Review of Equal Rites: A Discworld Novel 《平等權利》（Equal Rites）——碟形世界小說評論

Introduction

Equal Rites is the third book in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series and marks a significant shift in the series’ tone and themes. While the first two books, The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic, primarily focused on satirizing traditional fantasy tropes, Equal Rites introduces deeper social commentary, particularly concerning gender roles, tradition, and equality. Published in 1987, the novel also marks the debut of one of Discworld’s most beloved characters—Granny Weatherwax, a formidable witch from the mountainous kingdom of Lancre.

Unlike its predecessors, which followed the hapless wizard Rincewind, Equal Rites presents a self-contained story centered on a young girl, Eskarina Smith, who inadvertently inherits the magical staff of a dying wizard and is subsequently expected to become the first female wizard in history. The novel explores her struggles against institutionalized sexism, the tension between wizardry and witchcraft, and the idea that tradition should be challenged when it becomes an obstacle to progress.

《平等權利》（Equal Rites）——碟形世界小說評論

引言

《平等權利》（Equal Rites）是泰瑞·普拉契特（Terry Pratchett）碟形世界（Discworld）系列的第三部小說，標誌著本系列在基調和主題上的重大轉變。與前兩部作品《魔法的顏色》（The Color of Magic）和《魔光》（The Light Fantastic）主要以諷刺傳統奇幻元素為主不同，本書更深入地探討了社會議題，尤其是性別角色、傳統與平等的問題。

該書出版於 1987 年，也首次引入了碟形世界中最受喜愛的角色之一——來自蘭克（Lancre）王國的強大女巫天氣巫婆（Granny Weatherwax）。

與前兩部以倒楣巫師林蔭風（Rincewind）為主角的小說不同，《平等權利》是一個獨立的故事，講述了一位名叫艾絲卡莉娜·史密斯（Eskarina "Esk" Smith）的年輕女孩，她在無意間繼承了一位臨終巫師的魔法權杖，從而成為歷史上第一位有望成為巫師的女性。這部小說探討了她如何對抗制度化的性別歧視、女巫與巫師之間的衝突，以及當傳統成為進步的阻礙時，應當如何挑戰它。

Plot Summary

The story begins in the rural village of Bad Ass, where a dying wizard, Drum Billet, arrives in search of the eighth son of an eighth son—destined to be a wizard. However, in a twist of fate, the child he blesses with magic turns out to be a girl, Eskarina "Esk" Smith. Since the male-exclusive nature of wizardry has never been questioned, this creates an unprecedented situation.

As Esk grows up, she begins to display signs of powerful but uncontrolled magic. Realizing that something must be done, the village’s local witch, Granny Weatherwax, takes Esk under her wing. However, Granny soon discovers that witchcraft, which relies on practical knowledge, cunning, and natural magic, is not enough to train Esk’s unique wizarding abilities. This leads them on a journey to Ankh-Morpork, where Esk must prove herself to the rigid hierarchy of Unseen University, the prestigious and male-dominated institution of wizardry.

Upon arriving, Esk faces immediate resistance. Wizards believe that only men can wield magic in a structured way, dismissing Esk’s potential outright. However, through determination, intelligence, and sheer magical talent, Esk eventually breaks through these prejudices. When a catastrophic magical event threatens the fabric of reality, Esk joins forces with a young apprentice wizard named Simon and demonstrates that magic is not inherently gendered—rather, it is about knowledge, skill, and willpower.

By the novel’s end, Esk’s story does not entirely overthrow the system, but it does challenge it. She proves that the barriers separating witches and wizards are not as absolute as tradition suggests, leaving open the possibility of change.

劇情概要

故事始於巴達斯村（Bad Ass），一位垂死的巫師——鼓·畢利特（Drum Billet）來到此地，尋找一位傳說中天賦異稟的「第八個兒子的第八個兒子」，這個孩子將天生具備強大的魔法能力。然而，他萬萬沒想到自己賦予魔法天賦的嬰兒竟然是一名女孩——艾絲卡莉娜（簡稱艾絲克，Esk）。

由於巫師傳統上只由男性擔任，這讓艾絲克的未來變得撲朔迷離。隨著她逐漸長大，體內潛藏的強大魔法開始失控，這讓當地的女巫——天氣巫婆（Granny Weatherwax）決定收她為徒，試圖用女巫的方式來指導她。然而，天氣巫婆很快發現，女巫的魔法更依賴於實踐、智慧與自然之力，並不足以駕馭艾絲克那種屬於巫師的強大魔法。於是，她們踏上了前往安科‧莫波克（Ankh-Morpork）的旅程，希望讓艾絲克能夠進入由男性壟斷的隱形大學（Unseen University）學習巫術。

