The Tube

Television plays a central role in the lives of the characters in "Vineland" and Pynchon raises several questions about its influence not only on American culture, but also on the beliefs and behaviors of regular watchers. He recognizes television as a cultural institution by referring to it always as "the Tube" with a capital T, suggesting it is more than just passive entertainment.

Pynchon's characters frequently refer to the real events unfolding in their lives in terms of television programs. When Brock Vond and his bodyguard, Roscoe, have a narrow escape after being chased through a marijuana field, Roscoe says "Feel like we been in a Movie of the Week!" (pg. 271.) Later, when Flash and Zoyd are about to consider going after Vond, Flash expresses it in TV terms, saying they should find him and "cancel his series" (pg. 374.) For Hector Zuniga, the line between reality and...