Comments on: The Alchera Project http://bethestory.com/2005/12/12/the-alchera-project You are the stories you write. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:17:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: TimK http://bethestory.com/2005/12/12/the-alchera-project/comment-page-1#comment-9 TimK Fri, 16 Dec 2005 18:03:39 +0000 http://bethestory.com/?p=15#comment-9 Thanks so much for writing, Nate. Sincerely, -TimK Thanks so much for writing, Nate.

Sincerely,
-TimK

]]> By: Nate http://bethestory.com/2005/12/12/the-alchera-project/comment-page-1#comment-8 Nate Thu, 15 Dec 2005 23:42:28 +0000 http://bethestory.com/?p=15#comment-8 You're right that I didn't intend that particular symbolism about one's passions; but looking back on it, I do see it in there, which reaffirms for me that the reader's interpretation of allegory is more important than the author's preconceived notions. I think you're right about me trying to get across that our fears should sometimes be embraced, that a leap of faith -- no matter how long the leap -- is sometimes a good thing. As for the vampire's inhumanity, I think that was somewhat intentional. I think to some degree that the vampire was supposed to represent the transcendent principle, that which is always a little bit scary because it is so totally "other." That's where the leap of faith comes in, both for Daniel and for the reader. The leap of faith for Daniel is that the promises the vampire is making will turn out to be true, that the beauty of the vampire is not just an illusion. The leap of faith for the reader is similar, trusting that what Daniel is seeing is reality rather than a psychological illusion imposed upon him by the vampire. I think it's about faith, and the frightening aspects of blind faith even when one knows that blind faith is necessary. As a Catholic, I think the biggest leap of faith I take is believing that Christ is really fully present in the Eucharist, a concept that is sometimes pretty frightening when one thinks about it too much. I think that's why I added Eucharistic allusions to the story. Again, though, there are many different levels to allegory and I think the reader's interpretation is as valid as -- if not more valid than -- the author's. Thanks for including me in your podcast. You’re right that I didn’t intend that particular symbolism about one’s passions; but looking back on it, I do see it in there, which reaffirms for me that the reader’s interpretation of allegory is more important than the author’s preconceived notions.

I think you’re right about me trying to get across that our fears should sometimes be embraced, that a leap of faith — no matter how long the leap — is sometimes a good thing. As for the vampire’s inhumanity, I think that was somewhat intentional. I think to some degree that the vampire was supposed to represent the transcendent principle, that which is always a little bit scary because it is so totally “other.” That’s where the leap of faith comes in, both for Daniel and for the reader. The leap of faith for Daniel is that the promises the vampire is making will turn out to be true, that the beauty of the vampire is not just an illusion. The leap of faith for the reader is similar, trusting that what Daniel is seeing is reality rather than a psychological illusion imposed upon him by the vampire.

I think it’s about faith, and the frightening aspects of blind faith even when one knows that blind faith is necessary. As a Catholic, I think the biggest leap of faith I take is believing that Christ is really fully present in the Eucharist, a concept that is sometimes pretty frightening when one thinks about it too much. I think that’s why I added Eucharistic allusions to the story.

Again, though, there are many different levels to allegory and I think the reader’s interpretation is as valid as — if not more valid than — the author’s.

Thanks for including me in your podcast.

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