Heti How Should A Person Be: The Surprising Details Everyone Is Clicking
Heti How Should A Person Be: A Beginner's Guide to the Novel Everyone's Talking About
Sheila Heti's "How Should a Person Be?" is a novel that's been buzzing in literary circles for years, often eliciting strong reactions – love, confusion, fascination, and even a bit of head-scratching. It's not a typical novel; it blends fiction and autobiography, raises profound questions about art, love, and identity, and challenges conventional narrative structures. This guide will break down the key concepts of the book, explore common pitfalls readers encounter, and provide practical examples to help you navigate its complexities.
What is "How Should a Person Be?" Really About?
At its core, the novel follows a fictionalized version of Sheila Heti, a writer struggling with her second novel, grappling with relationships, and wrestling with the question posed in the title: How should a person be? This isn't a philosophical treatise offering definitive answers; instead, it’s an exploration of the question through Sheila’s experiences and interactions with her friends, particularly Margaux and Israel.
Think of it as a journey of self-discovery, where the protagonist tries to define her own moral compass and artistic integrity while navigating the complexities of modern life. The book explores several key themes:
- The Blurring of Fiction and Reality: Heti incorporates real emails, conversations, and even images into the novel, blurring the lines between what's real and what's fabricated. This creates a sense of immediacy and authenticity, but also raises questions about the ethics of representation and the nature of truth in art.
- The Struggle for Artistic Identity: Sheila’s struggle to write her second novel mirrors the larger struggle to define herself as an artist. She questions her talent, her motivations, and the purpose of her work. The book delves into the anxieties and insecurities that many artists face, particularly the pressure to create something meaningful and original.
- The Importance of Female Friendship: The relationships between Sheila, Margaux, and other female characters are central to the novel. These friendships provide support, challenge, and a space for exploring complex emotions and experiences. The book highlights the power of female solidarity and the importance of having close confidantes in navigating life's challenges.
- The Exploration of Sexuality and Desire: The novel explores various aspects of sexuality, from casual encounters to long-term relationships. It examines the complexities of desire, the power dynamics in relationships, and the challenges of navigating intimacy in a modern world.
- Moral Ambiguity and Ethical Dilemmas: The characters in the novel often make questionable choices, blurring the lines between right and wrong. The book doesn't offer easy answers to ethical dilemmas, instead, it encourages readers to grapple with these complexities themselves.
- Autofiction: This is a central element of the novel. It's a genre that blends autobiography and fiction, blurring the lines between the author's real life and the fictional world they create. In "How Should a Person Be?", Sheila Heti uses her own name and experiences as a starting point, but she also fictionalizes events and characters, creating a hybrid form that challenges traditional notions of truth and representation.
- Metafiction: This refers to the novel's self-awareness. It acknowledges its own status as a work of fiction, often drawing attention to the writing process itself. Heti frequently breaks the fourth wall, commenting on the novel's construction and engaging the reader in a dialogue about the meaning of art.
- Social Commentary: While the novel is deeply personal, it also offers a subtle critique of contemporary society. It examines issues such as the pressures on women to conform to certain ideals, the commodification of art, and the challenges of finding meaning in a consumerist culture.
- The I Ching: Sheila consults the I Ching, an ancient Chinese divination text, throughout the novel. This reflects her search for guidance and meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable. The I Ching's pronouncements provide a framework for exploring different possibilities and making difficult decisions.
- Getting Hung Up on "Is It Real?": Many readers get caught up in trying to decipher which parts of the novel are true and which are fictionalized. While this can be an interesting exercise, it's ultimately beside the point. The novel's power lies in its exploration of universal themes, not in its adherence to factual accuracy. Instead of focusing on "real vs. fake," consider how the blurring of these lines contributes to the overall meaning of the book.
- Expecting a Traditional Plot: "How Should a Person Be?" doesn't follow a conventional plot structure. It's more episodic and fragmented, reflecting the messy and unpredictable nature of life. If you're expecting a clear beginning, middle, and end, you might be disappointed. Instead, embrace the novel's unconventional structure and allow yourself to be carried along by its stream of consciousness.
- Judging the Characters Too Harshly: The characters in the novel are flawed and often make questionable choices. It's easy to judge them for their mistakes, but it's important to remember that they are complex and multifaceted individuals. Try to understand their motivations and empathize with their struggles, even if you don't agree with their actions.
- Missing the Humor: Despite its serious themes, "How Should a Person Be?" is also a very funny book. Heti's wit and observational humor are often subtle, but they add a layer of lightness and levity to the novel. Pay attention to the details and the nuances of the dialogue, and you'll likely find yourself laughing out loud.
- Sheila's Job Interview: Sheila's disastrous job interview at a magazine highlights the absurdity of corporate culture and the challenges of maintaining one's integrity in a professional setting. This scene is both humorous and insightful, offering a commentary on the pressures to conform and the compromises we often make in order to survive.
- Margaux's Performance Art: Margaux's performance art pieces, which often involve nudity and provocative behavior, raise questions about the boundaries of art and the objectification of women. These scenes challenge readers to consider their own assumptions about art and sexuality.
- Sheila's Relationships: Sheila's relationships with her various lovers and friends provide a framework for exploring the complexities of intimacy and desire. These relationships are often messy and complicated, but they offer valuable insights into the challenges of finding love and connection in a modern world.
Key Concepts Explained Simply:
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them:
Practical Examples:
In Conclusion:
"How Should a Person Be?" is a challenging but ultimately rewarding novel. It's not a book that offers easy answers, but it does encourage readers to ask important questions about themselves and the world around them. By understanding the key concepts, avoiding common pitfalls, and paying attention to the details, you can navigate its complexities and appreciate its unique and powerful voice. Don't be afraid to be confused, to disagree, or to be challenged. The book is designed to provoke thought and spark conversation, and that's precisely what makes it so compelling. So dive in, embrace the uncertainty, and prepare to be surprised.
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