Pike's ghost

Sergei SOLOVIEV · 27 Nov 2011, 12:40 · from 2011-November.txt.gz

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From: soloviev at irit.fr (Sergei SOLOVIEV)
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:40:16 +0100
Subject: (urth) Pike's ghost
In-Reply-To: <CADQR0Gr8MKx9iR7JewW4OxjgHHRuHVFosG=B16pjv3FB63Zi7Q at mail.gmail.com>
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Message-ID: <4ED22FB0.2040904 at irit.fr>

Well, if Typhon would be an alien, it would be much more difficult to graft
his head to Piaton. And why take such risky and complex operation? I think
that the straightforward explanation is much more convincing.

Typhon is clever enough
to tell the truth when he thinks it will not undermine his power (he may be
mistaken, of course). He says to Severian (in the Sword of the Lictor) that
he needed a new body (quite
understandable for ageing dictator), and that the plan (suggested by his
medics) was that his head may be grafted and later, when his head will
take all functions - voluntary and involuntary - from Piaton, then the head
of Piaton can be removed. He didn't want the people on Urth to know that
he has two heads - this is why Severian (in the UotNS) was told not to speak
of what he has seen. The cargo of Whorl is conditioned to see Pas as god,
so there is no problem with two heads. It was different with the people of
the whole Urth - not possible to condition all, hence the risk of the 
rebellion
if they know that the ruler is a monstrosity. And he wanted to keep his 
face.

Sergei Soloviev

Larry Miller wrote:
> Well I dont think that Typhons alien origin was common knowledge among
> the people thus his comment in Urth where Severian is told by Typhons
> guard not to speak of anything he sees inside Typhons chambers.
> Typhon perhaps doesnt want the illusion that he is human shattered.
> And there is hints in the Vingtners comments to Severian that the
> people wish to overthrow Typhon.  I think hes an alien mainly because
> of Wolfes naming strategum and some things that he says to Severian.
> When telling him about his grafting to Piaton he mentions the solar
> decay and says "I should have left then."  I think maybe hes refering
> to escaping back to his homeworld.  His comments about "sending his
> thoughts into far places" are a reference to some psychic abilities he
> has (and I know there are those on here that disagree).  And theres
> Severians initial description of the newly resurrected Monarch.
> "...it was as though one of the monstous constellations of the night
> sky had fallen to Urth and clothed itself in the flesh of humankind."
>
> On 11/26/11, Gerry Quinn <gerry at bindweed.com> wrote:
>   
>> From: Larry Miller
>>
>>     
>>> Thanks Gerry.  My only problem with this theory is that I believe
>>> Typhon is an alien.  Silk may be have been a body grown for Pas to use
>>> after disembarking, a body for "permanent possession" that he could
>>> rule from.  Again I am willing to hear any evidence or opinions
>>> regarding this.
>>>       
>> Why would humans be loyal to an alien?  Severian sees him as a man with two
>> heads, but notices no other non-human characteristics.
>> Typhon may well have come from off-Urth, but I think he is human, or
>> approximately so.
>> What makes you think he is an alien?
>> - Gerry Quinn
>>
>>     
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