The Consistency of Character

The novel explores the theme that the character's fundamental nature does not change. The qualities introduced in 1949 remain constant through the progression of each characters' life. These qualities manifest in different situations, though. Age changes the circumstances. In the common events depicted in each chapter, the reader should focus on how this theme presents itself in seemingly inconsequential moments. This lends meaning to the magnified details of the character's routine habits.

Through his life, Ben is perpetually moved by external forces - either people or his own schizophrenia. This manifests in the first chapter about him wherein he is at a soccer match. Regardless of Ben's circumstances, this quality remains present. Ben is at the whim of the bus' movement in the fundamental way that he is at the whim of Marsha. Vern, too, remains the same at the core of his personality...