The Terrans have landed on the Scorpulenan plateau where they soon learn that every group leaving camp needs aerial support against attacks by packs of dog-sized hexapods that keep coming even when mutilated. Nights are gnawingly cold although the days are horribly hot while both are damnably dry. Everyone who goes outdoors suffers bellyache, diarrhea, muscle pains, thirst, tremors and fuzziness. There are also swarming kakkelaks and Avalonian attacks.
For all of this, Poul Anderson presents an appropriate double pathetic fallacy. There is:
"...an unnaturally swift sunset which a dust storm made the color of clotted blood." (p. 634)
We know that Avalon rotates fast, hence its unpredictably changeable weather. But fast rotation also means an "unnatural"-seeming swift sunset which in turn symbolizes a quick end to the Terrans' hopes of an easy conquest. Secondly, this inhospitable environment generates dust storms which, of course, give a highly appropriate color to the sunset.
"...the color of clotted blood..." probably affects sf fans subliminally as they read with interest how the Avalonians manage to turn the tables on their would-be conquerors. Chapter XVII begins with the englobement of Avalon and ends with the Terrans' surrender as Anderson hastens to the conclusion of this excellent pivotal installment in his Technic future history series.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
And this trap would not have worked for the Avalonians if the Terrans had had adequate information about Scorpulena. Which only underscores how IMPORTANT it is to have accurate information.
Sean
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