Wednesday 3 February 2016

Anonymous Historical Characters

Can we identify the unnamed historical figures who meet in the Old Phoenix in Poul Anderson's "Losers' Night"?

The first who speaks:

must be a loser - or he would not be here on this occasion;
is lean, dark and somber;
speaks classical Latin;
wears a toga;
expects to fight a battle soon, probably at Philippi;
aims, after the battle, to restore the Republic.

That Republic will not be restored. Instead, an Empire will be built. This must be Brutus?

His companion:

answers the same physical description;
speaks Canadian French;
wears a plaid shirt and faded blue work trousers;
realizes who the other man must be;
claims to be a simple, unlearned metis;
is advised to return to his country because his people need him;
replies that they cry to him for justice...

Is this Louis Riel?

Clearly, I have not read this story closely enough before.

2 comments:

Jim Baerg said...

I immediately recognized both Brutus & Louis Riel when I read the story. I was surprised at any non-Canadian including Riel in such a story, but Anderson grew up in nearby parts of the US & has evidently read lots of history of all parts of the earth, which makes it less surprising than from another author.
I also recall as scene from "Avatar" where two characters are canoeing on Lake Louise.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaoe, Jim!

I recognized Brutus but not Louis Riel.

Ad astra! Sean