The Concept of Quantum Mechanics and A Reading of Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow

Abstract

Jo, Il-Jae & Kim, Sangkoo. “The Concept of Quantum Mechanics and A Reading of Thomas Pynchons Gravitys Rainbow.” The Journal of Modern British & American Language & Literature. 32.1 (2014): 163-186. This article is intended to examine the interactive relationship, and interdisciplinarity between literature and science. It gives a hermeneutic explanation and analytical interpretation of how Thomas Pynchons novel Gravitys Rainbow is connected with quantum mechanics and how it is represented, based on variable in modern science. Thus major character Slothrop and other characters related to him are analyzed for their mysterious, difficult actions in connection with principles and characteristics of quantum mechanics. The hidden variable theory contains field concept, relativity theory, quantum mechanics, and etc. Gravitys Rainbow shows various scientific theories and discourses, and postmodern societys traits and falls to the fiction in the quantum universe. Many characters, images and motifs in this novel are interconnected and they are not separated from the whole, but placed as a individual whole in the world. The parallel between literature and science is provided on the basis of quantum mechanics. (Pusan National University)