(urth) Rudesind/Inire/Lunar Picture

[Jerry Friedman]

Lee Berman wrote:

> Severian encounters three people who have facility with mirrors, Jonas,
> the old Autarch and Hethor. Severian encounters persons resembling Jonas
> and Hethor when he goes on Tzadkiel's ship. The old Autarch was also on that 
>ship.
>  This suggests the other person with mirror facility, (as described by Thecla), 
>Father Inire, has some association with this ship. This line-    
>
>> "he is one of those few who have chosen to cast their lots entirely with 
>>humanity, remaining on Urth as a human being."
> seems to suggest Inire is not human but capable of changing his form.

I too agree with this.

...

>  Isangoma in the Jungle Hut, with his metallic skin and resemblance to the 
>Jungle
> Guide seems a prime candidate to be a version of Inire (lots of monkeys in 
that
> scene btw).

What metallic skin?  I admit I'm tired, so I may have missed something.

Isangoma is clearly athletic, with his "sinewy frame", capable of "leaping up" 
from a crouch and posing, perhaps for some time, in the attitude of a 
spear-fisherman leaning over a pool.  He doesn't sound much like Inire, who's 
"bent almost double" in "The Cat".

> The Bible story mentioning Mt Nebo suggests to me that, like Moses,
> Father Inire may serve as guide to the chosen people but due to his 
>disobedience, is not able to enter the Promised Land with them.
>  I don't know if the Promised Land refers to Ushas or the Ship and/or Yesod but 
>either
> way, it doesn't appear Father Inire is able to go to any of them. Thus I could 
>see
> the possibility that he can use the mirrors for others without being able to 
>use them himself.

If you want to connect the Moses reference to Father Inire, he's the subject of 
the previous chapter.  He doesn't have to be Isangoma.

By the way, someone said a day or two ago that O., F., and B. speak in blank 
verse.  In BotNS, only Famulimus does, as far as I can see.

Jerry Friedman