These columns are alternating back and forth between writing about Gor in general and about Panthers, this time it is the Panthers' turn. As I said in the previous Panther column, I have been re-reading Captive and Hunters, in order to do so. Last time I took a close look at a particular section of Captive - this time I am going to discuss how the book, as a whole, defines Panthers.
Although JN may not have been a great writer, he was certainly an ambitious one. In other words, he wasn't Shakespeare, but don't tell him that. What we see, when we look at the entire book, is a parallel plot device that Shakespeare made frequent use of. There are two plots, which follow a similar course - and the message that is being conveyed is meant to be understood by comparing the similarities and differences.
When I first read the book, I thought it was the love story of Rask and elinor. Caridwen has described the book as the love story of Marlenus and Verna. Reading the book again, from a more mature perspective - and having been a Panther as well as a kajira - I think that we have a deliberate parallel-plot-device storyline.
JN makes it clear that there is really very little difference between elinor and the Panthers. At first, elinor thinks there is a big difference:
"I was nothing with these proud, free, dangerous, brave women, these independent, superb, unfearing, resourceful, fierce felines, panther girls of the northern forests of Gor. They were swift, and beautiful and arrogant, like Verna. They were armed, and could protect themselves, and did not need men. They were so different from myself"
Then elinor sees the Panthers dance, and realizes that Panthers are not so different after all:
"There was no fear in my voice, but almost hysterical triumph! "Slaves!" I screamed at them. "Slaves!" I then knew myself better that they! "Kajirae!" I screamed at them. "Kajirae!" Slaves! Slaves!"
And Verna does not deny it. When elinor confronts Verna with elinor's epiphany about the Panthers dancing their slaves' bellies, Verna simply answers, "We are women." Being enslaved seems not such a bad fate for Panthers. All 17 of Verna's Panthers are enslaved, but Verna gets free. But when she gets free, the 17 seem to be of absolutely no concern to her. Not only does she make no effort to rescue them, she seems completely unconcerned about their fate. Verna is much more interested in obtaining Marlenus' daughter talena, and taking her back to the Forest to teach her slavery. No mention of where she is going to get new Panthers for her band.
Both elinor and Verna fall in love with strong men. At the end, elinor is in collar and Verna is not. What is the difference? Is it a difference between elinor/Verna or possibly a difference between the men, Rask and Marlenus? Possibly Verna is a particular exception, different from almost every other woman on Gor. Nothing in the book rules this possibility out. However, there is another possibility. Rather than an intrinsic difference, the difference could be external or circumstantial.
The obvious difference is that Verna is given a choice. We have 20+ books full of women who do not wish to be slaves, who fight the slave in their belly, and finally accept the inevitable, and find happiness in their new lives. It is almost the living embodiment of the Serenity Prayer. The courage to change what I can and the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; and the wisdom to know the difference. A captured woman who fights her collar until she is beaten is showing a decided lack of wisdom, collared slaves are known for serene dispositions, and Verna shows uncommon courage in giving up her love and going back to the Forest alone. I believe, that had someone given elinor the choice to go back to her penthouse on Earth, she would have chosen that option over being Rask's loveslave.
There may also be something different about Marlenus and Rask. They are much alike. Strong, powerful, confident, handsome, respected,... But the fundamental difference that I see, no matter how you cut it, the City of Ar is always going to be first in the heart of Ubar Marlenus of Ar. So perhaps that is the reason Verna left Marlenus. She loved him too much to share him. Surely, every slave girl, who is not alone on her Master's chain, can understand that.
Maybe, rather than a model for Panthers, Captive is a model of how to train and keep a loveslave. Be firm, harsh and uncompromising. Don't give her a choice, and make her first in your heart.
If it is a model for Panthers, and Verna is the role model (and I do not think this is the case) - Panthers should be arrogant, selfish, detached from circumstances, short-sighted, loners.