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Influx Daily Article on Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Difference in personality, Chris, and Phaedrus

                I like how Pirsig never stated one personality as better than the other. He says the narrator focuses on scientific meaning, while John has an artistic mentality. Although the narrator didn’t understand at first why John thought this way, he never said it was wrong. He usually thinks that his methods are better, but this time, he said they were both right. One personality is practical and the other is intuitive. However, I disagree with the narrator when he says that John’s reason of anger toward his engine was based on his personality. It could be possible that he was mad, just because it wouldn’t start and he was annoyed by it. The narrator always tries to relate his thoughts to real life experiences and tries to validate his theories through these memories.

                Also, I could tell from the beginning that something was wrong with Chris. He was acting different, rude, and spoiled. At first, I thought the narrator was being too lenient and not giving his son enough character. As a parent, I think would have been livid if my son completely ignored me and did the opposite of what I said. Yet, when the narrator revealed he had a mental illness, it’s obvious that the narrator is trying to find the best method of raising his son. He continuously doubts his actions and is just trying to do what is best for Chris. I am curious at why the narrator never told his close friends, John and Sylvia about his son’s illness.

                The narrator describing Phaedrus as an evil spirit does make me think that he is an actual ghost. Nevertheless, I don’t quite understand his role in the book.  It doesn’t make sense why Phaedrus would be calling Chris at the end of the chapter. The narrator, at least how I see it, made it seem as if Phaedrus was responsible for his sons mental illness and that might be the reason why he the narrator is scared of him.

Reaction to Talia's Post

Like Talia, I also think that the narrator is terrified of Phaedrus, and that that is the reason why he does not tell Chris that ghosts actually exist. However, I also believe that due to the fact that Phaedrus seems to be calling Chris at the end of Chapter 5, the connection between Chris and the ghost makes the narrator even more terrified of Phaedrus and more determined to keep Chris from knowing that ghosts exist, if he does not know it already.  Apart from this possibility, I am left in the same position as Talia is, not knowing what other purpose Phaedrus serves in the story. I do believe, however, that Phaedrus will become a constant and increasingly occurring conflict for the narrator, and that it will ultimately drive the novel towards its climax.
I am eager to see what connection Phaedrus has with Chris. The old poem by Goethe is highly similar to the circumstance the narrator is going through right now. It will be tragic to learn that the narrator's story ends in the same way as the poem ends, in "failure... Death of the child. The ghost wins", unfortunately however, I do think there is a strong level of similarity between the two stories.

The "3 Days in" Crisis

The method Pirsig chose to display further characteristics of the individuals intrigued me. Instead of just mentioning what one’s characteristics are, he demonstrates them through actions that occurred on the hard, tough, and long third day of travel.

            From the beginning, I could tell that Chris was going to be a pain in the ass this day. By complaining over and over again about every little detail he got me irritated about reading his multiple complaints to his dad. Before his mental illness was revealed that is. As I learned about his mental illness I could understand why he was making so many complaints. His stomach pains and his states of mind all come into play as he endures the third day of camping, given that it was one of the hardest days to endure so far.

            In addition to Chris’s character development, I also saw development within the narrator’s and John’s character. I agree with the narrator’s belief that there are different dimensions of thinking that are unique to every individual. In my opinion, the different ways everybody thinks is what shapes every individual to be unique and different form one another. In the narrator’s mind, it was the perfect solution to use the beer can as the shim, but for John, that just didn’t seem right, and that is completely ok. People think differently and therefore act differently in life.

            Also, I was glad to read that Phaedrus came back to the plot of the story. I am interested in how he will affect the narrator’s actions for the future of the trip. The way the narrator saw him during his semi-awake/ semi-sleep state through the corner of his eyes in the fog made Phaedrus look even more like a ghost, confirming my belief from the previous chapters that he has a good possibility of being a ghost.  

