<html><head></head><body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><div><br></div><div><br>On Oct 19, 2011, at 7:19 PM, "Gerry Quinn" <<a href="mailto:gerry@bindweed.com">gerry@bindweed.com</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><div></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="font-family: Calibri; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">
<div style="font-size: 12pt; "> </div>
<div style="font-style: normal; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: small; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; ">
<div style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<div> </div>
<div style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<div style="font-color: black"><b>From:</b> <a title="andrew.mason53@googlemail.com" href="mailto:andrew.mason53@googlemail.com">Andrew Mason</a> </div>
<div style="font-color: black"><strong></strong> </div></div></div>
<div></div>
<div style="FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: small; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none">>
Of course, it doesn't have to be so. The problem with reading Wolfe is<br>>
that we know some things are hidden beneath the surface, but for every<br>>
proposed theory about them there are also rival theories which are<br>>
equally possible. Nevertheless it seems to me that this one is<br>>
relatively reasonable.</div></div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; ">
<div style="FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: small; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </div></div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; ">
<div style="FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: small; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none">My
theory is that Wolfe always hides things in plain sight. We may be told
things in passing, and miss them through not paying sufficient attention – but
we are told all important plot elements.</div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><br><div>I also think he presents contextual clues, thens expects the reader to participate in solving mysteries.</div><div><br></div><div>For instance, Talos casting a glamor on Jolenta, Severian making a narrative point to recognizing the Badger... I think that is Wolfe sort of telling the reader to be on the look out for other like situations where Severian happens to not notice.</div><div><br></div><div>He shows us in the Pinakotheken with the moon man image that Severian can observe and report something but totally misinterpret or simply get it wrong.</div><div><br></div><div>These sorts of situational clues I think can go a long way toward looking the right way for riddles and demystifications.</div><div><br></div><div>I just haven't gotten there yet. :)</div><div><br></div><div>...ryan</div></body></html>