In Thomas Pynchon's "Gravity's Rainbow," one of the key themes revolves around the commercialization of war, highlighting that the primary focus is on transactions rather than the violence itself. This perspective suggests that behind the chaos of conflict lies a systematic and profit-driven approach, where motivations are deeply rooted in economic gain rather than ideology or morality.
The quote emphasizes that while violence and murder occur during wartime, these actions can be managed by those who are not necessarily professionals in warfare. This notion implies that the brutality of war has become normalized and is thus relegated to individuals who may lack the expertise or formal training but still engage in the violent aspects of conflict, making war a complex interplay of commerce and chaos.