Lit. Circles Role Blog

Lit. Circles Role Blog

This week I would like to reflect on the role I play as the connector. Our group picks the section called The Philosopher to dissect and find the significance of. I find several connections throughout this section between Dr. Parcival’s message throughout this story and the novel as a whole. The first thing I would note as a reader is the fact that Dr. Parcival, similar to the characters Alice and George, also experiences an adventure. His adventure was to write a book. This is not like any other book. The idea, “everyone in the world is Christ and they are all crucified (pg. 56)”, reflects the desperation in his voice. This desperation is also seen in the character Alice as she experiences her adventure. She is scared and confused, “Felt the cold rain on her body a mad desire to run naked through the streets took possession of her. She thought the rain would have some creative and wonderful effect on her body (pg. 119)”.  I believe these adventures symbolize the characters last chance to experience youth. Dr. Parcival feels a connection to George because he sees the significant crossroad in his life; here he isn’t a man or a little boy. His character is used as a warning to follow his dreams. He is trying to live through George. This goes with the theme that you should preserve youth, because there is something grotesque that comes out of aging.

            Dr. Parcival is also connected to the story as a whole through his need to impart wisdom onto George just like Tom Willard. His advice similar to his fathers is more of a warning to wake up.  His message, “I want to fill you with hatred and contempt so that you will be a superior being (pg. 55)” is said ironically. The hatred is against the world it is not to be produced on individuals. Dr. Parcival wants George to understand the trials of the world, not live in a boyish land. His dad also believes he’s helping George. His teachings, “You’re not a fool. Your Tom Willard’s son and you’ll wake up. If being a newspaper man had put the notion of becoming a writer into your mind that’s all right. Only I guess you’ll have to wake up to do that too, eh? (pg. 44)”, this shows how he also lives through George. George is a representation of himself in the next generation. Yes, he does not want to be embarrassed, but I believe another factor is he doesn’t want to be disappointed. By telling him that that when he became a newspaper man he has to be awake means that there will be serious, real life, dirty things to report on. He needs to experience these things in order to reflect a true man. This is a representation of the theme as a whole through its description of Dr. Parcival as an ironic figure guiding George through his life. The theme of knowledge being used for evil is seen here, but I believe it is seen as a good thing.

            In conclusion, Dr. Parcival acts as a philosopher by being a rational investigator of truths and principles of beings. Though he acts very sarcastic his character does prove the themes of preserving youth in order to prevent becoming grotesque and refutes the theme of knowledge being used for evil. He is critical in dissecting this novel as w hole, because without him we wouldn’t see the underlying current of seeing the world for what it is and growing up.