sageb1
08-27-2004, 12:07 AM
Donnerjack As Science Fiction's Book of the Dead:
The Four Denizens of Virtu and their Implied Meaning
An analysis of the minor characters Alioth, Mizar, Dubhe and Phecda in the science fiction novel, Donnerjack, by Roger Zelazny and Jane Linskold.
Introduction
This article is a combination of simplistic analysis, personal opinion and mere speculation. Along with astronomy and hyperbole, its purpse is to show the subtle humor of both Zelazny and Lindskold. Out of respect for the authors, I will admit that the speculative portions of this article are only the figment of my imagination. As a result of this admission, I humbly offer the following article...
What the Story is About
Though I'd like to say Donnerjack is a great novel that people should read so they can understand my motive for picking the four minor characters to analyze, it's best to let both the comments of one reviewer and the novel itself tell us what it's all about.
According to one reviewer,
'The world of the future has been split in two: Verité, or the "real world"; and Virtù, the "virtual reality" of the worldwide computer network that has taken on a life of its own. Or is Virtù actually the collective unconscious of humanity, which has attained a certain level of objective reality through the artificially created, but now self-directed, virtual reality?'5
The back cover of the novel reads,
"Legendary scientist and engineer, Donnerjack strides like a giant across two worlds: our own-called Verite-and Virtu, the virtual landscape he helped to create.
Lover and poet with a warrior's soul, Donnerjack hopes to build a sanctuary and a self for his beloved Ayradyss on his ancestral Scottish lands in the first world; but he must first bargain with Death himself for her return.
Now cataclysmic change is taking place in the virtual realm, as a vast computer system prepares for the ultimate takeover of the reality that constructed it. And John D’Arcy Donnerjack and his dark-haired lady of Virtu must guard from Death--and after death--a glorious, impossible creation that is to play an integral role in the future molding of both universes: a son."
Where Do the Names Alioth, Dubhe, Mizar, and Phecda Come From
After careful research, I've discovered that the names are stars in the constellation known as the Big Dipper in America, the Plough in the UK and among astronomers as Ursa Major.
'Ursa Major has been called "the Bear with her train," referring to the stars epsilon (Alioth, this star), zeta (Mizar), and eta (Alkaid) which mark the tail. These three stars along the tail have been depicted as three draught-horses in line, pulling the Plough. "The Plough", also called "the Big Dipper" which is the bucket shaped figure in the back of the Great Bear, outlined by the stars; beta (Merak), alpha (Dubhe), gamma (Phecda) and delta (Megrez).'1
Of the seven stars mentioned in the above quoute, which represent the brightest stars in the Big Dipper, four of them are used as names of the four minor characters, Alioth, Mizar, Dubhe and Phecda.
In Donnerjack, Alioth is a black butterfly in Donnerjack. When it passes by plants in Virtu, they die. Perhaps when Virtu was created, Alioth may have been the dark horse. Alioth is known in Arabic as Al-Jawn1, the dark horse.
Dubhe is a small black monkey. Originally a denizen of Virtu, it made it by following Jay D'Arbry Donnerjack from Virtu into Verite to escape capture by Death.
'Alpha (this star Dubhe) and beta (Merak) were the Keepers, or Pointers, at the front of the "Dipper Bowl" in Ursa Major; a line extending through these two will direct the observer to Polaris, the Pole Star.'2
In a sense, Dubhe has become a keeper of Jay.
Originally associated with a horse, Mizar is known as Death's dog in Donnerjack. It was created by Death to hunt down an anomoly Death discovered. It becomes a playmate of Jay Donnerjack throughout much of his childhood.
'In an Arabic story Alcor, was the little infant in the arms of one of the "Mourners" - this star Mizar. The constellation of the Great Bear was seen as a funeral procession, around a Bier or coffin (bear and bier come from the same root word). The bier was marked by the Plough or Big Dipper stars on the body of the Bear - Merak (beta), Dubhe (alpha), Phecda (gamma) and Megrez (delta). The coffin was followed by "Mourners"; the three big stars on the tail of the Great Bear; epsilon (Alioth), zeta (this star Mizar), and eta (Alkaid). These mourners, the children of Al Na'ash, who was murdered by Al Jadi, the pole-star (Polaris), are still nightly surrounding him in their thirst for vengeance, the walidan among the daughters — the star Mizar — holding in her arms her new-born infant, the little Alcor.'3
Thus Mizar and Alioth are the Mourners, which fits in with Death quite nicely.
Phecda is a serpent with the power to animate inanimate objects in Virtu.
'Al Biruni said that it was Pulastya or Pulasthya, one of the Hindu Seven Sages (born from brahma's ears). Pulastya was the medium through whom some of the Puranas were communicated to man. He was the grandfather of Kubera, the god of treasures; he was also the father of Ravana (q.v); all the Rakshasas (demons) are said to have arisen from him.'4
Given that Phecda is depicted as a serpent in DonnerJack, the symbolism for the Devil or a demon is Western and Judeo Christian
How The Four Minor Characters Help Us to See Death
Since Zelazny died before Donnerjack was finished, his partner Lindskold had to complete it. So I see it as science fiction's Book of the Dead.