然而，隱形大學的巫師們對於女性學習巫術持強烈反對態度，認為只有男性才能成為巫師。艾絲克必須依靠自己的決心、智慧以及純粹的魔法天賦來挑戰這一傳統。在這個過程中，她與一名年輕的巫師學徒西蒙（Simon）聯手，並在一場威脅現實結構的魔法災難中證明了自己的價值。

故事的結尾，艾絲克並沒有完全推翻體制，但她成功動搖了性別隔閡的界線，為未來的變革埋下了伏筆。

Character Analysis

Eskarina "Esk" Smith

Esk is an unconventional protagonist, especially within the fantasy genre. She is young, determined, and fiercely intelligent, refusing to accept societal expectations that dictate what she can or cannot become. Unlike many classic fantasy heroines, she does not wait for others to validate her abilities—she fights for her right to learn and prove herself.

Her journey is not just about mastering magic but also about challenging a rigid, patriarchal system. She is neither a rebellious firebrand nor a passive victim; she is pragmatic, clever, and willing to learn from both witches and wizards alike. This balance makes her an engaging and relatable character.

Granny Weatherwax

Granny Weatherwax is one of the most iconic figures in Discworld, and her first appearance in Equal Rites immediately establishes her as a force to be reckoned with. She is wise, stubborn, and deeply practical, embodying the essence of headology—a mix of psychological manipulation, experience, and sheer presence that allows her to influence others without resorting to direct magic.

Although she initially believes in traditional gender roles—seeing witchcraft as a woman’s domain and wizardry as a man’s—she gradually changes her stance as she witnesses Esk’s natural aptitude. Granny’s dynamic character development makes her one of the most compelling aspects of the novel.

Simon

Simon serves as Esk’s foil, representing a more traditional, scholarly approach to magic. He is a prodigious talent in theoretical wizardry, but his academic mindset limits his ability to see beyond convention. His character provides an interesting contrast to Esk’s more instinctual and intuitive grasp of magic. Their interactions highlight the novel’s central theme—that knowledge should not be confined by arbitrary traditions.

The Wizards of Unseen University

The faculty of Unseen University represents the deeply entrenched sexism and conservatism within Discworld’s magical establishment. Their refusal to accept Esk is not based on logical reasoning but rather on centuries of unchallenged tradition. However, their portrayal is not entirely villainous; rather, they are depicted as bumbling, self-important, and resistant to change, making them a source of both humor and criticism.

角色分析

艾絲卡莉娜·史密斯（Eskarina "Esk" Smith）

艾絲克是一位不同於傳統奇幻小說主角的角色。她聰明、堅韌，拒絕接受社會為她設定的限制。與許多奇幻故事中的女性角色不同，她並不等待別人的認可，而是積極爭取自己的學習權利，勇敢挑戰不公的制度。

她的旅程不僅是學習魔法的過程，更是對抗一個根深蒂固的父權體制。她既不是憤怒的反抗者，也不是被動的受害者，而是機智、實用主義的學習者，願意向女巫和巫師雙方學習，這使她成為一個既有說服力又充滿魅力的角色。

天氣巫婆（Granny Weatherwax）

天氣巫婆是碟形世界中最具代表性的角色之一。本書是她的首次登場，而她的智慧、頑固和超凡脫俗的氣場立即讓人印象深刻。她擅長「頭腦術」（headology），這是一種融合心理操控、經驗與強大氣場的技術，讓她能夠影響他人而不需使用真正的魔法。

起初，她相信傳統的性別角色，認為女巫與巫師各有其職，但隨著艾絲克的成長，她逐漸改變了自己的看法。這種角色發展使她成為本書最吸引人的元素之一。

西蒙（Simon）

西蒙是艾絲克的對比角色，他是一個典型的學院派巫師，專注於學術研究和理論魔法，但缺乏對實際世界的理解。他的存在突顯了艾絲克直覺式魔法的優勢，也反映了傳統教育體制的局限性。

隱形大學的巫師們

隱形大學的巫師象徵著根深蒂固的保守主義和性別歧視。他們拒絕接受女性學習巫術的可能性，並非出於理性，而是因為「這就是傳統」。然而，他們並不是邪惡的反派，而是被描繪成自負、愚笨且害怕變革的老學究，這讓小說的諷刺意味更加鮮明。

Themes and Social Commentary

Gender and Equality

The most prominent theme in Equal Rites is gender inequality. Pratchett uses the conflict between witches and wizards to explore broader societal issues, such as discrimination, tradition versus progress, and institutional bias. The novel cleverly illustrates how barriers to equality are often upheld not by logic but by long-standing customs that go unchallenged.

Tradition vs. Innovation

Throughout the book, characters struggle with the weight of tradition. Wizards believe that only men can practice structured magic, and witches adhere to their own rigid system of natural magic. Esk and Granny challenge these ideas, demonstrating that true progress comes from questioning outdated beliefs.

