identity-and-masking
The use of masks and costumes during the Change symbolizes the fluidity and concealment of identity, both socially and politically.
1 chapter across 1 book
The Snow Queen (1981)Joan D. Vinge
This chapter juxtaposes the symbolic Change of the Snow Queen with Commander Jerusha PalaThion's political and ethical challenges on the planet Tiamat. While Moon, the Snow Queen, is carried through a masked revelry symbolizing fleeting joy and hidden truths, Jerusha confronts the Hegemonic Assembly with a disturbing revelation about the intelligent mers species, challenging the morality of the Hegemony's exploitation and raising questions about historical accountability and justice. The chapter explores the tension between appearance and reality, duty and conscience, and the complexities of colonial governance.