University of Virginia Library

Questions History

Like Vonnegut, Exley, Gass and
others, Mr. Coover questions history
in this novel, but it is a
Christian history which is questioned.
The re-enacting of Mr.
Rutherford's senseless death is
meaningless for both the players
and their Master-Waugh. The
players stand around and speculate,
"I'm afraid, Gringo, that God exists
and he is a nut." History cannot be
relived, only recreated. The game
continues, but even Mr. Waugh is
undecided as to its future: perhaps
he should find a different hobby.
This one hasn't been too successful,
people have simply misunderstood.