Some war fiction was written as propaganda during the war! In such fiction, there is unambiguously a right side and a wrong side. Maybe ambiguity is easier in futuristic fiction? Poul Anderson always managed to show both sides of a conflict.
"'They aren't so bad, Valduma. The Empire means peace and justice for all races.'
"'Who speaks?' Her scorn flamed at him. 'You don't believe that.'
"He stood there for a moment. 'No,' he whispered. 'No, I don't.'" (p. 422)
Earlier, Donovan had led a bar song that included the line:
"Kick the Terrans back to hell!" (p. 369)
- then led a bar fight against the Impies.
Later in history, Draun, an Avalonian Ythrian, dies doing what he wants to do, killing Terrans.
Whichever side we think is right, this is realistic history.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
And, by and large, despite plenty of foolishness and even evils, I think the Empire was not that bad and was basically on the better side of the conflicts we see. And it was certainly preferable to either Merseia or barbarism!
Sean
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