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Essay / Concept of Reincarnation in Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell is a most distinctive work of conceptual fiction. On the surface, it is a combination of six stories written in a palindromic structure, each story told using different narrative methods with protagonists varying by time period, nationality and gender. Arguably, readers are not given enough time and content to be able to empathize with one character before moving on to the next, especially with an unexpected transition of stories that could create an interruption and break the coherence of the novel. However, with each illustration of the struggles the protagonists undergo, Mitchell depicts the strength and richness of each character and elicits empathy from readers. The interconnections between the characters become evident as the novel progresses; the complexity of the connections is difficult to summarize, but includes the symbolism of the comet birthmark and other stories involving the concept of reincarnation. The post-modernist is presented as the protagonist criticizing the authenticity of the previous narrator; switching between first, second, and third person narration and suspense keeps readers engaged in the story; Tragic elements like character deaths cause catharsis in readers, which allows them to build a better emotional connection with the characters. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayMitchell relates the sextet to the constant implication of the concept of reincarnation, the symbolism of the comet birthmark is brought up in every story except the first story "Adam Ewing's Pacific Journal", which could be proof that Ewing is the first generation. Above all, through the representation of the reaction of each protagonist upon the discovery of the symbolic, “coincidences happen all the time. But it’s definitely comet-shaped,” Mitchell points out, because their reactions mirror each other. The comet birthmarks that appear between their collarbones and shoulder blades represent more than just a common symbol; “Comet” as a transient celestial object that appears after a certain time, reflects the process of reincarnation (reappearing after a certain time). Michell shows the comet-shaped birthmarks supporting the idea of reincarnation with his six characters. Michell uses direct symbolism or a quote to imply the concept of reincarnation. Arys’ work entitled “Eternal Recurrence” and “Matryoshka Doll Variation”; Cavendish's hypothesis that "Luisa Rey is this reincarnated Robert Frobisher type", Frobisher and Sixsmith's connection as Sixsmith suggests "I feel like I've known you for years" when they first met and Cavendish's surprising misunderstanding “Zachary, a sick teenager. " since Zachary is the protagonist of the later story. These are further evidence of their reincarnation. Additionally, dreams and memories are constantly brought up. Mitchell implies that Rey is familiar with the scenes from Frobisher's letters, "from images so vivid that she can only call them memories” which could be interpreted as proof of the concept of reincarnation Arys dreams of a “nightmare cafe” which is the Papa Song restaurant that Sonmi works at. that Arys reincarnates as a single client, however, "I had been dead for a long, long time" suggests otherwise Arys' awareness of his own demise is contradictory, with the symbolic title.from his work, Arys seems to act as the prophet in this story with the ability to see the future. Additionally, each protagonist has access to the previous narrator's story. Frobisher finds Ewing's journal; Rey reads the letters between Frobisher and Sixsmith; Cavendish receives fiction depicting Rey's life; Sonmi watches Cavendish's film and Zachry sees Sonmi's manifesto. However, the authenticity of the stories is worth questioning. Ewing's diary is edited by his son. Mitchell himself raises doubts about its authenticity, post-modernism is used. Through Frobisher, Mitchell suggests that the diary is "too structured for a real diary" because it connects two stories. Ewing's diary ends with a sentence that may be frustrating and disturbing to readers. Mitchell, however, explains this from Frobisher's point of view as "some forty pages later, where the binding is worn" in which readers would be engaged with Frobisher. Likewise, Rey's story ends right at the climax with Rey being "driven off a bridge" because Cavendish's edition is "out of pages." Mitchell's matryoshka doll style of writing, with one story covering another, the actual existence of the story is difficult for readers to identify. It is open to interpretation whether the stories are actual events that happened, or just simple stories made up by Zachry. and pass on to his son. Mitchell proposes the idea of an "infinite matryoshka doll of painted moments", each shell representing a story, and Zachry's story as the outer shell enclosing Sonmi's oration contradicts the idea of reincarnation. Cloud Atlas includes tragic elements as the protagonist endures his struggles. . Tragic elements could create catharsis in readers, inevitable tragic events could trigger readers' life memories and cause pathos. This makes readers feel more connected to the characters. The respectful deaths of two protagonists and several other characters are presented although, for different reasons, they are all, in some ways, victims. Like Sonmi, he is once again a victim of the unanimity protest, Rafael is a victim of rape and Sachs is a victim of Swannekke's plan. It could also be argued that these are sacrifices, Mitchell makes their deaths an essential part of the protest. The concept of inevitability is brought up by Mitchell through Rey's conversation with Jarvis, as they discuss the possibility of changing the future, "not based on metaphysics but...power", as a conclusion suggesting the inexorability of future events. The inevitability of their death triggers readers' sympathy, it allows them to connect the power of fate to their lives. Additionally, by allowing readers to see the impending danger awaiting the protagonists with foreshadowing, as Frobisher proposes to poison Goose Ewing "by feeding his hypochondria in order to poison him" before Ewing realizes it, Mitchell creates frustration. This makes readers more empathetic with the characters and creates a stronger emotional connection. Although there are multiple narrators, Michell creates richness in each protagonist. Mitchell uses first-person narration to illustrate Ewing's story. Ewing is presented as a conflicted person, physically and mentally. His "illness" is mentioned several times, signifying the conflict of his physical health which influences him throughout the journey. Ewing's proposition that "cynicism can blind us to more subtle virtues" seems changeable. In his diary, he constantly questions his own.