According to Mountfort (2006), what role does the I Ching have as an organisational device in the structure of High Castle? How does the use of this device illuminate the character of the novel’s protagonists?
Philip K. Dick used the I Ching as an aid while writing High Castle. He claimed that it was his directional guide, almost like a compass. At important crossroads within the novel, whilst writing, Dick would consult the I Ching as to where he should then go. Mountfort (2006) says "Dick regarded the I Ching itself as having in a sense written High Castle." It is also referenced in the book multiple times, even when consultations aren't made. It is used an a future telling device - an oracle.
There are ten separate consultations within the novel that Dick made. All of them include questions involving characters' decisions that need to be made. Involving how to treat another character or whether a character is worth pursuing. It is primarily based around the characters Frink and Tagomi and they are essentially the same questions, just different circumstances.
Frink and Tagomi, the protagonists, have their characteristics shown through the consultations Dick has used the I Ching for.
Frink has an ex-wife who is very arrogant and wants everything her own way. He also has business ventures that involve confronting his boss and going into another business (jewelry making). By using the I Ching in these situations, Frink is able to further understand what is to come.
Tagomi is a Japanese official. With this comes great responsibility and he deals with a lot of contacts, consulting the I Ching to understand them better. As he is a "highly ethical" person, by consulting the I Ching, he is able to make better decisions.
There are a few other characters that use the I Ching, but the protagonists of the story, Frink and Tagomi are the primary ones.
Despite the fact that in 1979, Dick regarded the I Ching as something that had led him astray in the worst possible way through the "final omen", High Castle received much praise and is still regarded today as great reading.
This is a very interesting topic because I have only recently gotten to know about the I Ching and I had no idea that it is not only the people of Asia who use it.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fascinating notion that the I Ching was used as a thematic source and that two of the main characters had guided their lives on its basis. It is almost as if they are using the I Ching to help themselves and anticipate how to prepare for what is to come
I find it quite surprising that P.K Dick saw his atmosphere of I Ching in the book as something that lead him off-course even though the book was succesful. I believe that the theme of the I Ching itself may have been responsible for the success of the book