LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 25:10 October 2025
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Selvi M. Bunce, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate
         Nathan Mulder Bunce, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Honorary Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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A study of the Intricate Interplay of Aesthetic Illusions in Paul Auster's City of Glass

K. Bagyalakshmi and
Dr. M. Prasath

Abstract

This research paper focuses on Paul Auster's iconic novel City of Glass (1985), which is a component of his well-known The New York Trilogy (1987), and the idea of aesthetic illusions as a thematic suspense. The approach is based on the notion of aesthetic illusion, which shows the way illusory outlines are perceived. The purpose of the study is to clarify how Auster skillfully employs the Kanizsa Triangle to weave the theme of aesthetic illusions, resulting in a compelling sense of tension and ontological ambiguity that permeates the stories.

Keywords:Aesthetic Illusion, Kanizsa Triangle, Thematic Suspense, Ontological Ambiguity.

Introduction

Paul Auster's City of Glass (1985) is a novel of his famed The New York Trilogy (1987), which has long been praised for its examination of the nature of reality, identity, and the role of the writer. At the heart of these stories is the reoccurring topic of aesthetic illusions, which acts as an effective tool for creating a feeling of thematic suspense and ontological uncertainty. The topic of aesthetic illusions in Auster's works may be explored more closely using the Kanizsa Triangle, which investigates the perceptual phenomena of illusory outlines (Cupchik 2001). This theory holds that the human mind has an extraordinary ability to recognize patterns and forms even in the lack of unambiguous visual clues, resulting in the production of illusory outlines.

Objectives and Theory

The objectives of this article will look at how Auster uses the idea of aesthetic illusions to create a feeling of thematic suspense and ontological uncertainty in City of Glass. The analysis will look at how the author uses the Kanizsa Triangle-like phenomenon to challenge the reader's view of reality, as well as how Aesthetic Illusion reflects the nature of identity and the creative endeavor.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

K. Bagyalakshmi
Ph.D., Research Scholar (Part-Time),
PG & Research Department of English,
Vivekanandha College of Arts and Sciences for Women (A),
Tiruchengode, Namakkal District- 637205
Tamil Nadu, India
bagyalaxmi1983@gmail.com
&
Dr. M. Prasath
Research Supervisor, Associate Professor,
PG & Research Department of English,
Vivekanandha College of Arts and Sciences for Women (A),
Tiruchengode, Namakkal District- 637205
Tamil Nadu, India
prasaad2008@gmail.com
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