We learn more Demetrian physical and social geography. The Uplands begin:
"Three hundred kilometers east of the Hephaestian Sea, two thousand north of Eopolis..." (p. 40)
Did Poul Anderson draw a map of this planet as of some others?
Immigrants from northern Europe settled the Uplands in linguistic groups as farmers, herders, hunters or lumberjacks without advanced technology initially because they could not afford it and later because they wanted to remain independent of governments, corporations and other external structures. A new dialect of English is the common language. Yule is celebrated at winter solstice and a bonfire festival in summer.
Caitlin Margaret Mulryan sings her newly composed songs and plays her sonador at the festival on Trollberg. She walks a dirt road that follows the Astrid River which joins the Europa at Aguabranca. There is native vegetation and wildlife on one side and a Terrestrial farm on the other.
Demeter is getting to be as real a place as some of the Technic History planets.
6 comments:
I think there were personal things going on in Poul's life that affected the character interactions in THE AVATAR. A certain element of wishful thinking -- eg., I'd say sexual jealousy is hardwired into human beings for obvious evolutionary reasons.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I agree. We are genetically inclined to favor our own kin. Hence the sexual jealousy. It's not absolute, such "inclinations" can be overcome, but it exists.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean: and after money, it's the most frequent reason for murder.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
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I agree. And, after Lust and Greed, I would add Wrath as a third major reason for murder.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean: well, Lust and Greed are substantial elements in producing Wrath.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Absolutely!
Ad astra! Sean
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