The Invention of Morel Literary Elements

The Invention of Morel Literary Elements

Genre

Fiction

Setting and Context

A deserted island (in Polynesia), unmentioned date

Narrator and Point of View

Narrated from the POV of a fugitive man hiding on a deserted island

Tone and Mood

The Invention of Morel has a very unstable, hallucinatory tone. The reader can never be sure whether the events described are real or not.

Protagonist and Antagonist

There is not one true "protagonist" or "antagonist" of this book. If necessary, from a conventional standpoint, one may consider the Fugitive the protagonist, and Morel the antagonist.

Major Conflict

Morel claims to have invented a device that allows him to relive reality, so the people on the island can replay one week over and over again. The Fugitive imagines the possibilities this invention presents.

Climax

The Fugitive learns how to operate Morel's invention and decides to try and insert himself in Faustine's life.

Foreshadowing

Throughout the entire book, the narrator's mental instability and unreliability are hinted at.

Understatement

No notable instances.

Allusions

The Fugitive repeatedly alludes to social and economic theorist Thomas Malthus's ideas of necessary population control.

Imagery

The island is described through hazy, tranquil imagery.

Paradox

Even as the Fugitive's mental state de-evolves, he can only focus on Faustine, who does not ever notice him.

Parallelism

The character of Faustine can be seen as a parallel to silent film star Louise Brooks and the demise of her film career.

Metonymy and Synecdoche

No significant examples.

Personification

The Fugitive personifies Morel's invention as the embodiment of chaos, but also unlimited possibility.

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