Individuality / Self-Perception

The novel centers on exploring the self, both individually and in relation to the wider community. An individual's self-perception is often very different from the community's perception of that individual, although each perception influences the other. Le Petomane's character (M. Pujol) is an example of the power of public perception in defining the self. Le Petomane is M. Pujol's stage name and in Pujol's view of himself, the fame associated with that name defines his greatest success in life. M. Pujol longs to return to the stage as Le Petomane, but is blocked in his ambition by society's perception of his act. Back when audiences were unsophisticated, they could appreciate Le Petomane. His star fell, however, because his success depended on the appreciation of a small-minded audience. As the audience's level of sophistication grew, Le Petomane's character remained the same. His failure to evolve as an individual...