Calde of the Long Sun and Learning to Read Wolfe

Just finished book 3 of the Long Sun. I am dazzled by this work, more than I was with the New Sun books. I suppose some of it has to do with learning how to "read" Wolfe, which I believe I'm just starting to do. Now, I'm not a dullard; my degree is in English and my favorite writers include Borges, late-period Samuel Delany, Nabokov.a lot of "lit snob" stuff. However, I've little background in studying the Bible, which I'm realizing is key to Wolfe's work, and is something I'm rectifying on my own. In addition, I am getting better at spotting massive revelations about the book's characters and the Whorl itself in casual, almost throwaway asides and oblique references; in particular, I was blown away by learning who Blood's father is in the last pages of this volume. Having had these insights into his style, I'll have to go back and re-read New Sun in the future. On to volume four! I can't wait to comb through the list archives to read past discussions on this series. I've been very impressed with what I've read here so far.

For me, one of the most important keys to enjoying Wolfe's work is to let him take you where he wants to go. He's constantly doing this bait-and-switch, leading you up to some exciting event, making you want to see it, then taking you aside to listen instead to some conversation that is (at least at first glance) completely unrelated. You chafe, feeling like you're missing the real story. But the key is - you are not. That thing you're missing is a distraction, a magician's trick. This conversation here is the real story. Don't miss it. - Rostrum

That's a great point. I wonder if Loris saying "Is this germane?" during the last scene of Calde is a humorous way of hinting at this mode of writing/reading. -----Original Message----- From: urth-bounces at lists.urth.net [mailto:urth-bounces at lists.urth.net] On Behalf Of Michael Straight Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 12:39 PM To: The Urth Mailing List Subject: Re: (urth) Calde of the Long Sun and Learning to Read Wolfe For me, one of the most important keys to enjoying Wolfe's work is to let him take you where he wants to go. He's constantly doing this bait-and-switch, leading you up to some exciting event, making you want to see it, then taking you aside to listen instead to some conversation that is (at least at first glance) completely unrelated. You chafe, feeling like you're missing the real story. But the key is - you are not. That thing you're missing is a distraction, a magician's trick. This conversation here is the real story. Don't miss it. - Rostrum

Just finished Calde of the Long Sun. what a read! I haven't searched the list yet, in order to avoid spoilers,but I can't find anything to define "Calde". I'm not clear if Calde is a higher office than Prolocutor. Obviously it's the theocratic civil ruler, but I'm not clear on the hierarchy. Is Calde like a Bishop/Mayor or a Pope/Emperor? the book doesn't exactly make it clear. The fact that it's specific to Viron makes me think it's like a Bishop/Mayor role, and that the Prolocutor is the equivalent to a Pope for the whole whorl. any help? thanks ~witz

"Alcalde" is Spanish for "mayor."

A "calde" is a mayor if etymology and the things we see Caldes do have anything to say about it. The word, like "ayuntamiento" and "juzgado" has Spanish roots in "alcalde" which means "mayor", which itself comes from the Arabic "al-quadi", "the judge". There is no theocratic component to it, which is fitting since neither Silk's predecessor nor successor (a teeny spoiler from RttW) are religious authorities. Keep in mind that Viron is one city among many, so terms like Pope and Emperor are right out. Paul

Heh, beaten to the punch!

Thanks. oops. I'd forgotten that I had considered Alcalde. the other spanish words were easier to find. You don't suppose there is a theocratic component when it's sanctioned by the charter? I guess it need not be. and yeah, I had that same feeling that it could not be emperor. ~witz

I feel like Wolfe is making a somewhat common point with regard to American constitutionalism with the quasi-religious significance he gives to the Charter.

I don't remember there being any official theocratic overtone to the position. But of course "Silk for Calde" was scrawled on the wall because rumor of his enlightenment got around (at least according to Horn). And some other cities in Short Sun (no spoilers) have "Calde" as well (and also "Duko"), so mayor is the closest analogue. Craig

That could well be. But it gets more complicated since it's the people of the city, and not Silk, who give it that significance. And, of course, by the end, the Charter starts to seem incredibly "local" once the Whorl is seen for what it is.

This reminds me of an interesting point that was addressed on the list briefly, but inconclusively if I remember correctly. That being, who really got the ball rolling on "Silk for Calde"? As far as plausible motives, the ones considered were unknown confederates of Tussah for somewhat obvious reasons, and Quetzal for less obvious ones (he somehow had to have foreknowledge that Silk would have the best shot at starting the evacuation). The other possibilities are the Neighbors, who also infiltrated the Whorl as per RttW (and have reason to support the evacuation too), and common folk who all of a sudden became very impressed with Silk (but why?!) Is there any conclusive evidence out there? Paul

Crane.

I thought Pas was behind it...

If I remember correctly, wasn't the slogan chalked on a rather high wall? I suppose he could have gotten a ladder, and it's certainly true that he has a motive. But does he, or do his superiors, actually admit to it?

I'm going from memory but - doesn't he imply in his report to his superiors that he has sparked the "Silk for Calde" movement?

