A Close Analysis Of Thomas Pynchon's Entropy

As the age of postmodernism dawned, the stigma and nature of literature changed and the idea of the ‘death of the author’ was born. Instead of reaching obvious conclusions in their stories, authors began to leave gaps and ironies in their work, allowing readers to form their own opinions. But, while some people are not satisfied with the idea of these ‘open systems,’ perhaps the most significant pieces of work were born during this era of postmodernism. For example, Thomas Pynchon’s short story “Entropy.” In his work, Pynchon uses two main characters to represent the diversity of the world in terms of closed systems, while pointing out the ironic flaws of the consumerist at the same time. By purposely leaving gaps in his story, Pynchon disputes the idea of modernism and shows his readers the benefits of silencing his own influence, allowing them to create their own. Therefore, through close analysis of Pynchon’s short story “Entropy,” postmodern texts can be easily categorized as open systems full of ironies, gaps and disruptions. Entropy, the name of the piece, is the first example of open irony that Pynchon installs in his story. When trying to …show more content…
But, despite his steady attempt to keep it at bay, the death of the bird signals the end of his equilibrium. ‘“I held him,” he protested, impotent with the wonder of it, “to give him the warmth of my body. Almost as if I were communicating life to him, or a sense of life. What has happened? Has the transfer of heat ceased to work? Is there no more…”’. Despite his knowledge of science and the way things are supposed to work, Callisto has failed. As Callisto resolves into a state of fear, Aubade smashes the window of the hothouse, symbolically ending the story. However, does their world too transform into entropy? Pynchon does not say and instead, leaves the ending of his short story ambiguous, which is exactly how a postmodern text should