Microsoft Word final-current Developments at the Intersection of British Children-online-version doc
Download 1.22 Mb. Pdf ko'rish
|
FINAL Current Developments at the Intersection of British Children ONLINE VERSION
of
Salamander Street and Tersias are marked by the eternal struggle between good and evil. These two poles are represented by demonic forces and corrupt, power-hungry human helpers on the one hand and children, teenagers and angels on the other hand. Raphael is the most prominent of these good angels. On earth, he is supported by Raphah. 87 Together they stand for all those positive values mentioned earlier. Despite the violence and the constant threat of evil good prevails, even if its representatives are the minority. Faith, loyalty, love and trust towards each other and to God, who is called Riathamus, 88 weld the companions together. They are led by the angels Raphael and Raphah, who set the example of a good life. Like the Christian God, Riathamus is presented as omniscient, good and just, yet remains unfathomable for humans. 89 The main characters are shown to lead a life which pleases God by following His will and are rewarded for fighting against evil. As in His Dark Materials, in 83 Pullman, The Amber Spyglass, p. 27. 84 Ibd., p. 18. 85 Ibd., pp. 33-34. God being nothing more than an impostor, his death is somewhat moderated. Yet, it is still shocking because he stands for the entire concept of veneration, belief and respect that religion is, impostor or not. 86 Philip Pullman. His Dark Materials. The Subtle Knife. New York: Ballantine, 1998, p. 287. 87 Coloured and without any exterior sign of his true nature, Raphah is a refreshingly alternative angel. 88 Taylor, Shadowmancer, p. 277. 89 Ibd., pp. 278-279. 238 Taylor’s novels God’s antagonist is the devil, the fallen angel Pyratheon. In an apocalyptic showdown between the representatives of God and the devil a symbolic darkness falls before the sun can rise again. 90 In Taylor’s novels, the role of God and the angels is of salutary nature. They bring positive values one can believe in and the gospel into a world of chaos and evil. Functioning as role models, the good angels rescue people in despair and guide them towards a Christian life and inner peace. However, even the angels themselves are not exempt from making mistakes, as the example of the suffering angel Tegatus demonstrates. Even so the angel still serves as a model, albeit a negative one. His state is so deplorable that he evokes pity. At the same time it ensures that his behaviour will not be copied. 91 With emphasis being put on honesty, hypocrisy is punished. In Tersias, the megalomaniac fanatic Salomon sets himself up as leader of his own sect. Not only does he abuse a wise biblical king’s name, but he also brainwashes and controls his disciples and even aspires to obtain the power over life and death. With the help of a “homemade” apocalypse, Salomon plans to set an example and to punish all the misguided who happen not to be his disciples. In the end, Salomon in turn is punished for his hypocrisy and fanaticism. Ironically, he dies from the same apocalyptic plague in the form of carnivorous locusts that he devised for his adversaries. So in Taylor’s novels, following the ways of God is rewarded, whereas adhering to evil convictions never pays off. Nix’ The Keys of the Kingdom heptalogy may not be British but Australian, yet the novels use an interesting allegorical approach to heaven (the House), God (the Creator) and Adam (the Heir). Nix designs heaven like a building, with its own storeys, hierarchy, power politics, administration and infrastructure. During the absence of the female Creator, 92 the seven Weekdays, the rebel angels, act as governors or trustees, each for a certain area of the House. Before her departure, the Creator has left Her Will. However, the trustees have rebelled against Her, divided the personified Will in seven parts and have taken control of their respective area. Arthur Penhaligon, a human boy, has been chosen Heir to the Kingdom (of heaven) and given the task to reunite the Will as well as take the Keys of power from the Weekdays, thus winning back the Creator’s authority and realm. In contrast to Pullman’s His Download 1.22 Mb. Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: |
Ma'lumotlar bazasi mualliflik huquqi bilan himoyalangan ©fayllar.org 2024
ma'muriyatiga murojaat qiling
ma'muriyatiga murojaat qiling