Chapter 70: 678-686
Contents
Page 678
Interdiction
To interdict -
1. To forbid by church or legal sanction.
2. To damage, interrupt or destroy enemy lines of communication.
3. (Roman Catholic) to exclude a person or geographical area from participation in church symbolism and services.
4. To exclude from church sacraments including burial.
5. To invoke a prohibition against contact with another. From WIKI
Page 680
Creeping Nick... threw him on to the Jersey Ice
See page 408.
Catfish
See page 673.
Lancaster Rifle... with an inverted Pentacle upon the Stock
See page 427.
Page 681
Monomaniack
A person who is obsessed with a single thing, to the exclusion of other concerns. From WIKI
Cairns
A cairn (carn in Irish, carnedd in Welsh, càrn in Scots Gaelic) is a manmade pile of stones, often in a conical form. They are usually found in uplands, on moorland, on mountaintops or near waterways. From WIKI
Legionary
The Roman legionary was a professional soldier of the Roman army after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. Legionaries had to be Roman citizens under the age of 45. They enlisted in a legion for twenty-five years of service, a change from the early practice of enlisting only for a campaign. The last five years were on veteran lighter duties. From WIKI
Page 682
Stuffata
See page 74.
... copper-plate, gray and black, the Hatching too crowded ...
In engraving, 'hatching' (and its overlaid variety, cross-hatching) is the use of closely spaced parallel lines to simulate shades of grey.
opiated Philtres
Most likely, Dixon is passing out the reserves of Daffy's Elixir, from his massive, initial purchase. See page 267.
Page 683
till the Moment they must pass over the Crest of the Savage Mountain, does there remain to them, contrary to Reason, against the Day, a measurable chance,
Pynchon uses the titles of his next two books in Mason & Dixon. Inherent Vice back on page 271 and Against the Day here.
Note, "against the day" has appeared numerous times in this novel, and is also a term seen in history books about this time period, meaning, making action against the current day, for tomorrow, in a way, credit of action.
Sha
See page 542.
in a Cycle belonging to some Engine whose higher Assembly and indeed Purpose, they are never, except from infrequent Glimpses, quite able to make out
This is a common theme and observation of Pynchon's throughout his work, from the Tristero of Crying of Lot 49 to Against the Day - Finding the Truth of existence and purpose is impossible, however, there are these glimpses and connections that come and go, though usually leaving one back where they began... ie. the Human Condition, Pynchon-style.
higher Assembly- In GR, the mystery of the 'Next Higher Assembly', the Schwarzgerät, is a linking motif between parts II and III. It is not mentioned again until it reappears, pivotally, a few pages from the end of the book.
Page 684
The Rabbi of Prague
Refer to page 485.
His Golem
See page 481.
Burning Bush
The burning bush is an object described by the Book of Exodus as being located on Mount Horeb; according to the narrative, the bush was on fire, but was not consumed by the flames, hence the name. In the narrative, the burning bush is the location at which Moses was appointed by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into Canaan. From WIKI
Cits
(Archaic) townsman, citydweller (term of contempt). Shortening of citizens. From WIKI
Forest Dithyrambist
See page 262.
Suborner
Suborn - To induce someone to commit an unlawful or malicious act, or to commit perjury. From WIKI
Page 685
Vis Fulgoris
Inner Lightning
Laminae
Very thin layers of material. From WIKI
Learned Dog
See page 18.
Page 686
like some Indian Youth at the Onset of Manhood, under the Protection of a potent tho' invisible Spirit
Cf. Jemmy's Vision Quest, see page 651.
Loosestrife
Loosestrife is the common name of a number of different flowering plants. See WIKI
