Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15291/sic/2.13.lc.7
Locks and Walks in Paul Auster’s Oracle Night
Jelena Pršić,
; Alfa BK University, Serbia
Abstract
The paper is concerned with Paul Auster’s novel Oracle Night (2003) from the point of view of the importance of the city and its analogy to human thoughts, feelings, and life itself. Acknowledging the relevant theoretical framework, such as Elizabeth Grosz’s concept of ‘interface,’ Yi-Fu Tuan’s notions of space and place, as well as various critical views on Auster’s works, the paper aims to contrast “closed spaces” with “open-air city scenes,” in order to emphasize that closed spaces mirror the main character’s confusion, whereas open-air urban scenes reflect his increased clarity of vision. The paper concludes that the feelings of being alive and happy seem possible, certain, and hopefully permanent only in contact with the streets, outside all rooms, and free from locks. In addition, by analyzing the nature of writing, the paper finds that the main character is the embodiment of the interface (Grosz 248) between the private/body and the shared/city.
Keywords
Paul Auster, Oracle Night, city, New York City, locks, walks
Hrčak ID:
311142
URI
Publication date:
19.6.2023.
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