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The Crying of Lot 49 Study Guide

by Thomas Pynchon

The Crying of Lot 49 study guide contains a biography of Thomas Pynchon, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Mrs. Oedipa Maas received a letter naming her executrix of Pierce Inverarity's estate. Pierce was a California real estate mogul with a great number of assets whom she had an affair with years ago. Pierce died a year before the will was found. Oedipa did errands, trying to uncover what happened a year ago. Finally, she remembered a three A.M. phone call from Pierce. He had spoken to her in different voices. Oedipa's husband, Wendell "Mucho" Maas, arrived home. He complained, as usual, that his boss, Funch, at KCUF was trying to censor him. Mucho had formerly worked as a used car salesman. Mucho had tried not to be a stereotypical used car salesman, but the job overwhelmed him. Oedipa tried, unsuccessfully, to calm his memories. At three…

Read the full The Crying of Lot 49 Summary

• The Crying of Lot 49 Summary
• About The Crying of Lot 49
• Character List
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 1
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 2
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 3
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 4
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 5
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 6
• Related Links on The Crying of Lot 49
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• The Crying of Lot 49: Major Themes
• The Crying of Lot 49: Essays
• The Crying of Lot 49: Questions
• The Crying of Lot 49: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Thomas Pynchon: Biography