amyhit, I meant to comment earlier. It's a shame everyone seems to be elsewhere. I blame the weather. Or possibly the House of Representatives.
This is indeed a powerful story. Much of the power comes from its spare, denotative (as you call it) style. I liked it better than that other William ghost story, which seemed a bit dulled by vague symbolism.
I think the confusing--and perhaps mistaken--line is "You also have two fathers and two mothers." One is forced to think of M & S versus the Van de Kamps. But really the puzzle unravels when we think of Mulder and Scully representing the two bloodlines, which is factually the case. Mulder's past is full of power and secrets; his whole life is devoted to finding their source. Scully is the product of marital and sibling love, plus religion. This actually makes Mulder the focus of love and power, and the speech would make a *little* more sense if he were the one hearing it.
I blame the writer. He was working too quickly. I hope he reappears to argue with me.
Nevertheless, I am a fan of IMSL, and it's verbal clarity and brevity set a good example for many fic writers.
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winterfish
no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 02:31 pm (UTC)This is indeed a powerful story. Much of the power comes from its spare, denotative (as you call it) style. I liked it better than that other William ghost story, which seemed a bit dulled by vague symbolism.
I think the confusing--and perhaps mistaken--line is "You also have two fathers and two mothers." One is forced to think of M & S versus the Van de Kamps. But really the puzzle unravels when we think of Mulder and Scully representing the two bloodlines, which is factually the case. Mulder's past is full of power and secrets; his whole life is devoted to finding their source. Scully is the product of marital and sibling love, plus religion. This actually makes Mulder the focus of love and power, and the speech would make a *little* more sense if he were the one hearing it.
I blame the writer. He was working too quickly. I hope he reappears to argue with me.
Nevertheless, I am a fan of IMSL, and it's verbal clarity and brevity set a good example for many fic writers.