Note: Spoiler for Heaven's Reach in the last paragraph of "Analysis." (the
paragraph begins "Finally.")
Title:
This title is an allusion to Julius Ceasar's famous "Et tu Brute?" This
suggests either a betrayal or a massive outbreak of flatulence in this
chapter. Alas, neither happens. So, what gives?
Summary:
In this chapter, the L'Toff deploy balloon warfare to hold off Baron
Kremer's armies. Dennis and his gang employ some serious practicing to
escape from one frying pan after another, first turning their cart back
into a glider, and then inventing the propeller. Hoss'k's party
escorting Brady to to Baron Kremer is ambushed. Dennis's propeller-craft
forces a complete retreat of Baron Kremer's troops.
Analysis:
The first section describes the first battle of the balloons by the L'Toff.
I find this an interesting description because in our planet's history,
as far as I know, balloons have but single footnote in our military history
- a brief use as sentinels in the American Civil War. Their usage is so
minor, that they aren't even included in Sid Meier's Civilization II as a
major technological advancement. Brought back "in time", though,
figuratively speaking, they litterall change the course of history.
Anyone have any other examples of inventions that never hit it big in our
history, but in another timeline might have much more signifigance?
In the second section, Brin makes an allusion to the human ability to
"telescope time" during times of crisis as the cart-craft teters on the
edge of the cliff. This ability for humans to experience time at
different rates will form the basis of his later short-story "The River of
Time."
The following is from Russel Chapman, mistakingly writted in reference to
Chapter 8 previously:
"I thought that the way Dennis met Orville, Amelia & James Doolittle during
the
felthesh trance was a typical Brin affirmation of human ingenuity. Yes the
Practice Effect can create a flying machine, but we as the human race were
able
to do it with conventional laws of physics. This celebration of our ingenuity
is one of the things that make Brin books such a good read."
(out of curiosity, I think that our hero meets *four* aviation pioneers
during his trance, can anyone name them all?)
Consider for example the following passage on page 243:
**************************************************
"Progress," the gangly fellow grinned. "Boy, yousure are doing it the easy
way, fella. It took us old-timers years and plenty of sweat to get this
far, I'll tell you!"
For the first time in this crazy dream, Dennis thought he understood what
someone was talking about. He recognized this man's face. "Uh, I know.
I guess you really could have used the Practice Effect back in your day,
Colonel."
The officershook his head. "Naw. It was a whole lot more fun doing it
for ourselves, even if it *was* slower. I only ask that the universe be
fair, not that it grant me any special favors." ........."Just remember
my boy.*Nothing* substitutes for hard work!"
**********************************************************
On page 244 Dennis goes on to muse: "Such men and women were the heritage
of Earth. By pluck and ingenuity they had carved miracles out of reality
--- the hard way." This last sentence I think, provides a single theme
statement for most of the rest of Brin's writing career. No matter what
"shortcuts" the universe seems to offer, be it The Practice Effect, the
Great Library, powerful Patrons, or an extensive familial Clan - nothing
else substitutes for the miracles form pluck, ingenuity, or hard work that
has been the story of human civilization so far. It will be interesting to
look for this theme in The Kiln People - but I can bet that it will be there.
The power of mythology plays an important role in this Chapter. First,
though, I noticed for the first time that the whole place has a very
"German" feel to it - which is not uncommon for allusions to Medieval
Times. Names like Kremer, Stivyusung, and Russik all sound very Central
European, and have little English, French, Spanish or Italian flavor to
them. Is there a reason why Medieval Germany seems to be the source of
so many of our legends.
Finally, Dennis wins the victory of the day in large part by tapping into
the mythological tradition of the Coylians - and their legends of dragons.
He is helped by a timely unfurling of the Royal Flag, which also features
a dragon. (As an aside, Brin again sticks it to formulaic sotry-telling
here - instead of this representing the "cavalry" arriving just in time to
clean up the spoils, as in so many stories, it is merely a small band of
Scouts *playing* the part of the cavalry.) There are other examples
from Brin stories where victory is achieved by playing into an enemy's
mythological traditions? At least one of these is in the finale to
Heaven's Reach, where Gillian taps into the Galactics' legend of the
Progenitors' return. Are there others? In any event, this seems
consistent with Brin's theme that mythological traditions are more of a
liability than a benefit to believers, by constraining one's thinking and
making one ripe for subterfuge.
Notes:
-on page 245, I suspect that Brin plays fast and loose with the laws of
physics by permitting the glider to fly and bank, even with the Sahara Tech
Exploration bot hanging from its nose. Anyone have a different opinion?
-On page 247, Brady says that he was sent over by Flaster. On page 248,
Brady says the he is talked into volunteering by "Gabbie."
-Also on these pages, Brady is developing a bizzarre theory about how this
is all an elaborate practical joke. Yet, earlier he hinted to Dennis that
the Law of Entropy is reversed on this place. You would think that given
that information, he might be quicker on the uptake.
__________________________________________________________
John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ICQ #3527685
"Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today:
to make our country more just and generous; to affirm the dignity of
our lives and every life." - George W. Bush Inaugural Address 1/20/01
