Ursula K. Le Guin and Karlos Castaneda.
In common, my
opinion about "fantasy" was skeptical (despite of "science
fiction"). Of course, the idea to picture magicians, warriors and dragons
is quite good very much. But here its embodiment … It looks,
that the majority of fantasy authors have been possessed by desire to earn simply.
Certainly,
the founder of genre D. Tolkien is rather serious and dear author, and,
irrespective of Anglo-Saxon "Atlantic" ideology has left a scale
epopee that has generated the whole subculture. For example a good field for
shootings films with application of computer technologies. From this point of
view, by the way, "Silmarillion" is more
perspective for a screen version, than “the Lord of the Rings” even (even
because is more fantastic).
But here one
more of this genre classic is Ursula K.
Le Guin. Her books have interesting semantic
crossings with Carlos Castaneda's ideas.
Castaneda
asserts, that man trap four main enemies: fear, clearness of idea, power and an
old age. I shall describe these dangers the words, not going deep in citing.
When the
person ceases go together with the general herd – on it the Fear leans. It is
hard to remain alone with him. But if looking wins the fear – before it new
horizons open, and development starts to proceed much more effectively for the
senseless environment usually holds down us (though it is compensated by some
everyday advantage).
The person
comes to understanding of set of the vital phenomena and processes. But this
understanding can distract it from activity. He/she is the second enemy –
Clearness of idea.
If person has
overcome the second enemy – he gets Power. However, power is a temptation which
can force to curtail the person from the Way.
If person has
overcome also this danger, he becomes truly clarified person. And the Old age win
such person can only – for immortality in our world to reach it is impossible.
But the person should keep advantage till last o'clock.
And here at Ursula Le Guin there is a tetralogy including novels: "A Wizard of Earthsea",
“The Tombs
of Atuan”, “The Farthest Shore”, "Tehanu".
Each of them would be as if a literary illustration to each of the above
described stages of development.
"A Wizard of Earthsea" tells about how a certain rural boy,
getting in school of wizards, becomes the magician. His initiation is connected
to opposition to the certain black shapeless essence which the boy has
imprudently caused from Nonexistence. In the ending the young wizard
understands, that – his own shadow party and comprehension of it allows the
young man to win a black essence – (actually – himself).
Action of “The Tombs of Atuan” occurs in other country where a certain girl
from a birth has been intended to become priestess of Dark forces in an
underground labyrinth. Our wizard – Hed will
penetrate into a labyrinth where it rescues a sacred relic and at the same time
and deduces the unfortunate hostage of severe customs in the world.
The next
novella – “The
Farthest Shore” tells about fear of death, and how the malicious
magician, using it, carries away the world on a false way, wishing to become false king of the world. Hed (already Supreme wizard of Earthsea) resists to it in this duel at edge of the ground, asserting on a throne of true King.
Between each
of books the time interval lays. Last from novels - "Tehanu" narrates to us
about that girl – former Supreme priestess of Dark forces who has lived a
normal female life (has married the farmer, has given birth to children, and has become a widow). Now she brings up the unfortunate girl crippled by people and treats come back
“from last coast” Ged,
lost in ruthless struggle all magic force.
This woman
rescues two sufferers from human rage. Actually, she and the former wizard are compelled to begin to live anew, that is uneasy, but,
eventually, it is possible.
Alex Fantalov.