Thomas Pynchon is an American novelist born in 1937 on Long Island, New York. He attended Cornell University where he studied engineering and later English. Some of his notable works include V (1963), The Crying of Lot 49 (1966), and Gravity's Rainbow (1973). His short story Entropy (1960) follows the character Meatball Mulligan who hosts a chaotic party attended by various guests who share their problems as the night descends into further disorder, culminating with a visit from the U.S. Navy who believe it is a brothel. Pynchon is known for his complex, dense writing style that uses parody and absurd plots.

1. Thomas Pynchon

2. ChildhoodBorn May 8, 1937Glen cove, Long Island New YorkOne of three childrenFather- Thomas Ruggles Pynchon Sr.Mother- Katherine Frances BennetAs a child attended Oyster Bay High School where he began to write short fictional stories to his school newspaper.

3. Later years……Attended Cornell University with a study in engineering 1953He left the University after a few years to join the U.S Navy.In 1957he later returned to Cornell to pursue a degree in english.In 1959 Pynchon received his BA.

4. Early works and published sourcesEntropy one of Pynchon’s first publications (1960)V (1963)- Pynchon’s first novelThe Crying of Lot 49 (1966)- comic reliefGravity’s Rainbow (1973)- most daring and exhaustive effortSlow Learner (1984)Vinland (1990)Mason & Dixon (1997)Against the Day (2006)

6. EntropyMain character- Meatball MulliganSandor RojasSaul-the neighborDuke Di Angelis quartet (Duke, Vincent, Paco)Callistro-tenant upstairs A birdOther house guest

7. Plot of the StoryMeatball is having a lease breaking party and many guest are in attendance. Meatball’s friends and neighbor encounters many problems that they confide in Meatball about.The night is full of stories, booze, women, and chaos.During the story the guest make reference numerous of times to a bird and the temperature on the thermastatwhich is 37 degrees

8. Continued….Callistro is a man who is living above meatball and he is living with a dying bird and a strange woman by the name of AubadeAs the party goes on Saul the neighbor discusses how him and his wife have gotten into a fight and she may leave him.The party continues and more people come because they believe it is a party along with a whore house.

9. Continued….Towards the end of the story and the party the U.S Navy broke into Meatball’s apartment with assupmtion that is was a “hoorhouse” (whore house)At first reaction Meatball ran to the closet in hopes that the U.S Navy would leave and the party would calm downMeatball realized he could not hide from his party and returned to the living room

10. Continued……Duke Di Angelis quartet began to play a musical piece in Meatball’s apartment in hopes of calming everyone down. During that time and also the closing of the story Callistro’s pet bird passes away

11. Thomas Pynchon’s Writing StylePynchon’s work was very complex and denseUsed parodies and imitations in his writingsSome writing were used with comic reliefAble to catch reader’s attention from the complicated and absurd plots