Discussion:
(ReacTor) Five SFF Works Featuring Nameless Protagonists
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James Nicoll
2024-06-26 14:08:39 UTC
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Five SFF Works Featuring Nameless Protagonists

What's in a name?

https://reactormag.com/five-sff-works-featuring-nameless-protagonists/
--
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Tony Nance
2024-06-26 16:34:40 UTC
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Post by James Nicoll
Five SFF Works Featuring Nameless Protagonists
What's in a name?
https://reactormag.com/five-sff-works-featuring-nameless-protagonists/
Oh spiffy - very interesting essay - thanks.

Of the very few that came to mind, one is in your essay (A Nameless
Witch[1]), and one is in the comments (Zelazny's My Name is Legion).

The other definite one that came to mind is Annihilation[2] by Jeff
Vandermeer.

Two more that I think fit come from two different Wells:
- I don't think the protagonist of Wells' The War of the Worlds has a name.
- I don't think Wells' Murderbot has acquired a name yet (besides
"Murderbot")- at least not one they accept.

By the way, there are a decent number of Dr Seuss stories where a
protagonist/main character is not named. My kids and I noticed this way
back when I was reading books to them.

Tony

[1] Which I enjoyed, like all of Martinez' novels, and I am wishing he
would write more, soon.

[2] I have not read the sequels, so I don't know if the protagonist
acquires a name later.
Ted Nolan <tednolan>
2024-06-26 17:07:46 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tony Nance
Post by James Nicoll
Five SFF Works Featuring Nameless Protagonists
What's in a name?
https://reactormag.com/five-sff-works-featuring-nameless-protagonists/
Oh spiffy - very interesting essay - thanks.
Of the very few that came to mind, one is in your essay (A Nameless
Witch[1]), and one is in the comments (Zelazny's My Name is Legion).
The other definite one that came to mind is Annihilation[2] by Jeff
Vandermeer.
- I don't think the protagonist of Wells' The War of the Worlds has a name.
- I don't think Wells' Murderbot has acquired a name yet (besides
"Murderbot")- at least not one they accept.
By the way, there are a decent number of Dr Seuss stories where a
protagonist/main character is not named. My kids and I noticed this way
back when I was reading books to them.
Tony
[1] Which I enjoyed, like all of Martinez' novels, and I am wishing he
would write more, soon.
[2] I have not read the sequels, so I don't know if the protagonist
acquires a name later.
I wonder if "The Leewit" & "The Luidaeg" count as names, exactly.
--
columbiaclosings.com
What's not in Columbia anymore..
Michael F. Stemper
2024-06-27 12:53:00 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tony Nance
Post by James Nicoll
Five SFF Works Featuring Nameless Protagonists
What's in a name?
https://reactormag.com/five-sff-works-featuring-nameless-protagonists/
Oh spiffy - very interesting essay - thanks.
Of the very few that came to mind, one is in your essay (A Nameless Witch[1]), and one is in the comments (Zelazny's My Name is Legion).
The other definite one that came to mind is Annihilation[2] by Jeff Vandermeer.
Did the protagonist in Delany's _Babel-17_ have a name? As I recall it, he
didn't even have the concept of "I".
--
Michael F. Stemper
Why doesn't anybody care about apathy?
Chris Buckley
2024-06-27 20:52:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by Michael F. Stemper
Post by Tony Nance
Post by James Nicoll
Five SFF Works Featuring Nameless Protagonists
What's in a name?
https://reactormag.com/five-sff-works-featuring-nameless-protagonists/
Oh spiffy - very interesting essay - thanks.
Of the very few that came to mind, one is in your essay (A Nameless Witch[1]), and one is in the comments (Zelazny's My Name is Legion).
The other definite one that came to mind is Annihilation[2] by Jeff Vandermeer.
Did the protagonist in Delany's _Babel-17_ have a name? As I recall it, he
didn't even have the concept of "I".
_Babel-17- is a strong Favorite, even with its flaws. I couldn't remember
for certain, so I had to re-read it. Thanks for the question!

I would say the protagonist is actually the female lead, Rydra Wong. But the
male lead indeed didn't even have the concept of "I". Very well developed
and fascinating musings on language, thought, and communication.

