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Authors: Linda Washington
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It is obvious that the character of Death is popular; just do an Internet search for “Pratchett's Death” and a whole slew of stuff comes up. While doing this, we came across a quiz that supposedly tells you which Death you are. One of us (Carrie) was crowned the Death of Rats, whatever that means.
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Apparently, the quiz creators didn't consider her houseful of cats (two cats actually, but they seem to multiply). The Death of Rats comes into existence in
Reaper Man,
where Death is separated into many pieces (little deaths). The Death of Rats, a creation of this separation, does not want to go back into the form of Death. Death allows the Death of Rats to stay separate from him and finds him to be a companion of sorts.
95
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Apparently, the quiz creators didn't consider her houseful of cats (two cats actually, but they seem to multiply). The Death of Rats comes into existence in
Reaper Man,
where Death is separated into many pieces (little deaths). The Death of Rats, a creation of this separation, does not want to go back into the form of Death. Death allows the Death of Rats to stay separate from him and finds him to be a companion of sorts.
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The Death of Rats has been known to collect the souls of rodents as well as those of rodentlike humans. For instance, in
Maskerade,
he collects Mr. Ponder who is immediately reincarnated into a rodent. He also has done various other errands for Death, such as delivering messages to Susan. He is approximately six inches tall and carries a small scythe, like his counterpart. He has been known to SQUEAK a good conversation that typically can be interpreted by reading the responses of those to whom he is speaking.
Maskerade,
he collects Mr. Ponder who is immediately reincarnated into a rodent. He also has done various other errands for Death, such as delivering messages to Susan. He is approximately six inches tall and carries a small scythe, like his counterpart. He has been known to SQUEAK a good conversation that typically can be interpreted by reading the responses of those to whom he is speaking.
Apparently Father Time and the Grim Reaper are often connected or considered the same personification. It may be due to the fact that Death is often seen with a scythe, as is Father Time (Cronus, who was also the god of the harvest; for more about him, see
chapter 9
) . This explains the scythe, which is a farming tool used for cutting grass and certain kinds of crops. It eventually succeeded the sickle in Europe in the 1500s. Scythes are still used, mostly in less developed countries, but have been replaced in much of the world by lawn mowers and motorized farming equipment. Another explanation for the scythe is that death is the “harvester of souls.”
96
In
The Light Fantastic,
Death makes a point of explaining that he uses a scythe, whereas, in other worlds, the collections instrument for souls was upgraded to combine harvesters a long time ago.
chapter 9
) . This explains the scythe, which is a farming tool used for cutting grass and certain kinds of crops. It eventually succeeded the sickle in Europe in the 1500s. Scythes are still used, mostly in less developed countries, but have been replaced in much of the world by lawn mowers and motorized farming equipment. Another explanation for the scythe is that death is the “harvester of souls.”
96
In
The Light Fantastic,
Death makes a point of explaining that he uses a scythe, whereas, in other worlds, the collections instrument for souls was upgraded to combine harvesters a long time ago.
Actually, while looking at a picture of a scythe, I (Carrie) realized that it vaguely resembles the machete my husband used to keep in his trunk. He claimed the machete was used for cutting grass also; he swears he saw it done this way in Jamaica (yeah, right). I don't recall Pratchett's Death cutting much grass, either, except that short period of time he worked for Miss Flitworth under the alias of Bill Door, in
Reaper Man
. You know, Good Old Bill, as the locals at the tavern referred to him after he purposely lost at pond (pool) and darts.
Reaper Man
. You know, Good Old Bill, as the locals at the tavern referred to him after he purposely lost at pond (pool) and darts.
He spends a lot of time in
Reaper Man
trying to figure out how to make his scythe sharper.
Reaper Man
trying to figure out how to make his scythe sharper.
It seems appropriate that Death's words are represented in a unique way in the Discworld books. After all, he has no vocal cords to actually
make sound, being a skeleton and all. Death's words are all written in small capital letters. His talking is described in
Carpe Jugulum
as “an echo inside the head.”
