Bungie Universe
This topic has moved here: Subject: About the Arum
  • Subject: About the Arum
Subject: About the Arum

"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum

[Repost from Waypoint]

The Arum pops up quite a lot in Glasslands; many references are made to it both directly and passively. Jul even takes one with him on his travels and is made aware of its presence on him from time to time. For what is essentially a toy, it gets a lot of attention. I think there is some significance to it.

It is obvious that Sangheili are not very adept at solving them. Most are only capable of solving one once in their lives. Their record times were noted to be measured in days. Then along comes Phillips who solved one in a few hours for his first time, and then does them in under half an hour. Perhaps it is saying that the Sangheili are not approaching the puzzle with the right mindset, which could mirror their current approach to life as they are right now not holding views which are sustainable for the future. One way this could be true is the way they view Humanity, and also other races: In the case of Humanity, as lying, devious vermin. The other races with their stereotypes too. They are not trying to understand Humanity or the others, but rather just want to conquer them through the glass of a generalization; to enforce, as Jul puts it, Sangheili dominance. Perhaps this is mirrored in the Arum in the way that they are approaching it; not trying to understand it but just trying to conquer it. If they tried to understand it, then they could perhaps solve it quicker; understand these other races, and perhaps some sort of co-existence would be possible.

Or perhaps, more explicitly, it is showing that Humans are more inventive than the Sangheili. The fastest time for a Sangheili is days, Phillips can master them in 30 minutes.

There was another thing I saw, some possible symbolism that was overlooked during the part where Phillips solves it right in front of Jul's face. First though was the description of the Arum. On page 88 it was described as being a representation of the Sangheili's society. An efficient and orderly system, presenting an impenetrably smooth face to the outside world. When Phillips solves the thing a gem stone falls out that was compared to Earth in its aesthetics. If the Arum's spheres, the shell in essence, is representative of the Sangheili facing outwards towards the world then does anyone think that there is any significance to a comparison being made that makes it look like a small Earth was at its centre? Symbolic of a brighter future of acceptance?

There is also a flip side. Jul viewed things another way with the Arum. He viewed it as a representation of the issues with the Sangheili's society. Rigid, orthodox and reliant upon higher and higher authorities to function properly, sort of like how the Arum itself relies upon the ordering of higher spheres in order for the lower one to do anything. In order to get to the gem stone, you have to shift through all the spheres in the right order, being mirrored in the Sangheili with the fact that if one wants a particular action done then you would have to motivate each level of their society in turn. (State Keeps, and then city keeps and then Township Keeps, etc). What Jul wants to do (Wipe out Humanity) is hindered by a lack of proper unity with having all the keeps separate now. I sort of view this as the Heirarches being the outer sphere in essence, which in turn motivated the lower spheres (The lower keeps had leadership and orders from the Heirarchs). What Jul wants to do is like trying to move the lower spheres without moving the upper ones first. The part where Phillips solves the Arum could represent the issues with the Sangheili's society being solved and unity being restored. In order to get anything done (To get to the Arum's centre), the spheres have to be shifted in the right order (Social hierarchies; higher levels ordering and rallying the lower levels) and when it is done, a small Earth rolls out. So is this therefore a symbolic representation of Jul's goals then? If he could get through the rigid hierarchies of his people, then he could get at Earth.

Or perhaps I am looking too deeply into this, but for a glorified Rubiks cube it does get a decent amount of references all throughout the book. Thoughts?

Also, this looks a lot like the description of an arum: Spheres within spheres, and a little ball in the centre. I wonder if it was inspiration for the Arum.

[Edited on 01.14.2012 2:27 PM PST]

  • 01.04.2012 2:03 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Veteran Legendary Member

Don't be stupid like I was! Check to see what that Forum Ninja is saying to you!

"I may not like what you say, but I will defend your right to the death to say it!"

"Tolerance is a virtue, and virtue builds character."
-Onyx81

Good Read. Definitely good symbolism on Traviss's part.

  • 01.04.2012 2:23 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Posted by: Onyx81
Good Read. Definitely good symbolism on Traviss's part.


Surprise, surprise on that that, lol.

But no, I do see what you're saying Anton and I'm beating myself up for missing it.

  • 01.04.2012 2:26 PM PDT

"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum

I am leaning more towards me looking too deeply into it to be honest. Rarely do these sort of observations turn out to be true in the end.

  • 01.04.2012 2:44 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Posted by: anton1792
I am leaning more towards me looking too deeply into it to be honest. Rarely do these sort of observations turn out to be true in the end.


It could just be a concept Traviss introduces, doesn't elaborate on it in this book on and maybe if we're lucky it'll come full circle.

  • 01.04.2012 2:47 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Good thoughts on that. I didn't think about it much, as I'm still muddling over the ending.

  • 01.04.2012 2:57 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Don't do anything you wouldn't want to have to explain to paramedics. Trust me, I'm a pilot.

Very good read.

  • 01.04.2012 5:29 PM PDT

I am Field Master Avu Med 'Telcam, Servant of the Abiding Truth, and I have many brothers.

A god who creates tools is still a god. It is not for us to impose qualifications upon the divine or presume to guess its intentions.

I want that toy. And as for the theory, I mean, it's interesting, however very much conjecture. But that's not saying much, considering we have next to nothing to work with. I like it though.

  • 01.04.2012 6:07 PM PDT