GRGR(31) - Transcendence

[David Morris]

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(654.4) Any talk of Bulb’s transcendence, of course, was clear subversion.
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Byron was a manufactured entity, but with an independent consciousness and a 
will of his own, which was OK with his maker, as long as he was kept under 
Their Control.

The transcendence he seeks is _over_, or _against_, his “God.”  He wants 
some control himself, and imagines his own world-wide bulb terrorism 
movement.  What he would demand from his makers is never stated.

His immortality, and his perpetual escape from Their hit men, implies 
another transcendent force at work, another “God?”  Nevertheless, Byron 
remains stuck in the evil God’s Grid, which begs the question:  Which “God” 
is truly evil, his maker or his perpetuator?

Our Hero Slothrop’s “Makers” sent him into the Zone to perform a function.  
Hero’s are usually "called," approached by a spiritual agent and inspired to 
embark upon a quest.  The accomplishment of that quest typically brings 
transcendence to the hero and a boon to mankind.

One might conjecture that Slothrop was “conditioned” as opposed to “called,” 
which argues the points of the agency and free will of the “called” hero.  
However, once called, heroes are rarely free to walk away from the god and 
reject the calling, except at their own peril.  The hero's calling may 
require some not-so-gentle persuasion.

Is Slothrop a programmed machine, responding to the stimuli of his makers?  
Or is he a reluctant hero, performing a mission because he has no 
alternative?  The only difference between these two is the consciousness and 
will of the hero.  Is he merely a dull machine or a tragic slave?

How could such a hero transcend?  By escaping the bonds and requirements of 
his “Makers.”   Slothrop’s heroic act, and his transcendence, is his escape.

David Morris

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