The Ask and the Answer discussion

Hi everyone!

So, today i was trying to remember and explain someone what is the meaning of that phrase "I am the circle and the circle is me" but can't seem to remember the exact words the mayor told Todd, and i don't have the book with me to look it up.

What is the meaning of this?

Thanks!

Yeah it helps Todd control people and keep his noise quiet. Those are the words

it helps to keep self controll hive actually tried it and it works.
im kind of into all the hippy medetation stuff!

but i remember some explanation saying something like the circle is all the reality and you're part of that reality and at the same time that reality is part of who you are... i want to have the exact quote but i don't have the book.

ahhhh yes i think it did ! have you tried reaserching it on the internet i may go look for it now because i found it really inpiring that passage so if i get it i'll post it here!

Here's the quote:

"What's the Circle?" I ask.

"Your destiny, Todd Hewitt. A circle is a closed system. There's no way of getting out, so it's easier if you don't fight it."

Creepy creepy so so creepy =P

Ariana wrote: "Here's the quote:

"What's the Circle?" I ask.

"Your destiny, Todd Hewitt. A circle is a closed system. There's no way of getting out, so it's easier if you don't fight it."

Creepy creepy so so ..."

Which is why the mayor is one of my favorite characters of all time. >:D

I have to admit the mayor is an awesome character. The scene when Todd has him at the end of the Ask and the Answer so good and so creepy. I think the circle meditation truly means that you are part of the same circle as all humanity even spackle and that truth is my identitiy, my identity is truth, but the mayor has perverted it and used it for his own purposes. His purpose for it is to allow himself to have the strength of will and concentration to use his mind to control others. Todds good moral character will allow him to use it to not allow himself to be controled, but slowly he is becoming less and less innocent because of the choices one has to make in life...so I am very curious to see what happens in the next book.

It reminds me of a Buddhist chant

Thinking "I am the cirlce and the circle is me." does help clear your mind allowing you to focus on one thing at a time.

My take is that the Mayor and Todd and the others who learn to suppress their Noise have become human versions of Pathway's End. The Pathway's End was a kind of exclusion zone for the Sky, a place to use away from the Land where his thoughts and actions would not propagate out into the rest of the people. It's also where the Source was kept for the same reason. For me, the litany "I am the Circle and the Circle is Me" is the clearest thematic link. The Pathway's End is formed by a literal circle of Pathways.

I am the Circle and the Circle is Me
I am the Pathway's End and the Pathway's End is Me

Each becomes a one-person Pathway's End; their exclusion zone is internal, thus their Noise goes silent, held within.

I also think the Mayor and Todd are both clearly passing through this instar, on their way to a final molt - Sky.