Monstrous Technology in Thomas Pynchon’s Bleeding Edge: The Internet as Terror and Transformation

ŠALAMOUN, Jiří. Monstrous Technology in Thomas Pynchon’s Bleeding Edge: The Internet as Terror and Transformation. CRITIQUE-STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY FICTION. UNITED STATES: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2023, Neuveden, Neuvedeno, p. 1-10. ISSN 0011-1619. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00111619.2023.2242765.

Basic information

• Original name: Monstrous Technology in Thomas Pynchon’s Bleeding Edge: The Internet as Terror and Transformation
• Authors: ŠALAMOUN, Jiří (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: CRITIQUE-STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY FICTION, UNITED STATES, ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2023, 0011-1619.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 60205 Literary theory
• Country of publisher: United States of America
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• Impact factor: Impact factor: 0.200 in 2022
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14410/23:00131481
• Organization unit: Faculty of Education
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00111619.2023.2242765
• Keywords in English: Pynchon - technology - Internet - monstrosity - transformation
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

This article argues that Pynchon’s portrayal of technology and the Internet in Bleeding Edge (2013) should be read as an example of the monstrous since it embodies its two key features: the ability to terrorize and transform. The paper shows that the Internet in Bleeding Edge is not only monstrous, as it can devour the life essence of its users, but also transformative, as it shocks them to such an extent that they can reassess their beliefs and can thus address new looming realities in productive ways. The paper shows this finding to be at odds with most research on the role of technology in Pynchon’s work and identifies a key benefit of Pynchon’s complex portrayal of the Internet in Bleeding Edge, which can enable better handling of the increasing presence of technology in the 21st century and making its presence and the accompanying transformations less terrifying.