Aliens get compared to animals (kzinti: cats; Cynthians: squirrels) which obscures the fact that they are aliens. In the case of the Ardazirho, Poul Anderson wants us to think of wolves while at the same time covering himself by telling us that they are not like wolves:
"Preconceptions always got in the way. Flandry's first startled thought had been Wolf! Now of course he realized that the Ardazirho was not lupine, didn't even look notably wolfish. Yet the impression lingered. He was not surprised when Catherine Kittredge said the aliens had gone howling into battle." (p. 199)
Another howling people!
When Flandry sees the mismatched colors on the invaders' garments, he remarks, "'Barbarians indeed...'" (p. 200)
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Ardazirho soldiers might howl when going into battle, but I don't think they were savages or barbarians. Their most advanced nation had independently achieved nuclear power before learning about FTL. Howling was just their way!
And I think "howling barbarians" to be at least a good analogy. And Stirling shows us literally howling barbarians in one of his THE GENERAL books.
Ad astra! Sean
War-cries are supposed to convey ferocity and inspire fear in the enemy and exultation on your own side.
BTW, you can play the animal-comparison game with humans, too. I've often thought of h. sap. as sort of a cross between a chimp and a wolf.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I agree, re war cries. And I recall Old Nick saying in SATAN'S WORLD that Homo Sapiens evolved or descended from apes with chips on their shoulders!
Ad astra! Sean
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