In the present essay I am going to provide a personal analysis of an extract drawn from Nice Work by David Lodge. The aim of the analysis is to consider some points that made it relevant in the Postmodern period.

Firstly, it is interesting to underline that the analysis starts in medias res. It begins highlighting the difference between the idea of capitalism and the classic novel, according to which there is a unique and finite soul that constitutes every person’s identity. On the contrary, according to the main character of the section considered, whose name is Robyn, there is not a unique “self” but in relation to Postmodernism there are lots of selves because people’s identities are constituted by their entanglement environment, defined as an infinite web of discourses. Consequently there is not an author because no one originates work from nothing. Therefore, it is possible to state that every text is a product of intertextuality or rather it is the product of a mixture by other texts. 

Going on, according to Postmodernism, there are many selfs because a person is never full grasp of everything.  Moreover, a relevant aspect to underline is the name of the character, Robyn. It may refer to the legendary character of Robin Hood and therefore makes the reader reflect and make some links. Robin embodies the figure of a poor innocent that steals from riches to give to poorer and conveys a revolutionary way of thinking. This is strictly connected to Postmodernism that rejects every form of heroic actions. Therefore, the reader can conclude that the writer does not  leave nothing to chance.

TO SUM UP:

THERE IS NOT

• a unique and finite soul that constitutes a person’s identity = self
• Author
• nothing comes from nothing = there is not origin

THERE IS

• a subjective position in an infinite web of discourses
• every text is a product of intertextuality 
• there is only production
• => We produce our “selves” in language