Know Your Demons Part 1- Flann O'Brien meets Nietzsche

Vol. 1 Issue 32

So I recently read The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien. I though about what would happen if a character from this novel The Third Policeman met Nietzsche's demon from the Gay Science. First I list the real demon passage. This is followed by half of an attempt to fuse the two together. 

The greatest weight. —What, if some day or night a demon were to steal after you into your loneliest loneliness and say to you: "This life as you now live it and have lived it, you will have to live once more and innumerable times more; and there will be nothing new in it, but every pain and every joy and every thought and sigh and everything unutterably small or great in your life will have to return to you, all in the same succession and sequence—even this spider and this moonlight between the trees, and even this moment and I myself. The eternal hourglass of existence is turned upside down again and again, and you with it, speck of dust!"

Would you not throw yourself down and gnash your teeth and curse the demon who spoke thus? Or have you once experienced a tremendous moment when you would have answered him: "You are a god and never have I heard anything more divine." If this thought gained possession of you, it would change you as you are or perhaps crush you. The question in each and every thing, "Do you desire this once more and innumerable times more?" would lie upon your actions as the greatest weight. Or how well disposed would you have to become to yourself and to life to crave nothing more fervently than this ultimate eternal confirmation and seal? (Nietzche GS AP-341)

“Know Your Demons” Part 1

So it was one night, just like the night before, and the night before. I was walking home, taking my usual route from the pub down Brikenbrack lane, through Hydsdale Square and just as I had turned down Conifer Way I was met by a strange figure.

It was a particularly dark part on the street. The streetlamp must have been burned out because I can recall having difficulty distinguishing the figure, thus adding to its strangeness.

The figure seemed to appear out of nowhere, and as I approached, it accosted me, asking “Arthur?”

Since that is my name I said, “Yes.”

“Arthur Peabody?”

“Yes.”

“Hello.”

“Hello,” I said back.

We stood in the darkness of the deserted lane, silent now. I could not make out whether the figure was a man or a woman. It appeared to be wearing some kind of cloak that made it look almost translucent, kind of blurry in fact.

The silence began to become awkward. I detest awkward silences.

“I too detest awkward silences,” said the stranger.

“And who might you be, may I ask?”

“Indeed sir. I am not a who, but a what. I am a demon.”

“A demon?”

“Yes, a demon.”

“I’ve never met a demon before.”

“Well, truthfully sir, most people haven’t, and when they have, it is almost certainly their first and only encounter.”

“Very interesting,” I said.

“I’m glad you think so. Are you not frightened?”

“I don’t know. Should I be?

I thought about this for a moment. I walk this same route home from the pub every night, and occasionally I may run into Joe McIvers or Sam Godfrey on their nightly strolls, but never have I met a stranger, and certainly never one who claimed to be a demon.

It said, “Well sir, demons are well known for being particularly evil. Fear is not an uncommon occurrence in our presence, but whether you choose to feel afraid of not remains your choice.”

“If it makes no difference to you, I’d prefer to stay as I am thank you,” I said.

“Very well then, but I have to say, I am very surprised. Most people are terrified, some even horrified by us demons, but you choose to be neither. This is most interesting.”

“Well, I think one problem is is that it’s dark, and so I can’t be sure, but it appears that you do not have horns. I always thought a demon would have horns.”

“Some of us do, some of us don’t. It depends on what kind of demon we are.”

“Also, I’d expect you to have very pronounced head, perhaps like the head of a bull with a big ring pierced through your nose. Then I might be more frightened.”

“Sir, you obviously know nothing about demons. Bull-Headed demons are a totally different kind of demon. No wonder you’re not scared! You don’t even know the different types of demons!”

“Should I?” I said

Apparently, as I would later learn, this was too audacious a comment to make to the demon. The demon stretched itself out to its full height of over eight feet, and roared in a more typical, evil, demon-like voice, “Not being afraid is one thing, but not knowing your demons is another thing entirely. If I had been a Bull-Headed demon sir, I would be eating you right now. You are lucky I am a different type.”

“I apologize for my ignorance. I will remember for next time,” I pleaded.

“Next times are very rare. Have you not even been paying attention at all!” roared the demon.

I cowered now. The demon was right. He had told me that most people only meet a demon one time, and even these times were rare. Why hadn’t I been paying proper attention! WHY!

“As I can tell that you are ashamed, being that I am a type of demon that can read the thoughts of human beings, I will forgive you.” The demon lowered itself back to its pre-enraged height, and went back to speaking in a non-typical demon voice.

“Have you not wondered yet why I have accosted you here this evening Mr. Peabody?”

Truly, I had not, but I figured that if I said this it might anger the demon again so I said, “Yes, I am very curious.”

The demon just shook his head. “You just thought about saying yes so as not to anger me.”

“No, I’m really curious,” I said.

“Why do I even bother with you humans?” It motioned to what served as its head, “Remember, your thoughts sir.”

It’s true. It was a kind of thought-reading demon and I had tried to trick it. By this time the demon had had enough of my lack of knowledge and my memory lapses and pushed the purpose of our meeting forward.

“Very well Arthur Peabody, I am going to tell you why I have accosted you this evening.”

“You are?”

“Yes.”

The demon moved forward and kind of motioned its version of a hand in a way as if to persuade. I, realizing that this must be some kind of enthusiasm-driven demon answered, “Great! Please tell me why you have accosted me here.”

“Ahh very well, with pleasure sir. As I notice you have at least begun to recognize and individuate the types of demons, I will tell you, instead of sending you through the soul sucking vortex I am so fond mustering and utilizing in many a instance.” It took what can only be described as a demonic deep breath.

“I have come to bring you news. It is news that you may want to hear, potentially the greatest news ever brought upon human ears, but, this news could perhaps bestow upon you a most horrible feeling, indeed the most intense feeling of dread that is possible for a human being to withstand. Either great joy it will bring, or sorrow so deep you will drop to your knees and curse the sky forever having been created. I give you the option. Would you like to hear the news?”

The demon was silent. I was trying my best not to think of anything at all, but knowing that the demon could read my thoughts this proved futile. I didn’t want to think yes, but I also didn’t want to think no. It was quite a predicament.

“I know what you’re trying to do, but humans cans only hold a truly blank mind for mere seconds. I’ll just stating counting down from ten.”

The demon began. “Ten, nine…