babel-17-language
A complex language that Rydra is deciphering, which has the power to influence thought and communication, central to the plot.
2 chapters across 1 book
Babel-17 (1966)Samuel R. Delany
The chapter is a letter from Rydra Wong to Caro Mocky, describing her departure aboard the old spaceship Rimbaud and reflecting on recent experiences with pilots and navigators. She discusses the psychological and muscular tensions involved in piloting and navigation, referencing theories about psico-indici and muscle reading, and recounts her efforts to assemble a new crew from the Morgue, including a female Navigator One who lost two men. The letter also reveals Rydra's ongoing work deciphering Babel-17 and her apprehension yet growing confidence in mastering the language.
In this chapter, Rydra Wong contemplates the unique nature of language Babel-17 and its analytical flexibility, while navigating the complex social dynamics aboard the ship Rimbaud. She perceives a brewing assassination attempt by Geoffry Cord against Jebel, involving hypnotic drugs and political intrigue, and intervenes by publicly denouncing Cord. The confrontation culminates in Cord's violent attack and subsequent execution by the Macellaio, confirming the threat and solidifying Rydra's role as a crucial ally in the unfolding power struggle.