In the excerpt by Thomas Pynchon, the character Profane experiences a strong physical reaction to art that evokes a sense of detached sentimentalism. This reaction highlights his discomfort with emotional displays that feel insincere or overly theatrical. The act of nearly vomiting symbolizes his visceral response to such performances, suggesting a profound aversion to what he perceives as the artificiality of sentimentality.

This moment captures the tension between genuine emotional expression and the manipulation of feelings in art. Profane's reaction reveals a struggle to reconcile personal experiences with external portrayals of emotion, illustrating a deeper commentary on the nature of authenticity in human interactions and artistic representations.