("Voortrekker" means "fore-trekker.")
The fourth narrative passage, on pp. 259-260, is just one page in length and is a third person account of a conversation between Joel and Mary. She initially opposes his volunteering for the interstellar project and she herself will not volunteer.
Backtrack: Back in the first narrative passage, Joel suggested that the reason why astronauts have been criticized as "prosaic" is that they:
"...grow tongue-tied in the presence of the Absolute." (p. 253)
That statement requires some analysis. The relative, that which exists because of its external relationships, contrasts with the Absolute, which is independent of external relationships. Therefore, the Absolute can only be all, everything, the totality. Joel, in space and experiencing enhanced perception of innumerable stars in every direction, is immersed in that totality. Thus, he has one kind of experience of the Absolute.
The fifth narrative passage, on pp. 260-261, is just over a page. The ship, in orbit around a planet of Sigma Draconis, communicates with friendly intelligent life which has beautiful art. Organic Joel awakes to be addressed by robot Korene and ship Joel.
The sixth narrative passage, on pp. 261-262, is less than a page in length. Korene fails to persuade Olaf to volunteer.
"The Voortrekkers" is a template for a novel.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I think a better explanation for why astronauts seem so "prosaic" and "tongue-tied" can be found in Psalm 8.4-5: "When I see thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast established: what is man, that thou art mindful of him or the son of man, that thou art concerned about him?"
Anderson may have had this bit from the Psalms in mind when he wrote of space men awed by the terrible splendor of God's creation.
Ad astra! Sean
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