Babbie, a Destrier?

John Smith · 11 Jan 2010, 12:56 · from 2010-January.txt.gz

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From: jsmith2627 at att.net (John Smith)
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:56:25 -0800 (PST)
Subject: (urth) Babbie, a Destrier?
In-Reply-To: <COL121-W1087EB35CE5A79EBB8F070E66E0 at phx.gbl>
Message-ID: <521973.33126.qm at web180204.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>

You're right about the resemblances, but I don't think they're the same. ? In the Appendix to Shadow, Wolfe says, "I have scrupled to call these creatures horses, since I am certain the word is not strictly correct. ? ??The 'Destriers' of ? The Book of the New Sun?are unquestionably swifter and more enduring than the animals we know, and the speed of those used for military purposes seems to permit the delivering of cavalry charges against enemies supported by high-energy armament."
This passage suggests that destriers are closely related to our horses--probably genetically modified--and not as different as the eight-legged hus.

Best wishes,

Jack

--- On Sun, 1/10/10, Tom Hopkins <topkins at hotmail.co.uk> wrote:

From: Tom Hopkins <topkins at hotmail.co.uk>
Subject: (urth) Babbie, a Destrier?
To: urth at urth.net
Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010, 5:52 PM

Hello I'm new to the group so please forgive me if this has
already been asked. I also apologise If I have submitted this to the wrong
place.

After reading recently through the Long and Short Sun books, it seems to me
that Babbie is hinted to be what Severian comes to know as a Destrier, or they
are related in some way.

Several features seem to be common to both: the tusks or long teeth, the red
eyes and the claws which are often called hooves. Whilst Babbie starts off
small, he grows to be around the same size as I imagine a Destrier does. The
main problem I see against this theory is the fact a Hus is described as having
8 legs, whilst I can't remember Destriers being described as such, I also
however cannot remember them being described as having only 4 limbs either; and
as for much of my first reading I simply assumed Destriers to be horses, I can
imagine myself merely assuming they have four limbs also. 

The main issue that confuses me is that even if they aren't the same creature,
why are they so similar. Especially the part when Babbie first emerges and horn
says;

"It advanced, the thick, short claws some people call hooves loud on the
stone floor,". As well as all the other details, they seem too similar for
it to be merely accidental even if they are a completely different species.

After searching through the archives I couldn't find this topic yet
discussed,? I apologise if it has been and I simply missed it. I am just
curious to hear your thoughts on the matter, even If I am completely wrong, so
any replies would be much appreciated.

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