I want to rant about Argel Tal and Raum and the theme of assault and the cycle of abuse again.
We’ve already kind of talked at length about how Argel Tal’s possession by Raum (aided by Ignethel(? Prob butchered that) is thematically parallel to sexual assault and how First Heretic has a few themes throughout the book, but im looking at them ones about lack of consent, the loss of identity, loss of control, and the burden of responsibility.
To a Space Marine, none of these things should be very daunting or unfamiliar. They’re raised up on the lack of autonomy. They don’t even get to choose the love they have for their Primarch (something we get an internal conflict with regarding Argel Tal). They are conditioned to accept the role of service without question. Things happen to their bodies and they don’t get to object. They’re taught to embrace violation and change.
Daemonic possession is obviously different from the conditioning to become a Space Marine, but like, is it? Or is it different because they weren’t groomed to accept it? To “Allow It”?
There’s a lot of criticism of Lorgar when it pertains to his reaction to what happened to Argel Tal, but I think sometimes we forget to look at a characters actions through the lens of their worldview. Lorgar was taught that sacrifice is necessary for the truth. His foundational background revolves around the faith of the four. Whatever happens to lead him to the path of truth is a consequence of enlightenment — death, abuse, possession, sacrifices, it’s inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Why would something like violation be any different?
and Raum is directly described by Argel Tal as being a violation to his body. The violation was traumatic, it changed him fundamentally (and, one can argue, Raum is giving Argel Tal the space to remain himself, too, as they start to get used to each other). The anger is his just as much as it is Raum. The mood swings, the irritability, and especially so the new-born desires to violate. And it disgusts Argel Tal. It depresses him further. It pains him to not act on these new urges, but he makes a conscious choice not to. He does not allow it to consume him, he does not want to perpetrate the cycle. When he fantasises about killing Cyrene, he calls it a guilty pleasure.
And of course, I’ve also beat this line into the dust
Argel Tal will not be claimed !! He won’t repeat the cycle! He won’t allow it!