97
When he takes the place of the Hogfather in the book by the same name, the capital letters are no longer small. This must be due to a personality trait of extra confidence that he must portray as the Hogfather. Death is not real good with frivolous or everyday conversation. You would probably not ask him about the weather or make small talk with him about current events.
make sound, being a skeleton and all. Death's words are all written in small capital letters. His talking is described in
Carpe Jugulum
as “an echo inside the head.”
97
When he takes the place of the Hogfather in the book by the same name, the capital letters are no longer small. This must be due to a personality trait of extra confidence that he must portray as the Hogfather. Death is not real good with frivolous or everyday conversation. You would probably not ask him about the weather or make small talk with him about current events.
Capital letters, a.k.a. upper case or majuscule, would make no difference, for instance, in Chinese writing, where lowercase and uppercase letters are not distinguished. In English, capital letters have had meaning since around 1300. Other than signifying the beginning of a sentence or a name, capital letters are used at times to bring emphasis to a word or phrase. Capital letters are considered by some to be harder to read than lowercase letters and are sometimes used in legal documents to serve that very purpose. It has come to our attention very recently that writing in capital letters in e-mails can be a form of shoutingâcalled “flaming”âat a person or group (offensive, we guess).
Due to the fact that Death knows all, he is therefore quite literate. His chosen form of writing is gothic script. For instance, in
Reaper Man,
he tries to teach a chicken named Cyril to “cocka-doodle-doo” properly by writing it down on a board with a piece of chalk, and expects him to read it. Gothic script could be referring to the gothic alphabet, which we certainly would have difficulty reading, even though we aren't an illiterate chicken. The Gothic language is thought to have originally employed a runic alphabet known as the gothic runes. The gothic runes are thought to be the invention of the Goths who were dwellers of dunes (maybe these were decorated like Death's Domain). Runes were replaced with
the gothic alphabet in the fourth century A.D. If we were referring to Death's writing style in font types, we probably would consider sans serif because it is considered gothic. Regular serif font is considered Roman. Serif fonts are considered easier to read than sans serif but typically the living don't read Death's notes. In
Hogfather,
it is mentioned that Death uses serifs in his handwriting when Susan finds a note in his handwriting.
Reaper Man,
he tries to teach a chicken named Cyril to “cocka-doodle-doo” properly by writing it down on a board with a piece of chalk, and expects him to read it. Gothic script could be referring to the gothic alphabet, which we certainly would have difficulty reading, even though we aren't an illiterate chicken. The Gothic language is thought to have originally employed a runic alphabet known as the gothic runes. The gothic runes are thought to be the invention of the Goths who were dwellers of dunes (maybe these were decorated like Death's Domain). Runes were replaced with
the gothic alphabet in the fourth century A.D. If we were referring to Death's writing style in font types, we probably would consider sans serif because it is considered gothic. Regular serif font is considered Roman. Serif fonts are considered easier to read than sans serif but typically the living don't read Death's notes. In
Hogfather,
it is mentioned that Death uses serifs in his handwriting when Susan finds a note in his handwriting.
Okay, time for an exercise that requires some imagination and a whole lot of insurance (on our part). Let's say you die. This is not a death threat; let's just say you do. Now, imagine that an Angel of Death appears to you. What do you do?
98
Many writers have toyed with the idea of wagering with Death by playing a game with him/her. The idea is if you win the game, then Death grants you another chance at life. This thought seems to date back to the Middle Ages; a medieval painting by Albertus Pictor depicts Death, as a skeleton, playing chess with a human man. In Pratchett's Discworld, it is not that Death can grant life; he is only able to give an extension.
98
Many writers have toyed with the idea of wagering with Death by playing a game with him/her. The idea is if you win the game, then Death grants you another chance at life. This thought seems to date back to the Middle Ages; a medieval painting by Albertus Pictor depicts Death, as a skeleton, playing chess with a human man. In Pratchett's Discworld, it is not that Death can grant life; he is only able to give an extension.
