Who was most influential in the Lion Camp? Nezzie or Frebec?
Andrew Thompson
It has been a while since I posted to this group, but a recent
re-reading of SoS had me thinking back to many incidents in
earlier tomes - especially TMH.
So, who do you reckon was the single most influential member
of the Lion camp? (immmediately dismissive) I am ruling out
Mamut (who was rather thick), Talut and Tulie (who, although
they were the recognised 'heads' of the camp, were merely
'rolling with the punches'* - as might be expected of any good
leader).
Ignoring the accepted 'leaders' (and both Jondalar and Ayla, who
between them - turned their belief system upside down and gave
it a good shake) who was the most influential?
I am tempted to suggest 'Nezzie', since she challenged Mamutoi
tradition and belief by accepting Rydag (and - quickly the adoption
of Ayla). But then there is Frebec.
I have a very different view of Frebec than most people, and I expect,
how JMA wanted us to see him. We were supposed to see Frebec as
some sort of 'new person' in his defence of Ayla/Rydag late in
TMH, but that can be explained purely in the context of Frebec
attempting to 'shore up' his status - something he had been doing
since the start of TMH. After all - Frebec's status was low in the
Lion Camp - but if the status of the Lion Camp suffered - that could
only *lower* Frebec's status within the Mamutoi as a whole.
OK.. What about Rydag himself? Despite never having been
Mamutoi (as such), his very exsistence (and death) left a very
deep impression on the Mamoth Hunters.
Somebody(/thing) I forgot? I do not think that 'Wolf' affected the
members of the Lion Camp very deeply (despite surprising them),
nor any other of the human members, including Ranec/Wymez,
Fralie/Crozie or any others..
Thoughts?
* Insert large argument here, as to how much difference
remained betwen Talut/Tulie being 'leaders' as opposed to
simply 'negotiators - who generally fnd it easier to go with
decisions that are 'dertermined' by the group they supposedly
'command'. (As an aside - I hold much more respect for the
latter).
--
Andrew T.