In Thomas Pynchon's book "Mason & Dixon," the character's conflicting feelings highlight the complexity of human emotions and desires at a young age. At fourteen, he views his experiences and interactions through a limited lens, categorizing them strictly into seduction or combat. These two concepts represent the dualities of attraction and conflict that he associates with pleasure, illustrating a simplistic understanding of adult relationships.

This perspective reveals the character's struggle to navigate adolescence, where emotions are often intense and unrefined. The quote suggests that his understanding of pleasure is rooted in fundamental, almost primal experiences, reflecting the tumultuous nature of growing up. As he grapples with these themes, it becomes clear how formative these early experiences are in shaping one's perceptions of love and conflict later in life.