Lasaraleen’s Life – “What More Do You Want?” | Talking Beasts
The Horse and His Boy Book Commentary, Part 4
Podcast Discussion
Lasaraleen Tarkheena is a minor character, but a podcast discussion devoted to her somehow feels long overdue. Is it possible there really is more to life than clothes, parties, and gossip? Let’s talk…
Because we recorded this immediately after the previous episode, we do not respond to comments here. But we will next time, so please keep them coming!
– Glumpuddle
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I couldn't play the podcast.
Should be working now, thanks.
That's an interesting point about the reader kind of liking Lasaraleen even though she's the anti-role model. I think that's true of this reader (myself) anyway.
Here's a comment a posted earlier that could fit into the next podcast. Though there are so many interesting comments that I understand if there are others you'd rather address.
"Does the tisroc (may he live forever) really believe Ahoshta’s flattery? The tisroc seems like a pretty sharp guy. He can tell that attacking the Narnians is probably going to fail. He can tell that Ahoshta doesn’t like Rabadash. He can tell that Rabadash probably doesn’t really like his father. So does he really believe Ahoshta’s claims about how much he loves the tisroc? And if not, why does he keep him around?"
P.S.
Glumpuddle's Lasaraleen impression was awesome.
LOL!!! At the very last line in the podcast about the "alien race of Calormen".. perfect ending. ha 😀
Lasaraleen was silly, but not completely bad. She is indeed kind of like Susan was in The Last Battle (she is interested excessively in fashion and trivial things). But she was close to being a friend of Narnia in her helping of Aravis and the Narnians. She is at least partially good in her kindness (showing hospitality) to Aravis and with her positive attitude. It's kind of hard not to like her– even with her faults and foolishness.
Yes it works now. Thank you for fixing it, but I was sound asleep when you did it. I did enjoy the podcast, now, at 7.30 pm, AEST especially Glumpuddle's taking off Lazaraleen. The good thing about Our Laz is that she took the trouble of helping Aravis to escape. There was a genre of literature called "romance novels" and Our Laz would fit at least some of the heroines in such tales to a T. Highborn girl goes for her debut at some ball or other, probably at the end of what passes for formal girls' education in Calormen, the princes, Tarkaans and other high ups look them over, and then approach these girls' families once they have selected out which girl they fancy. Sort of like cattle in the stockyard. I bet that is how Ahoshta became interested in Aravis, and her stepmother played this interest up for all her worth. And I guess that Our Laz has been brainwashed to expect early marriage as her fate from an early age. Deep thinking isn't Our Laz's forte.
I agree. No wonder Lazaraleen didn't think Susan was all that beautiful. I think Lazaraleen and Queen Susan also could be cousins if not twins. And that though Lazaraleen is a comic figure, that there is more to what C.S.Lewis is saying about the attitudes of both girls, how both girls contrast with Aravis, and how they were all educated, than meets the eye.
Great podcast as always guys:) And I totally agree that Glumpuddle would be a great voice actor!
On an unrelated note, once the Horse and His Boy commentary is over, would you consider making a podcast on the different ways the Narnia movies have been adapted? Like Prince Caspian adapted the plot more or less the same but the characters were not at all like their book counterparts (I'm looking at you Peter, Caspian, and Reepicheep) while Voyage had a completely different plot (Save the World! etc) but I felt Caspian and Reepicheep's characters were far closer to their more chivalrous and noble origins. Either way keep up the great work:)
I think they were trying to make Reepicheep a more heroic and dramatic character in the VDT movie, but because of some bad lines and line deliveries, he came across as a…goofy British stereotype for lack of a better description. A "jolly good, what ho" kind of guy.
I like some parts of Caspian's character better in the PC book and some better in the PC movie. I prefer how in the book he has always loved the idea of the Old Narnians. In the movie, it seems like he's just helping them so they'll help him become king. (Well, maybe not quite that self serving but in the ballpark.)
On the other hand, I think his character arc in the movie, how he goes from believing in Peter to being disillusioned with him to being "reillusioned" with him by the end. I guess I find book! Caspian better at the beginning and movie! Caspian better at the end. If only the could be combined somehow.
Hmm, I never thought of Caspian in that light, but it does give his actions more sense.
And I see what you mean about Reepicheep being goofy in VDT (especially when they paired him with Eustace as comic relief) but he is a mouse with the heart and courage of a lion, so a little dramatic heroism never hurt anyone:) I guess what was most off-putting for me was (in PC) he told Pattertwig to shut up which i found didn't match his kindness Lewis portrayed (i.e. when he comforts dragon Eustace)
Whenever I've thought about Laseraleen (Lazzeraleen for me), I've been at first annoyed at her for being frivolous and brainwashed – Yet I still feel affection for her, nonetheless.
She's a loyal friend, and not a coward – no really, she's not. She has quirky character traits – it's no wonder Aravis still likes and admires her, even if she can't stand being around her for too long.
Laseraleen is like that friend we've all had who frustrates us because we think he/she stands for things that are completely false/wrong (not to mention their complete lack of realizing the irony of their beliefs) and yet, we still love them, and learn from them.
Hey there guys, I've been really enjoying the latest podcast episodes, I have just joined in and discovered you – Loving your insights into the meaning and messages of Lewis' great little books.
Just wanted to chime in on the topic of the pronunciation of 'Lasaraleen' 😉 – I actually think that it ought to be said "LAZ-ra-leen", and I think there is some support for this in the text as I believe (though I don't have a page number for you) that Aravis actually calls her "Laz" as a nickname during their time together. 🙂 (Whereas if the name was pronounced as La-SAR-a-leen, the s would be softer and wouldn't lend itself to the z sound so easily). – So I cannot remember whether it was Rilian or Glumpuddle who corrected his own pronunciation, but I am pretty sure he was actually right the first time.
I don't know if you're still reading this comments section, Keeper of Lantern Waste, but there have been podcasts in the past that have talked about the adaptations for PC and VODT. If you haven't listened to them before, you should. They're really good.
Here's a link to a page where you can find the ones where they talk about the characters in Prince Caspian. https://www.narniaweb.com/cat/podcast/page/10/
Hope it works for you.
Hey thanks, I'll check them out
I've thought the same. She's obsessed with frivolous things, but overall she seems guileless and at least tries to do the right thing when given the opportunity and encouragement. I liked Glumpuddle's point that "Laz" is a picture of what Aravis could have been had she chosen a different path. Her choices may not have been the best or wisest, but they don't keep her from being likable 🙂
That pronunciation sounds more natural (though I was unable to find "Laz" in the text).
In my edition Aravis calls Lasaraleen Las for short. Which is just how I'd see both of them, to be honest. But I'm also following the way we do things here, so don't mind me. Someone called Barry usually gets Baz, Sharon gets Shaz, and someone called Gary gets called Gaz. Or Gazza. So I'd still be tempted to call her Laz whatever the correct pronunciation might be. Oops!