Carl does indeed formulate the question that I suggested in Which Is The Right Side? As Sean said in the combox to that post, Anderson usually does not present an unqualified either/or choice.
"Suddenly Carl wondered if it had not been a mistake to frighten the Lann from the vault. If they had remained there, and eventually won the war - it would have been a cruel blow for the Dalesmen, but the vault would have been in the hands of a people who were not afraid to use it. In time they might have learned other things, the peaceful arts of the old civilization, and from them it would have spread to all mankind. Many centuries would have been needed, but it might have been the only way to save what was locked in that dark chamber.
"What was right?" (pp. 118-119)
Carl goes on to reflect that this war is not between good and evil but between human beings, none of them wholly good or bad, and that defeat of the Lann will mean starvation for their families but I cannot quote Poul Anderson's text indefinitely. My hope is that others will read or reread it.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
While I agree what Carl speculated about the Lann was possible, there was no guaranteeing they would make adequate use of the knowledge stored in the Vault. Some accident, fit of superstition, or wanton carelessness, might have caused the Vault's contents to be lost.
Also, Carl had a duty FIRST to his own people, the Dalesmen. If at all possible, the knowledge to be found in the Vault should be used to help them defeat the Lann.
Sean
Human conflicts are mostly about Us vs. Them.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I agree! And what else is a conflict if not a struggle by opposing persons?
Sean
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