Developing Connections

The development of the book’s plots and characters, the shaping of its structure, and various metaphoric elements are all defined by a central thematic process – the developing of connection. In terms of the first, the actions and intentions of not only protagonist Harry Rosenmerck but of all the other major and minor characters are defined by the desire to make some sort of connection with others. The specific reasons for that desire vary from relationship to relationship, but all spring from a fundamental desire to either establish, maintain, or change the nature of a person-to-person connection.

That fundamental desire expresses itself not only in terms of what the characters say and do, but in how they say it and do it, which is, in turn, the second way in which the narrative focuses on developing connection – through its structure. This book contains no chapters...