He also began to question why blacks' accepted Christianity. ... He supported himself by performing a variety of odd jobs: handyman, porter, elevator operator, office boy, factory, worker, dishwasher, and a file clerk. ... In his novels he suggested that whites, as well as blacks, suffer in a racist environment. ... Although he wrote in favor of blacks, he was often put down by black critics for being biased and one-sided. ... Soon, the room becomes a symbol for David and his relationship with Giovanni. ...

• Word Count: 2515
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

Thomas Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49 is a very deep, complex, and demanding novel, requiring the wide breadth of knowledge. One of the most fascinating aspects of the novel is Pynchon's choice -- or rather, invention -- of the names he gives the characters and organizations described in the novel. ...

• Word Count: 2590
• Approx Pages: 10