The elite would have been brought up on these stories and its a bit of signaling + just being a fan of the literature because thats what you like?
A long time ago, Star Wars was actually fun, and we could unironically enjoy fun things.
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Venalis; pretium ad petitionem?
I am a big fan of the Old Testament (bible). Mind you I am at best a "reformed catholic" and at worst an atheist and hedonist.
But the Old Testament is great, for the very reason you're using here. It was the summer block buster of its time. Special effects: parting seas (a Hollywood classic), people turning to salt, city walls crumbling under the might of trumpets. So. Much. Sex. (The Old Testament is getting an nc-17 before we get out of the garden.) The power of god as "magic"....
To your point, I would assume that being raised on "Troy" would give it a certain reverence. Out side religious texts do we still raise kids this way? I think of the reverent childhood stories and "thing one and thing two" spring to mind... Im not sure if I want that sort of wall art.
It is possible to say "would you like to come up and see my Theodor Geisel prints" with ulterior motives.
Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm and the goat farmer (whatever his name was) were my reverent childhood stories, but I don't need them as wall art: when I found someplace that resembled Busytown, I moved here, so instead of putting them on my walls, all I need to do is go into town...
Depending on which book they’re from, the odds of an ulterior motive may be quite high indeed.
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