In “Out of the Silent Planet” Ransom is wandering across Malacandra, totally lost (whatever the word “lost” may mean when one knows nothing about the planet, I am not sure), and avoiding the fate that both men and sorns would give to him. Interestingly, Ransom keeps having some sort of delusion wherein he seems to think of himself as being multiple people.
At first, this idea came up only once, and it is said that “he checked himself on the point of saying, 'We'll stick to one another'” (chapter 8, pg. 49 of my edition). Yet, later this event becomes more recurrent, and there is little Ransom can do to fight its taking hold over his sanity. Thus, even as Ransom is falling asleep by a warm Malacandrian stream, he is telling himself “We'll look after you, Ransom . . . we'll stick together, old man . . .” (chapter 8, pg. 51). By the next day, “The delusions recurred every few minutes as long as this stage of his journey lasted . . .” (chapter 9, pg. 53).
What I am curious about, is what happened to this delusion. In other words, what became of it, and where did it go? And, furthermore, was there any purpose to his having this “delusion” in the first place?
True, Ransom's experiences on Malacandra could be blamed for only temporarily wrecking havoc with his mind, and thus returning his mind to “normal” when he has something else to think of besides himself (the hrossa, perhaps?). But the fact that his speaking to himself is featured so prevalently for a few partial chapters (the end of 8 and beginning of 9), and then that nothing further seems to be said about the subject seems a bit strange to me.
(Unless, of course, I am completely inventing something in my mind . . . but I really do not remember anything else being said of this “delusion” of his.) Any ideas?
At first, this idea came up only once, and it is said that “he checked himself on the point of saying, 'We'll stick to one another'” (chapter 8, pg. 49 of my edition). Yet, later this event becomes more recurrent, and there is little Ransom can do to fight its taking hold over his sanity. Thus, even as Ransom is falling asleep by a warm Malacandrian stream, he is telling himself “We'll look after you, Ransom . . . we'll stick together, old man . . .” (chapter 8, pg. 51). By the next day, “The delusions recurred every few minutes as long as this stage of his journey lasted . . .” (chapter 9, pg. 53).
What I am curious about, is what happened to this delusion. In other words, what became of it, and where did it go? And, furthermore, was there any purpose to his having this “delusion” in the first place?
True, Ransom's experiences on Malacandra could be blamed for only temporarily wrecking havoc with his mind, and thus returning his mind to “normal” when he has something else to think of besides himself (the hrossa, perhaps?). But the fact that his speaking to himself is featured so prevalently for a few partial chapters (the end of 8 and beginning of 9), and then that nothing further seems to be said about the subject seems a bit strange to me.
(Unless, of course, I am completely inventing something in my mind . . . but I really do not remember anything else being said of this “delusion” of his.) Any ideas?
posted by Christensen at 6:56 PM
2 Comments:
I think that Ransom's delusions and talking to himself were natural reactions to finding himself all alone in a strange setting. Maybe the sound of his own voice was comforting and helped him to keep his sanity.
This situation kind of reminded me of Smeagol from the Lord of the Rings. He isloated himself from the rest of his community and lived in solitude with the Ring. He would often talk to the Ring and would also talk to himself in third person.
I also think of Tom Hanks' character in Castaway. Most of the movie was of him either talking to himself or to his volleyball Wilson.
It's interesting what lengths a person will go to to keep(?) their sanity.
I agree with gena's comment but also would like to add an idea. I think maybe besides everything gena said, Ransom was just plain tired and worn out. I know when I get really tired or am really upset, sometimes I'll try to talk to myself (don't think I'm crazy) and it does help to keep from going insane. I think the combination of him being so tired/scared/trying to keep his insanity all played roles in his talking to himself. I also think that his finding someone or something else to try and communicate with had to do with it going away.
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