the Great Underwear Theory
Jun. 16th, 2006 08:58 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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queensthiefBy Rowana and Willow
Being an analysis of the type of underwear Gen would wear, as well as the underwear-wearing habits and social ramifications thereof of various societies:
After much intense, solemn and mind-wearying discussion, Rowana and I concluded that Gen was not, in fact, wearing underwear at the beginning of the Thief. Initially we postulated that this was a Thief tradition, handed down from his grandfather, either to not wear underwear at all, or, possibly, to remove it and leave it with one's sacrifices (would this then lead to a Thief carrying several extra pairs of underwear in order to leave a pair with each sacrifice, or would he merely steal that as well?).
The latter proved to be the key to our breakthrough, for at the end of Queen of Attolia, he sacrificed a goat; thus, since we can conclude he did not actually wear the goat as underwear, we can conclude that his underwear was woollen. Since this type of undergarment would be quite warm, and Sounis was hot, we further concluded that the residents of Sounis do not wear underwear, and that Gen was following suit in order to blend in.
The woollen underwear, then, must be local to Eddis. This explains why Ornon was so upset when Eugenides helped him "lose" his sheep: he was losing a potential source of underwear! Perhaps, then, underwear is tied to social status in Eddis, and this was why Ornon was so upset, for of course as ambassador he must maintain his high status. Additionally, the practice of the Thieves of Eddis to leave their underwear with their sacrifices makes sense in the light of their traditional defiance of social standards.
Knowledge about the underwear of the Attolians is not so easy to derive, but if the practice of going without was brought by the invaders, then the Attolians would also not wear underwear. This could be a reason why Eddisians are considered rustic and barbaric in both Sounis and Attolia: ancient and important differences of clothing.
Theories of the underwear of the Medes, sadly, must be based purely on conjecture. As that society is rather status-conscious, as reflected in Nahuseresh's appearance, probably even underwear would be significant among the classes. Probably purple underwear would be reserved for the emperor, but as the younger brother of the heir, Nahuseresh might be entitled to wear a vivid blue or red. Kamet, on the other hand, would probably wear a garment made out of undyed cloth.
Further conjectures were impossible based on limited textual evidence, but perhaps continued analysis will produce additional insights.
Being an analysis of the type of underwear Gen would wear, as well as the underwear-wearing habits and social ramifications thereof of various societies:
After much intense, solemn and mind-wearying discussion, Rowana and I concluded that Gen was not, in fact, wearing underwear at the beginning of the Thief. Initially we postulated that this was a Thief tradition, handed down from his grandfather, either to not wear underwear at all, or, possibly, to remove it and leave it with one's sacrifices (would this then lead to a Thief carrying several extra pairs of underwear in order to leave a pair with each sacrifice, or would he merely steal that as well?).
The latter proved to be the key to our breakthrough, for at the end of Queen of Attolia, he sacrificed a goat; thus, since we can conclude he did not actually wear the goat as underwear, we can conclude that his underwear was woollen. Since this type of undergarment would be quite warm, and Sounis was hot, we further concluded that the residents of Sounis do not wear underwear, and that Gen was following suit in order to blend in.
The woollen underwear, then, must be local to Eddis. This explains why Ornon was so upset when Eugenides helped him "lose" his sheep: he was losing a potential source of underwear! Perhaps, then, underwear is tied to social status in Eddis, and this was why Ornon was so upset, for of course as ambassador he must maintain his high status. Additionally, the practice of the Thieves of Eddis to leave their underwear with their sacrifices makes sense in the light of their traditional defiance of social standards.
Knowledge about the underwear of the Attolians is not so easy to derive, but if the practice of going without was brought by the invaders, then the Attolians would also not wear underwear. This could be a reason why Eddisians are considered rustic and barbaric in both Sounis and Attolia: ancient and important differences of clothing.
Theories of the underwear of the Medes, sadly, must be based purely on conjecture. As that society is rather status-conscious, as reflected in Nahuseresh's appearance, probably even underwear would be significant among the classes. Probably purple underwear would be reserved for the emperor, but as the younger brother of the heir, Nahuseresh might be entitled to wear a vivid blue or red. Kamet, on the other hand, would probably wear a garment made out of undyed cloth.
Further conjectures were impossible based on limited textual evidence, but perhaps continued analysis will produce additional insights.
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Date: 4/15/07 01:06 am (UTC)Nothing wrong with laughing yourself silly. The sign of true talent is laughing someone else silly...
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Date: 6/5/07 11:22 am (UTC)