Philadelphia is scary!
But I align myself with Kevin McGuire on the religious positions of both Severian and Silk. Furthermore, I think we're far from the end of Silk's story, and I think those super-taluses that puzzle Patrick are going to figure significantly in the next book (otherwise--Patrick is right---the chapter is far too long and detailed). We are going to see what happens to a man of conscience and good will faced with war and civil unrest. And Hy is going to complicate things a lot. Oh boy!
-alga-
In a message dated 6/22/97 4:04:58 PM, Alga wrote:
<< Furthermore, I think we're far from the end of Silk's
story, and I think those super-taluses that puzzle Patrick are going to figure significantly in the next book (otherwise--Patrick is right---the chapter is far too long and detailed)>>
Agree with Alga.
Philadelphia Is scary.
No. Actually, the taluses figuring in the short sun books is the only justification that I can imagine for that chapter, which does seem like cheating. I expect Gene to disabuse us of our density, tho. "What? You didn't catch the 18 levels of Nordic mythlogy not to mention the embedded iambics in Oreb's dialogue which clearly reveals his cacogenic nature? I thought it was obvious." Or something like that.
Also agree that while Silk and Severian are not Christians, they are Christ figures. Not allegory, of course. But forms of the Outsider. Here's a weird thought: Is the Outsider a Christian figure? Can of worms, that.
Have I missed something or has the theory been nixed that there are links between The Long Sun Blue and Green planets and Ste. Anne and Ste. Croix in THE FIFTH HEAD OF CERBERUS. I'm rereading it and finding some odd corespondences.
best
Patrick
Urth Net