I, too, noticed that this book in written in an interesting tense. It’s present tense for all characters in all times unless they are thinking in the present about a past event. Not only is it written in present tense, but it also seems to follow no linear timeline in relating events. Well, that’s not true, Lila Mae’s basic story line is followed mostly chronologically; however, there are still many interruptions from the past (Lila Mae’s college years, Otis’ invention of the elevator, Fulton’s early life). Because he writes in present tense, Whitehead seems to make all the plotlines converge into one single point in time.
There is a fragmented feel to this narrative not only because of the breaking up of the basic plotline, but also because Whitehead actually communicates through a lot of fragments instead of complete sentences. A bit choppy, but also more like train of thought than more classic narratives. I wonder if it goes along with the fact that Whitehead does not name the city nor does he seem to give any of the smaller characters significant traits. Is he trying to suggest through his lack of detail and present tense narrative that this could happen anywhere at any time? That although it seems like it only happened in the past (or when this story takes place…60’s??) it is, in fact, still present tense?
This leads me to my second point, which stems from the scene in which Lila Mae is taking her first “Intuitionist” college course. Their discussion over theoretical elevators and the “phantom passenger” seemed to imply that the elevator stands for race relations in the United States. The intuitionists purport that unless someone is waiting for the elevator, or expecting it, it is not really there at all. In other words, race (and therefore prejudice?) is only in our minds. We are deceived by our senses into a false sense of reality—believing that identity lies in appearances. A prime example of this, of course, would be Fulton and the fact that no one realizes they are worshipping the philosophy of a “colored” man. And does it matter what race he is (in our reality or the book’s)? The empiricist in the class, however, believes that “just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there” (102). I’m not sure if this means that he’s insisting race is inherent OR if this means that just because in today’s society we don’t always see overt racial tensions doesn’t mean it doesn’t still exist in American life. The elevator itself is often referred to as a coffin leaving earth and heading towards heaven. I’m not sure what this means yet…that the hope for equality is futile? This also brings to mind the “glass ceiling” that minorites (in this case blacks and women) are said to face in the work place. Maybe that’s really obvious and you’ve already figured that out though…
On another note, I really enjoyed/was irritated by Whitehead’s style of writing. He had an interesting (yet sometimes aggravating) way of repeating words and phrases within one sentence. For example, “It has rained too long, the city slept in mercury light for too long” where he repeats “too long” at the end of the sentence (163). I would be inclined to simply dismiss this; however, he does this quite often. Perhaps the ups and downs of an elevator’s repetitious path? I don’t know if this is for effect or if it’s just his writing style. He also mentions “teeth” a lot. Am still not sure if that is pertinent.