Vimes question
- Thread starter Nullus Anxietas
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You never really find out how many siblings he has, but I think you can infer that he must have some based on some of the little bits of narration you get in the books from time to time, particularly on the subject of the frenzied nature of mealtimes, when everyone basically had to eat as fast as possible to make sure they got their fair of the food.
Just as it's interesting how many DW men are bachelors, it's also interesting how many of them don't seem to have siblings (or those we know about). Vetinari, Moist, Nobby, Brutha, Mort, Colon, Detritus, and Carrot have little tidbits of family background thrown out there, but there's no conclusive evidence that any of them have siblings. Whereas, most of the key female characters--Granny Weatherwax, Tiffany, Esk, Angua, Cheery--not only have siblings, but one or more of them plays an important role in defining who they are.
Just as it's interesting how many DW men are bachelors, it's also interesting how many of them don't seem to have siblings (or those we know about). Vetinari, Moist, Nobby, Brutha, Mort, Colon, Detritus, and Carrot have little tidbits of family background thrown out there, but there's no conclusive evidence that any of them have siblings. Whereas, most of the key female characters--Granny Weatherwax, Tiffany, Esk, Angua, Cheery--not only have siblings, but one or more of them plays an important role in defining who they are.
It is surprising that even after Vimes became rich and important none of his siblings showed up. Maybe they didn't survive? They'd be older than him or at most only slightly younger if he has no memories of his father.
Aren't we told Vetinari has no relatives aside from his aunt? So if he had siblings they are probably dead by now.
Susan is definitely an only child. Adorra had a brother.
Aren't we told Vetinari has no relatives aside from his aunt? So if he had siblings they are probably dead by now.
Susan is definitely an only child. Adorra had a brother.
SPOILERS AHEAD
I think has more to do with Pterry's narrative priorities than anything else. He generally only provides familial backstories when they're needed to shape the character's 'current' narrative. Characters don't have 'identified' siblings (or relatives even) unless these relatives play some role in the story (even in death). It's not important for Vimes' narrative arc to have siblings or even living parents. (Think about Night Watch: Wouldn't you have thought that one thing Sam Vimes/Keel would have wanted to do is see his 'old mum' (young Sam's mum), even if only in disguise? It never even occurs to him.
It's not critical for Vetinari to have relatives other than his aunt. Whereas, for characters like Cheery, Adorabella, Wm. De Worde, Angua and Granny Weatherwax, the lives (and deaths) of siblings play a key role in shaping who they are 'today.'
WARNING: NON-DW SPOILERS A COMIN'.
And it's not restricted to the DW books. Look at Nation. We never get a real backstory for Mau's family life before he loses them. No real discussion of his parents or any siblings. Whereas, Daphne's entire life has been shaped by family. It's interesting how Pterry deals with family loss in the book, in both vague and specific ways.
I think has more to do with Pterry's narrative priorities than anything else. He generally only provides familial backstories when they're needed to shape the character's 'current' narrative. Characters don't have 'identified' siblings (or relatives even) unless these relatives play some role in the story (even in death). It's not important for Vimes' narrative arc to have siblings or even living parents. (Think about Night Watch: Wouldn't you have thought that one thing Sam Vimes/Keel would have wanted to do is see his 'old mum' (young Sam's mum), even if only in disguise? It never even occurs to him.
It's not critical for Vetinari to have relatives other than his aunt. Whereas, for characters like Cheery, Adorabella, Wm. De Worde, Angua and Granny Weatherwax, the lives (and deaths) of siblings play a key role in shaping who they are 'today.'
WARNING: NON-DW SPOILERS A COMIN'.
And it's not restricted to the DW books. Look at Nation. We never get a real backstory for Mau's family life before he loses them. No real discussion of his parents or any siblings. Whereas, Daphne's entire life has been shaped by family. It's interesting how Pterry deals with family loss in the book, in both vague and specific ways.
This question of parents is occuppying my mind. As someone who is writing a novel I have come to stage of revising the first draft, and how to deal with my characters' parents is a problem. I am inclined to ignore them, but then again surely they would wonder about their parents at some point...hmmm. The problem lingers
