In this edition:
the Table of Contents wrongly states that Part Five begins on p. 215;
p. 256 is a title page for Part Five;
p. 257 is blank;
the text of Part Five, beginning on p. 259, has the heading "1990 A.D.";
(each chapter in the novel begins with a heading indicating the year of the events described in that chapter);
pp. 259-265 contain just over six pages of text;
they describe a conversation between Manson Everard and Guion, both of the Time Patrol, in Everard's New York apartment during a thunder storm.
Everard and Guion agree that, in a million years, the Patrol must have recruited many agents more capable than either of them. Maybe, but someone has to be the most capable?
Guion argues that whereas , e.g., Alfred Dreyfus "'...was a competent and conscientious officer...'" (p. 260), he became significant because of what happened to him but:
he was not "'...an instrument of destiny...'" (ibid.);
"'...there is no such thing as destiny.'" (p. 261);
"'There is the structure of the plenum, which we strive to preserve.'" (ibid.)
For previous discussion of the Dreyfus Affair, see The Dreyfus Affair.
For whether there is "destiny" in the Technic History, see Why Ydwyr Wants Flandry.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
While Guion's comments make sense in the context of the Time Patrol stories, I am strongly doubtful they are actually TRUE. My view is there are times when INDIVIDUALS do things that actually changes matters, for either good or ill. And in the context of the Technic Civilization, Dominic Flandry was "an instrument of destiny" because he strove to both change and shape events.
Sean
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