Topics

1.       The conflict between the consciousness of Phaedrus and the consciousness of the narrator, and the decision of whether one is “better” (which can be defined in many ways). We are lead to believe that Phaedrus was unstable, an unsuitable husband and father, and difficult to deal with, whereas the narrator seems calm, rational, albeit still not the best father. Yet, at the conclusion of the novel, we find that Chris liked Phaedrus more than the narrator, and that the narrator felt most comfortable, most “zen” as Phaedrus. He describes being Phaedrus as “living in a dream”, and describes his current life as “living in reality”, so are we to assume that he is running away from his reality, or was Phaedrus his reality all along.

2.       What I found interesting as well was the concept of hypothesis and the monotonous scientific method. Phaedrus found himself developing hypothesis after hypothesis, sometimes developing three as he concluded one, and it can be said that this drove him to insanity. Was this because he could not find a happy medium to bridge the classic-romantic barrier in terms of the sciences and philosophies that he contemplated. Is it better to live in a shroud of ignorance or to venture as deep as possible into what seems to be a never ending circle of questions without answer?

3.       The classic romantic barrier and how this affected his relationships with other people. Can it be concluded that he found his harmony in the conflict through motorcycles and maintenance of them? The motorcycle itself is a classic a priori, but the art maintaining it, riding it, and understanding it can be considered romantic as well. The narrator seemed to spiral back into inner turmoil with Phaedrus when he stopped riding the motorcycle and started to climb the mountain- was the motorcycle his method of therapy, of keeping Phaedrus at bay?

4.       What is to become of Chris, and could it be concluded that Chris were to turn out like his father as well? We are informed that Chis has a mental problem, though I would like to disagree because I believe he was being a brat the whole time, but should we follow what we are told, does that cycle repeat, and if so, is the narrator in fear of being unable to reach out to his son and stop him from continuing the circle?