Sometimes an early passage in a fictional narrative prefigures later developments although a first-time reader cannot be aware of this, e.g.:
"At that rate, they had enough energy to travel to the end of the world.
"Eve, Eve, I'll come back. I'll come back if I have to go ahead to Judgment Day...." (p. 172)
In fact, Saunders will return to Eve by travelling through "Judgment Day" and beyond.
Similarly:
"'Marlowe to the contrary, misery does not love company.'
"Baring his teeth, Baines said, 'We'll see about that.'"
-James Blish, Black Easter IN Blish, After Such Knowledge (London, 1991), pp. 319-425 AT p. 336.
The first speaker is the black magician, Theron Ware. Later, Baines will commission Ware to release a host of major demons from Hell for an entire night, thus unleashing nothing less than Judgement Day. (The sequel is entitled The Day After Judgement...)
But only on rereading do we appreciate the significance of Saunders' and Baines' remarks.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Dante would agree with Theron Ware! The Poet's depiction of Hell in the INFERNO makes it very plan the damned take no comfort or consolation in its each other's company. That self isolation is one of the consequences of making a very bad choice.
Ad astra! Sean
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