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power of creation” (54). Harlot, is amongst all else, the rival for Kittredge’s affections, whom she seems to be talking with toward the end of the novel’s chronology. Mailer himself states in ''On God'', “my own experience tells me that the degree one is brave, one finds more love than when one is cowardly” (29). The mysterious and ghostly is precisely the failure of ambition, of courage and the American dream (if you work hard and persevere, you succeed—if you fail it is your own fault). Mailer, like his characters, is caught in this duality: he subscribes to the American dream, yet realizes his own experience doesn’t correspond to it. This requires mysticism to sustain the dream. If you are worthy, the “powers of creation” will be stirred, but if you fail the same powers will block you.
power of creation” (54). Harlot, is amongst all else, the rival for Kittredge’s affections, whom she seems to be talking with toward the end of the novel’s chronology. Mailer himself states in ''On God'', “my own experience tells me that the degree one is brave, one finds more love than when one is cowardly” (29). The mysterious and ghostly is precisely the failure of ambition, of courage and the American dream (if you work hard and persevere, you succeed—if you fail it is your own fault). Mailer, like his characters, is caught in this duality: he subscribes to the American dream, yet realizes his own experience doesn’t correspond to it. This requires mysticism to sustain the dream. If you are worthy, the “powers of creation” will be stirred, but if you fail the same powers will block you.


There is one other “author” who functions with a formal similarity to
Mailer in ''Harlot’s Ghost'', namely Harlot. He is the master spy that is expected to tell the truth and reveal all in the sequel. He has been the guiding influence on events, the person Hubbard describes as his own personal “master in the only spiritual art that American men and boys respect—machismo” who “gave life courses in grace under pressure” (17).  He is the author of the ideology of courage that Hubbard develops. Of course, it must be stressed that Harlot tests his willingness to face absolutes, to push beyond the limits, and he fails during a rock climbing accident which reduces him to a wheelchair and literal and symbolic impotence (Kittredge leaves him after the accident and marries Hubbard), killing their son, and damaging his career. This suggests the limitations of Harlot’s framework and, by extension, Mailer’s.


Harlot, however, remains the author of the various plots that drive the
novel. In this sense, he is again like Mailer. He is expected to answer the questions that have been left unanswered and provide historical truth. Harlot is the godfather to Hubbard, the god-like figure who would be in a position to tell the truth and rise above the fray of conflicting interests and perspectives, but he is left fundamentally unknowable as a character.








There is one other “author” who functions with a formal similarity to
Mailer in Harlot’s Ghost, namely Harlot. He is the master spy that is expected
to tell the truth and reveal all in the sequel. He has been the guiding influence on events, the person Hubbard describes as his own personal “master in
the only spiritual art that American men and boys respect—machismo”who
“gave life courses in grace under pressure” ~17!. He is the author of the ideology of courage that Hubbard develops. Of course, it must be stressed that
Harlot tests his willingness to face absolutes, to push beyond the limits, and
he fails during a rock climbing accident which reduces him to a wheelchair
and literal and symbolic impotence ~Kittredge leaves him after the accident
and marries Hubbard!, killing their son, and damaging his career. This suggests the limitations of Harlot’s framework and, by extension, Mailer’s.


Harlot, however, remains the author of the various plots that drive the
novel. In this sense, he is again like Mailer. He is expected to answer the questions that have been left unanswered and provide historical truth. Harlot is
the godfather to Hubbard, the god-like figure who would be in a position to
tell the truth and rise above the fray of conflicting interests and perspectives,
but he is left fundamentally unknowable as a character


==IV. The Novelist as the God that Fails and the Novel as Disinformation==
==IV. The Novelist as the God that Fails and the Novel as Disinformation==
 
Close to the end of the novel, Hubbard has some disconcerting thoughts. In a conversation with Bill Harvey ~a fictional character based on the real CIA
Close to the end of the novel, Hubbard has some disconcerting thoughts. In
a conversation with Bill Harvey ~a fictional character based on the real CIA
station chief! suspicion is cast upon the loyalty of Hugh Montague, a.k.a. Harlot, who has been the primary influence over Harry’s career. Could Harlot, one of the most powerful leaders of the CIA, actually be a Soviet agent?
station chief! suspicion is cast upon the loyalty of Hugh Montague, a.k.a. Harlot, who has been the primary influence over Harry’s career. Could Harlot, one of the most powerful leaders of the CIA, actually be a Soviet agent?
This would make Harlot the complete opposite of everything he appears to
This would make Harlot the complete opposite of everything he appears to
Amylhester
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