A study of mythic identity in the novels of Samuel Delany.

Abstract

Samuel R. Delany uses myth to explore the choices his characters have as they venture on their quest. Each quest is like a maze; stumbling through, The characters learn about themselves and change. Through this change, they gain better control over their lives and the power to affect others. The three novels show Delany using myth in three ways: (1) combining and following the myths to prove that they are still valid with regard to predicting human behavior, as in Nova; (2) updating a mythical concept Lo prove that while the essence of the myth is still valid, the context can change to fit the times, as in Babel-17; and (3) inverting myth to prove that, the myth must sometimes change completely to remain valid, as in The Einstein Intersection. In Nova the protagonist lives out two myths: Prometheus and Achilles. The decision of the protagonist to search for the elusive element called Illyrion gives him self-knowledge. This knowledge enables him to manipulate the situation to his advantage so that by the end of the novel he has annihilated his opponents and ensured the survival of his own empire--but at the cost of great pain for himself. In Babel-17 Delany presents a modern creation myth, emphasizing control of inward chaos rather than outward chaos. The heroine begins with a lack of self-identity; she is capable of speaking for others but has no voice of her own. As she gradually learns about herself, she gains better control over a powerful weapon, a langlJage called Babel-17, which she uses to end a war. In The [instalrl Intersection mythical patterns lie at each turn in the maze; but the main character is free to choose to follow each pattern or to break it. He finally learns that he controls the myth, and that he has power even over life and death. In each of these novels, Delany approaches myth differently. The ch8racters lllu5trating these different approaches in their quests were all successful. Using Greek myth Delany proves that the characters in his novels have control of their destiny. If in fact Delany is describing a universal human condition, then the reader also can choose the path of his life; he can choose to follow, change, or reject the pattern before him.