The 1957 Swedish film
The Seventh Seal,
directed by Ingmar Bergman, has a medieval knight playing chess with Death. Death accepts the knight's wager of extended life if he wins against him in the game. During the movie, the knight reveals his game strategy to the local priest who turns out to be Death himself. The game buys the knight time to see his wife again and to help others during the threat of plague.
The Seventh Seal,
directed by Ingmar Bergman, has a medieval knight playing chess with Death. Death accepts the knight's wager of extended life if he wins against him in the game. During the movie, the knight reveals his game strategy to the local priest who turns out to be Death himself. The game buys the knight time to see his wife again and to help others during the threat of plague.
In the 1991 movie
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey,
a sequel to the successful comedy
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure,
the main characters
successfully beat Death, played by William Sadler, at Battleship, Clue, electric football, and Twister, successfully, but Death keeps asking for a rematch.
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey,
a sequel to the successful comedy
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure,
the main characters
successfully beat Death, played by William Sadler, at Battleship, Clue, electric football, and Twister, successfully, but Death keeps asking for a rematch.
In the Discworld series, there are multiple instances where Death is willing to wager death with a character by playing a game. In
Maskerade,
you find Granny Weatherwax playing against Death to keep a baby from dying.
Maskerade,
you find Granny Weatherwax playing against Death to keep a baby from dying.
If you saw the movie
Prince of Egypt,
an animated film about the Bible's Moses that was released in 1998 by Dreamworks, you have heard the song “Playing with the Big Boys.” The sorcerers, who are trying to prove they are better than Moses and his God, use this song to summon gods. Now, you're wondering what this has to do with cats and, even more important, what this has to do with Death? Well, one of the gods that is called up is Bast. Bast was the Egyptian cat god and it was in ancient Egypt that cats were first taken in as pets. Now, we are not implying that Death worships cats, but he sure seems to like them a lot. In Pratchett's book
Sourcery,
Ipslore, in a contrary manner, asks Death, “[W]hat is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?” Death, after some thought replies, “CATS ⦠. CATS ARE NICE.”
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In
The Last Hero,
Death confirms his affection for cats by saying, “I DON'T HOLD WITH CRUELTY TO CATS.”
100
In
Hogfather,
Susan finds Death's domain full of living cats.
Prince of Egypt,
an animated film about the Bible's Moses that was released in 1998 by Dreamworks, you have heard the song “Playing with the Big Boys.” The sorcerers, who are trying to prove they are better than Moses and his God, use this song to summon gods. Now, you're wondering what this has to do with cats and, even more important, what this has to do with Death? Well, one of the gods that is called up is Bast. Bast was the Egyptian cat god and it was in ancient Egypt that cats were first taken in as pets. Now, we are not implying that Death worships cats, but he sure seems to like them a lot. In Pratchett's book
Sourcery,
Ipslore, in a contrary manner, asks Death, “[W]hat is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?” Death, after some thought replies, “CATS ⦠. CATS ARE NICE.”
99
In
The Last Hero,
Death confirms his affection for cats by saying, “I DON'T HOLD WITH CRUELTY TO CATS.”
100
In
Hogfather,
Susan finds Death's domain full of living cats.
We, the authors of this book, collectively have a total of two cats. Which means that Linda has zero and I (Carrie) have two. We can understand why Death would like them so much. They are lovable and comforting, kind of like a bedtime cup of tea. It is quite
ironic that Death has such a love, if you will, for cats. After all, Death has no need to sleep, even though he made sure his bedroom has a bed, and cats can spend almost sixteen hours a day sleeping. It may be comforting to Death that cats can see him whether or not they are dead.
ironic that Death has such a love, if you will, for cats. After all, Death has no need to sleep, even though he made sure his bedroom has a bed, and cats can spend almost sixteen hours a day sleeping. It may be comforting to Death that cats can see him whether or not they are dead.
Â
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In conclusion, we would like to reiterate the importance of the personification of death in Pratchett's writings. Benjamin Franklin put it this way, “Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.”