The Character of Phaedrus and Chris' Mental State

     After Phaedrus' quick mention, he was not brought up again until now. His "return" has answered questions about him. The main character says that he sees Phaedrus out of the corner of his eyes and he describes him as an evil spirit. This proved my initial belief that Phaedrus was not actually a ghost wrong. Despite thinking that I would be upset if Phaedrus was a ghost, I am intrigued by it. 

     The way that the main character describes Phaedrus makes me wonder if he told Chris that ghosts were not real because he was so haunted by his own ghost. I think that he is so terrified by Phaedrus that he does not want to admit to Chris that they are real. He fabricated this lie in order to protect his son from the fear that he has to live in. Despite having an almost complete confirmation that Phaedrus is a ghost, I am sill slightly unsure of what his role in the story is. I do not know if Phaedrus is the one that has been feeding the main character these "new ideas" that he has, or if Phaedrus is a figment of his imagination caused by some troubled past. 

     This chapter also brings the revelation of Chris' mental state. I liked how Pirsig chose to reveal Chris' ill mental state so discretely. Instead of having him behave as a stereotypical loon, he did it so slightly that I did not even realize. The revelation of Chris having a mental illness intrigues me because I want to know what caused it, if he was born with it, how he lives everyday with it, etc. I enjoy the fact that the author chose to reveal so little about it because it makes me want to read more.
- Talia Akerman

Comment of Talia's Post

I would like to add to Talia’s comment on the reasons why Prisig decided to keep the main character nameless. I have several ideas which may help clarify this. I think that the idea behind having the main character so abstract is so that he applies to anyone. Leaving this vacancy in his person allows any reader to place him/herself in his shoes. In relation to her comment about the ghost I think that it has an element of foreshadowing, perhaps the narrator and the ghost really are the same person and thus have the same name. 

I don't really agree with her that keeping him nameless detaches him from what is going on around him because a name doesn't necessarily attach you to anything. I think the Pirsig uses the narrator’s ideas and thoughts to detach him from the rest of the characters and their ideas. Lastly, envisioning a character is not a matter of name, it is a matter of personality. Therefore, to me the lack of a name does not pose any problems in envisioning the character. On the contrary it allows me to create a more unique vision of the character and what he is like because I can give him any name I want to. 

Reaction to Jose's Post

I agree with Jose in that the reader can relate to the situation between the narrator and John and Sylvia in chapter 4. The examples Jose gives have happened to me as well so I was able to relate perfectly with the actions occurring in the book. Even best friends can get annoyed at each other for little things sometimes, but at the end they notice its not worth being frustrated or annoyed about it. It is much more enjoying to be in good terms with them, especially if you are traveling together, to make the most out of the trip. 

The example of waking up early in the morning when none of your friends are awake brought me back memories. I am usually the first to wake up so that instance has happened to me many times. I am in total agreement with Jose. We always wake up and think for a while about random thoughts that come up in your head. Remember what you did yesterday, wonder what you are going to eat for breakfast, and ask yourself what are you going to do today? Then these thoughts get boring and you are left with nothing to do, except waking up your friends. 

I though the way the author chose to list out the items carried by the narrator was interesting. It mad me notice how much stuff a motorcycle rider needs with him at all times during a long trip, and it relates back to the title, focusing on motorcycles and the tools required for their maintenance.

Further Development of Main Characters

As I continued reading I was surprised the topic of ghosts was not touched upon straight away. Instead I witnessed further character development by the author and an example of how long group trips take intensive organization, patience and cooperation.

As the group leaves the motel in the cold early morning towards Ellendale, everybody seems quiet, a relatively normal circumstance of cold mornings. However, as they arrive at Ellendale, I could tell that John and Sylvia were rather unhappy with the nameless narrator for taking the road so early in the morning, given the current situation. The way John and Sylvia didn’t talk to him upon arrival and remained inside the hotel until it warmed up while the narrator went out for a walk gave it away. This circumstance is one that is definitely present in almost all group trips. Everybody has different opinions and tastes; the compromise in decisions is essential for a successful trip.

