godleaf?!

maa32 · 23 Apr 2002, 06:33 · from urth-v0204.mbox · original

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From: maa32 <maa32 at dana.ucc.nau.edu>
Subject: (urth) godleaf?!
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 23:33:41 -0700
Message-ID: <urth-v0204-762 at digest.urth.net>
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This post exists to ask a question rather than to posit another=20
unsubstantiated theory: I haven't read 5HC in a long time (and I've only re=
ad=20
it once, a terrible sin I will rectify this summer). These Shadow children =
...=20
so this godleaf is something that they perhaps consumed to explain their we=
ird=20
properties? I especially liked the idea of the fall of man as a separation=20
from the Tree of Life which was posted by someone recently (was it you, Roy=
? a=20
lot of posts lately).  Reconciliation with God as a return to that Tree ...=
 I=20
think that makes a pretty neat redemption in light of some of the things I'=
ve=20
talked about ad nauseum. (fall of man: Adam eats fruit of tree; redemption =
of=20
man: tree eats man to produce fruit (which could be a crucifixion on one=20
level, I suppose))

Is this godleaf from a tree? A consumption of the vegetable which illicits=20
changes in an animal/human? Or just a "finding" of the godleaf?  Just=20
wondering if Wolfe is doing weird things with plants in 5HC as well.  If so=
me=20
item found on the planets has changed humanity, then perhaps these shadow=20
dudes could have been altered from that odd early wave of settlers from=20
gondwanaland (or whatever)by coming into contact or consuming this substanc=
e. =20
I totally need to re-read the text, much like Towelie, "I have no idea what=
's=20
going on right now."

Has anybody ever commented on how much Severian looks like a Buckaroo Bonza=
i=20
lead Peter Weller (I think that's his name) for the cover art of Citadel of=20
the Autarch?
Bwa ha ha.
Marc Aramini

--=20

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