In "The Oasis," Mary McCarthy portrays a character with a remarkable ability to understand and adapt to his opponent's viewpoint. This flexibility of thought allows him to engage with others on a deep level, processing their arguments or beliefs as if he is genuinely considering them. However, his way of thinking also exhibits a tactical aspect, as he quickly reverts to his original stance, giving the impression of having evolved or gained new insights. This interplay between empathy and strategy highlights the character's intellectual agility, almost like an elastic band that stretches to accommodate different perspectives before snapping back to its original form. The dynamics of argument and conversation are explored as he navigates the complexities of interpersonal relationships, illustrating how intellectual engagement can sometimes be more about appearance than true transformation.

In "The Oasis," Mary McCarthy portrays a character with a remarkable ability to understand and adapt to his opponent's viewpoint. This flexibility of thought allows him to engage with others on a deep level, processing their arguments or beliefs as if he is genuinely considering them. However, his way of thinking also exhibits a tactical aspect, as he quickly reverts to his original stance, giving the impression of having evolved or gained new insights.

This interplay between empathy and strategy highlights the character's intellectual agility, almost like an elastic band that stretches to accommodate different perspectives before snapping back to its original form. The dynamics of argument and conversation are explored as he navigates the complexities of interpersonal relationships, illustrating how intellectual engagement can sometimes be more about appearance than true transformation.