In the end of the Rime, the Mariner explains that he has to tell his tale to someone basically everytime he sees someone like he used to be. Did Uncle Orson have any influence form the romantic writers in the Alvin series?
Cat
Posted by Morgaine (Member # 4691) on :
Possibly. But then, most authors are influenced by many types of books, either subconsciously or deliberately.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
I used to refuse to read because I wanted to be a writer and didn't want others to be interfering with my "authetic voice". The I went the other way and was overwhelmed by how much I need to read to be considered literate. Now I think I've just been making silly excuses to avoid my fear of failure.
If I remember my AP English course, I think there are like 7 themes that all stories can be reduced to. Or 4 story types, or whatever.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
You mean in addition to the fact that Taleswapper is William Blake?
The Alvin books are filled with the culture and personalities of early 19th century European and American history -- which means that, of course, the Romantics are going to be in play.
----- As far as the Rime goes -- whether OSC took that trope directly from Coleridge or not, my guess is that the idea isn't indigenous to Coleridge. It's one of those things that probably winds its way through much of the formal and folk literatures of European history (and perhaps beyond). In fact, my mind is slightly tickling about some piece of classic Greek or Roman literature/mythology where the 'have to tell the tale' makes an appearance.