(urth) In defense of Watchman, Severian
Alan Lewis
alanarc at frontiernet.net
Tue Mar 22 18:30:39 PST 2005
Personally I agree with some of the points already raised defending both The
Watchman, and Severian, so I'll try to add my own views without repeating
theirs unduly.
I disagree with the premise some have advanced that because something
happens in a work of fiction -- like fascism succeeding -- should somehow
equate to the writer endorsing such things. Did anyone think Orwell
believed in authoritarian societies because he wrote 1984? There clearly we
realize the reverse is true. Watchman is problematic perhaps because it
lacks a perfect protaganist that we know we're supposed to identify with.
Rorschach is tempting in this way, but let's face it, he's basically a
ruthless psycho. But this is part of the point, not one of these main
characters is really correct, certainly not Dr Manhattan or Ozy, so just
because they 'win' I think it is very wrong to see that as saying they were
right. Nor does a writer have to agree with everything he has his
characters say. To make interesting dramatic conflict, he should just make
them internally consistant and three dimensional, and on those grounds I
think Moore succeeds in Watchman.
But if people really want to know what Moore thinks of fascism, you should
read the (I think) vastly superior though less famous V is For Vendetta.
Soon to be ruined by Hollywood no doubt as they adapt it. So far poor Alan
Moore is 0 for 2 with From Hell, and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Maybe someday they'll make a movie from one of his works, and actually use
something he, you know, wrote in the process.
As for Severian and his choice, we have to remember again that Severian was
chosen to make the choice he makes, that indeed, his life is tampered with
to produce the individual he becomes, in order to make the choice he makes.
Can we really say then he had any true choice in bringing the New Sun? The
fact that he can feel guilty about it and aware of the repercussions and
feel sympathy for those that oppose him attest to his humanity, such as it
is.
And I think the worthy Dan'l is being disingenuous in calling Dune fascist,
then seeming surprised that the lovers of the book feel offended. Let's
keep the term fascist for books that more clearly deserve it, like Starship
Troopers <g>.
Alan
More information about the Urth
mailing list