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The Theme Of Illusion And Self-Deception In Kosinski's '

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For this prompt we have been asked to discuss how the novel Being There fits into the course’s overall theme “Illusion and Self-Deception”. Having gone through the book twice now I have to say in my opinion Kosinski’s Being There is an elaborate journey of pretend for the protagonist, Chance.
There is a definite feeling throughout the novel that Chance does not quite know who he is or how he should act. Lacking an understanding of reality due to his mental handicap, Chance never realizes the implications of his words and actions. Chance is constantly trying to emulate someone on television or put something around him in the context of television, never showing a true interest in anything other than the garden or the television itself. “By
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