In the Sewer

James Jordan · 03 Dec 2002, 19:25 · from urth-v0212.mbox · original

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From: James Jordan <jbjordan4 at cox.net>
Subject: (urth) In the Sewer
Date: Tue, 03 Dec 2002 13:25:53 -0600
Message-ID: <urth-v0212-2347 at digest.urth.net>
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At 11:11 AM 12/3/2002, you wrote:

>I have kind of wondered about that. Has anyone come up with
>any reason _why_ the VP wanted that sewer cleaned? Did they
>do it just to give him a sword? Seems kind of unlikely.

>--Blattid

         1. Seems Herculean, and given Wolfe's interest in and  knowledge=20
of Greek myth, such might be at least one allusion. But I'm not up on=20
legends about Hercules/Herakles, so I'll toss this ball to anyone who wants=20
to bat at it. Is there anything specific about the Augean Stables Cleansing=20
that would fit in here?
         2. Is this a test of sorts? Jesus said, "Those who would be great=20
among you must be slaves of all." Horn (Horn Plus) is on his way to=20
becoming a ruler, in different ways, in three cultures. He's "rewarded"=20
with a sword, right? Cleaning a toilet seems not only Herculean, but also a=20
very humble work. "If you're willing to do this, then you are ready to=20
rule." "Only those who are willing to do this kind of thing are fit for=20
rule." Is that part of it?
         2b. Is cleaning out this sewer analogous to Horn Plus's later=20
political activities? (I love the line in *Last Action Hero* that goes=20
something like "There's something rotten in the state of Denmark, and=20
Hamlet's here to take out the trash!") David killed a lion and a bear to=20
prepare him to kill Goliath. Horn Plus cleans out a sewer to prepare him=20
for political office.
         Well, them's  my thoughts. Maybe someone has some others.

Nutria


--=20

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