It turns out the male lead did have a name, though nobody knew it for
the vast majority of the book (and it's probably a spoiler to say it.)

Chris
Michael F. Stemper
2024-06-29 13:17:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Buckley
Post by Michael F. Stemper
Did the protagonist in Delany's _Babel-17_ have a name? As I recall it, he
didn't even have the concept of "I".
_Babel-17- is a strong Favorite, even with its flaws. I couldn't remember
for certain, so I had to re-read it. Thanks for the question!
I would say the protagonist is actually the female lead, Rydra Wong.
Yeah, you're probably right in that. The guy about whom I was thinking
was more of a McGuffin, maybe? Or, maybe not; he did matter. What is
the right term for such a character?
--
Michael F. Stemper
Galatians 3:28
Paul S Person
2024-06-29 15:39:33 UTC
Permalink
On Sat, 29 Jun 2024 08:17:57 -0500, "Michael F. Stemper"
Post by Michael F. Stemper
Post by Chris Buckley
Post by Michael F. Stemper
Did the protagonist in Delany's _Babel-17_ have a name? As I recall it, he
didn't even have the concept of "I".
_Babel-17- is a strong Favorite, even with its flaws. I couldn't remember
for certain, so I had to re-read it. Thanks for the question!
I would say the protagonist is actually the female lead, Rydra Wong.
Yeah, you're probably right in that. The guy about whom I was thinking
was more of a McGuffin, maybe? Or, maybe not; he did matter. What is
the right term for such a character?
Heroine (in the traditional sense)? Does he basically sit around being
sad and waiting to be rescued?

Oh, wait ...
--
"Here lies the Tuscan poet Aretino,
Who evil spoke of everyone but God,
Giving as his excuse, 'I never knew him.'"
The Horny Goat
2024-07-06 06:54:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tony Nance
- I don't think the protagonist of Wells' The War of the Worlds has a name.
- I don't think Wells' Murderbot has acquired a name yet (besides
"Murderbot")- at least not one they accept.
Speaking of HG Wells, the protagonist of The Time Machine (which I
decided after all these years I should finally read it - and completed
it this morning) definitely doesn't.
Lynn McGuire
2024-07-06 20:54:31 UTC
Permalink
Post by The Horny Goat
Post by Tony Nance
- I don't think the protagonist of Wells' The War of the Worlds has a name.
- I don't think Wells' Murderbot has acquired a name yet (besides
"Murderbot")- at least not one they accept.
Speaking of HG Wells, the protagonist of The Time Machine (which I
decided after all these years I should finally read it - and completed
it this morning) definitely doesn't.
The Time Machine's Protagonist's name is H. G. Wells. The Time Traveler.

Lynn
Michael F. Stemper
2024-07-07 14:14:50 UTC
Permalink
Post by The Horny Goat
Post by Tony Nance
- I don't think the protagonist of Wells' The War of the Worlds has a name.
- I don't think Wells' Murderbot has acquired a name yet (besides
"Murderbot")- at least not one they accept.
Speaking of HG Wells, the protagonist of The Time Machine (which I
decided after all these years I should finally read it - and completed
it this morning) definitely doesn't.
The Time Machine's Protagonist's name is H. G. Wells.  The Time Traveler.
In what chapter is The Time Traveller referred to as "H. G. Wells"?

