Sev's Family Tree

Gerry Quinn · 28 Jan 2011, 17:39 · from 2011-January.txt.gz

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From: gerryq at indigo.ie (Gerry Quinn)
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:39:54 -0000
Subject: (urth) Sev's Family Tree
References: <SNT123-W964209A1750779C29407DCFE10 at phx.gbl>
	<4D42F90B.7080009 at gmail.com>
Message-ID: <C419E5D5A10D44CAA2A5B3DED312117D@jill>

From: "James Wynn" <crushtv at gmail.com>
> Also, the Becan Alzabo is an example of a soul/body merger. Becan Alzabo's 
> logic is premised on the needs of the alzabo creature. Were it not for the 
> Becan part, the alzabo would hunt easier prey. Were it not for the alzabo 
> part, Becan would not want his family eaten in order to have them reunited 
> until they fade from the animal's mind. He would want his children to grow 
> up and further his human genes. The Becan Alzabo is a different being from 
> either Becan or the Alzabo as is clearly explained to Mani in The Wizard 
> Knight.

I don't think I would call it a different creature, really, or use the word 
'merger'.  It is still an alzabo, which is using Becan's mind as a tool. 
Any parts of Becan's mind that would be unsuited to the alzabo's purposes 
are ruthlessly discarded.

By the same token, I don't think there is any merger between Severian and 
Thecla (or, later, the past autarchs).  Thecla's memories and some of her 
personality are in Severian's mind, and can occasionally even get out of 
control, but there is never a truly merged personality.  He remains 
Severian, just as the alzabo remains alzabo.

(I think possession in BotLS is closer to a true merger.)

> When the Becan Alzabo fought to the death he was protecting both his 
> family and his food.

And when the dying alzabo licks Little Severian, he is demonstrating his 
love for both...

- Gerry Quinn

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