Pike's ghost

David Stockhoff · 27 Nov 2011, 15:00 · from 2011-November.txt.gz

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From: dstockhoff at verizon.net (David Stockhoff)
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:00:18 -0500
Subject: (urth) Pike's ghost
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That's an interesting and suggestive quote, but I think the key word is 
"monstrous." The man has two heads. I think the "night sky" has gnostic 
overtones that are stronger than any suggestion of actual alien-ness.

On 11/27/2011 1:12 AM, 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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