Ms. Kemp has posited the notion that the idea that "perception is reality" may well apply to Time's Arrow. If so, discuss how this concept relates to both Tod and the Doppleganger.
Tod sees things how they really are. He knows who he is and what he wants to be like because of his past and other things; however, the doppleganger sees things backwards so he doesn't understand. He also acts like everything is positive. (especially around chapter 5 it seemed like to me.) He acted like the terrible things were bad and nasty but he kinda acted like it want a big deal because Tom was doing something good. So perception is definitely reality because the doppelganger has no idea what is really going on.
Hmmm...not sure Tod sees things as they really are. Perhaps as they really were. Just in reverse. Both Tod and his doppleganger tread backward through time...The doppleganger is the only one conscious of the journey...the only one able to comment on the trip. I think he is the one who knows what is going on...Tod certainly doesn't--which makes the reader wonder--who is the doppleganger?
I dont agree with the idea of the narrator being a "doppleganger". Doppleganger generally presents the idea of an evil and tangible double of someone. Neither is the Narrator evil, but rather observant and like an allseeing eye nor is the narrator tangible. The narrator is not someone that Tod could stumble upon on the street. Also the narrator does not share the same thoughts, habits, or routines. Therefore not a double of Tom. Therefore not a Doppleganger.
Period inside of qm's. Not my idea--one commonly presented in discussion of the novel. However, I think it works primarily in this sense: The being inside of his head is being forced to see what Tod did...is this the beginning of his hell?
Tod sees things how they really are. He knows who he is and what he wants to be like because of his past and other things; however, the doppleganger sees things backwards so he doesn't understand. He also acts like everything is positive. (especially around chapter 5 it seemed like to me.) He acted like the terrible things were bad and nasty but he kinda acted like it want a big deal because Tom was doing something good. So perception is definitely reality because the doppelganger has no idea what is really going on.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...not sure Tod sees things as they really are. Perhaps as they really were. Just in reverse. Both Tod and his doppleganger tread backward through time...The doppleganger is the only one conscious of the journey...the only one able to comment on the trip. I think he is the one who knows what is going on...Tod certainly doesn't--which makes the reader wonder--who is the doppleganger?
ReplyDeleteI dont agree with the idea of the narrator being a "doppleganger". Doppleganger generally presents the idea of an evil and tangible double of someone. Neither is the Narrator evil, but rather observant and like an allseeing eye nor is the narrator tangible. The narrator is not someone that Tod could stumble upon on the street. Also the narrator does not share the same thoughts, habits, or routines. Therefore not a double of Tom. Therefore not a Doppleganger.
ReplyDeletePeriod inside of qm's. Not my idea--one commonly presented in discussion of the novel. However, I think it works primarily in this sense: The being inside of his head is being forced to see what Tod did...is this the beginning of his hell?
ReplyDelete