DEATH of capital letters
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For some reason I'm not allowed to start new topics. I'm guessing it is because I just registered so I'm asking this in a related topic.
In the American editions Death speaks in small caps in the earlier books, yet in the later editions he changes to all caps, which I think lacks a certain grace. Is this just lazy typesetters or is there a reason for it?
In the American editions Death speaks in small caps in the earlier books, yet in the later editions he changes to all caps, which I think lacks a certain grace. Is this just lazy typesetters or is there a reason for it?
As far as I can tell, Death makes his first appearance in Colour of Magic in the Corgi paperback version on page 62 (although the passage starts right at the bottom of page 61). His first word in in the following sentence:
This was the first Discworld book I read and that sentence made a clear impression that Death wasn't shouting. It also gave a clear impression of just HOW he was talking.
This was the first Discworld book I read and that sentence made a clear impression that Death wasn't shouting. It also gave a clear impression of just HOW he was talking.
No, this is the bit where Death is surprised to have been jostled by Rincewind as he has an appointment that night with Rincewind, 500 miles in Psephopololis. He goes on to offer Rincewind the use of a very fast horse - which Rincewind declines. "SOD YOU, THEN, Death said." What is somewhat surprising is that Death then, in his annoyance, stops the heart of a fish salesman. "But he didn't take much pride in it."
He later goes on to hand Broadman, the landlord of the (then) Broken Drum, a lighted taper in the cellar as Broadman is trying to torch the place. And Death still uses capital letters.
I would add that they are not "big" or "small" caps, but caps that are the right size for the other text on the page.
He later goes on to hand Broadman, the landlord of the (then) Broken Drum, a lighted taper in the cellar as Broadman is trying to torch the place. And Death still uses capital letters.
I would add that they are not "big" or "small" caps, but caps that are the right size for the other text on the page.
So, the opposite way round to the US then. I agree with ferulebezel that it just seems like lazy typesetting.
I was talking at crossed purposes. I had misunderstood what you meant and thought you were saying they were written in lower case. To clarify - in the UK copies, the first two books have capitals that are all the same size. In Equal Rites the first capital of each sentence by Death is a larger size followed by capitals that are the same size as other fonts on the page.
I hope that makes sense.
Sorry if this isnt the right place to put this but since I just thought of it ill post it anyways... when we first meet death, he gets annoyed with rincewind I think 2 times or so, what he does is lash out by killing some mayflies as I recall and as tony said, he stops the heart of a fish salesman. Is it just me or does this sound like one giant mistake? Death doesn't have any glands so it shouldnt be possible to annoy him, he certainly wouldnt kill out of spite and though every death has a meaning, that the ones he killed most probably ran out of time naturally (with him merely doing his job), it still seems as though he killed them before their time which is just crazy... He shouldnt have done it in anger either way though, that isnt who he is.
I wouldn't call it a mistake - I'd say that it was an early draft of Death. Like so many of the characters, Death has changed. His character has become more defined and in some ways predictable. We know that Death wouldn't kill anyone now, but that is because we know the way he thinks and behaves based on his numerous appearances in the books.
Looking back on that early draft, it doesn't feel right given what we know of him - but it was perfectly right when the book was written without any back story.
Looking back on that early draft, it doesn't feel right given what we know of him - but it was perfectly right when the book was written without any back story.
