Do you think the characters in the novel "inhabit" their conditions even as they try to change? Could the same be said for most people?

Kate describes Salman Rushdie as striving to "change his condition" while still inhabiting it (p. 235). Do you think the characters in the novel "inhabit" their conditions even as they try to change? Do you feel this is a statement that can be made, in some way, about most people?

I think most of the characters were less than satisfied with their situation and probably spent a lot of time thinking they wanted to change things but they all seem to be sort of stuck in their roles and just keep on doing and saying the same things. Changing one's attitude about one's life is a lot easier than changing one's behavior.

Many of the characters were young people still trying to figure out what to do in the world and who to love. They had a lot of choices to make and seemed reluctant to move ahead.

I think the characters in the book inhabit the idea of their condition. They hold a notion about who/where they are and that may or may not reflect the reality of their condition. Whether they are trying to change is another thing altogether.

I do think Lydia and Carence were pretty stuck in who they were. Some of the younger people such as Kate, Oliver and possibly Lydia's son are probably young enough to move on. I am not sure of Lydia's daughter as she seemed pretty damaged.

The younger characters seem to have that intangible "something" within them to want changes and feel an urge to do more. Many people do not create the life they may dream of at one time. Think of how many people settle down very close to the high schools they attended.