Point of View

The Portable Veblen is largely told from two distinct perspectives: Veblen’s and Paul’s. One of the main focuses of the novel is their relationship, so the novel divides its focus between Veblen’s perspective and Paul’s in order to present both sides of the relationship as it struggles and evolves. While Veblen and Paul both suffer from doubts about their engagement, their doubts come from very different places. Veblen worries that Paul may be reliant on consumerism or may not able to coexist with her mother, and Paul worries that Veblen may be too determined to live what he sees as a strange and difficult life incompatible with his own personal goals. Examining both characters’ thoughts and perspectives allows the novel to fully develop and demonstrate the characters’ opposing personalities, opinions, and experiences. Moreover, because the novel ultimate vindicates Veblen’s philosophies...