Gosseyn shoulders the profound themes of The World of Null-A, his name echoing "GoSANE." He embodies the benefits of Null-A thinking. In contrast, most other characters are painted as mere archetypes, their actions predictable, though van Vogt instills a captivating aura of mystery around Patricia Hardie, the president of Earth's daughter, and Eldred Crang, the clandestine leader of a secret Empire base and covert devotee of Null-A.

In many ways, Gosseyn mirrors Jommy Cross from Slan (1946; rev. 1951). Both figures stand as supermen, with Gosseyn's additional brain matter granting him extraordinary abilities. Together, Cross and Gosseyn symbolize humanity's next evolutionary leap. Gosseyn, much like Cross, holds a special allure for young readers, standing as a solitary figure besieged by malevolent forces. His explosive retaliation against his foes provides a thrilling sense of vindication against seemingly invincible evil, albeit presenting a less than satisfying conclusion for a character whose intelligence ought to outshine his adversaries.

Discovery and Identity

The novel swiftly establishes Gosseyn's uniqueness. A lie detector unveils that his life's memories are fictitious. Given the idea that memory shapes identity, Gosseyn finds himself a blank slate, yet remains unshaken. Despite the revelation of his uncertain identity, he clings to the skills honed through rigorous Null-A training. As a disciple of Null-A, his task is to harmonize the intellectual and primal elements of his mind. Thus, Gosseyn employs "the Null-A pause," deftly channeling his instinctual urge to panic into a balanced appraisal of his situation. In true Null-A fashion, he takes calculated steps to shield himself and unravel the enigma of his being.

Even after his murder, when another Gosseyn awakes with his memories and persona intact, acceptance reigns. He methodically tackles the mystery at hand, educating his mind's extra matter—a biological nexus bridging his primal and intellectual capacities. Through Gosseyn, the narrative intricately interweaves the Null-A philosophy and the theme of memory. His enhanced brain signifies the leap toward sanity and genuine comprehension of natural forces that Null-A promises for a twentieth-century society teetering on the brink of madness.