Authenticity

Why do people feel the need to collect artifacts from other cultures? It seems to be just an obvious role as a tourist when visiting another country or culture. One common example is Tibetan prayer flags, which many people hang for decorative purposes without really knowing the significance or meaning of the flags to the Tibetan culture. In The Man in the High Castle, collecting items based on cultural accuracy and significance is called into question. Collecting antiques of another culture without first hand experience is highlighted through the demand for antiquities of the past society of the United States pre-WWII. The Japanese, who are in control of the PSA, have a particular interest in American antiquities. One reason for this interest seems to be the desire to live vicariously through the pastime culture symbolized through specific roles that particular items played in the lifestyle at the time. When Childan describes his own childhood game of “flipcards,” Major Humo and his friend are fascinated and clearly enjoy the story, appreciating the item even more knowing that there is a particular significance surrounding it. Thus, the story determines the historicity of each item. Because the person telling the story controls the historicity, they also have the power to manipulate and change the telling of the past, making the historicity of an item completely unreliable and a “mass delusion.” Childan’s childhood story, for all we know, is a huge lie. Childan could have easily told any story in order to convince Humo and his friend that they were truly partaking in a part of his childhood that no longer exists, making the antiquity in the story more valuable. The main delusion to historicity of antiquities is that nothing can prove what is a true part of history and what is a fake. As Childan points out, “the word ‘fake’ meant nothing really, since the word ‘authentic’ meant nothing really” (64). This, is yet another example of a warning to the reader that one should always question the truthfulness of information given to them, which is also later shown through Juliana when she learns that her entire reality has been full of lies.