On page viii, FXC delves into who V.M. Straka, the person, actually was. After first dismissing the claim that Straka was a Bohemian factory worker, she lists off a number of possibilities for Straka’s true identity considered by “literary experts. (viii)” Ranging from writers to anarchists and adventurers, the diversity of candidates is quite interesting. This highlights the extent to which Straka’s life was a mystery. Not only is the true Straka not known, but there is no consensus even on what kind of person he (or she*) might have been.

Photo of a factory worker by Flickr user John Mackaill under creative commons liscensing https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=factory%20worker

Though the comment on Straka’s identity is striking, the most significant event on page xiii comes in the margins. Jen introduces Professor Moody to say that he did a guest lecture for her class, to which Eric responds

“I hope you ignored every goddamn word he said.” (viii)

The use of the underline obviously highlights how strongly he feels about Moody. To emphasize his point even further, Eric uses a separate underline for each word instead of underlining the whole phrase like he does at some other points in the book, such as on pages eight and twenty.

Within Jen and Eric’s subplot in the margins, Moody plays a critical role. Formerly Eric’s dissertation advisory, Moody was “a liar and a thief,” (viii) stealing Eric’s work and attempting to publish it with a big New York editor. This forces Jen and Eric into a race to finish their work before Moody finishes his and publishes it.

Overall, this page delves into the true identity of V. M. Straka, while also setting the stage for a conflict in the margins that plays out in the rest of the book.

* one of the possible identities listed for Straka is female, but Eric expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of that candidate