Cities of the Red Night
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| :"[[Self-identity]] is ultimately a symptom of [[parasitic]] invasion, the expression within me of forces originating from outside. Language is to the brain as the [[tapeworm]] is to the [[intestine]]s. Even more so: it may just be possible to find a digestive space free from parasitic infection, but we will never find an uncontaminated mental space. Strands of alien DNA unfurl themselves in our brains, just as tapeworms unfurl themselves in our guts. Not just language, but the whole quality of human consciousness, as expressed in male and female is basically a [[virus]] mechanism." --''[[Cities of the Red Night]]'' | :"[[Self-identity]] is ultimately a symptom of [[parasitic]] invasion, the expression within me of forces originating from outside. Language is to the brain as the [[tapeworm]] is to the [[intestine]]s. Even more so: it may just be possible to find a digestive space free from parasitic infection, but we will never find an uncontaminated mental space. Strands of alien DNA unfurl themselves in our brains, just as tapeworms unfurl themselves in our guts. Not just language, but the whole quality of human consciousness, as expressed in male and female is basically a [[virus]] mechanism." --''[[Cities of the Red Night]]'' | ||
| - | '''''Cities of the Red Night''''' is a novel by [[William S. Burroughs]]. It was the first book in the final trilogy of the [[Beat generation|beat]] author, and was first published in [[1981]]. The plot of this [[non-linear]] work revolves around a group of revolutionaries who seek the freedom to live under the articles set out by [[Libertatia|Captain James Mission]]. At the same time in near present day, a [[detective]] is searching for a lost boy, abducted for some sort of [[sexual ritual]]. Another subplot weaved in thematically through the narrative is a world plagued by a [[fictional disease]], [[Virus B-23]], that destroys humanity and is [[STD|sexually transmitted]] and sexual in nature, causing for example [[spontaneous orgasm]]s. The disease is [[viral]], and, at first, it appears to be an allusion to AIDS, although, it must be remembered that the first case of [[AIDS]] was not discovered until after the book was first published. | + | '''''Cities of the Red Night''''' is a novel by [[William S. Burroughs]]. It was the first book in the final trilogy of the [[Beat generation|beat]] author, and was first published in [[1981]]. The plot of this [[non-linear]] work revolves around a group of revolutionaries who seek the freedom to live under the articles set out by [[Libertatia|Captain James Mission]]. At the same time in near present day, a [[detective]] is searching for a lost boy, abducted for some sort of [[sexual ritual]]. Another subplot weaved in thematically through the narrative is a world plagued by a [[fictional disease]], [[Virus B-23]], that destroys humanity and is [[STD|sexually transmitted]] and sexual in nature, causing for example [[spontaneous orgasm]]s. [[heroin addiction|Addiction to opiates]] provides some resistance to it. The disease is [[viral]], and, at first, it appears to be an allusion to AIDS, although, it must be remembered that the first case of [[AIDS]] was not discovered until after the book was first published. |
| ==Plot Introduction== | ==Plot Introduction== | ||
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- "Self-identity is ultimately a symptom of parasitic invasion, the expression within me of forces originating from outside. Language is to the brain as the tapeworm is to the intestines. Even more so: it may just be possible to find a digestive space free from parasitic infection, but we will never find an uncontaminated mental space. Strands of alien DNA unfurl themselves in our brains, just as tapeworms unfurl themselves in our guts. Not just language, but the whole quality of human consciousness, as expressed in male and female is basically a virus mechanism." --Cities of the Red Night
Cities of the Red Night is a novel by William S. Burroughs. It was the first book in the final trilogy of the beat author, and was first published in 1981. The plot of this non-linear work revolves around a group of revolutionaries who seek the freedom to live under the articles set out by Captain James Mission. At the same time in near present day, a detective is searching for a lost boy, abducted for some sort of sexual ritual. Another subplot weaved in thematically through the narrative is a world plagued by a fictional disease, Virus B-23, that destroys humanity and is sexually transmitted and sexual in nature, causing for example spontaneous orgasms. Addiction to opiates provides some resistance to it. The disease is viral, and, at first, it appears to be an allusion to AIDS, although, it must be remembered that the first case of AIDS was not discovered until after the book was first published.
Contents |
Plot Introduction
The plot of this novel follows Burroughs' usual, erratic path, through time and space. The novel is based on an alternate history; one in which Libertatia, formed by Captain James Mission lives on. His way of life is based on what are called The Articles, a general freedom to live as you like, without prejudice and preconception. The Novel is narrated from two different standpoints; one set in the 18th century which follows a group of pirate boys lead by Noah Blake, who land in South America to liberate it with The Articles. The other is set near present day; following a detective story and the disappearance of an adolescent boy. Drugs play a major part in the novel, as do homosexuality and control. Burroughs' usual characters all have a part in the novel, including Dr Benway and Clem Snide.
Origin Of The Title
The title comes from the cities within the book 'the cities of the red night were six in number: Tamaghis, Ba'dan, Yass-Waddah, Waghdas, Naufana, and Ghadis.'
Plot summary
The plot transcends space and time so is hard to plot out in a structured way, that can be easily visualised. In Summary the plot is based on Captain James Mission's Libertatia. The plot sees a group of boys become pirates and create a colony based on freedom. Surrounding the main plot are many sub-plots which link into the novel, following these can be tricky for some who has not read Burroughs before as time and space seem to change quite frequently and without warning or explanation. The sub-plots follow Clem Snide searching for a missing boy and Dr Benway and the disease which is plaguing humanity.
Art
The cover art for the 1981 Holt-Rinehart-Winston first edition is Pieter Brueghel the Elder's 1562 painting "The Triumph of Death".
See also
