How does Alex Portnoy's unresolved Oedipal dynamic express itself in his relationship with The Pumpkin?

The Pumpkin is basically the opposite of Sophie Portnoy in manner, looks, religion, character, and homelife. Alex Portnoy's mother, Sophie, has dominated his life from the time he was a baby. Late in the novel he finally comes to understand the Oedipal nature of his relationship with his mother; that is, the psychological need to please her with all his actions and that there is a sexual component to his feelings. During college, though, he is involved with Kay Campbell (The Pumpkin). She and her family are the opposite of what Alex has known in his childhood. She and her family are Gentiles, calm, liberal, blond, mid-western, moral and soft-spoken. Alex recognizes her good qualities but does not really understand that he has been seeking the opposite of his mother. Things fall apart with The Pumpkin when Alex suggests she might convert to Judaism after they marry and she has no interest in doing so. His upbringing is too strong for him to consider marrying someone outside his (and his mother's) faith. His connection with and rejection of The Pumpkin are ultimately based on his confused relationship with his mother.