Jason-Ghosh-4/20

            Zachary’s character seems to be defined by the projections of other characters’ needs and beliefs. In almost all, if not every, interaction between Zachary and another character, Zachary transforms into that character’s ideal. To me, examples of this were most clear during Neel’s dinner when he appraises Zachary’s character as having a sort of inherent nobility. In Zachary’s seemingly bizarre encounter with Baboo Nob Kissin, the gomusta sees him as an incarnation of Krishna. Other characters, like Serang Ali, see Zachary’s malleability in more objective terms. The Lascar sees Zachary’s “potential” almost like a dirty penny that needs cleaning. Burnham seems to be the most wary of Zachary; perhaps it’s a reflection of his business-like manner. He (Burnham) almost tests Zachary to see whether he’ll go along with what would be required of him as a higher-ranking member of the Ibis’s crew.

            In each interaction, Zachary is never particularly concerned of asserting himself. So much so, it’s unclear whether there is a “himself” within Zachary. Because of this Zachary’s character seems almost unrealistic, since he functions as a mirror to all other characters. Similarly, Zachary’s “function” casts a sort of implausibility on all other characters. The moment he and Paulette see each other, he becomes her “beau,” seemingly without a thought and at moment when he sees her in a potentially compromising position. Obviously, this instance, in the ships holding chambers, shows Zachary as having no ulterior motive. He is not conniving. Though there’s something bizarre in that fact. Zachary seems too good. And, similarly, Burnham seems too “bad.”

Despite, the mixing of identities, cultures, and languages that so many characters exhibit, they each seem to still be, at least to up to this point in the story, very obviously, clearly, and almost simplistically split down lines connoting either good or evil.

I guess that must be the case for this book, and the world outside the book, if it intends to “prove” that injustices are, in fact, wrong. Still, there seems to be something jarring in the world the story presents. It seems that if there is so much co-mingling going on, how are good and evil somehow immune to these same forces?