"North Jutland was still a ghostly country after last year's revolt, broken by the cannon of Johan Rantzau." (p. 85)
A historical statement about Denmark in 1535 AD. This sentence is immediately followed by:
"The wind shrilled through leafless branches." (ibid.)
Pathetic fallacy: leafless branches represent a devastated country and, of course, this wind is not inappropriately peaceful but appropriately shrill. By now, we can almost predict that the wind will comment on the action and will almost punctuate Poul Anderson's text. The two travellers approach Viborg.
4 comments:
Of course, in pre-industrial times people took the weather a -lot- more seriously.
Kaor, Paul!
Sometimes, of course, it would be more accurate to show the wind being described in "inappropriate" ways.
Ad astra! Sean
I seem to recall some occasions when Poul described cold winds hooting outside the house, but warmth and cheer within.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
And that would be a good realistic touch.
Ad astra! Sean
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