Crying of Lot 49 Thomas Research Proposal

Total Length: 573 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 2

The first comes with the name of the main character, Oedipa, a play on the famous Oedipus. Part of Oedipus's destiny is related to his capacity to solve several mysteries, which is also what Oedipa has to do. Some of the names the author uses are simple plays on the sound of the respective name. Such is the case with Pierce Inverarity, but also Genghis Cohen. Many of the names are a simple instrument of satire, such as Dr. Hilarius.

The novel ends in a similar postmodern knowledge tension. As Oedipa becomes more and more lonely, there are different clues pointing out that the entire plot may in fact have been a joke played on her by Pierce Inverarity. As she attends the auction, she is hopeful that by learning who the bidder is, she will find the main key in understanding what Tristero is. The hope that is build up here is probably the common denominator of the book: we constantly search for the truth, and, although we may never actually reach it, we always hope that we will.

In many ways, the book is both a satire and a parody.
First of all, it is a parody to the more serious literary works of history, such as Shakespeare's "Hamlet," satirically alluded to with the integration of a play within the action of the book. It is, at the same time, a parody of some of the more serious detective novels. Even more so, it is a very profound satire, a satire that targets postmodern thinking and the general ability of postmodern individuals to take themselves too seriously, to constantly feel they are lonely and misunderstood and in a constant quest….....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Crying Of Lot 49 Thomas" (2009, August 03) Retrieved May 20, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/crying-lot-49-thomas-20154

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Crying Of Lot 49 Thomas" 03 August 2009. Web.20 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/crying-lot-49-thomas-20154>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Crying Of Lot 49 Thomas", 03 August 2009, Accessed.20 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/crying-lot-49-thomas-20154