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<DIV><FONT size=2>Hey all, I have been reading this list for years, this is the
first time I have posted.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>When I read that passage here was what thought about
it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>At the time Severian is leaving the House Azure he is unhappy
with what has transpired, and has vowed no to go there again. As he is leaving
he see the white-haired man with the vile. I felt the vile was meant to show
Severian a few things </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>The actual scene has the vile shaped as a phallus to symbolize
power. In this case it's contents contain the power of desire. The old man
symbolized someone who has lost his power. The contents of the vile are a way to
get it back.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>So to me the scene represent a few things for Severian. The
first, the obvious literal reason in the story for taking the contents of the
vile at such a place as the House Azure.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>The other meanings</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>1) There always exists a quick path to power, but it
ultimately makes you weak.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>2) There are ways to achieve things quickly, but they make the
experience artificial. By ignoring the fast path and taking the long journey,
the experience is richer and you are ultimately better for not taking the
shortcut.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>So it is a turning point for Severian as he from then on takes
the long journey to his role as the Autarch.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>-Joe</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=adeodatus43@yahoo.com href="mailto:adeodatus43@yahoo.com">Matt
Teel</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=urth@lists.urth.net
href="mailto:urth@lists.urth.net">urth@lists.urth.net</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, November 13, 2008 7:01
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> (urth) Shadow, Chapter X</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
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<DIV>I've checked the archives, but don't see that this has been
discussed: what do you all make of the enigmatic reference at the
beginning of Shadow Chapter X (The Last Year), where Severian and Roche
are leaving the House Azure and the white-haired man pulls out something
that Severian assumes at first to be an icon, but then discovers is a
vial shaped like a phallus?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Possible foreshadowing of his becoming Autarch? I don't
know. Even if it is foreshadowing, it should make sense within the
scene itself, but I can't quite figure it out.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Anyone want to guess?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Matt Teel</DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
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