Little Severian and the Thing in the Jar

John Moar · 22 Jun 1998, 11:48 · from urth-v0014.mbox · original

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From: John Moar <jmoar at zetnet.co.uk>
Subject: (urth) Little Severian and the Thing in the Jar
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 98 12:48:20 +0100
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<newbie alert>

I=3DB9ve been lurking on this list for a while, and I=3DB9ve finally =3D
decided to start posting (I=3DB9ve had trouble with finding a computer =3D
to subscribe with - it=3DB9s a long story)

Anyway, I recently reread BotNS. Many of the things that might have =3D
confused me have been discussed on this list, leaving me even more =3D
confused. :-) However, there are two major points I haven=3DB9t seen =3D
discussed.

The first is the thematic point of the whole sequence in _Sword_ with =3D
Little Severian. I can see how it suggests Severian has a sister, =3D
lets Severian=3DB9s development of a conscience be shown, and carries =3D
forward a few plot points with Agia and Alzabos. But Little Severian =3D
is around for a long time to be just a plot function, and I don=3DB9t =3D
quite get it.

The second is the scene in _Citadel_ with the homunculus. I have no =3D
idea what _this_ is about, other than possibly a reference to the =3D
works of Samuel Beckett. _The Encyclopaedia of Science Fiction_ =3D
suggests that this is Severian=3DB9s sibling, but Merryn seems far more =3D
likely from previous discussions here.

I really hope I=3DB9m not asking something everyone understands so well =3D
they=3DB9ve never bothered mentioning... <g>

--
Please note, my name is _James_ Moar, not John. (same long story as =3D
above)

"...it represents for me all that monomaniacal fabric of argument, so
tightly woven that not even the tiniest objection or spark of light =3D
can
escape its net, in which human minds become enmeshed whenever the
subject is one in which no appeal to fact is possible" - _Sword_, Ch. =3D
38

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