What's In A Name?
- tjportugal
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Re: What's In A Name?
Back in the old days, names or not just mere tags. They identified something about the person. The most common forms of surnames is to say that a person is someone's son or daughter or to say the profession of that person. For example:Sinclairess wrote: ↑25 Jan 2020, 12:06
And if you agree that there is no name, what do you think the larger purpose of this is, if any?
O'Neil - son of Niel
MacDonald - son of Donald
Blacksmith
Baker
Not having a name can be quite meaningful: not have an identity, either present (like a profession) or past (like being son of someone)
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Having said that, the character of the narrator is an interesting one. And like some of us said, it relates to a lot of people. We can easily picture ourselves in it. Giving it a name would have made that a lot harder to to.
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Perhaps the writer intended that its audience think beyond or further for themselves.
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I actually hadn't considered this. It really is true, we can't help but try and fill in the gaps in our minds of a person's identity, and a name could be a factor that could be used to draw conclusions.Tobewankenobe wrote: ↑26 Jan 2020, 00:36 I think that's a good point. Also, if a character has a name then we'll make assumptions about that character. For instance, you can pretty well picture a Heather or a Chad right off the bat. I name a character Baldomir and what do you think? I think you're right. I don't recall a name, either.
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Don't worry, you're not crazy, he wasn't actually named by the author. I felt it was an issue when I realised this but when I finished reading, I think I liked that the author didn't name the protagonist. I felt that it added a bit of mystery for the readers to guess who the protagonist was, whether it was the author himself or a random fictional character.Sinclairess wrote: ↑25 Jan 2020, 12:06 Hello, all! I have recently finished the book and am excited. After mulling the story over in my head... I... well...
I don't think the main protagonist has a name? Or does he? Did I miss something? Just trying to make sure I'm not crazy. I know my memory isn't stellar, but I don't think I missed such an important thing. I also don't think there was any physical description of him (besides the weight observations and eventual graying hair).
And if you agree that there is no name, what do you think the larger purpose of this is, if any? I think maybe he's supposed to be a vague shell that any type of man can insert his mind and experiences into. I also think that's why he identified with so many men around the world, even though they were strangers.
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~ Ernst Hemingway
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I don't remember the exact location, but I think the name has been mentioned once and is "Charlie Brown".Sinclairess wrote: ↑27 Jan 2020, 12:06Lol I have the same problem! I was trying to make a reference to him, since I liked how he wasn't afraid to make wayward decisions that the Mission group didn't agree with. I was like OK what do I call him?
~ Ernst Hemingway
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Although he was named (albeit, only once), I like your thought on this issue. Human beings are inherently judgy, and by minimising the usage of his name, the author has shielded the narrator from pre-conceptions.
~ Ernst Hemingway
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