Topics for Further Study
- Some parts of Gravity's Rainbow are based on historical facts, while others are fictional. Conduct research on a significant element of the plot, such as the German rocket program, and write an essay that examines what is historically accurate and what is fictional in those events. Additionally, analyze Pynchon's use of satire and speculation about history, including elements that appear historical but may not be factual.
- Deliver a class presentation on the history of conspiracy theories during the 1960s and early 1970s, the period when Pynchon was crafting Gravity's Rainbow. While researching, consider the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, the scandals and cover-ups of the Nixon administration, the opposition to the U.S. civil rights movement, and theories regarding U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
- Compose an essay on the scientific advancements of the World War II era and their lasting impacts. Discuss the use of mathematics in code-breaking and code-making, developments in aerodynamics, the race to develop the atomic bomb, advancements in machine technology, radar, and other innovations mentioned in Gravity's Rainbow.
- Facilitate a class discussion on postmodernism and American literature following World War II. Prepare by reading about postmodern theory and familiarizing yourself with the most influential American writers of the late twentieth century. Explore how literature evolved during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Identify key foreign influences on the American literary landscape. Discuss how Pynchon fits into the various literary movements, texts, and ideas of his time.
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