I understand, even share some of this feeling. There is a
kind of "drift"
to this character, and the plot, that is underwhelming,
espec. for all of
us who like "the game" or a character impelled to act. TR
doesn't seem to
know who he is, or what will come. When his New York friends
leave the
ocean liner, and he starts to compose himself, it seems to be
a sort of
defining moment. But what is defined? That he can, so to
speak, assume a
new guise. Later, when he lists his talents for Dickie,
significant among
them are forgery and impersonation--both of which figure
later. He also
shows he can be impulsive and then clever in covering.
But, here I'm stopped: What is Ripley in this novel? At
present, halfway
through, I have an elementary interest in how he will
continue his
impersonation and overcome problems, but I'm still not sure
what enjoyment
he derives from life, what really keeps him going. When he
assumes his
impersonation, it's a repeat of the moment of the ocean
liner--it's another
"clean slate." So he can clean himself blank regularly? What
kind of
character is he? Proteus? There doesn't seem to be much to
hold on to....
Bill Hagen
<billha@ionet.net>
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