Reader Traversals of Stuart Moulthrop's "Victory Garden"
With 993 nodes and 2804 links, Victory Garden is a hypertext novel of epic proportions. Like all works of this genre, it offers readers multiple reading paths––in this case 37 possible ways. For that reason the Pathfinders methodology requires the documentation of multiple readers engaging in a Traversal in order to provide future audiences of the work with an understanding of their multilinearity––and size. It is also suggested that the Readers have various experiences and training in computers and interactive media in order to allow for diverse reactions and engagement with the works.
Performing the Traversal for Victory Garden are Patrick Kutkey and Sean Philbrook. Kutkey, who taught Computer Technology at Pacific Middle School at the Evergreen School District, came to the work with a good understanding of digital technology though he had no previous experience with hypertext literature. Philbook, a student at Washington State University Vancouver pursuing a B. A. in Public Affairs, had a background in interactive games and had previously participated in events offered by the lab.
