Estimated read time: 3 min read
Table of Contents
List of Characters
| Character Name | Role |
|---|---|
| ??? | ??? |
Role Identification
The book "Tree of Codes" by Jonathan Safran Foer is a unique and experimental work of art. It is a sculptural book that is created by cutting out sections of an existing book, "The Street of Crocodiles" by Bruno Schulz, to create a new narrative. As such, there are no specific characters in the traditional sense. The creation of the book itself can be seen as the main character, as it is through the manipulation of the original text that a new story is formed.
Character Descriptions
Since "Tree of Codes" is a book created through the process of cutting and manipulating an existing text, there are no specific character descriptions. The original characters from "The Street of Crocodiles" are fragmented and reimagined, resulting in a collage-like narrative where characters and their physical descriptions blend together.
Character Traits
As the characters in "Tree of Codes" are formed through the manipulation of the original text, their traits are fluid and abstract. The book explores themes of identity, memory, and transformation, and the characters reflect these concepts. They are fragmented, shifting, and often elusive, making it difficult to assign specific traits to them.
Character Background
Without specific characters in "Tree of Codes," there is no individual background for each character. Instead, the book draws upon the background of "The Street of Crocodiles" and recontextualizes it through the cut-out technique. The background of the characters is therefore entwined with the original narrative, but transformed and reshaped by Foer's artistic intervention.
Character Arcs
Given the nature of "Tree of Codes" as a collage-like book, there are no traditional character arcs. The narrative is fragmented and nonlinear, with different sections of the original text intersecting and overlapping to create new meanings and connections. The arcs of the characters, if they can be called such, are fluid and ever-changing, reflecting the overall experimental nature of the book.
Relationships
As with character arcs, relationships in "Tree of Codes" are not depicted in a traditional sense. The cut-out sections of the original text create unexpected connections and juxtapositions, blurring the boundaries between characters and their relationships. The relationships between characters are abstract and open to interpretation, allowing readers to form their own unique connections and meanings.
Conclusion
"Tree of Codes" by Jonathan Safran Foer is a remarkable and unconventional book that defies traditional character analysis. Instead of specific characters with defined roles and traits, the book explores the boundaries of storytelling and pushes the limits of narrative form. The characters in "Tree of Codes" are fluid, fragmented, and ever-changing, reflecting the themes of identity, memory, and transformation that permeate the work. Through its experimental approach, the book challenges readers to think differently about character and narrative, inviting them to actively engage with the text and create their own interpretations.





