Chapter 26: 257-265
Contents
Page 257
November 15, 1763
Page 258
Pynchon was in the Navy for a spell and "single up all lines" is a common nautical term. Ships are docked with lines doubled — that is, with two sets of ropes or chains holding the vessel to the dock. To "single up all lines" is to remove the redundant second lines in preparation to make way.
"single up all lines" also appears in V., p.11; The Crying of Lot 49, p.31; Gravity's Rainbow, p.489; Against the Day, p.3; and Inherent Vice, p. 119.
Page 260
single up all lines
See p.258, above
Page 261
The New Religion
A reference to the
'First Great Awakening'.
Page 262
the way ev'rything, suddenly, has begun to gravitate towards B-flat major
B flat major is the easiest key for many wind instruments and therefore very popular for hymns and anthems, as well as later on for jazz.
To Anacreon in Heaven
Then a British drinking song; later to become "The Star-Spangled Banner". [1]
Page 263
As to journey west...grow older, and die...to turn Eastward...defy death
Journeying westward as following the "Stream of the Day" makes turning eastward a turning "Against the Day", as it were. The Reverend's story, as a means of travelling into the past, is also bound "against the wind".
Page 264
Percussion
First recorded in 1544, "a striking, a blow," from L. percussionem (nom. percussio), from percussus, pp. of percutere "to strike," from per- "through" + quatere "to strike, shake." Reference to musical instruments is first recorded 1776.
[2]
