Dagny reflects:
"Once you started taking your own propaganda seriously, you were headed for fanaticism." (pp. 296-297)
What sort of a statement is that? Propaganda is the propagation of ideas or beliefs. Should we propagate ideas or beliefs without taking them seriously? People use the word "propaganda" pejoratively when referring to the propagation of ideas or beliefs that they disagree with but surely they should be serious when propagating what they themselves claim to believe?
The Gospels propagate the belief that Jesus is the Messiah, raised from the dead in fulfillment of scriptural prophecy. Thus, the Christian Bible contains (possibly) every kind of writing:
myth
genealogy
laws
theologically interpreted history
historical fiction
hymns
prophecy
poetry
proverbs
parables
philosophy
propaganda
apocalyptic
theology
letters
We approach Chapter 23, in terms of numbered chapters the midway point of this substantial novel. Dagny, widowed, is 67. Her eldest Lunarian son, Brandir, is 41. Her second youngest daughter, Fia, is 23. Anderson has to let a lot happen between chapters. The odd numbered chapters are set long after Dagny's death but she remains influential.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I think I see what Madame Beynac meant by "propaganda." But I also agree with what you said about the "propagation" of ideas and beliefs. I don't think everyone who does such a thing are necessarily fanatics.
Sean
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