The Book of Bill

Bill’s eye, and eyes in general, are a motif within the work that explores the theme of The Pursuit of Knowledge for Selfish Gain. Bill’s singular eye connects him visually to the Eye of Providence on the dollar bill, which is, in turn, a symbol of the all-knowing and all-seeing power of God. Bill makes a careful point that, when depicted anywhere, his eye allows him to see into the mortal world; thus, even dollar bills are windows for Bill to see through, giving him knowledge and power. Bill’s “deals” invite his victims to metaphorically see through his eye and gain the extensive knowledge to which he is privy. Succumbing to Bill’s offer of knowledge, however, often leads to his possession; the motif extends by showing Stanford possessed with his eyes resembling Bill’s. Bill’s eye sees and learns a great deal, but accepting his offer of knowledge is not a straightforward process—to learn what Bill knows, you must inherently lose yourself.

Throughout the illustrations in the book, Bill’s eye is also both the method through which he lies and the ultimate revealer of his true nature. Bill’s appearance is often non-threatening and cartoonish, with his eye changing shape to express emotion. This includes anger, when his eye turns red and frightening, and eventually mental instability, when his pupil turns red and contracts, leaving his eye bloodshot and red-rimmed. Bill’s eye gives him the capacity to see and learn, but he is just as unable to withstand the full brunt of that knowledge as a human being and eventually cracks under the pressure of not being able to get what he wants. Thus, Bill’s eye as a motif reveals the truth: Knowledge is power, but power alone is corrupting.