(urth) Dorcas (was: The mystery of the image of an astronaut cleaned by Rudesind)

[António Pedro Marques]

James Wynn wrote (09-07-2010 20:08):

> Sure there were people who read tBotNS and said "Aha! Dorcas is Severian's grandmother."

Unlike the usual 'Wolfean mysteries', the indentity of Dorcas is hinted at 
using the classic literary devices one finds everywhere. I think this is 
what makes it so obvious and not really a 'puzzle'. I also think it makes 
your comparison misguided. Again, the debate with Dorcas isn't whether there 
is convincing evidence, it's more like whether the evidence isn't deceptive.

> I think simian references to Inire and Rudesind are significant, but I
> never paid them much mind before. Now they *do* appear obvious, don't they?

I don't see what you mean. There are several simian references throughout 
the book. Lowering the bar for what constitutes a simian reference gets us 
even more. They do not apply only to Inire and Rudesind. They may tell us 
more about Severian and his society than the people being described. And 
it's funny that the fauna is so different yet simians are supposed to be 
just like our own. But again - what do you mean when you say they're obvious?