Tuesday, 3 May 2016

Legends

The previous post summarized celestial disturbances in two ages of the world as described in Poul and Karen Anderson's The King Of Ys, Volume II, and in James Blish's After Such Knowledge, Volume IIa.

Next, the Andersons demonstrate that small events prefigure great events which again are reflected in small events. After reading that the Gods Themselves are troubled, we learn that young Dahut has caused domestic chaos by breaking a toy chariot, tearing the stuffing out of a rag doll etc. Later, if I  correctly remember an earlier reading, she will make a sandcastle that will be destroyed by the incoming tide. That is of even greater significance. Dahut is the Gods' chosen instrument for the destruction of Their city, Ys. Her hostility to the King, her father, will cause the city's inundation and will thus complete its metamorphosis into legend - which perhaps is where the Gods rightly dwell, as in Neil Gaiman's  The Sandman: Ramadan?

1 comment:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

I've read THE KING OF YS at least twice, maybe even three times, but I've completely forgotten how Dahut ruined some of her toys. Yes, that, and the bit about the sand castle, can be seen as ominous.

But Dahut became hostile to Gratillonius because he refused to "marry" her and commit incest. Then she turned to conspiring against the king, seeking his death.

Sean