Some Day They'll Want Us

James Jordan · 13 Nov 2000, 22:35 · from urth-v0030.mbox · original

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From: "James Jordan" <jbjordan at gnt.net>
Subject: (urth) Some Day They'll Want Us
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 22:35:34
Message-ID: <urth-v0030-0117 at digest.urth.net>
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. I know that many people
> find the last line of the first part very disturbing: I truly
> do not understand _why
>
> --Blattid

Hmmm.
    Well, for me at least, this was the one thing that was crystal clear the
first time I read it. (So, that makes me suspicious!!!)
    But, FWIW, I think Wolfe intends us to link the line of clones with the
"antichrist," in contrast to David (note the name and its Biblical
associations), who is not a clone, and who therefore "makes progress." The
clones don't. They just repeat, generation after generation. They have no
true eschaton, because they reject heterogeneity. (A profound thought, I
submit.)
    The live at a Whorehouse (standard Biblical/Christian symbol for a false
church) at 666 (!) Street of the Counterfeit.
    So, while the world/universe is not yet ready to receive the
"antichrist," someday it will be! That is what I took to be the intended
chilling ending.
    Also, I took it that "heterogeneity" is a major theme in the whole
tri-novella "novel." The tyrants, oppressive slavers, of No. 5's planet are
intent on conquering and wiping out the abos, instead of joining with them
in a new community. (Shades of what the Short Sun books seem to be about:
accepting the inhumi!) Meanwhile, to survive, the abos have to give up their
own ways and try to pass as human. All of this is culturally stifling and
destructive.
    FWIW.

Nutria


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