The Mezzanine and Individuality
An odd contrast is posed in the Mezzanine within Howie. On the inside, he is constantly thinking, constantly pondering the intricacies in our society, puzzling over everything between deodorant and bagels, paper bags and bathrooms. However, externally, he is a drone to society in a world where subservience of thought is encouraged, a slave to the relations of late stage capitalist mode of production, drones of the system.
This brings the question to the table- is Howie really as unique as he seems to be? He could be considered a rare case, a unique character in a sea of people alienated from all inward humanity. Or perhaps, every other one of the lifeless seeming acquaintances he interacts, has a lively mind outside of their role in society.
One of the few major outward expressions of his distracted mind was when, after a long trip in the bathroom, he begins to hum.
"I held the door for him. As I walked out into the hall, I realized that the tune I had just begun was 'I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy'"
'From within, I heard Abe cheerfully start up with 'I Knew an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.'"
This, to me, is a deliberate indication that he may not be as different as this book portrays, and is intentionally put there to remind the reader that while it might seem as though they have no personality, just mechanistic movements, so does he on the outside, and we have no way of knowing that.
Hi! I actually don't really think that Baker intended to portray Howie as a unique character. In fact, Howie seems like he's supposed to be a relatable "every-man" character -- he works a generic office job, he's neither rich nor poor, and he honestly doesn't do anything that would be entertaining or particularly unique to an outside observer. Besides just challenging the "standard format" of a novel and also giving voice to his own inner thoughts, I feel like Baker's intention was to display the depth and breadth of thought and observation that even the most generic of guys can have. I think you're getting at something similar when you say that "[other characters in the Mezzanine]...might seem as though they have no personality... so does [Howie] on the outside." However, I think that establishing the fact that everyone can, and very well may, have these same deep thoughts IS part of Baker's intention in the Mezzanine.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with this. Howie doesn't need to be special and unique, the story of the Mezzanine really wouldn't function the same way or be nearly as effective if he was. The Mezzanine is all about taking a look at the little things because the rest of life is so mundane (not that Howie would admit it) if you take the "every-man" away from that you wouldnt be able to truly focus on the trivial.
DeleteI like your idea that Howie isn't really anyone special I definitely agree. I feel that Howie is meant to be a relatable character and while he does have some quirks that most others might not, he's meant to fit in and be "normal" (whatever society thinks that means). At the same time though, I think what makes Howie seem special to us is the great amount of detail and attention that he gives to seemingly mundane items. I don't think that many people would give sandwiches and straws as much attention that he does and that's what makes him such an interesting outstanding character.
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