101
101
A Powerful Personality
Old man trouble, I don't mind him
You won't find him 'round my door.
102
You won't find him 'round my door.
102
In beauty pageants, winning First Runner-up or Miss Congeniality is a consolation prize. Look what it did for undercover FBI agent Gracie Hart, played by Sandra Bullock in the movie of the latter title. Although it proves that at least you have personality, everyone would prefer to wear the crown.
In Discworld, if you can't be a god (Blind Io) but you're immortal, chances are you're the next runner-upâa personification of something. (An “anthropomorphic personification” as Miss Tick explains in
Wintersmith
.
103
) Some might say you're still a god or, at times, a royal pain.
Wintersmith
.
103
) Some might say you're still a god or, at times, a royal pain.
The idea of personifying the seasons or other aspects of life
comes from mythologyâa creative way of looking at the origin of all things. In the Discworld books, Pratchett often mentions how faith in their existence shapes these immortals. They are what they are because of what the people of Discworld believe.
comes from mythologyâa creative way of looking at the origin of all things. In the Discworld books, Pratchett often mentions how faith in their existence shapes these immortals. They are what they are because of what the people of Discworld believe.
Peter Pan once warned Wendy that every time someone expressed disbelief in a fairy, one died. In Discworld, particularly in such books as
Hogfather,
you can see the aftermath of this idea. When the plot to kill the Hogfather gets under way, the personifications people thought
should
exist but they needed more belief in them until they
could
exist used to believe in and which died outâthe Verruca Gnome, the oh God of Hangovers, the Cheerful Fairy, the Eater of Socks, the Hair Loss Fairy, the God of Indigestionâgain existence once more, helped by a bathroom designed by Bloody Stupid Johnson.
Hogfather,
you can see the aftermath of this idea. When the plot to kill the Hogfather gets under way, the personifications people thought
should
exist but they needed more belief in them until they
could
exist used to believe in and which died outâthe Verruca Gnome, the oh God of Hangovers, the Cheerful Fairy, the Eater of Socks, the Hair Loss Fairy, the God of Indigestionâgain existence once more, helped by a bathroom designed by Bloody Stupid Johnson.
Besides the ones above, who are the immortals of Discworld? We talked about Death in the last chapter. Let's move on to some of the other major elementals.
DISC-CLAIMER:
Plot spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.
Let's face it, if the four horsemen ride, well, the world is about to end. It's Armageddon and we don't mean the old Bruce Willis movie (although that
was
about a cataclysmic event signaling the end of the world). The four horsemen of the Apocalypse (five in Discworld, including Kaos) get a shout-out in
chapter 6
of the Book of Revelation in the Bible and make a cameo in yet another sixth chapter, this one in an Old Testament bookâZechariah. In Revelation, they are the riders in white (Pestilence), red (War), black (Famine), and pale green (Death)âthe anti-Easy Riders.
was
about a cataclysmic event signaling the end of the world). The four horsemen of the Apocalypse (five in Discworld, including Kaos) get a shout-out in
chapter 6
of the Book of Revelation in the Bible and make a cameo in yet another sixth chapter, this one in an Old Testament bookâZechariah. In Revelation, they are the riders in white (Pestilence), red (War), black (Famine), and pale green (Death)âthe anti-Easy Riders.
Nothing but a Pest
Pestilence is a plague or disease that can wipe out significant segments of a population. In the fourteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, it was the black death (plague) that troubled several areas in Europe. In our day, the AIDS virus has killed millions.
But in Discworld, Pestilence is a whiny sort of guy who hangs out in hospitals. It's fitting that Death seeks out Pestilence first in
Thief of Time,
because he is first in the order of the riders listed in Revelation
chapter 6
. Being first doesn't make him the most powerful of the horsemen of the “Apocralypse” nor does it mean that he's the leader. He's just a herald of the end of the world.
Thief of Time,
because he is first in the order of the riders listed in Revelation
chapter 6
. Being first doesn't make him the most powerful of the horsemen of the “Apocralypse” nor does it mean that he's the leader. He's just a herald of the end of the world.
