Plot structure Mason & Dixon

–mason & dixon (p. 350)

rather mistake or flaw on pynchon s part, narrative structure constructed inexact in (perhaps paradoxically) precise fashion; demonstrates fragility, rather secure foundations, of historical record, , in truth, history itself. cherrycoke narrative shifts internally 1 point of view another, relating events view of people cherrycoke has never met. story shifts emphasis based on members of family in room — veering toward adventure-heroic when young twin boys listening, veering away erotic @ insistence of more prudish (and richer) relatives. also, parallel story read 2 cousins, erotic captured indians narrative, works way main thread of cherrycoke s story, further blurring , obliterating line between objective history , subjectivity — happened nothing more construction of several narrators, perhaps 1 of whom directly author.

pynchon employs exaggerated version of spelling, grammar, , syntax of actual late 18th century document, further emphasizing novel s intended anachronism.

john krewson, writing onion s a. v. club observed, whatever meanings , complex messages may lie hidden in pynchon s text can, now, left develop subconsciously reader enjoys more immediate rewards of work of consummate storyteller. pynchon one, , never quite lets forget while might epic story, s epic story told wide-eyed children past bedtime.