GRGR(5): note on Katje

[Scott Badger]

Charles:
>But we get a pretty good rationalization for Frenesi in the
>description of her family history. There is a pretty explicit
>suggestion that Frenesi has seen the petty side of "the Great
>struggle" (her father flipping the bird at movie credits cuz some
>name owed him money), and that she finds little to choose between the
>sides.

Agreed, but why take every side?  Why not stick to the sidelines - woulda'
been just as painful as the Brock thing to the 'rents etc.  True the
sidelines aren't  what they used to be, but still alot safer than straddling
the interface of systems whose sole intent is destruction of the other.  A
position that strips her of everything and leaves her with nothing -- if she
survives...We can look to her past and see, as Frenesi did, the Fatal Flaw.
The wyrm along the back-bone of every idealogy.  But instead of rejecting,
she embraces them all.  Why subject herself to this most drawn out, painful
and humilitating destruction?  Does she believe that her destruction will
include the systems as well?

It's this that I see a reflection of in Katje.  A difference though; I don't
think Katje has the same destructive intent as Frenest.  I think she is
easily taken with an argument for the greater good - a mathematician,
remember - but when faced with a conflict at the individual level, she'll
break the rules of the greater good.  So with Blicero, so with Slothrop.
But like Frenesi, the postion that would be safest and easiest for Katje,
the sidelines, is the one place she never goes.

Scott Badger

PS thanks rj for pointing out my date problem - new computer.  Should be set
now.