The narrator’s character is further developed by the walk he has through town in the morning. He shows how he is observant and a thinker. Questioning cause and effect situations such as “no technology”. John’s character surprised me the most. At first I thought he was serious man, slightly clumsy by the way he deals with his bike and equipment. However, when he decides to play the role of “Chickenman” through the restaurant wearing just long blue underwear I changed my opinion. He is a funny guy, and likes to have fun, just don’t make him ride when it’s cold.  Sylvia’s character is shown when she talks about prairie’s nature. How what they see cannot be captured in a photo and is only worth watching with raw eyes. I completely agree.

Relatable To The Reader and its Title

                In chapter 4, I think the author does a really good job in making the book relatable to the readers. For example, we can all say that we’ve been involved in an instance where your best friend annoys you and you give them the silent treatment for a couple of minutes and then forget all about it, or vice versa. When John and Sylvia are angry at the narrator for waking them up and forcing them to drive in the cold, it’s a feeling that any reader can relate to because they’ve been in a similar predicament. Even when the narrator tries to get Sylvia to speak to him, he feels slightly guilty, but he’s doing it for his own amusement because he knows that Sylvia isn’t actually mad at him. The same happens when you sleep over a friend’s house you’re the first one to wake up. You sit there and let your mind wonder, waiting for everyone to get up until. This goes on for a while until you can no longer take the boredom and decide to wake everyone up yourself. I can see where the narrator is coming from and completely agree with him when he says that on a vacation time is not to be wasted on sleeping. The point of a vacation is to go out, and actually enjoy your surroundings, not stay in bed all day. It is details like these that make the book more enjoyable because you can understand what’s happening; you can picture yourself in a situation.

                Not to mention, this chapter seemed somewhat instructive. Most of us in the group, based on previous comments and blogs have decided that the book has nothing to do with its title. However, when the narrator is thinking about his lists, and giving the reader small tips, it seems as if he’s trying to teach us something, educating readers on motorcycle maintenance. I believe Pirsig does this on purpose in order to show the readers that even though the narrator can get lost in his thoughts, as he did in this chapter as well, the book isn’t based on philosophical subjects if you will. The faint instructions that relate the title with what’s actually going on in the story give it some sort of grounding reality; which is sort of contradicting what he said in the previous chapter that everything is in our heads. 

Personality Discrepancy Between The Narrator and Supporting Characters

In the fourth chapter of the novel, the main focus is the main character and how he differs from the three others on this motorcycle trip. It seems as if Pirsig tries to exaggerate the difference in ideals about technology and, more specifically motorcycle maintenance by making the narrator different from John and Sylvia in every possible aspect. The author draws his first distinction early in the morning as the narrator lists the items he usually brings with him on these bike trips so that he will not forget next time. Meanwhile, John, Sylvia, and Chris are sound asleep. This seemingly insignificant action tells a lot about the difference between the narrator who wakes up early in order to appreciate the time he has on vacation; and the supporting characters who want to get as much sleep as possible regardless of the fact that they are wasting time. 

The next major distinction is drawn after their freezing morning ride. As the narrator is happy that they are out early, making good use of their time, John and Sylvia are in a bad mood because of the cold weather. The narrator does not mind a minor cold front, he just wants to ride. John and Sylvia however, don’t want to be uncomfortable and they refuse to leave until the temperature rises. At this point the narrator makes a valuable observation, John and Sylvia do not like to be uncomfortable, yet they refuse to deal with technology. It is easy to see his confusion and, as he puts it, their confusion as well. So far I tend to identify myself more with the narrator but I do enjoy the huge distinction that Pirsig makes between the two personalities. 

