Wallis tells Havig that the Maurai Federation aim to "'...stop progress forever.'" (p. 71) One of the Maurai short stories is entitled "Progress." See A Handful Of Short Stories.
When Wallis hired a young English writer in the '90's, he:
"'...wanted somebody late in the period, to avoid, um-m, anticipations, you see?'" (p. 73)
Does Wallis hesitate when he does because he knows that Anticipations is the title of a work by that writer?
Havig gives no sign of knowing who the English writer must be just as Everard gives no sign of knowing who the private investigator mentioned by Mainwethering must be. Authors acknowledge antecedents.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I am not entirely sympathetic for how the Maurai tried to slow down the rebirth of advanced technology, even if I do understand the motivation for that policy. I still dislike how that experimental nuclear power plant was destroyed by Maurai agents in "Progress."
That was interesting, implying Anderson was giving a subtle homage to Wells by having Wallis use the word "anticipations" that way
But not everybody knows about or has read stories by Wells. So it's not conclusive to think Jack Havig's lack of response to mention of that English writer meant he came from a different timeline.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
The English writer asks Wallis for free use of the time travel idea...
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
And I remember Wallis agreeing to that. My main point here being I don't think Havig had to be aware Wells existed. Or maybe he was too absorbed in concentrating on watching and listening to the Sachem.
Ad astra! Sean
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