Pike's ghost

Larry Miller · 27 Nov 2011, 20:47 · from 2011-November.txt.gz

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From: decanus1284 at gmail.com (Larry Miller)
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:47:32 -0500
Subject: (urth) Pike's ghost
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Typhons motivation is simple.  He wants to extend his life and his
rule.  His grafting onto Piaton was a desperate measure that he
undertook to accomplish this.  By saying that he is an alien I am not
saying that he is immortal.  His original body was dying or died so he
sought a way to live on despite the complications and risks.

On 11/27/11, Sergei SOLOVIEV <soloviev at irit.fr> wrote:
> 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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