And then there was the tourist Vogel, a man with so much optimism, so much faith in the innate goodness of mankind, that he is nearly unbearable. Also, a great believer in masturbation.
Vogel saves young Hans Reiter's life on one of the two occasions that Hans nearly drowns. Vogel had initially mistaken Hans for seaweed. When he recollects this later, it perplexes him to no end. Page 646.
And then: in what sense can a boy resemble seaweed? And then: can a boy and seaweed have anything in common?
Indeed.
Good question.
Can a boy and seaweed have anything in common?