The Nature of Magic

Magic in Equal Rites is depicted as a complex force that is not inherently gendered but shaped by how it is taught and understood. The novel suggests that different approaches to magic (structured wizardry vs. intuitive witchcraft) are complementary rather than exclusive.

Education and Gatekeeping

The book also critiques educational institutions that gatekeep knowledge based on arbitrary rules. Unseen University is a parody of real-world academic institutions that resist change and uphold traditions for their own sake rather than for any practical reason.

主題與社會評論

性別與平等

《平等權利》最核心的主題就是性別平等。普拉契特通過女巫與巫師之間的矛盾來探討更廣泛的社會議題，例如歧視、傳統與進步之間的衝突，以及體制性偏見。小說清楚地表達了這一觀點：阻礙性別平等的，往往不是能力問題，而是社會對性別角色的刻板印象。

傳統與創新

書中的角色不斷與傳統觀念作鬥爭。巫師認為只有男性才能學習巫術，女巫也固守自己的領域。然而，艾絲克和天氣巫婆的旅程表明，真正的進步來自於挑戰過時的信念。

魔法的本質

在《平等權利》中，魔法被描繪為一種複雜的力量，並非天生與性別相關，而是由於如何教授和理解它的方式而有所不同。小說暗示，對魔法的不同理解方式（結構化的巫術與直覺的女巫魔法）並非互相排斥，而是互補的關係。

教育與知識的壟斷

本書還批評了那些根據武斷規則限制知識流通的教育機構。隱形大學是對現實中學術機構的諷刺，這些機構抗拒變革，堅持傳統僅僅是為了維護傳統，而非基於實際的需要或理由。

Writing Style and Humor

Pratchett’s signature wit shines in Equal Rites. The novel is filled with sharp dialogue, clever wordplay, and absurd yet insightful observations about human nature. Compared to the first two books, this one takes a more structured approach to storytelling, with stronger character development and a more cohesive plot.

The humor is still present, but it is less about broad fantasy parody and more about satirical commentary on gender, education, and societal norms. This shift in tone marks the beginning of Discworld’s transition from light-hearted spoof to intelligent, multi-layered satire.

寫作風格與幽默

普拉契特在《平等權利》中展現了他標誌性的機智。小說充滿了尖銳的對話、巧妙的文字遊戲，以及對人性荒謬卻有洞察力的觀察。與前兩部作品相比，本書採用了更為結構化的敘事方式，角色發展更為深入，情節也更加緊湊。

幽默依然存在，但不再單純是對奇幻題材的廣泛戲仿，而更多是對性別、教育和社會規範的諷刺性評論。這種語氣的轉變標誌著碟形世界從輕鬆幽默的模仿過渡到更為智慧且層次分明的諷刺。

Criticism

While Equal Rites is a strong entry in the series, it is not without flaws. The ending, while satisfying, does not deliver a dramatic upheaval of the system—Esk’s success is more symbolic than revolutionary. Some readers may find the pacing uneven, particularly in the middle of the book when Esk’s journey to Unseen University feels a bit meandering.

Additionally, while Esk is a compelling protagonist, she does not appear in later Discworld novels, which may leave some readers wishing for further development of her character.

批評

儘管《平等權利》是系列中的一部強作，但也並非沒有缺點。結局雖然令人滿意，但並未帶來對體制的劇烈顛覆——艾絲克的成功更多是象徵性的，而非革命性的。有些讀者可能會覺得節奏不穩，特別是在書中間段，當艾絲克前往隱形大學的過程顯得有些漫無目的。

此外，儘管艾絲克是一位引人入勝的主角，但她並未出現在後來的碟形世界小說中，這可能會讓一些讀者希望能看到她角色的進一步發展。

Conclusion

Equal Rites is a turning point for the Discworld series, blending humor with social commentary in a way that sets the stage for Pratchett’s later masterpieces. It introduces deeper themes, more nuanced characters, and a stronger narrative structure while maintaining the wit and charm that define Discworld.

Although it does not completely upend the patriarchal system it critiques, it opens the door for change, reflecting the slow but inevitable progress of social evolution. For readers looking for a blend of fantasy, humor, and thought-provoking themes, Equal Rites is a must-read.

Final Rating: 4.5/5

結論

《平等權利》是碟形世界系列的一個轉折點，它將幽默與社會評論相融合，為普拉契特後來的傑作奠定了基礎。這部小說引入了更深層的主題、更具層次的角色，以及更強的敘事結構，同時保持了定義碟形世界的機智和魅力。

儘管它並未徹底顛覆它所批評的父權體制，但它為變革打開了大門，反映了社會進化的緩慢但必然的進步。對於尋求奇幻、幽默和發人深省主題結合的讀者來說，《平等權利》是一本必讀之作。

最終評分：4.5/5