What is the symbolism of the yo-yo in V.?

Question

The yo-yo is mentioned often in Thomas Pynchon's *V.*, including in a few chapter names. What does it symbolize?

Answer 1

Wow. This is a blast from the past now that such author as Pynchon have been cast aside.

There is an old chestnut from the American Songbook "I've got the World on a String," by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Ted Koehler.

World on a string = the yo yo.

I've got the world on a string, sittin' on a rainbow

Got the string around my finger

What a world, what a life, I'm in love!

I've got a song that I sing