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"If everything is stable, one is not going to move very far": reality as illusion in Ondaatje's The cat's table

Faculty Advisor

Date

2014

Keywords

literary criticism, Cat's Table, Michael Ondaatje, MacEwan Book of the Year

Abstract (summary)

This essay examines one of the major themes of Michael Ondaatje's The Cat's Table: Perception and Reality. While on the surface the novel is about a young boy on a journey, it is Michael's unique perspective that reveals an elusive truth about our reality: that it is a fragile illusion, at best. Via a comparison of Michael's past (specifically the twenty-one days he was aboard a ship named Oronsay) and present realities, then, both Michael and the reader come to realize the highly subjective nature of our collective 'reality.' The MacEwan Book of the Year Student Contest invites students to submit creative and/or critical essay responses inspired by the university's current Book of the Year. Submissions are judged by MacEwan University's Book of the Year committee members. This work was the 2012/13 winning entry for Michael Ondaatje's The Cat's Table (2011) and was awarded Critical Essay winner.

Publication Information

Barratt, Jessica. ““If Everything is Stable, One is Not Going to Move Very Far”: Reality and Illusion in Michael Ondaatje’s The Cat’s Table.” MUSe 1.1 (2014): 111-113. Web. 3 February 2014.

DOI

Notes

Item Type

Student Article

Language

English

Rights

All Rights Reserved