In "Motherless Brooklyn," Jonathan Lethem explores the concept of consensual reality, depicting it as a delicate but adaptable construct. This idea highlights how our shared perceptions and beliefs about the world can easily shift and change, much like a bubble's surface can stretch or compress. Such fragility suggests that what we consider true is often influenced by collective agreement rather than absolute certainty.

The metaphor of a bubble's skin is particularly striking, emphasizing the resilience of this shared reality. Just as a bubble can mend itself after being disturbed, our social constructs can also heal and reform in response to challenges or conflicts. This illustrates the dynamic nature of how we collectively understand and navigate our lives, suggesting a continuous negotiation of reality that is both vulnerable and remarkably durable.