What I have called the four mythological passages advance from mythic time to historical time.
I and II are entirely about gods and they mention time as cyclical seasons but not as linear history.
III is about a man who interacts with the goddess. His trade with Britain brings him closer to Poul Anderson's readers.
In IV, sailors pray to the Mother of God. This is pure historical fiction because Mary is not seen to intervene. Indeed, the sailors are probably Columbus' crew - see the combox here - in which case, the entire history of the United States stretches ahead. We did not expect to reach that conclusion. However, this text is full of meaning from beginning to end. It begins as Niaerdh makes seals, whales and fish and casts gulls and spindrift on the wind and ends:
"Ave Stella Maris!" (p. 640)
- the trans-Atlantic crossing.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I have wondered if one day there will be a similar prayer to the BVM appropriately worded for use by space farers.
Ad astra! Sean
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