War! Huh! What Is It Good For?
Aside from being the subject of an Edwin Starr song from 1970, the god of war in Greek mythology is Ares, the tempestuous and little-liked son of Zeus and Hera. (Yeah, we know. Kevin Smith played him in the
Xena: Warrior Princess
and
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
series.) In Roman mythology, he is Marsâfor which the Red Planet was named.
Xena: Warrior Princess
and
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
series.) In Roman mythology, he is Marsâfor which the Red Planet was named.
In Discworld, War is a henpecked husband married to a former Valkyrie. When you first see War, you can't help but think of a retiree who sits around reminiscing about the good old days. Yet he answers the call to action, when summoned in
Thief of Time.
Thief of Time.
Famished
“When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, âCome!' I looked, and there before me was a black horse!
Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand” (Revelation 6:5, New International Version). That's the description of the third riderâthe one who measures the high cost of bread, a way of indicating its scarcity. You've read about the sad result of famine in various parts of the world due to drought and other natural disasters. And Ichabod Crane in Washington Irving's “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is described as a veritable poster child for famine. But in Discworld, Famine is a guy hanging out in a restaurant longing after mayonnaise (or salad cream, if you prefer). But he, too, joins in the battle for the universe in
Thief of Time.
What would the end of the world be without famine?
Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand” (Revelation 6:5, New International Version). That's the description of the third riderâthe one who measures the high cost of bread, a way of indicating its scarcity. You've read about the sad result of famine in various parts of the world due to drought and other natural disasters. And Ichabod Crane in Washington Irving's “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is described as a veritable poster child for famine. But in Discworld, Famine is a guy hanging out in a restaurant longing after mayonnaise (or salad cream, if you prefer). But he, too, joins in the battle for the universe in
Thief of Time.
What would the end of the world be without famine?
It's About Time
Time isn't just something you mark or kill. In mythology, Time is actually a personâa personification of time. Every New Year's Eve, you hear about Father Timeâthe old man with the scythe (not the Grim Reaper) who gets ready to make way for the new kid on the block. But in Greek mythology, he is Chronos (also spelled Kronos and Cronus), a guy with a plethora of jobs on his résumé: the king of the Titans, the god of time, and the unhappy father of Zeus who made child abuse an art form.
Chronos
is the Latin form of the Greek word for “time.” In Roman mythology, he is Saturn.
Chronos
is the Latin form of the Greek word for “time.” In Roman mythology, he is Saturn.
In Discworld, Time is a femaleâthe mother of Lobsang Ludd whom Susan encounters in
Thief of Time
. (Maybe that's why Pratchett uses a capital letter in reference to Time in such books as
Reaper Man
.) You might call her “Mother Time,” although she probably wouldn't answer to that.
Thief of Time
. (Maybe that's why Pratchett uses a capital letter in reference to Time in such books as
Reaper Man
.) You might call her “Mother Time,” although she probably wouldn't answer to that.
Lobsang becomes the new kid on the block when he takes over for his mother as the personification of time in
Thief of Time
. Time for a change, we suppose.
Thief of Time
. Time for a change, we suppose.
In Hog Heaven
Back when you were a kid, maybe you believed in Santa. (Maybe you still do.) That's what kids usually do. We know that Santa Claus comes from the legends of Saint Nicholasâthe bishop of Myra from the fourth century. The Hogfather is the Santa Claus/Father Christmas of Discworld, whose sleigh is pulled not by reindeer but by four boars (Gouger, Router, Tusker, and Snouter). For this spirit of Hogs-watch, pork pies and sherry take the place of the cookies and milk kids leave out for Santa in our world. But many of their other trappings of the holiday are the same: the mistletoe, the sleigh, the stockings, the carol singers, the coal, etc. Makes you feel all warm inside, doesn't it?
A Winter Wonderland
Old Man Winter/Father Winter, the personification of winter, comes from Russian folklore. The Wintersmith is the personification of winter in Discworld. While a blacksmith forges metals, the Wintersmith forges snow and ice. Although the Wintersmith is as old as the hills, he appears to Tiffany Achingâhis crushâas a young man.