Purpose of a Nameless Main Character

   In most of the novels that I have read, the author reveals the main character's or narrator's name with in the first few pages. However, such is not the case in  Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Despite already having read a significant portion of the novel I have not even the slightest clue of what the narrator's name is. At first I thought this was part of my mistake but when I looked back to check I found that his name had, just as I thought, not been revealed. 

   Concealing the narrator's name, in my opinion, allows him to remain detached from what is going on around him. I think that this permits the character to seem like an observer in situations that he is actually partaking in. I am not entirely sure of why the author would want to allow him to remain detached from the situations that he is very much a part of though. I think that the act of having a nameless main character may have something to do with the fact the he says he is "not alone" in the ending of the previous chapter. In other words, Pirsig doesn't give him a name because he is not really his "own" person. Since the thoughts he speaks are not his he is not actually his own person; he is merely a body speaking the thoughts of another.  

   Its harder to envision the character in my mind since he does not have a name. A name is something so personal that it allows people to associate you with you. Without a name you are just this being who merely exists, but with a name you become someone. You go from being this collection of atoms to being an actual person.
- Talia Akerman

Reaction to Jose Novas' comment

For the most part I believe we all agree that the third chapter of the novel is significantly better or, at least easier to read that the previous two. However, I do disagree with Jose on the Narrators view of ghosts and his belief that everything in science is a ghost. Let me put it this way, a ghost in my eyes is something that cannot be detected by the normal human senses: it cannot be seen, heard, felt, smelled, or tasted. Therefore it is something that cannot be proven to exist. Science on the other hand, can be seen. You can see how a pendulum swings and creates energy, you can smell two chemicals reacting, etc. This leads me to conclude that science unlike ghosts, can be proven to exist and therefore does not have to be taken on faith. 

I do agree with Jose that the narrators view on the law of gravity is flawed. I agree with Jose that everything exists, and whether or not its has been discovered is a different question. I found it amusing when I read Jose’s comment that as I was reading the novel I was thinking of the same example about the animals/plants that have not been discovered.

Reaction to Chapter 3

As far as I am concerned the first two chapters of the book would have discouraged any reader from continuing to read. Honestly, had it not been required of me to read this book, I would not have done so pas the first two chapters. Once I reached the third chapter however, i have become more interested. I have found many similarities between the narrator and I myself, besides the obvious fact that we both like motorcycles. Much like the narrator I like to do things myself and solve problems on my own. 

Regarding the storyline, I am a little disappointed in the inclusion of a ghost simply because I have never been one to believe in the supernatural and thus the addition of this element into the storyline has taken away some of the realism in the story and has detracted from the pleasure of reading this novel. 

The idea of the unknown and how reality may not actually be how we perceive it does bring some of that pleasure back because that is a very interesting perspective of the world that I have never really contemplated. I really enjoy reading Pirsig's perspective on this because it gives me insight on a different view of the world around us. Overall I did enjoy the reading of chapter three much more than that of the previous two chapters. 

Father and Son Relationshi[ and Ideas About Ghosts

                Chapter 3 was easier to read than the previous ones. One of the things I enjoyed about this chapter was how realistic the father and son relationship was portrayed. By trying to be a good father, he indulges himself in the conversation of ghosts, trying to interest his son and give him what he wants. I can relate to when Chris has no idea what his father is talking about. I’ve been involved in similar instances where my father and I are speaking and my younger brother can’t grasp anything. When he asks a question, my father sighs and prepares for a long explanation just the narrator. Not to mention, the mood the narrator is in when he is kept from sleeping is one I am very familiar with. My father, as well as the narrator becomes grumpy and angry when someone is stopping him from getting his sleep.  These types of instances make the reader understand the narrator’s feelings.

