I shall point out just one hidden path as an example. It is certainly possible to read ''The Name of the Rose'' as a novel in which every character and event find an equivalent in today's world. In many ways this is a roman a clef. Different levels of meaning pervade the microcosm of the book. In New York two months ago I met a friend of Mr. Eco, a scholar who, not having published any books, cannot find an academic appointment.
Many similar games are there for the reader to discover.
He may decide not to play any of the games but to be carried along instead by the elan of the narration. He will have to make a choice between Adso and William. It is almost too obvious that William is Mr. Eco himself. I, FOR one, go along with Adso.