Einstein Was Wrong
The second most famous theory attributed to Albert Einstein with his contention that “He [God] does not play dice with universe.” What Einstein actually meant by this phrase in regard to quantum physics, the randomness of the universe, free will versus determination, etc, is still debated. One thing is for sure, however. J. Henry Waugh, Prop., most assuredly and ironically does play dice with the Universal Baseball Association.
Nietzsche Was Right
In the final chapter of the novel, Henry’s characters come to life as actual characters. Keeping in mind that even within the construct of the novel they are not real—thus, they are imaginary characters of an imaginary character—this final chapter is astonishingly ironic. The key irony, however, is the character who is missing entirely; the figure who plays absolutely no role in the lives of these imaginary—twice removed—people: J. Henry Waugh, Prop. God may not be literally dead, but metaphorically speaking, the shadow of Nietzsche hangs over the entire final chapter.
God’s Favorite
The interpretation of the novel as an allegory of Christianity is surprisingly complex and challenges a facile reading with irony. Jock Casey would seem to logically be the novel’s stand-in for Jesus solely on account of sharing initials (J.C.) yet he is responsible for the death of Waugh’s (God) favorite player, Damon Rutherford. The leap from Damon to Demon is short and obvious, but if that is the case, one must work into the allegory the inescapable irony of God’s favorite being a demon. (Not to mention God himself is not just directly, but cosmically responsible for the death of J.C. in this version of events.)
Casey Strikes Out
In a novel in which names are of dominant significance, it is dubious beyond belief to think that Coover rolled the dice in randomly choosing the name Jock Casey. The name works on two levels connected to the story. The first, as mentioned, being his initials. But Casey also ties the book to the history of baseball literature, except with an ironic twist. In “Casey at the Bat” the climax of the poem comes when Casey is at bat and strikes out. In Coover’s novel, Casey is a pitcher who literally “strikes out” the batter with a bean ball.(And, in turn, is literally struck out by Henry.)
Non-Speculative Predictive Fiction
Over the decades since the novel was first published, an irony has been able to develop. Though in no sense of the term a science-fiction or speculative fiction novel, it has ironically gone on to become one of the most prescient visions of 21st century life written in the 20th century. Henry’s solipsistic embrace of the fictional world inside the U.B.A. is eerily predictive of the world of virtual reality today. Coover’s description of Henry’s complete immersion into a world that has absolutely no tangible existence is different from the virtual reality experiences today only by virtue of technological existence. It is interesting from that perspective to imagine just how much more immersive Henry would sink into the world of his own creation were such technology available to allow him the opportunity for dimensional interaction with his players. Ironically, if written today, it actually would be a work of science fiction.
