This novel raises the question, "What is the real plot line?" Has Oedipa uncovered a national mail conspiracy, or are all the occurrences a practical joke of her ex-lover? Better yet, is Oedipa just on one large LSD trip? I think that the majority of the occurrences are a dream-like sequence with the help of some serious drugs. While Oedipa is experiencing many of the "conspiracy" moments, she also suffers physical symptoms that seem to relate to LSD usage. The following are symptoms pulled off of a LSD addiction website:
dilated pupils higher body temperature increased heart rate and blood pressure sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness dry mouth tremors
diminished control over thought processes, resulting in recent or long-forgotten memories resurfacing and blending with current experience, or in insignificant thought or objects taking on deep meaning.
To me, with that in mind, it seems as though Oedipa is actually under the influence of drugs, and might be mixing reality with flashbacks.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Within the context of the story Pynchon does suggest that Dr. Hilarious may have been giving them to her labeled as something else.
Post a Comment