David Ryerson says that:
God seemed to be scourging him;
he believed that all creation was under wrath;
however, now he has "'...been on the other side of Doomsday. Here, in nightmare land.'" (p. 120);
the same God made "'...wine for the wedding at Cana.'" (ibid.)
We note that:
Ryerson echoes the Anderson title, After Doomsday;
like van Rijn, he refers to the first miracle;
he remains within Christian belief but interprets it more benignly.
Before leaving Earth, Ryerson was newly married whereas Maclaren lived for pleasure. Now, Maclaren focuses on Ryerson's wife, whom he has never met, and eats less of his rations so that Ryerson can have more - as a gift to her.
Less posts here today means more happening in what we laughingly call "real life" and also a few more posts on James Blish Appreciation. Three chapters remain to be reread in The Enemy Stars.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I'm not quite sure how David Ryerson interpreted the first miracle of Christ more "benignly" than did Nicholas van Rijn. I looked up the "first miracle" link and Old Nick certainly understood Christ's turning of water into wine very benignly himself. Only goes to show I need to soon start rereading THE ENEMY STARS!
Sean
Sean,
I meant not more benignly than than van Rijn but more benignly that his own earlier idea of God scourging him.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
That clarifies what had otherwise puzzled me!
Sean
Post a Comment