"Dragonflight" discussion -- F'lar and Mnementh

[Zen]

What do you think of the relationship between F'lar and Mnementh?

Personally, I like the bonded connection that the two seem to enjoy...however, I was really surprised when F'lar referred to his own dragon as "the beast". Maybe in reading contemporary fantasy and sci-fi, my reaction has become skewed?

I feel that current fiction treats intelligent non-humans in a more politically correct fashion than that found in Dragonflight. It seemed barbaric to me to call Mnementh a "beast"! What an interesting reaction.... I like F'lar a lot less after that (not that I'm really cleaving to him anyway).

[Carolyn]

I don't recall the exact line, but could you be misinterpreting the tone of it? I only recall him speaking affectionately, not with any nasty undertones, of Mnementh.

[Cathy]

Zen, where in the story is that? I'd like to check it out. It's been so long since I first read the book, I'd like to go back and see it from a new perspective. BTW, I often refer to my dogs as "the beasts" or "the beasties," but it's affectionately. I'm interested to see if that's what F'lar meant. But you have to admit, Mnementh is quite a huge beast.

[Zen]

Let's see... around pg.13 (paperback)...:

"A pleasant room," F'lar acknowledged, stripping off gloves and wher-hide tunic, throwing them carelessly to the table. "I shall see to my men and the beasts. The dragons have all been fed recently..."

Then on pg.67... F'lar is watching Mnementh sleep after eating and the author writes "No greater tribute could man be paid than the trust and companionship of the winged beasts of Pern."

At other times, F'lar keeps referring to Mnementh as "the bronze one" which seems like an odd way to think of his dragon considering they are telepathically bonded.

Also, the instance, right before falling asleep: "Menmenth regarded his friend with the near eye..." So Mnementh thinks of F'lar as a friend and F'lar thinks of Mnementh as his dragon, the bronze one?

[James]

I guess it's a bit like people and their relationships with cats or dogs. To some they are just pets and are treated as nothing more than animals. To others they are companions and treated as such.

It is interesting how all the characters bond differently with their dragaons. Even in the sense of when a rider loses their dragon - some commit suicide as they can't cope and others can soldier on althoughthey feel part of them is missing and others manage to recover much better. This is pretty similar to the way different people react when they lose a loved one such as a child or partner.

I can't remember if the tone of the relationship changes throughout the books. As you mentioned in another post her writing changed as she wrote more and she also fleshed out the characters more. F'lar does seem much more abrupt in Dragonflight (he reminds me a bit of General Patton) but does seem to soften as the stories progress.

[Zen]

I agree that F'lar seems to get softer in later books. I also think you raise a great point about how people react differently to death than others. Interestingly, I think that suicide is very acceptable on Pern (especially for dragonriders). I wonder if that says something about the author...

[Cathy]

It's an interesting point. Even though dragons are sentient, they are still viewed as more animal than people. They are classed as "beasts" along with wherries and runnerbeasts and not considered to be "people." Maybe it's because they have very little motivation outside of their relationships with their riders. They eat, sleep and mate, but don't relate except with riders.

[Zen]

Catherine wrote: "....They eat, sleep and mate, but don't relate except with riders. "

I know some people like that....

[Robin]

I thought the "connection" between dragon and rider was pretty well done - I got the impression that they had respect and affection for one another.

-- Robin The Crown Conspiracy | Avempartha | Nyphron Rising (Oct 2009)

[Libby]

Robin wrote: "I thought the "connection" between dragon and rider was pretty well done - I got the impression that they had respect and affection for one another."

I agree. The connection was very powerful and gave you further insight into each character. I loved how they were joined once Impressed. It made me think of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy. I think it would be quite an experience to have such an intimate connection with a separate living being.