The Crying Of Lot 49 Essay

Communication as a Central Theme In Thomas Pynchon’s fictional narrative, “The Crying of Lot 49,” convoluted communication is a reoccurring theme throughout the novel. Writing and speaking are not the only forms of communication in the novel; symbols and clues are equally significant in attempting to interpret underlying meanings. Although the uncovering of these symbols and clues should create clarity, they generally end up making things more complex. Lack of effective communication and difficult interpretations, as a result of concealed meanings, are the root of turmoil in the novel as Pynchon attempts to confuse readers of the validity of the events occurring. Oedipa, who is living in the center of a chaotic world, is trying to logically piece together fragments of a mystery in order to make sense of her findings, and satiate her curiosity-driven endeavor of uncovering an underground conspiracy. Among the vast array of 20th century themes applied throughout the text, miscommunication and lack of interpretation fabricate a striking …show more content…
Oedipa develops a keen interest in learning about the Trystero after seeing a play titled, “The Couriers Tragedy,” which mobilizes her search for a mysterious, non-existent conspiracy. “She knew a few things about it: it had opposed the Thurn and Taxis postal system in Europe; its symbol was a muted post horn; sometime before 1853 it had appeared in America and fought the Pony Express and Wells, Fargo, either as outlaws in black, or disguised as Indians…” (Pynchon 88) The Thurn and Taxis emblem was an unmuted horn, which symbolizes the Trystero’s attempt to destroy that mailing service and start their own using the muted post horn. The feud between postal services and the creation of an underground mail system known as W.A.S.T.E highlight communication as a major theme in the