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<DIV><FONT size=2>I've always interpreted Wolfe's comments of Severian being
Christian like to mean that he is not a Christian or Christ, but that there are
many aspects of Severian that Christians can relate to. But the main theme of
the series is not just a Christian one, is it a tying of many mythology's
together that's main theme is the path of enlightenment that Severian goes
through. It also shows how many different aspects of mythology are very much
related and in some cases the same. I think if you have studied Gnosticism,
Christianity, Buddhism etc, you will find many clues in the series to make you
think you are reading a story that is pulling from one of those religions, but
really it is pointing out the universal truths of them. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Ultimately I do not think Severian is at all supposed to be
Christ. The story is about Severian's journey as one who is seeking knowledge
and enlightenment, When he is fully enlighten only then can he bring salvation
to Urth, represented by the new sun, when Severian finally becomes the Sun God
he is able to save humanity. Apu-Punchau is another version of Severian, one who
was on the path to enlightenment but never quite made it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I think the story itself is to be read on a few different
levels, Wolfe states this early on in the first book, the literal story is
supposed to be readable but IMO upon further analyses it doesn't make
sense in many places, this is to lead you to interpret it at another level where
it does makes sense etc. </FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>