Identity

Van den Berg explores the theme of identity throughout the book, specifically the lasting effects of leading a double life and how it affects our protagonist. Clare is a woman who throughout her life has held the idea that people have two sides of them, public and private, or what she refers to as the "secret self". The idea is that when a person is alone, they are free to express who they really are, to be free of societies norms and judgment from others, however, Clare experienced a complete disassociation from reality because of this, her logical half and her delusional half muddled together within one mind. Clare's delusional half was in control at the beginning of the novel, consumed by grief over Richard's death, but as the story progresses, the logical side of Clare is projected into the physical form of Richard. This physical...