Close Reading: Torturer Chapter 1
The Urth list — 4 messages, 4 voices, 08 Sep 2006
https://urth.darkrealm.vip/thread/urth/4719

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Jack Redelfs — 08 Sep 2006, 04:51

> I can't help but wonder why Severian was called in to assist with the
> Revolutionary given his pre-existing relationship with Thecla, which even
> were it
> not intimate was certainly close enough to create a clear conflict of
> interest in
> the client/torturer relationship

The masters well knew about Severian's relationship with Thecla, in general
if not in detail. I think they required him to torture Thecla to, shall we
say "break him," or disillusion him of ever becoming close to a client
again. I don't think they could of foreseen that he would have slipped her a
kitchen knife, as indeed Severian seemed surprised himself. I think the
masters trusted that in the end Severian's loyalty to the guild would win
over whatever inner conflict he felt. He was indeed loyal to the guild — it
was the only home or family he had ever known.

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Daniel D Jones — 08 Sep 2006, 19:51
  in reply to Jack Redelfs

> > On Friday 08 September 2006 00:51, Jack Redelfs wrote:
> > I can't help but wonder why Severian was called in to assist with the
> > Revolutionary given his pre-existing relationship with Thecla, which even

> were it
> 
>  >not intimate was certainly close enough to create a clear conflict of
> 
> interest in

> > the client/torturer relationship

> The masters well knew about Severian's relationship with Thecla, in general
> if not in detail. I think they required him to torture Thecla to, shall we
> say "break him," or disillusion him of ever becoming close to a client
> again. I don't think they could of foreseen that he would have slipped her
> a kitchen knife, as indeed Severian seemed surprised himself. I think the
> masters trusted that in the end Severian's loyalty to the guild would win
> over whatever inner conflict he felt. He was indeed loyal to the guild — it
> was the only home or family he had ever known.

Or perhaps it was a test to SEE if his loyalty to the guild would hold.  If he 
got through this, he could be trusted with anything.  If not, then he 
obviously wasn't cut out for a life in the guild, and the guild found this 
out early rather than late.

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David Duffy — 08 Sep 2006, 21:45
  in reply to Daniel D Jones

Not actually in Chapter 1, and previously discussed on the list -- the
epigram.  Severian is the watchman holding the shortest watch?

The pistol as a theme or symbol: something so precious, uncommon and
completely destructive.  (Later, bringing in VanVogtian descriptions of
ravening energies ;))  Giving a pistol to another to care for the woman
you love.

David Duffy.

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Chris Mulder — 09 Sep 2006, 04:02
  in reply to Daniel D Jones

Daniel D Jones <ddjones at riddlemaster.org> wrote:    
Or perhaps it was a test to SEE if his loyalty to the guild would hold. If he 
got through this, he could be trusted with anything. If not, then he 
obviously wasn't cut out for a life in the guild, and the guild found this 
out early rather than late.
   
  I agree with Jones' analysis.  Thecla was a test for Severian, which he failed.
   
  cm

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