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Robert Borski wrote:
I'd like to suggest the following
about "Silhouette:" in my opinion it's meant to be read as the science fiction equivalent of a medieval Mystery Play. Throw in a little Francis
This is a compelling suggestion. The German names would make sense in that context, wouldn't they? Weren't these plays a Germanic phenomenon? ...
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Neuerddraht--German for "New Earth Wire
Actually, I believe it's better translated as "new ground wire". Perhaps Wolfe was staring at a German circuit diagram when he was thinking about this story.
Hmmm. The ground wire is connected to...well...the ground, or the earth. The inner Earth was traditionally thought to be location of Hell, so the imagery really isn't inconsistent with your interpretation at all. The ground wire draws the current down, into the earth, where it is lost.
So if the ground wire is Hell, what is Heaven? The antenna?