The smile on the face of the tiger

[moshui]

So. Even the tiger is a traitor - but to whom?

M'very good friend desperance has been heard to say - more than once, because he does love to quote himself - that in the last analysis all fiction is about betrayal. I say that you need a looser definition than most people work with, but that's Chaz: go off to the loo and he's never quite sure you're planning

Comments

[la_marquise_de_]

While I hesitate to argue with the authority that is Chaz, I do wonder if one might equally say: all fiction is about negotiation -- of self with others, self with self, self with environment and so forth. Thus what interests me is the movement within the character -- the hows and whytofors of their betrayals, loves, hates etc.
That is a most excellent city. I look forward to visiting it.

[desperance]

Heh. You may take a more beneficent stand than I do. Movement, certainly - but I say they're all slinkin' off to do someone down...

(Well, no. I exaggerate. But every farthing of the cost is borne by someone, and few will take it on deliberately; and when they do, there's a price to be paid for that too, and usually someone else who pays it.)