Post #5: Nova

As of writing this, I am only on Chapter 5, so take into account the fact that I have not finished the book when reading this. There could possibly be things later in the book that contradict what I am about to write.

I am going to use the specific prompt given to us for this blog entry because I feel that it is a question that has a lot of possible answers: what does the nova symbolize in Samuel Delany's novel of the same name? I thought about this for awhile, and the overall answer that I came up with is somewhat broad. However, don't necessarily think that's a bad thing, because in some ways it makes it more relatable to a variety of different historical periods. I think the nova represents something that I believe essentially all humans are guilty of (especially Americans): excessive "want."

At this point in human history, the majority of cultures on the planet are beyond just striving for "needs." That is, for the most part, we are not living our day to day lives just trying to find food and water so that we can survive and continue the human race (sadly, this is not true for every country, but you get my point). Now that most of us have easy access to food and water, it leaves us with time to pursue other things: "wants."

While technically everything beyond what is literally necessary for the human race to survive is a "want" rather than a "need," for that very reason I added the word "excessive" in front of "want." In a day and age where we don't have to spend all day looking for food and water, I don't think it's very ridiculous for people wanting something a bit more fulfilling in their life than walking to the grocery store for food.

By looking at the nova as a general symbol of excessive want, we are able to apply Lorq and Prince's race for Illyrion to just about any conquest in the history of the world. While on one hand, you could argue that the broadness makes it hardly symbolism, I believe the opposite. The broadness symbolizes the fact that the human race is always going to want things in excess, even in the year 3172.

Both humans and Hedonismbot.

I think you could make an argument that Lorq and Prince's conquest symbolizes a variety of things –British Imperialism in Africa, the California Gold Rush, the Space Race, the European colonization of America. Hell, you could even argue it unknowingly foreshadowed American oil companies interests overseas and the fact that our country's War on Terrorism is allegedly the "War for Oil." I think the following quote can embody a lot of the historical events I just mentioned:

"...he had a vision – a selfish, mercenary, ego-centered vision that he implemented in any way he could, at anyone's expense." (p. 91)

The fact that I can see so many different historical (and current) events that the nova could symbolize makes me feel like Delany wrote Nova with the intent that the nova symbolizes general, excessive want in the human race. The fact that it's set in the future also helps convey that it is doubtful that this is going to change.

Well, either that or I'm reaching too far.

Discussion
1. If you believe that Delany intended Nova to represent a specific historical instance, what event do you believe it represented, and why?
2. Do you even think Delany even wrote Nova with the intent of the nova representing anything at all? What if he wrote the novel simply for entertainment?