You got me thinking about Dorcas a bit. She's such an interesting device for Wolfe in that she's a voice of reason, but in classic Wolfe fashion, that reason winds up being a red herring.
SPOILERS below for people!
Basically I love how she suggests that Baldanders might be Talos' son. It's a point in the book where you go "Oh wow, that's a smart revelation, and she's probably right. I should have thought of that!" But, of course, it winds up being (kinda) the reverse.
In the exact same way, she mentions to Severian at one point that her theory for what the Claw is is that it has the same power over time that Inire's mirrors do over space. Again, you smack your forehead and go "Oh wow, that's a smart revelation, and she's probably right. I should have thought of that!" But of course, the truth is much stranger and way more simple.
But at the same time, she's putting forward logical theories about her surroundings that Severian is in no way smart enough to think of himself.
You got me thinking about Dorcas a bit. She's such an interesting device for Wolfe in that she's a voice of reason, but in classic Wolfe fashion, that reason winds up being a red herring.
SPOILERS below for people!
Basically I love how she suggests that Baldanders might be Talos' son. It's a point in the book where you go "Oh wow, that's a smart revelation, and she's probably right. I should have thought of that!" But, of course, it winds up being (kinda) the reverse.
In the exact same way, she mentions to Severian at one point that her theory for what the Claw is is that it has the same power over time that Inire's mirrors do over space. Again, you smack your forehead and go "Oh wow, that's a smart revelation, and she's probably right. I should have thought of that!" But of course, the truth is much stranger and way more simple.
But at the same time, she's putting forward logical theories about her surroundings that Severian is in no way smart enough to think of himself.
I hadn't thought of that but you're absolutely right!
It's a fascinating way to misdirect us while seeming obvious.