HG Wells' Martians come to Earth. Poul Anderson's Polesotechnic League merchants go to Ivanhoe. Wellsian Martians and Andersonian Ivanhoans have in common civilization without wheels. Martian land vehicles have legs like Star Wars ATATs. In a graphic sequel to The War Of The Worlds, the British, monopolizing captured Martian technology, dominate the world and their horseless carriages have legs.
On Ivanhoe, the circle is too sacred to be seen or used in public - and I agree with the Ivanhoan Consecrates that the circle can be seen as a powerful symbol of unity and completeness. The solar disc is the source of light and life. The yin-yang symbol is circular.
However, because Anderson's young hero, David Falkayn, must solve a life-or-death problem, he encounters not reasonable symbolism but reactionary fanaticism. His drawing of a wagon must be burned.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
One thing I remember about "The Three Cornered Wheel" was how SMART the Chief Consecrate (if that was his title) was. As he told Martin Schuster, he could see almost at once the upheavals that things like the Kabbala, Copernician astronomy, and ingenious end runs around the ban on wheels would bring to his country.
This story, plus "The Season of Forgiveness," shows Ivanhoans as having a serious interest in theology and philosophy.
Ad astra! Seam
I can imagine cultures not using wheels — until their invention, none did — but going straight to mechanical legs is a stretch. They’re vastly more complex to make, and would require things like pulleys and gears which are modified wheels themselves. “You can’t get there from here” as the saying goes.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Exactly! It's simply not SATISFACTORY to use mechanical legs when wheels are so much more convenient.
Ad astra! Sean
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