Lecture Notes: The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick

Key Characters

Leo Bolero: Main protagonist, involved in interplanetary business.
Palmer Eldritch: Antagonist, possesses mind-altering substance Chew-Z, possibly an alien or non-human entity.
Barney Meyerson: Pre-fash consultant, struggles with loyalty and personal ethics.
Zoe Eldritch: Daughter of Palmer Eldritch, involved in mysterious activities.
Monica (Child): Represents Palmer Eldritch in a different form, relays important information about Chew-Z.
Dr. Smile: A suitcase AI under the influence of Palmer Eldritch.
Ronnie Fugate: Barney's colleague and personal interest.
Emily: Barney's ex-wife.

Mystery and Mistrust: Leo Bolero is entangled in a mysterious plot involving Palmer Eldritch, who is attempting to exert control over people's minds using a substance called Chew-Z.
Chew-Z vs. Can-D: Chew-Z is a new drug that allows people to experience alternate realities, claiming authentic reincarnation unlike Can-D, which is more of a hallucinogen.
Reality vs. Illusion: Much of the narrative blurs the line between reality and hallucination, especially when characters use Chew-Z.
Corporate Intrigue: Leo Bolero's company is in competition with Eldritch’s new product, Chew-Z, which threatens their market.
Barney's Dilemma: Barney struggles with his loyalty to Leo and personal morals, leading to his eventual firing.
Interplanetary Politics: The UN's interest in Chew-Z due to its supposed religious implications adds a political layer to the conflict.

Leo's Confrontation with Eldritch: Throughout the story, Leo confronts various manifestations of Eldritch, questioning reality.
Capture and Escape: Leo is captured but manages to "escape" a constructed universe through sheer will, indicating the power struggle with Eldritch.
Barney Fired: Barney's failure to act to save Leo leads to his termination, symbolizing ethical and moral conflict.

Identity and Reality: Explores how substances can alter perception to the point where distinguishing reality becomes impossible.
Corporate and Ethical Dilemmas: Characters face choices between survival and morality, with business interests often colliding with personal values.
Power and Control: Eldritch’s manipulation through Chew-Z represents a broader theme of control over the mind and the self.

Chew-Z: A symbol for escapism and the desire to transcend mundane reality, yet it poses risks of losing oneself.
The Gluck: Represents fears and unknown dangers lurking within altered states of consciousness.

The narrative leaves open questions about the nature of reality and the extent of Eldritch's power.
Characters are in a constant struggle between their desires, fears, and the reality they perceive.

This lecture exposes the complex narrative Philip K. Dick constructs, reflecting on human nature through futuristic and psychedelic themes.