Thus the four characters of Phecda, Dubhe, Mizar and Alioth represent symbols of death. Alioth and Mizar are the Mourners. In Arabic mythology, both Phecda and Dubhe represent the coffin.4
My Opinion on Donnerjack
Perhaps the four minor characters represent in a way Zelazny's three children and Lindskold.6 For the three children are mentioned by name in the dedication, Out of respect for them, idle speculation about who the mourners are and who helped place the coffin into the grave of Roger Zelazny will not be indulged.
For some readers with a mature attitude towards death, Donnerjack may be seen as a tribute to the late Roger Zelazny who died in 1995.
I feel that Donnerjack is adult science fiction, suitable for older readers who have studied religion. The novel itself may help a mature reader develop a strong acceptance of the simple fact that death is a vital part of life. However, I object to any morbid abuse of death through homocide or suicide. This book is more useful for addressing death by natural causes such as terminal illness.
This is why I feel the novel is a Book of the Dead in the sense that it is a book written out of tribute to Zelazny based on notes he wrote, completed by Jane Linderskold.
Conclusion: Donnerjack Is the Book of Tribute to Zelazny's Death.
In Donnerjack we're subtly asked to consider death a vital part of life, its symbolism emphasized when the Sumerian god Marduk passes from Virtu into Verite.
Also I have noticed that Phecda is Gamma Ursa Major, Dubhe is Alpha U. Major, Mizar is Zeta U. Major and Alioth is Eta U. Major - making up the word GAZE i.e. as though the authors are asking us to look and see Donnerjack as both an exciting novel and a tribute to Zelazny.
Since the four minor characters in the novel symbolize mourning (Alioth and Mizar) and the coffin ( Dubhe and Phecda), the novel itself challenges us to fearlessly look long and hard at, and to maturely contemplate death.
In completing this novel post-humously, Jane Lindskold has paid tribute to a companion, a lover, a dear friend, and soul mate with the completion of Donnerjack.
Thank you, Roger Zelazny, for your vital contribution to science fiction.
Footnotes:
1. http://www.winshop.com.au/annew/Alioth.html
2. http://www.winshop.com.au/annew/Dubhe.html
3. http://www.winshop.com.au/annew/Mizar.html
4. http://www.winshop.com.au/annew/Phecda.html
5. http://www.sfsite.com/09b/don17.htm
6. http://zelazny.corrupt.net/book.php?book=donner - fan site, with links to reviews,
7. http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/gaze
The Four Denizens of Virtu and their Implied Meaning
An analysis of the minor characters Alioth, Mizar, Dubhe and Phecda in the science fiction novel, Donnerjack, by Roger Zelazny and Jane Linskold.
Introduction
This article is a combination of simplistic analysis, personal opinion and mere speculation. Along with astronomy and hyperbole, its purpse is to show the subtle humor of both Zelazny and Lindskold. Out of respect for the authors, I will admit that the speculative portions of this article are only the figment of my imagination. As a result of this admission, I humbly offer the following article...
What the Story is About
Though I'd like to say Donnerjack is a great novel that people should read so they can understand my motive for picking the four minor characters to analyze, it's best to let both the comments of one reviewer and the novel itself tell us what it's all about.
According to one reviewer,
'The world of the future has been split in two: Verité, or the "real world"; and Virtù, the "virtual reality" of the worldwide computer network that has taken on a life of its own. Or is Virtù actually the collective unconscious of humanity, which has attained a certain level of objective reality through the artificially created, but now self-directed, virtual reality?'5
The back cover of the novel reads,
"Legendary scientist and engineer, Donnerjack strides like a giant across two worlds: our own-called Verite-and Virtu, the virtual landscape he helped to create.
Lover and poet with a warrior's soul, Donnerjack hopes to build a sanctuary and a self for his beloved Ayradyss on his ancestral Scottish lands in the first world; but he must first bargain with Death himself for her return.
Now cataclysmic change is taking place in the virtual realm, as a vast computer system prepares for the ultimate takeover of the reality that constructed it. And John D’Arcy Donnerjack and his dark-haired lady of Virtu must guard from Death--and after death--a glorious, impossible creation that is to play an integral role in the future molding of both universes: a son."
Where Do the Names Alioth, Dubhe, Mizar, and Phecda Come From
After careful research, I've discovered that the names are stars in the constellation known as the Big Dipper in America, the Plough in the UK and among astronomers as Ursa Major.
'Ursa Major has been called "the Bear with her train," referring to the stars epsilon (Alioth, this star), zeta (Mizar), and eta (Alkaid) which mark the tail. These three stars along the tail have been depicted as three draught-horses in line, pulling the Plough. "The Plough", also called "the Big Dipper" which is the bucket shaped figure in the back of the Great Bear, outlined by the stars; beta (Merak), alpha (Dubhe), gamma (Phecda) and delta (Megrez).'1
Of the seven stars mentioned in the above quoute, which represent the brightest stars in the Big Dipper, four of them are used as names of the four minor characters, Alioth, Mizar, Dubhe and Phecda.
