The Crying of Lot 49 - Ch. 6

The ending of Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49 wrapped up some loose ends from the beginning sections of the novel. Firstly, we finally arrive at the meaning of the title of the book. "Crying" at an auction is the process of the auctioneer actually conducting the auction from his podium; a scene which we are left with as the novel closes. Now, I thought that "crying" in particular was referring to actual tears throughout the whole novel, and in this case, they may symbolize Odepia's frustration or joy at the fact that she now knows all about the mystery behind the Trystero and their connection with the Thurn and Taxis system, but now does not know what to do with herself as a result. Odepia seems very lost at the end of the novel, as she even feels hopeless when she contacts Morris Schrift to inquire about the client interested in Lot 49: "Next day, with the courage you find you have when there is nothing more to lose..." (pg. 151). Odepia has become crazed over this whole affair, and I believe that, at least partially, the journey a reader takes following her through her crazy adventures around California provides a deep sense of mystery, along with the mysterious air that Pynchon introduces through the discussion of two ancient postal systems. These aspects physically contribute the most to the mystery of this novel, in my opinion.