Jacob
asked
Garon Whited:
This question contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[I have spent a really long time trying to figure out what Eric's perfect inner-demon was supposed to personify. Its exsistance (or lack of) greatly effects the actions of the later books depending on if it is meant to be Eric's sense of moral code, the idealized version of his perfect self, his own self contempt, or something else I hadn't even considered! What did you see the demon as? Love the books!!! (hide spoiler)]
Garon Whited
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Sadly, it's sometimes difficult to really nail down a simple and concise meaning for subconscious symbols. Everything in Eric's mental basement is significant in some way to him and often metaphorical.
As for his "Perfect Self," there are a number of possibilities.
Have you ever regretted you weren't quite what you hoped you were? Thinner, stronger, smarter, tougher, whatever? "If only I went to the gym more often, I wouldn't have such a hard time mowing." "If only I'd studied harder, I'd have made a decent GPA." "If I were only a little more handsome, maybe I'd be happily married by now."
You may have noticed Eric has an *awful* self-image. In some respects, this is a defense mechanism. He REALLY IS a bloodthirsty monster! But he started out as a human being, and apparently a pretty decent one, all things considered. He would like to be a better person, but he accepts he can't be a "good" person.
This doesn't stop him from feeling guilty, whether he knows it or not. He knows what he would like to be, and that haunts him--in the basement.
To some extent, this is a good thing. Having an idealized self, a mental image of what a "good" version of him might be, can inspire him to at least try to be a better person. If we have a role model, someone we want to be like, we have a clear idea of what we're shooting for! Eric has a clear idea of this unattainable "better person," but--in his basement, anyway--he only sees him as a mocking presence, taunting him with the "fact" he'll *never* live up to his own standards. (hide spoiler)]
As for his "Perfect Self," there are a number of possibilities.
Have you ever regretted you weren't quite what you hoped you were? Thinner, stronger, smarter, tougher, whatever? "If only I went to the gym more often, I wouldn't have such a hard time mowing." "If only I'd studied harder, I'd have made a decent GPA." "If I were only a little more handsome, maybe I'd be happily married by now."
You may have noticed Eric has an *awful* self-image. In some respects, this is a defense mechanism. He REALLY IS a bloodthirsty monster! But he started out as a human being, and apparently a pretty decent one, all things considered. He would like to be a better person, but he accepts he can't be a "good" person.
This doesn't stop him from feeling guilty, whether he knows it or not. He knows what he would like to be, and that haunts him--in the basement.
To some extent, this is a good thing. Having an idealized self, a mental image of what a "good" version of him might be, can inspire him to at least try to be a better person. If we have a role model, someone we want to be like, we have a clear idea of what we're shooting for! Eric has a clear idea of this unattainable "better person," but--in his basement, anyway--he only sees him as a mocking presence, taunting him with the "fact" he'll *never* live up to his own standards. (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions
Scott
asked
Garon Whited:
I love the series but I've noticed a recurring issue in each book with the series that would be great if you could fix. I use the audiobook version so I'm not sure if the print edition has this but while listening the book ends, I'm not sure how we can rectify the issue. Perhaps Eric could add teaching us some time travel technology to his long todo list?
George Campbell
asked
Garon Whited:
Cosmology question! What happens to the soups from timeline-branch universes when they disappear? I'm thinking of a certain four from Mary's world. Do the energy state planes remain intact, or is the implied afterlife extra-universal? Seems like good design if the latter.
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