Wrath, Sorrow, Valor And Vengeance

A Knight Of Ghosts And Shadows, the unheaded, italicized opening passage.

This passage begins by asking what words can express the wrath, sorrow, valor and vengeance of Bodin's raid. This question means nothing to the reader as yet. We have not previously read anything about Bodin (Miyatovich). Indeed, he appears only in this single work by Poul Anderson. This introduction, like those of The Rebel Worlds, World Without Stars and The Avatar, does not immediately connect with the ensuing narrative and is one that we might skip past when rereading the novel.

Words are in one respect like algebraic symbols. Thus, although we do know what "wrath" means, we have not yet been informed of or come to empathize with the particular wrath that motivates Bodin's raid. It is a different story if, having read the novel, we then reread this introduction.

In the concluding chapter, Bodin speaks:

"'I own to a desire for vengeance,' he confessed. 'My judgment might have been different otherwise.'

"Flandry nodded. 'Me too. That's how we are. If only- No, never mind.'" (XX, p. 603)

 

We now know exactly what they are talking about. Bodin has lost his niece, Flandry his fiancee.

 

Bodin's valor is celebrated in the concluding italicized passage. See Our Hope.

 

Anderson sells himself short. The opening italicized passage concludes:

 

"That the glory of Bodin Miyatovich go not from memory, let us find what poor words we may." (p. 342)

 

However, the concluding italicized passage is of such beauty that I quoted it in full here.