Here is the text:
<https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/35/pg35-images.html>
--
Michael F. Stemper
A preposition is something you should never end a sentence with.
Ted Nolan <tednolan>
2024-07-07 15:50:04 UTC
Permalink
Post by Michael F. Stemper
Post by The Horny Goat
Post by Tony Nance
- I don't think the protagonist of Wells' The War of the Worlds has a name.
- I don't think Wells' Murderbot has acquired a name yet (besides
"Murderbot")- at least not one they accept.
Speaking of HG Wells, the protagonist of The Time Machine (which I
decided after all these years I should finally read it - and completed
it this morning) definitely doesn't.
The Time Machine's Protagonist's name is H. G. Wells.  The Time Traveler.
In what chapter is The Time Traveller referred to as "H. G. Wells"?
<https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/35/pg35-images.html>
I believe it happens in this chapter:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_After_Time_(1979_film)
--
columbiaclosings.com
What's not in Columbia anymore..
Dimensional Traveler
2024-07-07 20:07:27 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>
Post by Michael F. Stemper
Post by The Horny Goat
Post by Tony Nance
- I don't think the protagonist of Wells' The War of the Worlds has a name.
- I don't think Wells' Murderbot has acquired a name yet (besides
"Murderbot")- at least not one they accept.
Speaking of HG Wells, the protagonist of The Time Machine (which I
decided after all these years I should finally read it - and completed
it this morning) definitely doesn't.
The Time Machine's Protagonist's name is H. G. Wells.  The Time Traveler.
In what chapter is The Time Traveller referred to as "H. G. Wells"?
<https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/35/pg35-images.html>
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_After_Time_(1979_film)
That's not the book though. NEVER assume anything at all in a movie
based on a book has anything to do with the original book.
--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.
Ted Nolan <tednolan>
2024-07-08 06:45:41 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tony Nance
Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>
Post by Michael F. Stemper
Post by The Horny Goat
Post by Tony Nance
- I don't think the protagonist of Wells' The War of the Worlds
has a name.
Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>
Post by Michael F. Stemper
Post by The Horny Goat
Post by Tony Nance
- I don't think Wells' Murderbot has acquired a name yet (besides
"Murderbot")- at least not one they accept.
Speaking of HG Wells, the protagonist of The Time Machine (which I
decided after all these years I should finally read it - and completed
it this morning) definitely doesn't.
The Time Machine's Protagonist's name is H. G. Wells.  The Time Traveler.
In what chapter is The Time Traveller referred to as "H. G. Wells"?
<https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/35/pg35-images.html>
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_After_Time_(1979_film)
That's not the book though. NEVER assume anything at all in a movie
based on a book has anything to do with the original book.
Oddly, I am aware of that.
--
columbiaclosings.com
What's not in Columbia anymore..
Jerry Brown
2024-07-08 06:59:56 UTC
Permalink
On Sun, 7 Jul 2024 13:07:27 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
Post by Dimensional Traveler
Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>
Post by Michael F. Stemper
Post by The Horny Goat
Post by Tony Nance
- I don't think the protagonist of Wells' The War of the Worlds has a name.
- I don't think Wells' Murderbot has acquired a name yet (besides
"Murderbot")- at least not one they accept.
Speaking of HG Wells, the protagonist of The Time Machine (which I
decided after all these years I should finally read it - and completed
it this morning) definitely doesn't.
The Time Machine's Protagonist's name is H. G. Wells.  The Time Traveler.
In what chapter is The Time Traveller referred to as "H. G. Wells"?
<https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/35/pg35-images.html>
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_After_Time_(1979_film)
That's not the book though. NEVER assume anything at all in a movie
based on a book has anything to do with the original book.
For that matter the George Pal movie did this first: the Traveller is
referred to as "George" by his companions, and the machine's control
panel states that it was manufactured by "H. George Wells".

As far as the original is concerned it explicitly avoids giving his
name, as here in Chapter 2:
'"Where’s ---?" said I, naming our host.'
--
Jerry Brown

A cat may look at a king
(but probably won't bother)
Tony Nance
2024-07-08 19:44:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by The Horny Goat
Post by Tony Nance
- I don't think the protagonist of Wells' The War of the Worlds has a name.
- I don't think Wells' Murderbot has acquired a name yet (besides
"Murderbot")- at least not one they accept.
Speaking of HG Wells, the protagonist of The Time Machine (which I
decided after all these years I should finally read it - and completed
it this morning) definitely doesn't.
Interesting! It's probably been 40+ year since I read that, and I'd
forgotten.

Tony
Lynn McGuire
2024-07-06 21:08:53 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tony Nance
Post by James Nicoll
Five SFF Works Featuring Nameless Protagonists
What's in a name?
https://reactormag.com/five-sff-works-featuring-nameless-protagonists/
Oh spiffy - very interesting essay - thanks.
Of the very few that came to mind, one is in your essay (A Nameless
Witch[1]), and one is in the comments (Zelazny's My Name is Legion).
The other definite one that came to mind is Annihilation[2] by Jeff
Vandermeer.
- I don't think the protagonist of Wells' The War of the Worlds has a name.
- I don't think Wells' Murderbot has acquired a name yet (besides
"Murderbot")- at least not one they accept.
...

