Chapter 11, Squamates

[rthstewart]

Chapter 11, Squamates, is up.

Comments

[elouise82]

I actually really love the contrast between Jill and Eustace, and how you show so many differing beliefs through the various characters - and most especially how you don't belittle any of those beliefs. Jill is not an idiot or raging fanatic, Eustace is not filled with hate, Lucy and Digory aren't wishy-washy ... there are no stereotypes in your Friends, and I so, so love that.

[rthstewart]

Thank you! (and good luck with the mice!) The more I thought about this as true allegory, the more uncomfortable I became with it, for I really could not see the flawed deity of Aslan as Jesus, Son of God. It really just all fell apart. I wrote to Clio recently that I have no rear view mirror -- I am not a reflective person at all and am really very theologically and philosophically stunted. I don't THINK big questions in my life. So, trying to wrestle with this coherently and respectfully has been an interesting challenge. I really felt though that Jill nails it with a belief tested is a stronger belief. Eustace is angry, and I can easily see him taking this anger and looking at the war around him and deciding that a benevolent, omnipotent God simply cannot exist in a place where 6 million Jews are murdered

[katharhino]

Yes, this whole comment.

[squishykat]

Yay another chapter!

Eustace's questions have always been mine so I sympathise, but also with Peter since I have converted. I've had many conversations like that on both sides and have yet to come to a conclusion that satisfies me properly. I felt you captured those feelings very well.

Also, much love for the chapter title. Heh squamates. It's such a cool word!

[rthstewart]

Thank you! As I mentioned to Eloise above, I don't tend to wrestle with these things myself and I credit my time in the fandom over the last 2 years for the sum and substance of the conversation. I want to present it respectfully and without condescension or condemnation. An element of the fandom tends to assume that the only people who have read the Chronicles are Christian but its appeal is so much broader.

and yes, Squamates is a terrific word -- I spent some time trying to figure out if dinosaurs were squamates wandering through cladograms (they aren't) and wondered where dragons would fall. (Yes, I wonder more about Linnaean taxonomy for dragons than theology and I'm not a professional in either area). I also liked the word for its play on "mates" as the story is taking a turn toward bonding/marriage/family again.

[squishykat]

Well I didn't feel condescended to or condemned, so I think you're doing a good job there

[rthstewart]

Thank you for sharing. What people are sharing is really remarkable. There was just an article here about the Episcopal church's declining membership and the challenges for the new Archbishop (or the equivalent) -- who is a woman. A Mother Elizabeth presided at my mother's funeral and I felt something profoundly inclusive with the experience. I know that there are certain passages that when I'm called upon to proclaim, if I have issues with them, I try to switch or back out. The keeping silent would surely be one (and other parts of Timothy are so lovely).

I got stung a bit on a review yesterday so I'm thinky as the saying goes. I don't want to do too much navel gazing and I have 15 people coming for Thanksgiving. When I wrote to Clio about having no rear view mirror, she responded that I have a rear-view mirror but tilt it toward fan-fiction rather than myself. thank you again for sharing.

[therck]

Yea for more Apostolic Way! I particularly like Eustace's questioning. It makes sense for him.

Thanks for writing!

[rthstewart]

Thank you!! I so appreciate it!

All your Narnia fiction

[anonymous]

Dear rthstewart

Re: All your Narnia fiction

[rthstewart]

Welcome, Claire! This is a delight and thank you for sharing. This method of communication is fine -- I respect the anonymity that folks prefer. Some have ended up creating Livejournal accounts or gmail or hotmail accounts with fake names to make it easier to communicate. I know that sounds silly, but really, folks have done that. You do have my sympathies regarding the hardships of your family. Becoming caregiver to our parents is one of those signs of middle age -- been there, done that, got the t shirt. And, as reflected in the chapter of AW that went up today, I am of an age where I am very cognizant of both elder care and the burden that falls usually on women to nurse a husband. We take succor wherever it comes and I'm glad you found some distraction in the books and the community we have going here

Re: All your Narnia fiction

[anonymous]

Thanks very much for your answers.

So you are a Miles Vorkosigan fan. That explains the sudden vision I had while reading "By Royal Decree" of Miles suddenly showing up in Narnia during the Golden Age. Can't you just see him telling stories of the Dendarii to the JustKing? And Edmund getting the idea of Dendarii Buccaneers on the Eastern Sea? Of course if it was before Ekaterin, Miles would fall head over heels for the Gentle Queen. She is tall, dark, serene, extremely intelligent and very beautiful. And if Armsman Roic was bemused by Taura, how would he react to Dryads? Also interesting comparisons of the task of ruling an Empire with up to nine Auditors with Imperial powers to help out versus a kingdom with four co-equal sovereigns.

ClaireI

Re: All your Narnia fiction

[rthstewart]

And now for the other two, which comes with a rambling admission. I had given no thought at all to orders and banners and titles. I wrote BRD and included that long riff on titles and such because I wanted to set up Edmund's line: "Ass and Brute tend to be popular with my former lovers; any current one, well, that's no one's business but our own, and I don't much care, so long as it isn't 'brother,' 'father,' or 'Peter.'" I introduced Morgan just so he could say that line. To set up the line, I needed Jalur to mention his titles and why calling Edmund "Sir" wasn't sufficient -- which I just realized is something that could be interesting when Jill does that to Edmund the first time

[cofax7]

I did enjoy this: all the different character interactions, Mary feeling left out, Jill curtseying to Peter, Peter being insufferable about animals. And yes, Mary and Richard being a married couple with a long history together.

Great stuff, looking forward to the next bit!

[cofax7]

Also, this just showed up on my RSS reader, and I thought you might appreciate it: adorable giraffes.

[rthstewart]

Thank you so much! Glad you liked it and I really appreciate you reading! And Giraffes are SO ADORABLE. But really, so awkward!