May-14-2010, 01:41 PM (UTC)
Thanks for that interesting post maulkin!
I really loved the character of Thick. Now that I think about it, it must have been a bit of a challenge writing that character without being patronising or offensive or having it seem like you're putting in a 'token' character.
I guess the Rainwilders have their 'practical' reasons for leaving their 'deformed' children out in the jungle but it seems like disgust at their sheer physical differences (and their reptilian resemblence?) is a part of it. (see some people's reactions to Thymara in DK), I am not sure why such a big deal is made of it when a fair proportion of the Rainwilds population is affected to a lesser degree anyway. Maybe they like to draw a line in the sand and have 'acceptable' firmly on one side and 'unacceptable' on the other.
The dragons ARE a lot more open about their position aren't they? I think the main difference behind this is that humans in fact feel guilt/shame about their practices whereas dragons have none at all.
I thought the Rainwilders treatment of the hatchlings WAS pretty shabby, but I guess your post highlights the fact it was probably meant to be considered alongside their treatment of their own children (the dragon keepers themselves).
I love your last point about how huge potential can exist in unexpected places. Coincedentally I've been thinking about that very point recently. How society tends to value certain types of people and even more strikingly tends to devalue certain other types of people. How true that you literally never know what a person could contribute - if given a chance to develop whatever their gift may be.
I really loved the character of Thick. Now that I think about it, it must have been a bit of a challenge writing that character without being patronising or offensive or having it seem like you're putting in a 'token' character.
I guess the Rainwilders have their 'practical' reasons for leaving their 'deformed' children out in the jungle but it seems like disgust at their sheer physical differences (and their reptilian resemblence?) is a part of it. (see some people's reactions to Thymara in DK), I am not sure why such a big deal is made of it when a fair proportion of the Rainwilds population is affected to a lesser degree anyway. Maybe they like to draw a line in the sand and have 'acceptable' firmly on one side and 'unacceptable' on the other.
The dragons ARE a lot more open about their position aren't they? I think the main difference behind this is that humans in fact feel guilt/shame about their practices whereas dragons have none at all.
I thought the Rainwilders treatment of the hatchlings WAS pretty shabby, but I guess your post highlights the fact it was probably meant to be considered alongside their treatment of their own children (the dragon keepers themselves).
I love your last point about how huge potential can exist in unexpected places. Coincedentally I've been thinking about that very point recently. How society tends to value certain types of people and even more strikingly tends to devalue certain other types of people. How true that you literally never know what a person could contribute - if given a chance to develop whatever their gift may be.
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