and its corollary "You have forgotten the face of your father."
I've got this evolving image of what these phrases must mean, but I'm still not sure.
Is this a way to call on your teachings? Is it a way to remember you're human? Is it a way to feel the loyalty/connection to your home? Is it a way to chase out all frivolous thought? Is it father as in sire or father as in Creator?
Tom? Slash? Locke:? Caleb? David Bowles? Rakeesh? Anyone?
[ December 26, 2003, 04:57 AM: Message edited by: LadyDove ]
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
This is from Stephen King's Dark Tower series?
Posted by LadyDove (Member # 3000) on :
ak- Yes. Have you read it?
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
No, I googled for the phrase, because it sounded intriguing. I would like to know what it means. It's a great phrase.
Posted by dawnmaria (Member # 4142) on :
From having read all of the series but the latest, I think it means you've lost (forgotten) your place. You responsibility, both filial and to your society. It's a great insult that tends to pull people back into themselves reflectively. I believe they mean "father" as in your sire and all the gunslingers that came before. Their sense of duty seemed great. Just a thought. (can't wait to read the new one)
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
It means that you are no longer considering the honor of your ancestors when acting, and are not allowing their teachings to guide you.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
It's like the Lion King, you know? Posted by LadyDove (Member # 3000) on :
Tom- I was at that conclusion until the point where Eddie says he doesn't care about the face of his father.
After Eddie apologizes, Roland tells him "Speak not so gunslinger. Your father sees you very well, and loves you very well, and so do I."
From that point, the phrase seemed to take on a larger meaning to me.
In this series, Susannah supposedly prays, but to something different than the concept of God she had in her when.
I'm probably stretching, but could there be a connection?
[ December 26, 2003, 09:11 PM: Message edited by: LadyDove ]
Posted by :Locke (Member # 2255) on :
The civilization of Gilead is very filio-pietistic. Exempli gratia: The great hall is called the Hall of the Grandfathers, if I remember correctly. The weapons are passed down from father to son.
The mantra of 'remember the face of your father' is one that I always interpreted (and very subconsciously, now that I think of it) as one that simply meant to remember one's duty to the family and lineage, to act in a way that would be approved of by the father.
Here is the full 'lesson' (as Roland calls it) as spoken by Susannah in The Waste Lands:
quote: "'I do not aim with my hand; she who aims with her hand has forgotten the face of her father.
"'I shoot with my mind.'"
"So it has ever been, Susannah Dean."
"'I do not kill with my gun; she who kills with her gun has forgotten the face of her father.
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)