Symbolism of Dorcas

Roy C. Lackey · 24 Mar 1999, 01:07 · from urth-v0024.mbox · original

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From: "Roy C. Lackey" <rclackey at stic.net>
Subject: (urth) Re: Symbolism of Dorcas
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 01:07:04
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Christopher Culver wrote:

>>I've long thought that the scene in the BotNS in which Dorcas is eating a
pomegranate (cannot remember the volume, but I believe it is the second),
has
some interesting symbolism. Severian remarks that she looks like a vampire
because her lips are stained red, and as vampires are called the "undead,"
Dorcas herself has returned from death.<<

    Actually, it was the other way around. Sev had the pomegranate, Dorcas
an apple in _Shadow_, chapter XXXIV. Sev recalls the scene to her in
_Sword_, chapter X, where she remarks: "It always seems, though, that when I
wake up you're bending over me."
    Sev then says: "You said I reminded you of a vampire once, because I had
been eating a pomegranate and my lips were stained with red." Interestingly,
in the scene referred to she didn't actually say "vampire" but "like a black
bat bending over me." Sev's perfect memory falters (again?) or his
imagination is at work.

Roy



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