Humanism Of Thomas Pynchon In Gravity’s Rainbow

Thomas Pynchon is one of the most preeminent postmodern novelists incontemporary American literature. Though praises are mixed with critiques, Pynchon’sworks are influential and worth attention. Since his Entropy, his novels have alwaysbeen labeled as "heat death" and "entropy". Most critics fix their analysis of Pynchon’sworks on "entropy" as usual, holding that he displays his despair and helplessness.Recent years, people begin to reconsider Pynchon’s works with the publishing ofVineland and Manson&Dixon. After rational analysis, one may find that "heat death" isonly a tip of the iceberg as there still hides lots of profound meanings in Pynchon’snovels to explore. Avoiding the ideas of "heat death" and "entropy" that are repeatedlyemphasized by predecessors, this thesis attempts to explore Pynchon’s humanismhidden deeply in Gravity’s Rainbow based on the analysis of the text. What Pynchon hasbeen concerning about in his works are conditions of man. He focuses on man in all hisworks. His profundities not only lie in his blending scientific concepts into literature.More over, in those ostensible obscure and chaotic works, he hides his humanismin-between the lines. As a postmodern writer, the depth lies in Pynchon’s works is thathe displays his humanism. He always places himself in the angle of the whole humanbeings, concerning everyone in a universal heart. This thesis consists of six parts.Chapter One is "Introduction" and it explores Pynchon’s scarce information knownby critics, such as his family background, his experiences, works and literary position.Besides that, summaries about the domestic and overseas research conditions and thetranslations of his novels in our country are given.In Chapter Two, meanings of "postmodernism" and its literary features areexplicated, including Pynchon’s postmodern qualities. Then, meanings of "humanism",its origins, and influences it gives to literature are explained either. After analyzing thecores of humanism such as man’s reason, freedom, emancipation and equality displayedin Gravity’s Rainbow, this chapter proclaims that Pynchon is a writer full of humanism,which is also where profundities of his works lie.Focusing on Pynchon’s concerns about man’s reason, one of the cores ofhumanism, Chapter Three discusses how Pynchon hides his humanism in the depictionsof war. War is the background as well as the most external phenomenon of this novel.When denouncing the cruelties of war, Pynchon doesn’t behave desperately and helplessly. Instead, he exposes that war is unreasonable and it should have been avoided.Pynchon’s worries about human beings are revealed through showing the cruelties anddestructiveness of the war. All the focuses of his novels are human beings. The rocketsymbolizes the developments of science and technologies on the one hand; on the other,it brings serious damage to man. Pynchon pays attention to man’s attitudes towardsscience and technologies, hoping that man would treat them rationally.Chapter Four concentrates on Pynchon’s concerns about freedom andemancipations. Powers are based on the sender and receiver. If one who owns powerdisappears, then the power loses its foundations. Power embodies the control on manand Pynchon’s characters never stop resisting against powers over them. In essence,powers stand for hierarchies. Once hierarchies are destroyed, the strength of powers haspassed out of existence. By deconstructing the bases of powers, depicting man’srebellions and constructing a carnivalsque world, Pynchon deconstructs powers, givingfreedoms to those who are under control. This reveals his humanism.Chapter Five discusses Pynchon’s equality thoughts through the angel of socialcultures. Dissolving the traditional "logocentrism", Pynchon gives man and womanequal social positions. Homosexualities or bisexuals should not be rejected and theyshould be treated equally with heterosexualities. The carnivalsque world offers people afreedom and equality. Only on the carnival square can people drop completely thehierarchies and rules in social life and enjoy themselves freely. Different cultures shouldbe equal as the elite culture and the mass culture are divided according to ideologies.Pynchon tries to blur the boundaries between the elect and the preterite because thedifferentiations are religion based. Giving everyone an equal world shows Pynchon’shumanism.The conclusion points out that Pynchon is more a profound critic than apostmodern writer. When exposing the maladies of the society, Pynchon always devotesto humanism, which adds unique profundities to his works. Pynchon is neither a cynicalsatirist nor a wordplay sophist. Warning people through various metaphors and symbols,Pynchon acts as a humanist without the slightness.