More GRGR(6)

[Kyburz at asu.edu]

On Tue, 10 Dec 1996, Skip Wolfe wrote:

> Page 89 (Viking):  "The chalk cliffs rear up above, cold and serene as
> death.  Early barbarians of Europe who ventured close enough to this
> coast saw these white barriers through the mist, and knew then where
> their dead had been taken to."

I have a note in my text that, at this passage, indicates some 
relationship to Goddess cultures of Old Europe.  Of coures, there is the 
familiar jagged shape of white on (presumably, with the connotations of 
"death") black that appear all through GR.  But on the Goddess:  it's 
interesting that the next paragraph alludes to Pointsman, in whose smile: 
"There is something so ancient in its assumption of brotherhood that . . 
. it will haunt him [Roger]--as the most evil look he has ever had from a 
human face" (89).  Something caught my eye in this, the "assumption of 
brotherhood," which may have spawned, in part, the destruction of Goddess 
cultures.  Or perhaps there is play , regarding Pointsman, on the very 
destructiveness sometimes associated with a particular (war) Goddess.  I 
only made a few obscure notes.  just a thought.

Also, back on pg. 80, re:  Pudding's "Toad-in-the-Hole" and the 
questionable contents thereof:  " . . . or perhaps today some lovely 
pureed samphire, reeking of the sea (which he obtains once a week from 
the same fat fishmonger's son wheeling his bicycle, puffing, up the 
chalkwhite cliff)" (80).  Probably no mystery here, although who is this 
"fat" son?  I have had wild speculations in this in the past--some 
incarnation of Evan Godolphin or a ref to the fatboy itself.  LIke I 
said, wild speculation on nothing.  YOu see why I keep quiet?

Oh yeah, on pg. 108, top, Katje's face appears in similar shadow/light form
as it does more than once (other characters appear similarly).  I'd 
always considered it a yin/yang symbol, visually.  This particular symbol 
works well for these characters, particularly if you consider the Goddess 
argument (weak, still) and the notion of a "whole," as in both 
life-giving and destructive.

I'll go back to my medications soon, I promise.



Bonnie L. Kyburz, Instructor
Department of English			(602) 965-7756 (office)
Arizona State University		kyburz at asu.edu
Tempe, AZ  85287-0302			*or* surfus at chuma.cas.usf.edu