An Unique Postmodernist Study Of Thomas Pynchon's Works

Pynchon was considered as one of the most excellent writers in modern America, whose works are known for obscurity. By far, he has composed six long novels, all having been published, with each one gaining much attention of the public. His works have influenced a lot of readers both in his times and today.However, according to the author's limited collection of Pynchon's study, most articles mainly focus on the analysis of some certain works of him, concentrating on their contents. While it still lacks a lot when it comes to the overall analysis of Pynchon's works, especially from the perspective of post-modernism. Therefore, this dissertation tries to analyze the theme, structure and narration of his works that the author has chosen, trying to provide some useful perspective for other post-modernist studies.In the preface, the author introduces the general situation of the research about Pynchon and his works both in China and foreign countries. Then, firstly, this dissertation describes, in the first chapter, the unique features of Pynchon's works, mainly focusing on his three novels—V.,The Crying of Lot 49 and Gravity's Rainbow. In the second chapter, centering on the theme of the novel, the author introduces the hero's "quest" in these three novels, putting emphasis on its uncertainty which is also one of the features of post-modernist works. In the third chapter, the author introduces the unique structure of V.—ime-shift and space-shift. By doing this, the author intends to analyze the differences between the structure of traditional works and that of post-modernist works. Then, in the fourth chapter, focusing on the technique of narrating—a collaged narrative which makes readers feel puzzled while reading it, just like in a labyrinth. Finally, the author analyses the inspiration it brings to us to study post-modernist works.When the forms of American literature almost came to the edge of exhaustion in 1960s and when American society faces kinds of problems, Pynchon's works appeared in America and played a rather positive role. His unique perspective and writing style deserve further reflection and reference by the people living in the post-times.