153
Chapter 10
pp. 154-162
Chapter 11
pp. 163-185
Chapter 12
pp. 186-206
Chapter 13
pp. 207-234
Chapter 14
pp. 235-255
Chapter 15
pp. 256-274
Chapter 16
pp. 275-295
Chapter 17
pp. 296-314
Chapter 18
pp. 315-342
Chapter 19
pp. 343-350
Chapter 20
pp. 351-363
Chapter 21
pp. 364-369
Personal tools