SLSL, 'UtR' Who won?

[Paul Mackin]

On Sun, 2003-02-23 at 12:08, Mutualcode at aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 2/23/2003 11:16:18 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
> paul.mackin at verizon.net writes:
> 
> 
> > Porpentine falls in both versions. Whether anyone checks to see whether
> > or not he's dead isn't said. Porpentine sees Victoria as the courtesan
> > men ruin their lives for. Ultimately she represent Empire. His Manon.
> > 
> > 
> 
> Yes, but does that indicate a victory for Porpentine's opponent, or,
> is this fall something which Porpentine is secretly longing for, and
> provides a resolution of the demon's which seem to haunt him? At
> least in UtR, he didn't have to pursue M.

M, in the pay of Germany, wants war (perplexing, since so does France),
which does not come about, so in that respect M is not successful. The
question is, is M's personal triumph over his rival devalued by
Porpentine's  secret desire to escape the whole bloody scene even at the
ultimate price? Interesting question? I don't really see some of the
motivations going on.

Interesting to think of this century-ago example of British/French
rivalry in comparison to the present day one. Chirac vs Blair. This time
the Brits (government at least) want war and the French don't. The U.S;
is a completely new factor in the equation. However can European rivalry
be a factor as well?
 
> Victoria certainly seems a good embodiment of the desire for empire,
> although, I'm not sure that's what's meant by "His Manon?" The
> question mark has me wondering if that doesn't refer to Porpentine's
> past relationship with Moldweorp, in comparison with Goodfellow and
> Victoria.

Victoria the person wouldn't be Porpentine's manon but the Empire might
be. I don't know the answer.
> 
> There is also a false religiosity about Victoria- perhaps meant to imply 
> the religion of empire, as in God and country- the linking of religion
> and patriotism.

yes, a possibility. Victoria's Catholicism is SO utterly false. I think
she is meant to be seen as a complete hypocrite on a personal level.
France and Britain of course don't HAVE a personal level. Sovereign
nations must act out of self interest with personal morality
secondary.Survival is all. 

> 
> Goodfellow seems to have come out ahead- alive and with the girl-
> but was that meant to be accidental? Could Victoria just as well have
> gotten into the first coach and sat next to HBS, or did she choose
> the second coach, sticking with Goodfellow? 

Could well have been an arbitrary choice.
> 
> There is a certain amount of looseness in comparison with V.
> where a single shot has been replaced by three flashes,
> although one of them may have come from the sun. Is that just
> better writing, or something more significant?
> 
> respectfully

I've generally felt this was P's best short story. More accomplished and
adult sounding that the others. Was it the only one of them worthy of an
upgrade into a  novel? Part of a novel?

I'll have to look at the V version.

P.