The Name of the Rose

by Umberto Eco

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Themes: Appearance vs. Reality

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The Name of The Rose explores several themes centered around a key concept, arguably the most crucial in all classic literature: the disparity between appearance and reality. William of Baskerville uses sharp observation to reveal the truth hidden behind appearances. This pursuit leads to profound debates about the importance and practicality of logic, the boundaries of human understanding, and the techniques of investigation. Despite being set in a medieval context, these discussions are surprisingly and ironically pertinent to the contemporary world.

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Themes: Nominalism

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Themes: Semiotics and Interpretation

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