                Not to mention, I found his monologue on what a ghost is or isn’t to be very interesting. His way of thinking was different from any I had heard before. His ideas made me think in a completely different way because they were new to me and the captured my attention. For the most part, I think he is right; everything is a ghost, everything is in your mind. You can’t really see science, “it has no matter or energy”, but it’s still there.  Every idea is in our heads, in our imaginations, but it exists. However, I disagree with the narrator on one thing: that the law of gravity did not exist before Isaac Newton. In my opinion, the law did exist, like everything else exists, except it hadn’t been discovered yet. For example, when new animal or plant species are found, they are new to us, because we had never seen them before, but that does not mean they didn’t exist, we just didn’t know about them.

Jose Novas 

Response to Peer Post

I agree completely with Talia's post. I believe that there is always a reason for one's actions. Talia's attitude toward the narrator at the beginning of the novel was the same attitude I felt toward him. I though he would not consider other people's reasons for doing what they do and just regarded his ways as the best ways of life. This attitude is wrong, however, as the novel progressed we soon understand why he takes such actions toward his motorcycle. The unfortunate event with the mechanic and his motorcycle explains why he refuses to let anyone fix his bike other than himself now, and that is completely understandable. There is. A logical reason behind his actions.

I found interesting Talia's comment on people's assurance. I completely agree. Yes, people's suggestions and reviews may help tremendously when considering different options in life, such as a doctor (like Talia's example), however everybody's experience and situation is different, and therefore, that leads to different outcomes which may or may not be similar to the reviews and suggestions.

I had the same overall reaction as Talia toward the narrators explanation on ghosts and the role of the mind with existent and nonexistent aspects.

A Change in Perspective

Throughout the first two chapters of the novel, I felt that the author focused on revealing information about the characters that related to their “motorcycle” way of life. However, as I reached chapter three, I was shocked to find out that this is a ghost story.

I would have never imagined that Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance would be about ghosts. I was wondering what made the narrator slow down suddenly on the highway as John continued to speed up to run a way from the rain. The way Sylvia noticed his hand shacking at the motel sign in sheet gave it away. He wasn’t afraid of the lightning, as it seemed, but of Phaedrus, the ghost that has been following them. I thought this was an interesting fact about the narrator. Even though he seemed to be a tough and stubborn man, he has a unique relationship with a ghost, and he keeps this relationship a secret form the others. I wonder where this relationship will take him throughout the novel and how long he will be able to hide it from the others, especially his son who asks him about ghost stories, which unintentionally reminds him of his feared friend.

Another aspect I found interesting about chapter three was the perspective of the narrator on ghosts and the mind. How everything we learn and do may be a ghost of our imagination. Did they always exist in the past? How can we tell if something we understand and live with in the present is existent or nonexistent? These were some of the questions I had in mind when reading the narrator’s explanation. It was puzzling, but at the same time interesting, it made me think about it deeply.

Our "Ghosts"

            At the start of the novel I came close to hating the narrator. My biggest problem with him was the way he viewed others. It seemed as if he elevated himself simply because he took matters into his own hands as opposed to letting other people do his work. Nevertheless, I have come to change my opinion on the narrator as the novel has progressed.

            Through further description and insight into the lives of the characters I was able to see why the narrator believes so highly in self-sufficiency. His bad experience with the motorcycle mechanics triggered him to want to do things on his own. I thought this proved the saying of “if you want something done right do it yourself” well.  The insight into this experience he had also led me to wonder if we ever have any assurance that someone is good at his or her job. We do not ever really know that someone is competent enough to do what he/she is doing. By the time we figure it out it is too late. In other words, what I am saying is that despite hearing by word of mouth that a doctor performs surgery well, we do not truly know for ourselves until the surgery is over. By then, it could be too late if the doctor was not in fact good at his job. Obviously, this example extends past doctors and onto other professions. 

              Another point in the novel that I really enjoyed was the narrator’s explanation of the “ghosts” that surround us. Despite liking the idea that nothing we "know" is absolute, it did unsettle me a bit. It is unsettling to think that everything we know is not actually truth. The idea that they are just labels on non-existant things is bothersome for it takes out the certainty we have in life.
- Talia Akerman