The big take away from this book is the theme of reality and
how it is better than a faux reality (OASIS). I believe a good way to describe this
book and the message is found on the front cover of my paperback: “Willy Wonka
meets The Matrix.” This story is very much similar (a little too similar to) Roald
Dahl’s Charley and the Chocolate Factory. The Chocolate Factory is the OASIS.
Charlie is Wade. Willy Wonka is Halliday. The message is the same. The real
world is far better than a virtual utopia. Charlie understands that his deepest
desire (to get the golden ticket and receive Willy Wonka’s fortune and factory)
was actually flawed, for his real desire was to help and be with his family.
The same goes with Wade, he was obsessed throughout the novel with trying to
get Halliday’s Easter Egg, however, in the end, he learned that it is not the
money and OASIS that is important, but life, family, community, love, and human
joy. Video games will bring a rush of happiness and entertainment. However, it
will die away. Joy can be everlasting if constantly sought after.
Definitely a good point. The fleeting enjoyment of both delicious chocolate and a video game are pretty irrelevant to reality, and Dahl and Cline seem to be reminding us of that. At the same time, though, both also indulge our fantasies about the elements of reality that allow us to escape. And given the nature of the real world at the end of this novel, I wonder how permanent Wade's "lesson" will be. Will his desire for escape return?
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