middle passage

The concept of the word middle comes up throughout the book. Rutherford is the very meaning of a middle man. He cannot decide between being Falcons bitch or being the crews buddy. He is confused by everything that comes up in his life, whether its marriage, or paying his debt. Rutherford knows he loves Isadora but he cannot fully commit to one thing and marry her. Thus begins his journey on the boat, where he becomes even more of a middle man. When breaking into Falcons cabin, Rutherford gets caught, this is where he really becomes Falcons bitch. Falcon even goes so far as asking him to spy on the crew for him. Someone like Tommy O'Toole is centered, he is both inside the box with the god, and outside with the crew. He has overcome the decision to be one way or another that he is now both. For example when the god is singing the song Tommy is both singing the song and he is the song.