Sybal Janssen
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
The English Department of the uni. I attended structured their degree program to emphasis both history and criticism. One d-- paper after another. Sadly, I still see themes (whether they exist or not.) I am much taken with the idea of "surrender of self to the greater" that shows up in "Memory" and in the Chalion series. Is this a product of deliberate intent, or the character's spontaneous outgrowth?
Lois McMaster Bujold
By that I'm guessing you mean the author's deliberate intent. I don't think character growth is spontaneous; it is usually a result of the story-so-far, which is why the writer has bothered to put all that stuff on the page in the first place.
Whether surrender-of-the-self-to-the-greater is right or not will depend on the character and their particular story (and their particular "greater", not to mention what is meant by "surrender".) Very easily it might be the reverse, a character recognizing that whatever they had identified as their greater actually wasn't, and should instead be ignored or resisted.
Miles has a descant on it somewhere, to the effect that true destiny does not consume, but rather, returns an enlarged self. If something consumes with no return, one may be in unrecognized trouble.
Ta, L.
By that I'm guessing you mean the author's deliberate intent. I don't think character growth is spontaneous; it is usually a result of the story-so-far, which is why the writer has bothered to put all that stuff on the page in the first place.
Whether surrender-of-the-self-to-the-greater is right or not will depend on the character and their particular story (and their particular "greater", not to mention what is meant by "surrender".) Very easily it might be the reverse, a character recognizing that whatever they had identified as their greater actually wasn't, and should instead be ignored or resisted.
Miles has a descant on it somewhere, to the effect that true destiny does not consume, but rather, returns an enlarged self. If something consumes with no return, one may be in unrecognized trouble.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Georgy Iliev
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Hi Lois, as I recently saw a youtube series about "The Truth about Space War" - the channel's name is Because Science - I came to realize I think I've read that somewhere in the books. In Mirror Dance I remember Mark recalling "The weapons were supposed to cook everyone neatly, like eggs in their shells". Considering he's from a universe in the future how scientifically aimed was that statement?
Vicky Ayech Ayech
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Thank you, I just finished the Flowers of Vashnoi and loved it, as all the Vorkosigan books. Please carry on writing them :). Some authors spoil things when they go on and on but yours continue to delight. I loved Gentleman Jolie too. Not really a question, more a hope?
Marie
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Any chance your wonderful quote about honor / reputation was inspired by W.C. Fields? "It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to"? I was at a diner in New Hampshire recently that had a number of pithy quotes, and when I read that one, your quote immediately came to mind.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more