Page 161 - Communication Processes Volume 3 Communication Culture and Confrontation

136 Guy Poitevin

chance finds himself involved in it just because of his presence
at the spot. This purely instrumental involvement is remark-
ably rewarding in a first phase, but in the end turns out to be a
reason of vindictive punishment by the defeated party: curse
of life-long hard work for not keeping a promise of secrecy, or
nostrils enlarged for having been only indirectly and unknow-
-
ingly instrumental to the discovery of Megharaj.
It should be stressed that the instrumental status of the alien
third party proves crucial to turning the whole situation upside
down, whether this results from a wilful intervention of the out-
sider or is independent of his will. In other words, if this pivotal
role of reversal is crucial to the semantics of the narrative it-
self, this does not follow from the character nor the will of the
personage—the donkey—who is no party to the conflict, but
from other logical compulsions that pertain to the semantics
itself of the narrative and that the donkey serves as a mere
instrument.

The Stakes or the Semantics of the Conflict
The control over life on earth is obviously the first crucial stake. This
is explicitly articulated by the myths. Still, what is not stated in this
respect but simply taken for granted is why such control over the
smooth continuation of life on earth and the concern for the welfare of
all living beings should be of such paramount importance to the gods.
For the myth this goes without saying; it is an obvious assumption that
requires no statement or explanation. The terrific anxiety felt by all
the gods and especially by their king or chief is assumed as naturally
understandable. This implication belongs to the realm of unsaid truths,
which sets up the whole cognitive setting of the myth. This cognitive
framework is shared by all those to whom the myth makes sense. It
points indeed to the essential sense of the myth, and partakes of the
truth that the discourse tells its audience.
The unsaid truth is that of the natural supremacy of gods over all
living beings and the earth as a whole. Gods are the regular guardians
of life. The earth and its welfare are their domain and prerogative.
Therefore, it is no wonder that the wind and cloud become crucial
stakes in the conflict as soon as one party wants to challenge the gods’
supremacy and authority, either out of aggression to simply counter
them and make an attempt on their power, or only for taking revenge