Publication details

Monstrous Technology in Thomas Pynchon’s Bleeding Edge: The Internet as Terror and Transformation

Authors

ŠALAMOUN Jiří

Year of publication 2023
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source CRITIQUE-STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY FICTION
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Education

Citation
Web https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00111619.2023.2242765
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00111619.2023.2242765
Keywords Pynchon - technology - Internet - monstrosity - transformation
Description This article argues that Pynchon’s portrayal of technology and the Internet in Bleeding Edge (2013) should be read as an example of the monstrous since it embodies its two key features: the ability to terrorize and transform. The paper shows that the Internet in Bleeding Edge is not only monstrous, as it can devour the life essence of its users, but also transformative, as it shocks them to such an extent that they can reassess their beliefs and can thus address new looming realities in productive ways. The paper shows this finding to be at odds with most research on the role of technology in Pynchon’s work and identifies a key benefit of Pynchon’s complex portrayal of the Internet in Bleeding Edge, which can enable better handling of the increasing presence of technology in the 21st century and making its presence and the accompanying transformations less terrifying.

You are running an old browser version. We recommend updating your browser to its latest version.

More info