----- Original Message ----- From: "Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2003 10:51 AM Subject: Re: Decline in SF?
> On Sat, Sep 13, 2003 at 09:52:40AM -0400, Jim Sharkey wrote: > > > Yes, that's exactly what I meant, of course, that one should really > > like every single character in every book. I can see how you could > > read that into the phrase "a protagonist no one would like." It > > definitely didn't actually mean what it said, that I couldn't see the > > point of having a completely contemptible central character be the > > person your readers are supposed to care about. > > I see. So if you had leprosy and suddenly found yourself in a dream > world where you did not and your actions had no real consequences, you > would behave like a saint? > I concur. TC was already emotionally unstable in the "real" world. Edging toward the delusional side of things and somewhat obsessive/compulsive. Deep inside he felt that he was in a coma somewhere and everything he was experiencing was some sort of elaborate dream. He was told he held a great power, yet had no idea how to access it or how it should be used. His leprosy was "miraculously" healed. He saw what could only be described as magic. And he is to be blamed for not believing? For not "going with it"? IMO, TC is an ultimate rationalist, and needed to be in the "real world" for the sake of his own survival. He is cut off from his emotions for the same reasons plus being practiced at denial in regards to the loss of his wife and his son. TC is a man who lives with a great deal of emotional pain, shoved down deep, deadened by it, and deadened to it. But the real key is doubt. TC does not believe he has the skills necessary to overcome his inability to deal with his own emotions. He cannot allow himself to believe that The Land is real because that would entail giving in to a fantasy, which for him is madness, and would surely lead to his death. But for TC, there is a subtle yet persistent will to survive, even though it seems to run on auto, under the surface and unnoticed. And this is his hidden strength. He cannot be excused for his rape of Lena, even as a fantasy it is an evil act. But his inability to act is forgivable. He cannot allow himself to believe. And as much as he might care for the people he meets in The Land, he is all too aware that his sanity is at stake. In that regard, his sanity is much more precious than ethics or moral questions that confront him in what might be an illusory existence. xponent Nekrimah Vain Maru rob _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
