<html><body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><div><br><br><br></div><div><br>On Jan 27, 2011, at 2:34 PM, "Gerry Quinn" <<a href="mailto:gerryq@indigo.ie">gerryq@indigo.ie</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><div></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">At the very beginning, maybe? He descends
into Gyoll, and finds (perhaps) death and new life.</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font><br></div></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div>I'll buy that for a dollar!</div><div><br></div><br><blockquote type="cite"><div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><b>From:</b>
<a title="Sonofwitz@butcherbaker.org" href="mailto:Sonofwitz@butcherbaker.org">Son of Witz</a> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font><br></div>
<div>The vertical metaphor isn't a crucial part, in fact, it probably doesn't
fit at all, considering that I meant that as a ranking of enemies. I
think the essence of the descent in this sequence is the symbolic time travel
to the low point of civilization, where he finds a sort of family.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>In some of Severian's other descents, he finds something of lasting
worth.</div>
<div>In the 4th level Oubliette tunnels, he comes to the atrium, and finds his
love, who seems timeless to him. In the Library of Nessus, he finds the
brown book, which is probably his most prized possesion. This book has a real
transcending worth in that the retold stories preserves something of the lost
past, apart from Severian's memory and memoir.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>It MIGHT be said that when he descends into the Trial with the sorcerors,
he finds a commitment to another. He could have left little Severian captive.
Of course, he is also after his sword, which later he understands why he was
destined to carry this gargantuan sword across Urth- to fight the Giant.
</div>
<div><br></div>
<div> Just brainstorming though, not sure how strong that
is. What other descents are there? The landing on Yesod and the landing upon
return to Urth? The mines of Saltus. Not sure if that fits. The
House Absolute and Antechamber... </div></blockquote>
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