

The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon
Mar 28, 2022
Guests Professor Sarah Churchwell, Chair of Public Understanding of the Humanities, and Sam Leith, literary editor of the Spectator, discuss Thomas Pynchon's postmodern novel The Crying of Lot 49. They explore themes of uncertainty, resistance, and the power of language. The hosts also delve into Pynchon's elusive persona, his writing style, and the fascination surrounding his works. The novel's use of symbolism, humor, and its eerily accurate predictions about digital networks are also highlighted.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Introduction
00:00 • 2min
Introducing the Guests and Discussing the City of San Narsuso
01:40 • 13min
Exploring Deaf Republic: Resistance, Silence, and the Power of Poetry
14:44 • 6min
Reflections on the Final Poem and Mail Handling Problems
20:32 • 2min
Personal Experiences and Themes in 'The Crying of Lot 49'
23:01 • 13min
The High Magic of Low Puns
36:22 • 16min
Exploring the Fame and Influence of Thomas Pynchon
52:23 • 8min
The Significance of 'Lot 49' and Maxwell's Demon
01:00:32 • 11min
Expressing Gratitude, Social Media Presence, and Listener Appreciation
01:11:46 • 2min
Expressions of Gratitude and Guest Remarks
01:13:41 • 2min
Exploring the Themes and Symbolism in 'The Crying of Lot 49'
01:15:15 • 2min