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Here’s what you do,” suggested Tansy Wagwheel, whom this…

“Here’s what you do,” suggested Tansy Wagwheel, whom this job in just a few short weeks would drive screaming down Fifteenth Street and on into the embrace of the Denver County public-school system, “It’s in this wonderful book I keep close to me all the time, A Modern Christian’s Guide to Moral…” quote by Thomas Pynchon
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““Here’s what you do,” suggested Tansy Wagwheel, whom this job in just a few short weeks would drive screaming down Fifteenth Street and on into the embrace of the Denver County public-school system, “It’s in this wonderful book I keep close to me all the time, A Modern Christian’s Guide to Moral Perplexities. Right here, on page eighty-six, is your answer. Do you have your pencil? Good, write this down—‘Dynamite Them All, and Let Jesus Sort Them Out.’” “Uh . . .” “Yes, I know. . . .” The dreamy look on her face could not possibly be for Lew. “Does it do horse races?” Lew asked after a while. “Mr. Basnight, you card.””

Thomas Pynchon

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A satirical scene showing a character offering a nonsensical, religiously framed solution to a bureaucratic problem, highlighting absurdity in corporate culture.

In simple terms: A bizarre, religiously framed answer is given to a workplace issue.

Key Takeaway

Question the usefulness of superficial solutions.

Themes

absurdity bureaucracy religion satire

Mood

sarcastic critical humorous

Type

literary satirical dialogue

When to use this quote

  • office politics
  • public school administration
  • creative writing
  • team management

Key Concepts

postmodernism irony institutional critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we avoid empty slogans in decision making?
  • What role does irony play in exposing corporate absurdities?
A Different Perspective

The quote mocks reliance on vague moral guides instead of concrete action.

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