Discworld also has a Jack Frost who personifies frost and has a fern fixation, apparently. While the Wintersmith pelts the world with Tiffany Aching-shaped snowflakes, Jack paints windows with fern patterns. But Jack Frost comes from Norse mythology and Russian folklore. You've probably seen him as a winter spriteâa mischievous creature in such movies as
Santa Clause 3
and obliquely in the 1996
Jack Frost,
where he is a serial killer-turned-snowman
who's “chillin ⦠and killin',” according to the movie tagline. Talk about “Jack Frost nipping at your nose,” as the song goes, not to mention your legs and other important appendages. (Thank you, Ben Pyykkonen, for your inspiration on that last line.)
Santa Clause 3
and obliquely in the 1996
Jack Frost,
where he is a serial killer-turned-snowman
who's “chillin ⦠and killin',” according to the movie tagline. Talk about “Jack Frost nipping at your nose,” as the song goes, not to mention your legs and other important appendages. (Thank you, Ben Pyykkonen, for your inspiration on that last line.)
Summer in the City
While the Summer Lady, the personification of summer, looks like Tiffany (thanks to some interference by Tiffany in an endless dance of the seasons), hers is a Pratchett makeover à la the Persephone story from Greek mythology (see
chapter 1
) . Persephone was the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of the harvest. After Hades, lord of the Underworld, grabbed Persephone (without even
asking
for a date) and dragged her to the Underworld, Persephone's enforced stay caused Demeter to grieve and neglect the plants and treesâthus leading to the deadness of winter.
chapter 1
) . Persephone was the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of the harvest. After Hades, lord of the Underworld, grabbed Persephone (without even
asking
for a date) and dragged her to the Underworld, Persephone's enforced stay caused Demeter to grieve and neglect the plants and treesâthus leading to the deadness of winter.
The Summer Lady is like Demeter in that she can cause plants to growâwhich happens in the spring and summer. But she's also like Opora, the personification of the part of summer when fruit is at its peak. That season is August through September, according to Hesiod's
Theogony
.
Theogony
.
“It's not who I am underneath ⦠But what I do that defines me,” declares Batman in Batman Begins.
104
Some of the other personifications in Discworld could say the same thing.
104
Some of the other personifications in Discworld could say the same thing.
Sweet Dreams Are Made of Sand
Who is the Sandman? A being who puts people to sleep without boring them. If you read the classic graphic novels on the Sandmanâ
Preludes and Nocturnes
being one of themâwritten by Neil Gaiman (Pratchett's coauthor for
Good Omens
) and illustrated by Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, and Malcolm Jones III, you might feel that that series provides the definitive portrayal of the Sandman. He is Dreamâthe personification of dreams a.k.a. Morpheus. (Morpheus in the
Matrix
movies had the opposite goal: to wake people up.) Dream, the younger brother of Death (a Goth-looking female), is one of the Endlessânot the kind to hit people on the head with sandbags full of sand, like the Discworld Sandman does. Gaiman's Sandman is someone who could be summoned like the Death of Discworldâby an occult rite that traps him for several decades until he escapes.
Preludes and Nocturnes
being one of themâwritten by Neil Gaiman (Pratchett's coauthor for
Good Omens
) and illustrated by Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, and Malcolm Jones III, you might feel that that series provides the definitive portrayal of the Sandman. He is Dreamâthe personification of dreams a.k.a. Morpheus. (Morpheus in the
Matrix
movies had the opposite goal: to wake people up.) Dream, the younger brother of Death (a Goth-looking female), is one of the Endlessânot the kind to hit people on the head with sandbags full of sand, like the Discworld Sandman does. Gaiman's Sandman is someone who could be summoned like the Death of Discworldâby an occult rite that traps him for several decades until he escapes.
Even if you haven't read Gaiman's graphic novels, you might know that Morpheus comes from Greek mythology. He's the most powerful of the gods of dreams (the Oneroi) and the son of Hypnos, the god of sleep. Ovid wrote about the family in
Metamorphoses.
