Dorcas (was: The mystery of the image of an astronaut cleaned by Rudesind)

James Wynn · 10 Jul 2010, 00:00 · from 2010-July.txt.gz

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From: crushtv at gmail.com (James Wynn)
Date: Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:00:13 -0500
Subject: (urth) Dorcas (was: The mystery of the image of an astronaut
 cleaned by Rudesind)
In-Reply-To: <015a01cb1fb8$feb04700$a2cd4a0c@rclackey>
References: <AANLkTilDzPvDOwvuNP_V8cXYTXHlU8zNvl-NEfP1Nzd9 at mail.gmail.com>	<4C379FC6.7030907 at gmail.com>
	<015a01cb1fb8$feb04700$a2cd4a0c@rclackey>
Message-ID: <4C37B80D.8020504 at gmail.com>

> James Wynn wrote:
> [snip]
>> If it was explained in terms at all before the late 90s, I'm unaware of
>> it. [snip]
> On 7/9/2010 5:49 PM, Roy C. Lackey wrote:
> It is stated in the original LEXICON URTHUS, p-90, published in 1994, that
> Dorcas is Severian's paternal grandmother.

This is an excellent example of what I'm talking about.

In the definition for Dorcas, Mantis places her status as Severian's 
grandmother in the commentary...a location that, in the 1st edition, he 
seems to have favored for speculation and spoilers. Far less often for 
self-evident points of fact. And as Tony Ellis IIRC referenced, many 
people viewed it as a feint. And why wouldn't they? Sev's opinion about 
Ouen's and Catharine's connection is rather peculiar: "A woman you loved 
or perhaps only one who loved you".

> On 7/9/2010 6:34 PM, Ryan Dunn wrote:
> I've read BotNS twice through, and am on a third scouring, non-linear, clue hunting, note-taking. I came to the grandma Dorcas without much effort, which is saying alot if you've read my previous argument starters (aka mailing list threads).

I'm not going to disparage those who had alternate readings in this 
case. Suffice that Wolfe has instilled extreme paranoia in his 
readership and inclined them to straining at ants. I don't say he has no 
one to blame but himself, but he bears a large culpability.

u+16b9

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