Treacle Walker Lesson Plan

What are the larger implications of Joe seeing another version of himself?

Some critics have pointed out that the novel is concerned with exploring time and quantum physics. The scene where Joe sees himself doubled could be read as one that supports this theory. Quantum physics, also known as quantum mechanics, investigates the behavior of subatomic particles. Many of the fundamental concepts it has proven are counterintuitive to more “classical” understandings of the physical laws governing our world.

For example, a phenomenon that the doubling of Joe appears to reference is that of the “uncertainty principle.” The uncertainty principle asserts that it is impossible...