Morpheus's brothersâPhobeter and Phantasosâalso personify dreams.
Metamorphoses.
Morpheus's brothersâPhobeter and Phantasosâalso personify dreams.
Supposedly, the Sandman of mythology sprinkles dust in the eyes of children to make them fall asleep. “Ready for a visit from the Sandman, Rachel? Close your eyes.” Well, that's what parents tell their kids. Wishful thinking. Speaking of wishful thinking, back in the 1950s a song called “Mr. Sandman,” written by Pat Ballard, described some thoughts about the Sandman's job. It was popular in the United States and Great Britain.
Tooth Fairy
The Tooth Fairy has existed for ages, thanks to candy, stories told around Europe, and movies starring Kirstie Alley (
Toothless
). You know the racketâlose a baby tooth, gain money. Sweet. (Doesn't work if you pull out a permanent tooth.) But if you saw
The 10th Kingdom
âa fairy-tale miniseries on NBC in 2000 available on DVD (also a novel)âyou know that the Tooth Fairy was a sadistic prison dentist. He didn't give moneyâonly pain.
Toothless
). You know the racketâlose a baby tooth, gain money. Sweet. (Doesn't work if you pull out a permanent tooth.) But if you saw
The 10th Kingdom
âa fairy-tale miniseries on NBC in 2000 available on DVD (also a novel)âyou know that the Tooth Fairy was a sadistic prison dentist. He didn't give moneyâonly pain.
In Discworld, the Tooth Fairy isn't an imaginary figure who goes around leaving money under kids' pillows. Discworld's first bogeyman is the head Tooth Fairy, a job that passes to Banjo Lilywhite (see
chapter 12
) in
Hogfather
. The Tooth Fairy's tooth collection routes are parceled out like paper routes, and are managed by “tooth girls.” That's why the Tooth Fairy is known in Discworld as Violet Bottler and various other names. But Tooth Fairy's headquarters is a castle full of small teethâa castle formed from the beliefs of kids everywhere.
chapter 12
) in
Hogfather
. The Tooth Fairy's tooth collection routes are parceled out like paper routes, and are managed by “tooth girls.” That's why the Tooth Fairy is known in Discworld as Violet Bottler and various other names. But Tooth Fairy's headquarters is a castle full of small teethâa castle formed from the beliefs of kids everywhere.
Discworld also has a Clinkerbell, who claims to be a troll Tooth Fairy in
Feet of Clay.
But that's another story.
Feet of Clay.
But that's another story.
The Soul Cake Duck
If you're looking for the Easter Bunny in Discworld, look no further than the Soul Cake Duck, who comes on Soul Cake Tuesday, rather than on a holiday like Easter. Soul Cake Tuesday signals the start of duck hunting season. On this day, children hunt for the chocolate eggs laid by the Soul Cake Duck. (In our world, we have the ones made by Cadbury or Hershey.)
We can't help wondering if the Soul Cake Duck inspired Puley the Pule Duck, who showed up in an episode of
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron.
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron.
Pixar's
Monsters, Inc.
showed some of the fears common to kids. Some personifications or creatures of the imagination are all about fears, some of which we never outgrow.
Monsters, Inc.
showed some of the fears common to kids. Some personifications or creatures of the imagination are all about fears, some of which we never outgrow.
Old Man Trouble
Putting a name and a face to something you fear takes the edge off it. Trouble is the same way. Besides being a song by Stephen Sills and a line from a George Gershwin song from 1930 (just after the troublesome Stock Market Crash), Old Man Trouble is one of the odd gods of Discworld. You can gain a sense of his reputation in
Hogfather,
where he's described as “nasty.” Isn't that just how trouble is?
Hogfather,
where he's described as “nasty.” Isn't that just how trouble is?
The Scissor Man
The Scissor Man, who gets a mention in
Hogfather,
was a headscratcher to us, even after Jasper Fforde, the writer of the Tuesday Next and Nursery Crime series, mentioned a Scissor-man in
The Fourth Bear.