In Donnerjack, Alioth is a black butterfly in Donnerjack. When it passes by plants in Virtu, they die. Perhaps when Virtu was created, Alioth may have been the dark horse. Alioth is known in Arabic as Al-Jawn1, the dark horse.
Dubhe is a small black monkey. Originally a denizen of Virtu, it made it by following Jay D'Arbry Donnerjack from Virtu into Verite to escape capture by Death.
'Alpha (this star Dubhe) and beta (Merak) were the Keepers, or Pointers, at the front of the "Dipper Bowl" in Ursa Major; a line extending through these two will direct the observer to Polaris, the Pole Star.'2
In a sense, Dubhe has become a keeper of Jay.
Originally associated with a horse, Mizar is known as Death's dog in Donnerjack. It was created by Death to hunt down an anomoly Death discovered. It becomes a playmate of Jay Donnerjack throughout much of his childhood.
'In an Arabic story Alcor, was the little infant in the arms of one of the "Mourners" - this star Mizar. The constellation of the Great Bear was seen as a funeral procession, around a Bier or coffin (bear and bier come from the same root word). The bier was marked by the Plough or Big Dipper stars on the body of the Bear - Merak (beta), Dubhe (alpha), Phecda (gamma) and Megrez (delta). The coffin was followed by "Mourners"; the three big stars on the tail of the Great Bear; epsilon (Alioth), zeta (this star Mizar), and eta (Alkaid). These mourners, the children of Al Na'ash, who was murdered by Al Jadi, the pole-star (Polaris), are still nightly surrounding him in their thirst for vengeance, the walidan among the daughters — the star Mizar — holding in her arms her new-born infant, the little Alcor.'3
Thus Mizar and Alioth are the Mourners, which fits in with Death quite nicely.
Phecda is a serpent with the power to animate inanimate objects in Virtu.
'Al Biruni said that it was Pulastya or Pulasthya, one of the Hindu Seven Sages (born from brahma's ears). Pulastya was the medium through whom some of the Puranas were communicated to man. He was the grandfather of Kubera, the god of treasures; he was also the father of Ravana (q.v); all the Rakshasas (demons) are said to have arisen from him.'4
Given that Phecda is depicted as a serpent in DonnerJack, the symbolism for the Devil or a demon is Western and Judeo Christian
How The Four Minor Characters Help Us to See Death
Since Zelazny died before Donnerjack was finished, his partner Lindskold had to complete it. So I see it as science fiction's Book of the Dead.
Thus the four characters of Phecda, Dubhe, Mizar and Alioth represent symbols of death. Alioth and Mizar are the Mourners. In Arabic mythology, both Phecda and Dubhe represent the coffin.4
My Opinion on Donnerjack
Perhaps the four minor characters represent in a way Zelazny's three children and Lindskold.6 For the three children are mentioned by name in the dedication, Out of respect for them, idle speculation about who the mourners are and who helped place the coffin into the grave of Roger Zelazny will not be indulged.
For some readers with a mature attitude towards death, Donnerjack may be seen as a tribute to the late Roger Zelazny who died in 1995.
I feel that Donnerjack is adult science fiction, suitable for older readers who have studied religion. The novel itself may help a mature reader develop a strong acceptance of the simple fact that death is a vital part of life. However, I object to any morbid abuse of death through homocide or suicide. This book is more useful for addressing death by natural causes such as terminal illness.
This is why I feel the novel is a Book of the Dead in the sense that it is a book written out of tribute to Zelazny based on notes he wrote, completed by Jane Linderskold.
Conclusion: Donnerjack Is the Book of Tribute to Zelazny's Death.
In Donnerjack we're subtly asked to consider death a vital part of life, its symbolism emphasized when the Sumerian god Marduk passes from Virtu into Verite.
Also I have noticed that Phecda is Gamma Ursa Major, Dubhe is Alpha U. Major, Mizar is Zeta U. Major and Alioth is Eta U. Major - making up the word GAZE i.e. as though the authors are asking us to look and see Donnerjack as both an exciting novel and a tribute to Zelazny.
Since the four minor characters in the novel symbolize mourning (Alioth and Mizar) and the coffin ( Dubhe and Phecda), the novel itself challenges us to fearlessly look long and hard at, and to maturely contemplate death.
In completing this novel post-humously, Jane Lindskold has paid tribute to a companion, a lover, a dear friend, and soul mate with the completion of Donnerjack.
Thank you, Roger Zelazny, for your vital contribution to science fiction.
Footnotes:
1. http://www.winshop.com.au/annew/Alioth.html
2. http://www.winshop.com.au/annew/Dubhe.html
3. http://www.winshop.com.au/annew/Mizar.html
4. http://www.winshop.com.au/annew/Phecda.html
5. http://www.sfsite.com/09b/don17.htm
6. http://zelazny.corrupt.net/book.php?book=donner - fan site, with links to reviews,
7. http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/gaze