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This article examines the role of topos theory in McCarthy's novels to understand character relationships and broader themes.

March 27, 2026

McCarthy’s Magical Math: Toposes and Textual Interpretation in The Passenger and Stella Maris

Key Points

This article examines the role of topos theory in McCarthy's novels to understand character relationships and broader themes.
Analyzed McCarthy's texts, The Passenger and Stella Maris.
Investigated mathematical and scientific concepts embedded in the narratives.
Applied topos theory to explore literary structures and reader interpretation.
Topos theory provides insights into the dyadic relationship between characters Alicia and Bobby.
Reveals a novel approach to reading that transcends conventional literary analysis.
Highlights the interconnectedness of mathematics and human experience in McCarthy's works.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article focuses on how McCarthy’s interests in mathematics and science are translated to the page in The Passenger and Stella Maris. This article argues that McCarthy’s use of topos theory as a ground for the discussions of math and physics in The Passenger and Stella Maris is critical to understanding the entangled relationship between Alicia and Bobby, as well as our relationship to the world in which we live. Topos theory offers readers a new way to read and understand the novels that goes beyond traditional literary criticism. McCarthy’s use of topos theory offers an explanation for the dyadic structure of The Passenger and Stella Maris as well as alternate strategies for reading the novels.

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