Guess our moms forgot to tell us about him. In Fforde's book, the Scissor-man runs around with a giant pair of scissors and threatens to cut off the thumbs of a kid named Conrad. (There's no watchdog committee for behavior like that.) Sounds like something out of
Edward Scissorhands
âthe 1990 movie directed by Tim Burton.
Hogfather,
was a headscratcher to us, even after Jasper Fforde, the writer of the Tuesday Next and Nursery Crime series, mentioned a Scissor-man in
The Fourth Bear.
Guess our moms forgot to tell us about him. In Fforde's book, the Scissor-man runs around with a giant pair of scissors and threatens to cut off the thumbs of a kid named Conrad. (There's no watchdog committee for behavior like that.) Sounds like something out of
Edward Scissorhands
âthe 1990 movie directed by Tim Burton.
But the Scissor Man comes from a book by Heinrich Hoffman published in 1845 called
Der Struwwelpeter
âa book of “happy” nursery rhymes in the vein of Mother Goose-gone-Rambo. “Die Geschichte vom Daumenlutcher” (“The Story of the Thumb-Sucker”) describes the fate of one Konradâa thumb-sucker who failed to heed his mother's warning and wound up with both thumbs
cut off by giant scissors wielded by a man known as “the tailor.” The late Rod Serling, creator of
The Twilight Zone,
could not have come up with a more macabre taleâone sure to horrify parents and delight kids.
Der Struwwelpeter
âa book of “happy” nursery rhymes in the vein of Mother Goose-gone-Rambo. “Die Geschichte vom Daumenlutcher” (“The Story of the Thumb-Sucker”) describes the fate of one Konradâa thumb-sucker who failed to heed his mother's warning and wound up with both thumbs
cut off by giant scissors wielded by a man known as “the tailor.” The late Rod Serling, creator of
The Twilight Zone,
could not have come up with a more macabre taleâone sure to horrify parents and delight kids.
Discworld's Scissor Man isn't exactly a man, but a creature made of blades and with a stronger fear factor than “the tailor.” This creature would be handy (or rather, “scissory”) to have around the garment district of New York.
The Bogeyman
Did a parent ever warn you about the bogeyman? Most kids have been given a vague story about the bogeyman. The vaguer the story, the more frightening the imaginary creature. For some, he hides in the closet, like the monsters of
Monsters, Inc.,
waiting to jump out when the lights go off. For many, he hides under the bedâagain, like some of the monsters of
Monsters, Inc
. For others, he might bear the face of the latest serial killer or, sadly, a hurtful relative.
Monsters, Inc.,
waiting to jump out when the lights go off. For many, he hides under the bedâagain, like some of the monsters of
Monsters, Inc
. For others, he might bear the face of the latest serial killer or, sadly, a hurtful relative.
In Discworld, there is more than one bogeyman. We talked about Discworld's first bogeyman earlier. But other bogeymen, for instance, Mr. Schleppel (
Reaper Man
), Shlimazel (
Hogfather
), and Shlitzen (
Feet of Clay
) exist, too. (Note the pattern of the bogeymen names.) Throwing a blanket over them creates in them a sense of “existential uncertainty,” as Pratchett describes in
Feet of Clay
and
Hogfather
. In other words, they're not sure they exist. If only we could do that with bills.
Reaper Man
), Shlimazel (
Hogfather
), and Shlitzen (
Feet of Clay
) exist, too. (Note the pattern of the bogeymen names.) Throwing a blanket over them creates in them a sense of “existential uncertainty,” as Pratchett describes in
Feet of Clay
and
Hogfather
. In other words, they're not sure they exist. If only we could do that with bills.
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Imagine having the power to cause personifications to pop into existence. What would your fears or hopes bring into existence? Hopefully, you won't suffer the fate of Peachy, whose belief in the Scissor Man leads him to ⦠the twilight zone.
BOOK: Secrets of the Wee Free Men and Discworld
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