Wrecking the Recognitions...Chap 4 banana republic

[Paul Mackin]

On 5/11/2011 4:46 PM, Mark Kohut wrote:
> In the way that fiction embodies meaning larger than journalism, this chapter is
> also---along with whatever all the conversations carry about characters and
> themes
> an indictment of the US of A for the exploitation it inflicted for the wealth
> some characters
> have in TR, yes?
>
True, there may be some swipes taken at the banana company. But the 
chapter to me seems less about the lack of nobility on the part of big 
business than it is about the lack of nobility in Otto.  Otto is such a 
role player. His suit, his lighting of a cigarette in front of the 
mirror, and finally the bandaged hand arranged as to still allow his 
tapered fingers to show.  And the people he meets along the way are 
quick to point out his pretensions.

And of course we would not WANT a noble or an honest Otto.  Not if the 
book's aim is to explore the fragmented self.

P