Murderbot took the name of the Security Consultant Rin when it was
headed toward the mining planet where the bots went rogue on the miners.
I suspect that we will see that name again.

Lynn
Default User
2024-07-08 23:28:10 UTC
Permalink
Post by Lynn McGuire
Post by Tony Nance
Post by James Nicoll
Five SFF Works Featuring Nameless Protagonists
What's in a name?
https://reactormag.com/five-sff-works-featuring-nameless-protagonists/
Post by Lynn McGuire
Post by Tony Nance
Oh spiffy - very interesting essay - thanks.
Of the very few that came to mind, one is in your essay (A Nameless
Witch[1]), and one is in the comments (Zelazny's My Name is Legion).
The other definite one that came to mind is Annihilation[2] by Jeff
Vandermeer.
- I don't think the protagonist of Wells' The War of the Worlds has
a name. - I don't think Wells' Murderbot has acquired a name yet
(besides "Murderbot")- at least not one they accept.
...
Murderbot took the name of the Security Consultant Rin when it was
headed toward the mining planet where the bots went rogue on the
miners. I suspect that we will see that name again.
It used "Eden" in the second story. In Fugitive Telemetry, there was a
negotiation for a "Feed ID" to use in Preservation territory, and the
matter was settled with "SecUnit". That's pretty much what all the
Preservation people called it in the novels.


Brian

Garrett Wollman
2024-06-26 17:55:31 UTC
Permalink
Post by James Nicoll
Five SFF Works Featuring Nameless Protagonists
What's in a name?
https://reactormag.com/five-sff-works-featuring-nameless-protagonists/
I immediately think of The Captain in Saunders' Commonweal. It's not
a military thing -- all the other Standard-Captains have names. In
Book 5 one of the other graul explains that they all, as a people,
decided to excommunicate The Captain for accepting an officer's
commission, and consider The Captain to be nameless, although this
fails to explain why The Captain wouldn't still consider themself to
have the name they were given originally. (Given what the same book
reveals about graul reproduction it's unclear how they get their names
in the first place, or if they even know who their parents are.
Perhaps that will be revealed in book 6, if one is ever published.)

-GAWollman
--
Garrett A. Wollman | "Act to avoid constraining the future; if you can,
***@bimajority.org| act to remove constraint from the future. This is
Opinions not shared by| a thing you can do, are able to do, to do together."
my employers. | - Graydon Saunders, _A Succession of Bad Days_ (2015)
Lynn McGuire
2024-06-26 19:11:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by James Nicoll
Five SFF Works Featuring Nameless Protagonists
What's in a name?
https://reactormag.com/five-sff-works-featuring-nameless-protagonists/
Zero for five unless I am wrong about the Tanith Lee book.

Lynn
Christian Weisgerber
2024-06-26 21:15:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by James Nicoll
Five SFF Works Featuring Nameless Protagonists
https://reactormag.com/five-sff-works-featuring-nameless-protagonists/
The Doctor.
--
Christian "naddy" Weisgerber ***@mips.inka.de
Don
2024-06-27 14:21:41 UTC
Permalink
Post by James Nicoll
Five SFF Works Featuring Nameless Protagonists
What's in a name?
https://reactormag.com/five-sff-works-featuring-nameless-protagonists/
_The Time Machine_ (Wells) features a nameless protagonist known
simply as "the time traveller."

Then there's the nameless narrator of _New Atlantis_ (Bacon). This
story's setting's similar to Lemuria: <https://lemuria.net/> - a new
Atlantis in the South Pacific. The story clearly illuminates Bacon's
infatuation with the secret life.

Danke,

--
Don.......My cat's )\._.,--....,'``. https://crcomp.net/reviews.php
telltale tall tail /, _.. \ _\ (`._ ,. Walk humbly with thy God.
tells tall tales.. `._.-(,_..'--(,_..'`-.;.' Make 1984 fiction again.
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