The Echo Maker

In the novel, echoes symbolize how people resist changing their self-concept. In the Greek myth of Echo and Narcissus, Echo can only mirror others, never express herself, and Narcissus is unable to respond to anyone but himself. Initially in Mark’s recovery, he is able only to reflect or echo what he hears. Later, he becomes Narcissus, trapped in the never-ending spiral of self-regard and forcing others to play the part of Echo as they respond to him.

Mark creates echoes when other people’s attempts to give him feedback bounce off him. This is illustrated in his echolalia when he reflects back what is said to him without meaning. Later, when people try to correct his faulty interpretations of reality, their feedback bounces off him without changing him.

Mark’s Capgras syndrome causes echoes in his own brain. When the sight of Karin strikes the damaged connection between feeling and reason, the sight of her bounces off the damaged point like an echo and returns to his consciousness devoid of meaning. Mark also creates echoes in others, making them feel disconnected. Karin sometimes even starts to doubt her own reality.

The lack of an echo reflects an individual’s desire to change. For example, when Mark no longer reflects the identity Karin expects, her negotiations with him turn her into a different person. When criticism of Weber’s work no longer reflects his belief in his methodology, he loses his sense of self, which in turn alienates him from his wife.