?A buddy of mine in Madrid has a good pun the Spanish use with/for ayuntamiento... I'll get the correct version and pass it on ~S~ ???? Mobile — (415) 786-3624 ???? Skype? stuart.hamm myspace.com/stuhamm ? ??? stuarthamm.net --- On Wed, 1/14/09, Paul B <pb.stuff at gmail.com> wrote: From: Paul B <pb.stuff at gmail.com> Subject: Re: (urth) Calde of the Long Sun and Learning to Read Wolfe To: "The Urth Mailing List" <urth at lists.urth.net> Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 9:24 AM A "calde" is a mayor if etymology and the things we see Caldes do have anything to say about it. The word, like "ayuntamiento" and "juzgado" has Spanish roots in "alcalde" which means "mayor", which itself comes from the Arabic "al-quadi", "the judge". There is no theocratic component to it, which is fitting since neither Silk's predecessor nor successor (a teeny spoiler from RttW) are religious authorities. Keep in mind that Viron is one city among many, so terms like Pope and Emperor are right out. Paul On Wed, Jan 14, 2009 at 12:04 PM, Son of Witz <sonofwitz at butcherbaker.org> wrote: Just finished Calde of the Long Sun. what a read! I haven't searched the list yet, in order to avoid spoilers,but I can't find anything to define "Calde". I'm not clear if Calde is a higher office than Prolocutor. Obviously it's the theocratic civil ruler, but I'm not clear on the hierarchy. Is Calde like a Bishop/Mayor or a Pope/Emperor? “the book doesn't exactly make it clear. ?The fact that it's specific to Viron makes me think it's like a Bishop/Mayor role, and that the Prolocutor is the equivalent to a Pope for the whole whorl. any help” thanks ~witz

I found what he was writing in "Nightside", p 252, which suggests he actually didn't. "There is a movement to restore the Charter ... Thus far it seems confined to the lower orders. The watchword 'Silk for calde' is written on walls, although not" (it was a guess , but Crane felt confident of his ground) "on the Palatine. I am in contact with him and am gaining his trust. I have seen to it that he has an azoth. This can be reported if it proves necessary to destroy him." If nothing else, Crane isn't aware of all the instances of "Silk for Calde" and thinks they (and the movement itself) have origins with the commoners. Also, he doesn't treat the movement as a planned diversion, but simply states its existence. Paul

You're right.

Brings us back to Pas.

Sure, Pas has a motive, but there are problems. Firstly, Pas is likely dead during the early part of the tetralogy as he makes his comeback in Epiphany. Secondly, he also has a foreknowledge problem regarding Silk being the best for the evacuation. Finally, I am specifically interested in actual evidence as we have seen that there are lots of people with motives to get Silk installed. Paul

I think it's Maytera Rose. She just wanted him out of the palaestra.

I don't think either of those is a problem. The Plan of Pas is in motion even during the period that Pas is "dead," and depending on what we accept about Silk's parentage, that foreknowledge problem gets cleared up right away.

I suppose Kypris could have had it written in Pas' absence, sure. What do you mean regarding his parentage? He was a special embryo bought by Tussah for his own purpose. Pas may know about his leadership abilities, but that alone doesn't seem to get him to evacuating the cargo. Even if I grant you the above two, there's the original problem of conclusive evidence. Assuming Pas has the proper motive and agency, he is still one among many candidates. Paul

There is a strong belief among many on this list that the embryo that grows up to be Silk was intended by Pas to be his own body when the Whorl reached its destination.

Kypris or, potentially, a flyer. If Silk is a special embryo with heightened leadership abilities, etc., then it's entirely possible that his purpose from the beginning was to lead an exodus.

Sure, why not, all sorts of things are possible, now bring on the conclusive evidence! Unless you simply meant to add Pas to my list of people with motives.

Or back to the Outsider, who enlightened Silk with the mission to "save the manteoin," (which actually meant save the people of his city and evacuate them to Blue). Silk's public discussion of that enlightenment got rumors to spread about him, probably boosted by the Outsider. If the Outsider could inspire one, he could inspire many others. Kypris gave things a big boost a couple of days later by giving an appearance at the funeral -- those sacred windows had been inactive so long that hardly anyone believed they would see it happen in their lifetime. That it happened to the same enlightened holy auger everyone was talking about was a sure sign of the favor of the gods, so they must have thought.

I can't remember why I thought it, but I was under the impression that Chenille had been writing "Silk for Calde" on walls.

Silk himself is responsible for one piece of graffiti When he goes to the home of Teasel, the girl who was dying from the bite of the vampire Quetzal, he tries to protect her from evil spirits by writing his name outside her window (also Patera Pike's name, if I recall correctly). I don't have the books with me, but I think the apartment was on the 5th floor. I believe that later someone reports that Silk's name had appeared high up, perhaps 5 floors up. Best wishes, Jack

That's interesting. However, I was talking about the full "Silk for Calde" slogan, which someone must have intentionally written. Paul