Which timeline is the dream?

I think the historical thread is "real" and the modern-age storyline is the dream.

This makes me wonder what the modern-age characters represent. Nathan is reading "Cato" in issue 2 (http://thedreamercomic.com/comic.php?id=43). How does this relate to Ben? Yvette shares General Howe's last name. What does it mean?

Anyone care to spin wild theories with me?

I think that both timelines are real, actually.

I thought they might both be "real" at one time, too, but when historical Bea discovered that she also had an Uncle Hercules, that seemed less plausible to me.

I just Googled Hercules Mulligan, which led me to this interesting page:

http://www.irishfreedom.net/Fenian%20graves/Mulligan,%20H/Mulligan,%20%20H..htm

Note the mention of Cato. And Lora Innes said on FanFlow that it was important that Ben had to work for Uncle Hercules...

When did Lora post that? Is there a link?

I hope I don't get into trouble for sharing this, but it was from the comment thread on http://O.assetbar.com/one_asset?b=O~8715132a65ad247f9c4aad78add3dc9a1&a=O~70

(Which is only visible to FanFlow subscribers, and Lora just recently decided to stop updating FanFlow, so if you're not already on it, don't subscribe now).

She said "Well, I don't think anyone is reading this but us, so I'll tell you where the biggest reason came from. All the modern characters are more than just modern characters... there's something about Ben working for Uncle Herc that is important and necessary for the story."

I see.
I wonder when we'll see modern!Alexander and Nathan (if they exist).

I don't expect all the historical characters to have corresponding modern characters.

I'm starting to wonder if the modern characters are representative of Bea's conflicts in the historical era.

Maybe Bea is struggling with some dilemma that's represented by her relationship indecision with Ben?

Were Bea's parents Tories? Maybe she's stuck between their loyalties and those of her uncle (and Alan).

I think I read something somewhere that Bea's parents were/are Tories. I'm going to try and find a link to it.

Ah, I just bought and read "A Most Agreeable Thanksgiving" and it's in there that Beatrice's parents (and she herself) were Tories.

I know I'm a bit of a late comer to this...but I have a hard time thinking that Bea's mind could just "invent" either of these worlds/timelines. I mean, if the 18th century was the dream--modern-day Bea is clearly almost clueless when it comes to history, but even that seems more plausible than her 18th-century mind just coming up with Starbucks and electricity and football and all that.

So I think maybe both of them are real in some way, but if the 18th century was the only "real" one, that would be a really awesome twist!

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream... :-)

How closely does a story have to hold to reality? Isn't there always some suspension of disbelief required?

Though I agree that it's silly to imagine an 18th century girl perfectly dreaming up our modern world, the more I think about the story, the more I believe that the modern timeline is the dream. An awesome twist, indeed!

Honestly, if it turns out that the 18th century is the real world, then Bea dreaming of modern life could be explained as her subconsicous compensating for her memory loss...tho, if that's the case, one has to wonder where Freddy and Knowlton might fit into the modern world.

Or, she could be part Time Lord...ok I've watched too much Doctor Who

That Mulligan link was _very_ intriguing. And having Cato in there too...hmmm... thanks for posting the link!

I love twists like these!

Ok, now I'm really starting to think that this is what happened....
One, Bea befriended Cato, her uncles servant, while staying in NY.
Two, when she lost her memory in the 1700's her mind created an alternate world where she has been crushing on Ben Cato for the same amount of time that she's been in love with Alan.
Three, Instead of dying and leaving the comic, Nathan is going to come to the modern era as Bea's new history teacher and remember everything that happened in her "dreams"

Half Moon wrote:Honestly, if it turns out that the 18th century is the real world, then Bea dreaming of modern life could be explained as her subconsicous compensating for her memory loss...tho, if that's the case, one has to wonder where Freddy and Knowlton might fit into the modern world.

Or, she could be part Time Lord...ok I've watched too much Doctor Who

You can never watch too much Doctor Who!

MagicCrafter wrote:I know I'm a bit of a late comer to this...but I have a hard time thinking that Bea's mind could just "invent" either of these worlds/timelines. I mean, if the 18th century was the dream--modern-day Bea is clearly almost clueless when it comes to history, but even that seems more plausible than her 18th-century mind just coming up with Starbucks and electricity and football and all that.

I agree--I really don't think an 18th century girl could possibly invent VW beetles and cell phones and Lion King headdresses...nor could clueless drama queen invent the battles and real people of her dreams.

I have no problem with both timelines being real...magic, time traveling--they're both cool

As my friends and I say, Past Life Regression! Only Bea doesn't have to try. lol

It occurred to me that all the short stories are set in the historical timeline. Also, we sometimes see events unfolding in the historical timeline without Bea present, but do we ever see scenes in the modern timeline without her?

as for all the short stories being in the past...well, the past is a lot more interesting Face it--we wouldn't be reading The Dreamer if it was just a story about a 21st century drama queen. It's the history that keeps us interested.

There was one scene with Bea's parents talking about her without her there...can't think of any others off the top of my head...

Technically Bea was still "there" right? Her consciousness was there, at least, I think--she was drifting in and out of a dream, whichever timeline that dream was!

But I 100% agree: it's the 18th century that keeps me coming back to The Dreamer!

Had a bit of a thought--both timelines must be real. We've seen characters in both times interacting outside of Bea's knowledge (Bea's parents talking in the kitchen while she was out in the garden, more than once John and Liz talking when she's not there. Then there are multiple scenes with Alan and Knowlton that she wasn't even nearby for).

Therefore, to use Nathan's line of reasoning (back in chapter 4), both timelines must be real.

"...I have my own existence apart from yours. If I have my own experiences and memories to which you are not privy, then I cannot be something which exists merely in your dreams, now can I? Cogito, Ergo sum."

Actually, the next frame is pretty telling too:

"And to be honest, I'm a bit insulted that you think you could have invented me." to which Bea replies, "Good point. I'm not that creative."

Amazing the stuff that goes through my head while I'm sewing

So, is my logic sound?

Hey, sorry to bring up an older thread..

That link you posted was really neat. "Hint hint" to Sarah Mulligan, Columbia University, tailoring, Sons of Liberty.. In issue 2, Bea calls her aunt "Betty", Short for Elizabeth Sanders.
I can't wait to see how this all unfolds in the comic! I'm thinking some of the events in the modern part of the comic may show up in the Rev. War part. I'd love to see 18th Century Uncle Hercules.