/lit/ - Literature

>>9589545
Having an interpretation of the torturers as a futuristic order of Catholic priests trivializes their role in the book, I think. You have a point, however there is a scene between Severian and little Severian in which they discuss why the zoanthropes - people who have undergone an operation which removes their higher cognitive capabilities - don't wear clothing. It seems to me that in this scene, Wolfe is more or less suggesting that the torturers represent what Christian theology would consider "evil." Of course I think the torturers are meant to be ambiguous, morally speaking.

Also, is it possible there are two or more different lines of man in the novel? It is mentioned that sentient machines were given the animals parts of mans being so that men could travel to the stars, and that the machines gave this part back. But assuming that a population of humans never left Urth, then maybe they retained that animal part?

My point is that is there two or more populations of men who have vastly different histories, and what does this mean? The exultants are resentful of their education, while lower classes are grateful. Perhaps the exultants are the interstellar men? Just some thoughts. I don't post here often.