The illusion of wholeness: A network analysis of Krisztina Tóth’s Pixel

Short story cycles are not only characterized by their fragmented nature but also characterized by the cohesive forces that hold the stories together. In Krisztina Tóth’s Pixel , the cohesion is provided by the webs of characters and motifs. By using the methodology of network theory to explore the relationships of characters in Tóth’s volume, this study reveals how the text constructs an illusion of wholeness while foregrounding fragmentation, solitude and reader agency. Through visual and quantitative analysis, this article offers a new strategy for this volume and the interpretation of the genre in general.