"Ready Player One" Chapter 0002 Reaction

"What good is bravery if you don't have anything to fear?" ~ Oh shit, I quote myself now.

After a 2 day delay I have finally read the second chapter of Ready Player One. In this chapter, we get our first look inside the OASIS. We get an idea of what it is like and what it means not only to Wade, but to the society. Also, as it is Saturday, this post maybe a little longer because I have more time to reflect on everything that I have read thus far, even though I am still early in the book. 

In an earlier chapter, Wade discusses that his education system is in the OASIS, and after reading a little more about this implementation I could see this working for this diegetic. It is certainly an interesting concept, and with our current real life political climate this chapter strikes some familiar cords. There is a private agency - I think it was a private agency and not a government one - that is trying to take over the OASIS and monopolize the use of it (cough Net Neutrality cough). Wade, and those in Wade's generation, have never known a time in their lives where they did not have easy access to the internet, much like how a current generation will never know what this is like. There is even a dial-up reference that us 90s babies can appreciate. 

This chapter also gives us a little more of Wade's personality. He is not only a bright tinkerer, but he is sharp witted. His skills seem to be on the mental side, but not very physical. We even learn that as a younger kid he was fat. Given that he spends most of his time in a virtual reality, I can't imagine his cardio is very good - though he must power his machine every day by cycling. He also must navigate his "trailer park" home, so maybe his physicality is good. If that is the case, I am curious to discover what his flaws are. Every hero, like Achilles, needs a good heel. What good is bravery if you don't have anything to fear?

Additionally, Wade's heroic framework is developed. The most apparent in this chapter were the villains. Every good heroic characters needs a good villain. In this chapter we are introduced to more antagonist characters, other than his aunt and poverty. The IOI and the bullies at his virtual school (though, I wonder how they will come into the story given that there is no pvp at his online school). 

Wade even has a romantic interest, which a lot of heroes have, though not at all necessary. The story hasn't done much with the character yet, but it could go a few ways - such as a damsel in distress path, or a strong female lead path who typically "don't need no man." It is unfortunate, but I do suspect Art3mis' character will be one of those roles before a team up to combat IOI happens. Maybe I will be surprised and Art3mis will be a well-rounded character with her own goals, ideas, wants and flaws - but that is me being hopefully.  

It is also my personal belief that every good hero has a sidekick character, a loyal friend who will be there for him when things get tough. So, I am interested to see how this continues with Wade's friend Aech. Alternatively, it could be predicted that Aech becomes the archetypal "betrayer," and Art3mis could fill the role of companion character. The story more so establishes her as the romantic interest. Maybe they will become a trinity team, much like Harry, Ron, and Hermione (and yes, Hermione fits the archetype of "don't need no man," - in 2018 grown adults are still learning how to right female characters with personalities independent of the male characters.

Not much else happened in this chapter, I think, other than some world set-up and plot progression. So far, it is difficult to put down after only reading a chapter at a time, so my Sunday post maybe quite extensive because I am enjoying the ride.