Baker’s writing style mimics the obsessive nature of OCD, as there are several footnotes placed throughout the book that lead to very OCD-esque tangents that completely diverge away from the main narrative. This is meant to display the potential disruptive and even damaging effects OCD can have on people, by constantly distracting and unhealthily obsessing over objects and items that don’t really matter. However, one could argue that Howie could simply just be blessed by only having to worry about how to tie his shoelaces and the nature of proper bathroom etiquette. While this may be true to some extent, I would argue that Howie’s obsessive nature on minute details is almost unhealthy, as I think that kind of obsession can potentially be damaging and seriously disrupt the daily flow of life in a person. I think the most revealing part of the book is how unhealthy obsessive Howie is when on page 127, he forms a chart in his head consisting of the subjects of his thoughts and how many times those thoughts occurred per year. Again, you could use this as an example that this dude literally has NOTHING to worry about to the point that he is just so bored that this is what he does for fun but I don’t feel that this sort of behavior is necessarily healthy in an individual.
While The Mezzanine can be interpreted as just a boring book about a guy on his lunch break on the escalator, I think there is more to this novel than meets the eye. I believe The Mezzanine is meant to be a thorough analysis and exploration about the human mind and specifically, how OCD impacts the mental process of a human being. Baker’s introspective narrative showcases the potential challenges (or benefits?) that one could have if they suffer from OCD.
Works Cited
Baker, Nicholson. The Mezzanine. New York, Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1988.
ReplyDeleteIt had not occurred to me that Howie's writing style might mimic the inner thoughts of someone with OCD. While it’s possible that Howie exhibits some OCD-like tendencies, these do not appear to have negative consequences for him in the book. He seems to enjoy his detailed tangents about items like door knobs, straws, and staplers. You mention his habit of quantifying his thoughts as a potential sign of unhealthiness, but I don’t see why it would be unhealthy if he finds it engaging and has no pressing concerns at that moment.
The only instance where Howie’s thinking seems to have a negative impact is the scene where he struggles to use the bathroom because he is overly focused on his surroundings. Apart from this, his thought patterns do not seem to be significantly detrimental to him.
This is a very interesting comparison. I would've never have thought that Howie is OCD but I feel like it fits. Maybe as a result this OCD would negatively impact his child hood trying to gain his father's approval. Who knows. Overall, I think this is really interesting comparison and great post!!
ReplyDeleteThe interpretation of Howie's obsessive thought patterns as characteristics of OCD adds a new perspective to Baker's work. The sometimes page-long footnotes mimics the disruptive nature of OCD. I never thought that Howie's thought process may be a representation of a struggle with mental health. However, throughout the story, I haven't particularly seen how harming this OCD like tendency has on Howie's life. It might just be his way of passing his ordinary life or reflective of something deeper.
ReplyDeleteI could see how Howie's behaviors are indicative of OCD. While I wouldn't say Howie actually has full-blown OCD, his long digressions and acute observations of things and people represent the way his mind works in different ways than his coworkers. Rather than simply accepting everyday happenings as repetitive events that should be ignored, he ponders about how they work and what they really are. In doing so, Howie shows a deeper level of appreciation for the details of society rather than taking the whole as face value.
ReplyDeleteWe are certainly seeing, throughout Howie's narrative, evidence of his obsessions and compulsions, and there is a sense that once a question or issue occurs to him, he can't stop himself from thinking about it. And yet do we see evidence of "disorder"--of this compulsion getting in the way of his ability to function? Maybe. I always think to myself that Howie's employer (or his manager, Abelardo) would not be too pleased to read this account of a typical workday, wherein Howie mentions almost nothing about his job or what these memos are about or how he's doing much of anything to contribute to this anonymous corporation. So is it getting in the way of his ability to function?
ReplyDeleteOne way I look at this novel is that it depicts a guy working an office job who really needs to be in some other profession--like, he'd be a good *writer*. I'm not suggesting any inherent or necessary connection between a condition like OCD and the ability to write, but writing can be a channel for one's obsessions and compulsions in a way that might be viewed more positively, as "deep focus" or "research interests" or "attention to detail." I'm not sure that his condition--whatever we call it--renders him a particularly appealing corporate employee.