Michael Rieman answers “Can someone explain the duel meaning of...”

Julie Choi asked this question about The Sympathizer (The Sympathizer, #1):

Can someone explain the duel meaning of "nothing" to me. I think I get it but am not sure. Of course, I get the first and obvious meaning - what is more important than independence and freedom? Nothing as in nothing is more important. But what is the other meaning?

Michael Rieman I think the narrator suggests the meaning when he realizes that "slogans were empty suits draped on the corpse of an idea. The suits depended on how o…moreI think the narrator suggests the meaning when he realizes that "slogans were empty suits draped on the corpse of an idea. The suits depended on how one wore them and this suit was now worn out.." Perhaps it is that the "independence and freedom" lose their meaning and become nothing when the means of achieving independence and freedom provide neither.(less)

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