Challenge 972

Who’s Whose?

In David A. Riley’s Lucilla:
1. What is the point of view of the narrative: complete or partial omniscience?
2. Like the readers, Miranda observes the evidence incriminating Lucilla in acts of telepathic violence. Why does Miranda continue to harbor Lucilla in her apartment? What crimes might Miranda herself be charged with?
In Alcuin Fromm’s In the High Pass: The Duke is notably absent as a topic of conversation. What is his name? Is he presumed dead or missing?
In Philip J. Davies’ John Babbershanks:
1. Does John Babbershanks seem to be younger than Alfie, the same age, a little older or much older? What does he expect Alfie to do for him? Why doesn’t he persecute some other child?
2. What might indicate that John Babbershanks is not a figment of Alfie’s imagination? What kind of spirit might he be? A troll? A leprechaun? Something else?
3. How likely is it that Alfie, at his age, will be familiar with the stories that John Babbershanks borrows from ancient literature?
4. Why does Alfie resist visiting his father? Why does Alfie seem determined to withhold recognition, let alone comfort? When Alfie finally visits his father, does he do so willingly or is he coerced in some way?
5. John Babbershanks resurrects his sister, Ori, by trading places with her in a grave. Why does he do that? Now that Ori takes John’s place in Alfie’s life, does her attitude toward Alfie promise to be any different from John’s?
In Jeffrey Greene’s The Second Occupation:
1. What is the Flynn family’s economic status? Are they destitute? What have they brought for their encampment on Jens’ and Alva’s property?
2. How, exactly, have the laws on land ownership been reshaped to justify a version of its medieval counterpart, land tenure? What economic conditions seem to have caused such a change?
3. Jens and Alva hurry to the campsite after hearing gunshots. What might they find there: the Flynn family dead? Or the family alive and Carl Walden Flynn pointing a gun at them?
In Lisa Marie Hagerman’s Robot Mommy:
1. Why is Elizabeth not pleased — or at least satisfied — that her android double has supplanted her in her roles as a wife and mother? What does the story imply about attempts to fufill two or even three life-consuming occupations at the same time?
2. What does Elizabeth conclude about the cause and effects of the “robot revolt”? Is the revolt a dream of Elizabeth’s or is it a reality disguised as a dream? What does Elizabeth conclude that the dream means? Is she right, or does she miss the point?
In Michael Murry’s Once Folly Starts:
1. What is the form of the poem? Where did it originate? Which famous French Symbolist poet borrowed it? In which other poem is the form used in an issue of this calendar quarter?
2. The poem appeared under another title 14 years ago. How does it fit the spirit of the times in 2022 as well as in 1968?
In Edward Ahern’s On Shore:
1. What does the title imply? Why is it not “On the Shore” or “On a Shore” or simply “Ashore”?
2. What do the ocean and waves symbolize? Does the poem exclude the possibility of hurricanes?

Responses welcome!