Character relationships

Relationship between Daniel Quinn and Paul Auster

Quinn and Auster have a lot in common

The relationship between Daniel Quinn and Paul Auster is an important element in the novel City of Glass by Paul Auster. The two characters have several things in common. They are both writers, they both enjoy the same reading material, and they can both express themselves during literary discussions. 

Also, at one point, Auster confesses that he would have reacted the same way Quinn had in connection to the unexpected phone call and the Stillman case (Chapter 10, 33%). Therefore, we could say that the two have a similar way of thinking. 

Quinn forms an idealistic image of Paul Auster

Before he meets Auster, Quinn considers him a convenient tool, a way for Quinn to shed his identity and become someone else. Quinn does not know anything about Auster, therefore he does not know what kind of life Auster leads or if he has experienced any tragedies like Quinn has. In this stage of the investigation, Auster helps Quinn escape from his own problems.

When Quinn believes that Auster is a detective, he forms an idealistic picture of Auster. Quinn sees Auster as competent, self-assured, and analytical. This is one of the reasons why he does not hesitate to finally go to Auster and confess what has happened when he loses Sti...