Fanon #1

For my outside reading book for third quarter, I chose to read Fanon by John Edgar. The book is written in a rather confusing third person perspective that contains no dialogue and is somewhat self-narration. The book is told somewhat through the thoughts of the character Thomas, a fiction writer who sometimes talks to the dead revolutionary, Franz Fanon, about whom he is trying to write a book. In this first section, Thomas is delivered a box that might contain a severed head. As Thomas is a fiction writer and has a messed up view of reality, it's difficult to interpret what his reaction might be, not to mention what exactly is real. While experiencing the shock of being sent a head, Thomas tries to think about how to rationalize the situation through writing. He thinks, "You would rather write about an imaginary head, right....Writing it until you get it right. Until its words, a story, not Thomas coming apart, not something words can't grasp" (16). As a writer, Thomas recognizes how writing about an incident can help him understand what he is experiencing. But this quote isn't about Thomas actually writing about what happened. He's only thinking about writing and how that would help him hold onto his sanity if he so chose to pick up the pen. Confusion between Thomas' thoughts, reality and the book that Thomas is trying to write are further garbled as the book progresses. It is revealed that a note with a quote from Fanon was included in the package along with the head. But what is happening is confused with what Thomas thinks should happen. He comments to himself, "Just a second, Thomas. Are you sure a Fanon quote a good idea here. Why add to Fanon's bad rap as apostle of violence, hater of whites, spawner of terrorists" (17). Thomas, in his shock, forgets that he didn't write the note that was sent to him. Somehow, the mysterious sender seems to know Thomas' intentions so well, he has confused the writer as to who is doing the writing. Thomas' grasp on reality seems weak to start with, but the arrival of the head only served to confuse him more.

The story takes place shortly after 9/11 in New York. As the world is recoiling from this event, Thomas notes the loss of innocence for his community as a whole and yet how little anything has changed. As a helicopter flies overhead, he wonders "Are the helicopters ferrying survivors to emergency wards or bearing newscams to broadcast a spectacular accident...you never know anymore, the sound of choppers may be innocent but once bitten you never look at stray dogs the way you once did" (22). This quote shows Thomas' opinion that even though there may be nothing ominous about the sight of a helicopter or something of its equivelent, it is in our nature to fear the worst, particularly once we have experienced horror. Thomas also takes notice of how little anything changed after 9/11. He says "planes are flying in New York City's airspace again. A decision disrespectful of the 9/11 dead and dangerous for the living. Old flight paths resumed because they maximize fuel efficiency and profit. Business as usual" (29). This cynical example of how little we seem to learn from our mistakes shows Thomas' lack of faith that any real measures have been taken in providing any sort of safety. This idea of the difficulties in achieving change is probably one that will be repeated and the events of 9/11 may be foreshadowing of what is to come.