Terrific stuff. Got me thinking of the work of that bravest of fantasy authors, specifically when she has Remus Lupin say:
“Naturally many people have deduced what has happened: There has been such a dramatic change in Ministry policy in the last few days, and many are whispering that Voldemort must be behind it. However, that is the point: They whisper. They daren’t confide in each other, not knowing whom to trust; they are scared to speak out, in case their suspicions are true and their families are targeted. Yes, Voldemort is playing a very clever game. Declaring himself might have provoked open rebellion: Remaining masked has created uncertainty, confusion, and fear.”
That wonderful author is one who DOES abide by integrity rather than reputation. That last line from the quote can be adapted easily:
"Declaring...[themselves (gender ideology cult) clearly,]...might have provoked open rebellion: Remaining masked has created uncertainty, confusion and fear."
Shining the light, removing the mask. That is the current battle.
Perhaps we should all have a whip-round and buy Pullman a new Golden Moral Compass? The one he's got seems to be on the blink. Or perhaps he's just been following he nose, which is how come he's managed to get his head stuck up his arse.
Seriously though Victoria Smith, I love this piece, brilliant writing. The only point I'd like to raise is that one shouldn't be too surprised at the inconsistency between the position that Pullman's writing might lead one to expect of him and the one that in reality he demonstrates, because the truth is that he never did "confront the establishment in the form of organized religion" in the way that the public perceived him as doing. Unlike you, my academic qualifications are not in literature but in philosophy (a subject I know many people find off-putting, which is why 'Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone' was published in America as 'Harry Potter & the Magic Rock', or some such) and I can tell you that the religious dogma that Pullman attacks in his work is not one that any religion in reality has ever, in fact, held; and this is deliberate, because it leaves Pullman with an escape hatch if he needs it, since he can legitimately deny that he ever attacked any genuine established religion, should any of them actually wish to challenge him on it. The religion that Pullman creates in his work is one of his own invention, and this is significant because it requires neither effort nor moral courage to set up a straw man of one's own creation and then tear it down again. Taking on complex issues in the real world is much tougher and riskier; but it's not something that Pullman has ever attempted.
I read HDM so long ago, so I don’t remember, but is it true that Lyra loses her abilities when she reaches womanhood? And the boy gains his? Is this like CS Lewis- all the women of reproductive age are terrible, all the underage girls are delightful?
One of the writers of The Expanse series is completely woke pro twaw. Believes biology supports multiple genders. Won't agree that sex and gender are separate things. But I guess if you write fantasy, believing fantastic things is helpful.
Terrific stuff. Got me thinking of the work of that bravest of fantasy authors, specifically when she has Remus Lupin say:
“Naturally many people have deduced what has happened: There has been such a dramatic change in Ministry policy in the last few days, and many are whispering that Voldemort must be behind it. However, that is the point: They whisper. They daren’t confide in each other, not knowing whom to trust; they are scared to speak out, in case their suspicions are true and their families are targeted. Yes, Voldemort is playing a very clever game. Declaring himself might have provoked open rebellion: Remaining masked has created uncertainty, confusion, and fear.”
That wonderful author is one who DOES abide by integrity rather than reputation. That last line from the quote can be adapted easily:
"Declaring...[themselves (gender ideology cult) clearly,]...might have provoked open rebellion: Remaining masked has created uncertainty, confusion and fear."
Shining the light, removing the mask. That is the current battle.
Perfectly put. I actually giggled aloud at „exhausted after that one sentence of The Second Sex.”
Perhaps we should all have a whip-round and buy Pullman a new Golden Moral Compass? The one he's got seems to be on the blink. Or perhaps he's just been following he nose, which is how come he's managed to get his head stuck up his arse.
Seriously though Victoria Smith, I love this piece, brilliant writing. The only point I'd like to raise is that one shouldn't be too surprised at the inconsistency between the position that Pullman's writing might lead one to expect of him and the one that in reality he demonstrates, because the truth is that he never did "confront the establishment in the form of organized religion" in the way that the public perceived him as doing. Unlike you, my academic qualifications are not in literature but in philosophy (a subject I know many people find off-putting, which is why 'Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone' was published in America as 'Harry Potter & the Magic Rock', or some such) and I can tell you that the religious dogma that Pullman attacks in his work is not one that any religion in reality has ever, in fact, held; and this is deliberate, because it leaves Pullman with an escape hatch if he needs it, since he can legitimately deny that he ever attacked any genuine established religion, should any of them actually wish to challenge him on it. The religion that Pullman creates in his work is one of his own invention, and this is significant because it requires neither effort nor moral courage to set up a straw man of one's own creation and then tear it down again. Taking on complex issues in the real world is much tougher and riskier; but it's not something that Pullman has ever attempted.
I read HDM so long ago, so I don’t remember, but is it true that Lyra loses her abilities when she reaches womanhood? And the boy gains his? Is this like CS Lewis- all the women of reproductive age are terrible, all the underage girls are delightful?
I love Victoria!
Beautiful, and deeply sad, summation.
Brilliant
Oh, love VS....this is pin-sharp, as ever 👍
You are a brilliant writer Victoria. Why aren’t you being paid to write? Once it could have been the Guardian 😕
Bravo
One of the writers of The Expanse series is completely woke pro twaw. Believes biology supports multiple genders. Won't agree that sex and gender are separate things. But I guess if you write fantasy, believing fantastic things is helpful.