Severian as Everyman & anti-hero

Jonathan Laidlow · 13 Apr 1999, 08:23 · from urth-v0025.mbox · original

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From: "Jonathan Laidlow" <LAIDLOJM at hhs.bham.ac.uk>
Subject: (urth) Severian as Everyman & anti-hero
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 08:23:05 GMT
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While I admit some of the symbolism suggests that Sev is some kind
of everyman, its also worth remembering that he is always quite
assertive of his own identity. Just came across this bit in 'Sword',
chapter 27, 'On High Paths', where the discussion is as lofty as the=20
mountains...

'I believe rather that when I was alone i felt I had in some fashion=20
lost my individuality; to the thrush and the rabbit I had been not=20
Severian, but Man. The many people who like to be utterly alone, and=20
particularly to be utterly alone in a wilderness, do so, I believe,=20
because they enjoy playing that part. But I wanted to be a particular=20
person again, and so I sought the mirror of other persons, which=20
would show me that I was not as they were.'

And shouldn't we remember Wolfe's description of Severian as a man in=20
the service of an evil profession trying to be good?=20

Jonathan
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