'Human generosity is boundless': Ethics and Interconnectedness in the Oeuvre of David Mitchell
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2019-04-01
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en
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David Mitchell’s oeuvre can be seen as a universe with interconnections between different times, characters and realities. Characters return at distinctive moments in his novels. Instead of serving as mere intertextual gimmicks or ‘Easter Eggs’ these characters bear with them distinctive (un-)ethical views on mortality and temporality. In order to attain this goal they do not refrain from using unethical methods. Other characters, like Marinus in The Bone Clocks (2014), Jacob de Zoet and Slade House are instead consequently connected to a more selfless vision on how to deal with their (im)mortality. Not only concerning views on (im)mortality, but also more generally is “ethical” behaviour consequently linked with certain recurrent characters. This is proven through a close reading of three books written by Mitchell: the aforementioned Jacob de Zoet (2010), The Bone Clocks (2014) and Slade House (2015), making side references to Cloud Atlas (2004). Recognising these characters and linking them to a distinctive ethical view on mortality and temporality will further reinforce the interconnectedness of his novels and contribute to expanding the richness of the Mitchellian universe.
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Faculteit der Letteren