Point of View

This book is written from a third-person omniscient point of view, which allows the narrator to penetrate the thoughts and minds of all characters. The perspective shifts from Phaedrus to Lila to Rigel and back, but the lion's share is devoted to Phaedrus, the author's alter-ego. The focus is devoted almost exclusively to Phaedrus because Pirsig is hashing out his philosophical theories throughout the bulk of the work. The perspectives of Lila and Rigel are included so that the reader can identify with these characters in a way which ultimately supports the perspective of Phaedrus. It is important to see Phaedrus from Lila and Rigel's point of view because it helps to ground his theories into reality. Without their perspective, his ideas cannot "static latch" onto the reader, since they are "Dynamic" and new.

Setting

This story takes place along the Hudson River in the state...