A Warning of My Own
Jun 2nd, 2006 by lisa
I love getting lost in the Discworld.
Terry Pratchett has created an imaginary place that is so alive that I often have a difficult time believing that it is imaginary. The characters are so fully formed you can almost hear them breathing, you can feel their heat rising from the pages of one of Pratchett’s novels.
And I have decided that I will be Granny Weatherwax when I get old. Oh, that reminds me of Jenny Joseph’s lovely poem Warning. I should write my own version,
When I am old I shall wear black
and make people nervous…
When I first began reading the Discworld books Sam Vimes was my favorite character. He has a complex soul that is both light and dark at once, and his constant struggles with his own good vs. evil nature is compelling. I identified with him and almost felt as if I knew the man. Then I read Wyrd Sisters, and discovered that Esme Weatherwax was essentially the “female version” of Vimes, but with all the complexities of being female layered on top. Being a female myself, and having always been fascinated by witches (I was secretly rooting for the wicked witch long before Wicked was a gleam in Gregory Maguire’s eye), I have developed quite an attachment to this character.
She’s smart, fearless, cranky and stubborn. She’s a firm believer in doing what’s right and is always ready to help those in need. She is intimidated by no one, and always gets to the root of any situation. Like Vimes she struggles with internal demons, finding the dark side alluring but always ultimately embracing the light. She knows who she is, and she knows who you are, a fact that you would be wise to take very seriously.
Sam Vimes is still one of my favorite characters. But Granny Weatherwax has overshadowed him a bit. In some ways I think she is even stronger than he is. I have yet to finish reading all the Discworld books, but I think she may be the strongest character that Pratchett has created. I hope he will write more adventures for her and the other witches.
As for me growing up to be Granny Weatherwax, all I can say is, you have all been warned.
LOL. oh, thats great! Granny Weatherwax is one of my favorites too. I especially liked her in Carpe Juggulum - I loved how she defeated the vampires!
personally, I want to grow old to be like Archancellor Ridcully the Brown. Overbearing and boarish. . . . okay, maybe not.
“When I am old I shall wear black
and make people nervous…”
Oh my! I love this.. you need to finish the poem!
J
Janice that’s a lovely idea. Although I recently learned that there is a fourth Tiffany Aching book possibility, and the working title is “When I Am Old I Shall Wear Midnight”. I think I will leave it to Mr. Pratchett. He’ll do it much better than I ever could.