Art

The novel acknowledges the inherent value of artistic expression and interpretation, but the narrative also seeks to critique the ways in which people may warp ideas and discourse surrounding art. In the case of B., he is often presented as possessive and opportunistic in his approach to art. B.’s main motivations appear to be a desire for success and notoriety. Thus, while he does seem to genuinely appreciate artistic experiences, such appreciation often becomes overshadowed by his shallow ambitions. For example, when he first learns of Ingo’s film, which one but Ingo has seen, B. thinks, “I can spin this into anthropological gold. I can dine out on this for the rest of my life” (59). B.’s primary concern is not the celebration and propagation of worthy artistic experiences, but rather the creation of critical ownership over those experiences, for his own self-glorification.

The...