The Lens of “Arbitrage”

In Andre Aciman’s essay “Arbitrage”, one’s ability to use cognitive perception as a lens plays an important role in how one observes objects and places. When one views a cup of tea, his or her perception of that cup could be very different than another person’s perception of that very same cup. The first person to view the cup might only perceive the cup to be a container for holding tea. While the second person, perceives the cup to be not only a container for tea but also as a tool for viewing memories. One could then argue that the cup becomes the lens. Are the lenses of “Arbitrage” the objects and places or is the lens cognitive perception?
The lens of a camera or microscope allows a person to see things differently and is the most valuable part. The objects and places of “Arbitrage” used as lenses have an exchange value. Aciman defines “Arbitrage” as the exchange of place and time. While pouring tea into the cup, Aciman exchanged his focus of the cup for the memory of his childhood tutors. The Cambridge windowpanes were used in exchange for the memory of Alexandria. But recalling the memory of Alexandria was needed in order for this particular lens to work. Wordsorth’s “Tintern Abbey” helps to clarify the function of the lens in “Arbitrage”. “To use focus A you need to establish focus B, but to establish focus B you need A.” Focus A could be wool trousers and focus B could be the cognitive perception or memory of wool trousers. Focus A and B serve as intricate parts of the lens. However, this lens is not to better view the real world but rather to view memories and imaginations.