Close Reading: Torturer Chapter 1

Jack Redelfs08 Sep 2006, 04:51as archived

↰ answers Sarah Dorrance-Minch · by quotation

1 quoted line

I can't help but wonder why Severian was called in to assist with the Revolutionary given his pre-existing relationship with Thecla, which even were it not intimate was certainly close enough to create a clear conflict of interest in the client/torturer relationship

The masters well knew about Severian's relationship with Thecla, in general if not in detail. I think they required him to torture Thecla to, shall we say "break him," or disillusion him of ever becoming close to a client again. I don't think they could of foreseen that he would have slipped her a kitchen knife, as indeed Severian seemed surprised himself. I think the masters trusted that in the end Severian's loyalty to the guild would win over whatever inner conflict he felt. He was indeed loyal to the guild — it was the only home or family he had ever known.

Daniel D Jones08 Sep 2006, 19:51as archived

↳ in reply to Jack Redelfs

9 quoted lines · 1–2 deep

On Friday 08 September 2006 00:51, Jack Redelfs wrote: I can't help but wonder why Severian was called in to assist with the Revolutionary given his pre-existing relationship with Thecla, which even

were it >not intimate was certainly close enough to create a clear conflict of interest in

the client/torturer relationship

The masters well knew about Severian's relationship with Thecla, in general if not in detail. I think they required him to torture Thecla to, shall we say "break him," or disillusion him of ever becoming close to a client again. I don't think they could of foreseen that he would have slipped her a kitchen knife, as indeed Severian seemed surprised himself. I think the masters trusted that in the end Severian's loyalty to the guild would win over whatever inner conflict he felt. He was indeed loyal to the guild — it was the only home or family he had ever known.

Or perhaps it was a test to SEE if his loyalty to the guild would hold. If he got through this, he could be trusted with anything. If not, then he obviously wasn't cut out for a life in the guild, and the guild found this out early rather than late.

David Duffy08 Sep 2006, 21:45as archived

↳ in reply to Daniel D Jones

Not actually in Chapter 1, and previously discussed on the list -- the epigram. Severian is the watchman holding the shortest watch? The pistol as a theme or symbol: something so precious, uncommon and completely destructive. (Later, bringing in VanVogtian descriptions of ravening energies ;)) Giving a pistol to another to care for the woman you love. David Duffy.

Chris Mulder09 Sep 2006, 04:02as archived

↳ in reply to Daniel D Jones

Daniel D Jones <ddjones at riddlemaster.org> wrote: Or perhaps it was a test to SEE if his loyalty to the guild would hold. If he got through this, he could be trusted with anything. If not, then he obviously wasn't cut out for a life in the guild, and the guild found this out early rather than late. I agree with Jones' analysis. Thecla was a test for Severian, which he failed. cm