Previous
Situational Irony
Definition of Stream of Consciousness
Stream of consciousness is a style or technique of writing that tries to capture the natural flow of a character's extended thought process, often by incorporating sensory impressions, incomplete ideas, unusual syntax... read full definition
Stream of consciousness is a style or technique of writing that tries to capture the natural flow of a character's extended thought process, often by incorporating... read full definition
Stream of consciousness is a style or technique of writing that tries to capture the natural flow of a character's... read full definition
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Tangled Narrative:
Chapter 1 ends with a long stream of consciousness from Hal's perspective. While the details he brings up seem disjointed and meaningless outside his inner world, they in fact foreshadow a coherent narrative that comes together by the end of the novel:
I think of the Moms, alphabetizing cans of soup in the cabinet over the microwave. Of Himself’s umbrella hung...inside the Headmaster’s House’s foyer...I think of John N. R. Wayne, who would have won this year’s WhataBurger, standing watch in a mask as Donald Gately and I dig up my father’s head. There’s very little doubt that Wayne would have won. And Venus Williams...may well attend the 18’s Boys’ and Girls’ finals. I will be out in plenty of time for tomorrow’s semi; I trust Uncle Charles.
"The Moms" refers to Avril. This memory of her alphabetizing soup captures her anxiety over order and control in the Incandenza household and the entire Enfield Tennis Academy. Set in the kitchen, it also suggests that Hal thinks of his mother as the parent who feeds the family, nourishing them albeit in a regimented, paranoid way. By contrast, Hal thinks of "Himself" (his father) by way of his umbrella in the Headmaster's House. Not only does Hal's memory of his father live at work, but also the only trace of him is his umbrella. Far more trustworthy is Uncle Charles, who has taken up residence in the Headmaster's House since Hal's father died. Uncle Charles will make sure that no matter what, Hal will get a shot at playing tennis in a tournament attended by stars like Venus Williams.
As the book goes on, it becomes clear that Hal's psychology is driven by the combination of a controlling mother, an absent father, and an uncle who is far more invested in his future than either of his biological parents seems to be. Even Uncle Charles, though, cares more about Hal as a tennis player than as the real person he is. Hal's memory of digging up his father's head with John Wayne and Don Gately foreshadows the way all of this family trauma gets entangled with large-scale global politics. As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that these characters believe James Incandenza's head may be implanted with a copy of The Entertainment. This film, which he made, poses a grave threat to national security. At the same time, it was supposed to be a gift for Hal. John Wayne is a possible double agent, hoping to dig up the film cartridge either on behalf of Québec separatists or to betray them. Gately is likely there at the urging of James Incandenza's wraith. Hal, meanwhile, is hoping to finally understand the legacy his father has left for him. Reminiscent of the graveyard scene in Hamlet, this memory hints to the reader that the personal and political threads of the novel all come together in the end.
Related Themes:
