| SYMBOLISM
When symbolic concepts are viewed in relation to a given subject,
it is able to break down many social barriers in terms of
how we communicate. The applied use of symbols become iconic
representations, that carry particular conventional meanings.
‘When early man hunted for food, and spotted the
imprint of an animal in the mud, he was looking at a graphic
sign. His mind’s eye saw the animal itself.’
(Hollis 1994:7)
Symbolism may refer to more abstract devices, rather than
the literal, allowing a far broader interpretation. Religion
can be described as a language of concepts related to human
spirituality. Therefore symbolism is a particularly important
aspect of most beliefs.
Within literature, symbolism makes use of abstract concepts,
as a way to obscure any literal interpretation - allowing
a broader application of the prose. For example, symbolism
may represent political themes that may reference greater
contexts within historical and contemporary society.
ERTH
Before Newton took to the sky, the city was referred to as
the '12th City', New Town. Their symbol appears to be the
letter ‘N’ capped by a small dash.
This symbol is believed to be part of Old Erth's many ancient
languages - With closer inspection, it isn't only the first
letter of the city, but more familiar to ourselves as the
number ‘12’ turned on its side.
Eventually, when New Town became Newton - the symbol that
adorned their banners (references to familiar totalitarian
powers, such as the Roman Empire and the Nazis) became the
letter ‘W’ capped by a small dash. This small
mark now represented their flying city, while the 'W' stood
for the mountains and the rest of the land they had left behind.
This symbol now resembled the number ‘13’ turned
on its side - a number that personifies evil and bad luck.
More familiar numerals are embedded in Erth’s culture
and history, resembling hieroglyphs and leading to the identity
of the remaining lost cities.
Based on the Möbius strip, the Rojin symbol appears to
be a figure of 8. This not only represents the 8th city, but
also their act of Unity, or more importantly the secret of
immortality. It is very clear by the end of the Trilogy just
what, or even who this important symbol represents. The Möbius
strip is often associated with infinity, its basic shape having
inspired many artists, for example M.C. Escher's Möbius
Strip II. This symbol and mathematical shape has also
been a popular source of inspiration for many SF writers -
stories sometimes having suggested that our universe might
be some kind of generalised Möbius strip.
 Other
subtle references within the Rojin culture is to their lost
god, Gana. The hexagonal patterns found within their architecture,
clothing and weaponry is a nod to that of a tortoise's shell.
The tortoise symbolises great wisdom, strength, protection
and prolonged life for the Rojin.
Aside from the concept of the flying city, there are subtle
references to Jonathan Swift and Gulliver’s Travels
as well as the enlightenment period during the Industrial
Revolution. Firstly, Richard named the flying city
after one of our greatest scientists - Sir Isaac Newton. Having
discovered gravity, his contribution to the world of science
was indeed what inspired Swift's flying city in the first
place. The insane scientist involved in Newton's accension
is named Ivar Gul; a play on the name of Swift's famous character.
While the colossus statue which forms the dramatic centre
piece of the 7th City, is a monument to the Rojin giant named
Swift.
Was Erth born out of an alternative future from the 18th
Century and the subsequent Industrial Revolution? That’s
up to the reader to decide. Although there is a hint with
the missing 'a' in Erth - a sign that man has forgotten his
past.
Erth Chronicles opens with a quote from An Essay
on Man by Alexander Pope, a close friend of Jonathan
Swift's. Written in 1734 the poem depicts the influence of
God on man - more specifically the part evil plays in the
world and how social order is born. Pope's view was that man
cannot know God’s purposes - he cannot complain about
the existence of evil and must accept that 'Whatever is, is
right'. Although Newton clearly has its class system, ruled
over by their Emperor and the Hierarchy - there is a more
general reference. Each culture is situated at different levels
- the Newtonians high above, playing god, while the spiritual
Rojin hold the remnants of a broken planet together, believing
in Pope's very philosophy. Then there is Gargoy, one of the
many lost cities deep underground that may hold the key to
Erth's past, present and future.
As we witness Jeradon and Pirian's fall from Newton - a tale
of tragedy and redemption unfolds as they continue to travel
further downwards into the very bowels of Erth.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hollis, R. (1994) Graphic Design: a Concise History,
London: Thames and Hudson
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