Throughout the few weeks of discussion about The Mezzanine, there is one common question we keep returning to: “does it count as a novel?” Despite hearing disagreements, it does, in my opinion, count. Starting off, The Mezzanine does have a plot. I know multiple people will disagree with me on this, but it does! Sure, it’s a very simple plot- just riding up an escalator- but it still counts as a plot. However, I think that the simplicity of the plot is actually an ingenious idea on Baker’s part, as it allows him to explore many other topics in his book that would be otherwise unrelated. For example, if he was focused on what he was actually working on at his job, we would never get to hear about the functionality of a stapler (and imagine how sad that would be). So, despite the fact that it’s an uncommon style for a plot, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t there. And, though it is partially up to personal interpretation, it is a functional plot.
Next, we commonly talk about characters. Characters are often used to drive the story forward, which is not the case in The Mezzanine. Instead, the book focuses almost solely on the main character, Howie, with only brief mention and interaction with other people. Yet, once again, this seems to an intentional decision by Baker. Instead of using humans to create the story, Howie focuses on certain objects, which leads to his meandering trains of thought. Almost the entire book discusses the functions, invention and evolution, and use of different objects. If the objects cause the plot, does this make them actual characters? Before you automatically say no, remember that many books have animals as characters, even though they cannot talk!
Lastly, all novels have a story- a message or theme that they are trying to convey. The Mezzanine may seem shallow, but if you dig deeper, you can definitely find provocative messages. Here’s two:
1) How seemingly simple items are more ingenious than they originally appear. Something as simple as a staple or shoelaces- which we never really consider- Howie can talk about for multiple pages.
2) The importance of remaining present in the moment. Imagine how many things Howie would have missed analyzing if he were thinking about his job! Or… maybe the message is to stay on task, since we read about literally 0% of his work!
Anyways, let me know what you think, since I’m sure many people will disagree with me on this!
Comments
I agree that it is a novel because of the plot and character aspects. I am not sure that I totally see the objects as characters though. I see Howie as a character but I think the objects just add to his character not that they make up a whole new character. The themes you stated I had never really thought of before but I think that they make sense and could be themes. The first theme I defiantly see when reading the book. I think that it could be a valid theme throughout the whole book because he talks about small objects for a few pages and sees very interested in them which adds to the bigger picture of the book. The 2nd theme I kind of see especially with the quote in the book Howie reads. He seems to be enjoying every moment in life and being grateful for it all.
ReplyDeleteI also think that the mezzanine is definitely a novel, and I found your point about objects being used as characters very interesting. I never really thought about it that much, but thinking back, things like staplers and shoe laces really taught us a lot about who Howie is as a character. They also effected his character development, for instance we see young Howie becoming very angry at and distrustful of door to door delivery systems after the introduction of milk cartons causes the collapse of his previously favorite milk delivery company.
ReplyDeleteI didn't really see the mezzanine as a novel until I read the last chapter. When Howie closes the book he was reading, it gives the book a message, that you shouldn't take trivial things for granted, and that life isn't boring. I also agree with the messages you pointed out, and even though the plot of the book is really short, it is written in a way that gives us a lot of different messages.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to contemplate the hypothetical reverse of all of these "novel" qualities that are hidden in _The Mezzanine_ (plot, character, structure). Can we imagine a novel like this, relentlessly focused on trivial details of everyday life that *completely* eliminates plot, is entirely "tangential" and free-associative, just a bunch of rants and riffs and observations and digressions, with no escalator ride or lunch hour to "ground" it. At what point does a piece of writing stop being "fiction"? Baker is pushing the limits with his first novel, but as you note, he's retaining very basic versions of all the key elements of the genre.
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