Thanks for the well thought out reply, Indy. I can definitely see why it would make sense, in the end result, to let ?Fedora? just be a mysterious grave robber, as opposed to Indiana?s future mentor. It keeps the episode we see at the opening of
Last Crusade as a formative experience for Indiana, as he discovers his own adventuresome spirit and talents, but doesn?t lessen the mystery of Indiana?s mentorship by Ravenwood, or cross into the continuity of
Raiders.
But let?s say, just for the sake of provoking thought, that it
is Ravenwood who?s after the Cross of Coronado. In considering the idea, here?s why I think it
could be plausible. My impression from
Raiders is that there is a certain subset of practitioners of archaeology who are as much mercenaries and grave robbers as they are scientists. Their methods tend to be shadowy and are likely frowned upon by their brethren that are strict adherents to tenets of archaeological science. For these men, results are what matter in the end result: who ends up with the prize. And winning the prize often justifies a great deal, including the use of violence. Counted amongst this shady fraternity are Indiana Jones, Rene Belloq, Forrestal, Marcus Brody, and Abner Ravenwood. (One could also argue, in my mind, for the inclusion of Elsa Schneider as well.) One thing that stands out from watching
Raiders numerous times is the fact that all of the members of this select group know one another, either as allies or competitors. What this tells me, by implication, is that the group in question is small. Small enough, at least, for all those involved to know everyone else in the business. In other words, most archaeologists are going to stay on the narrow path of science, conducting digs, carefully collecting artifacts and data, and contributing through writing and presentation to the understanding of history. Only a few are going to become like Jones: adventurers who are willing to risk all to capture a historically significant (and monetarily valuable) prize. (Side note: There are some additional thoughts on the above ideas to be found in
this thread, one in which you were a contributor, Indy.)
Which brings us to Ravenwood. Like Indiana, we know that Ravenwood had an academic position at the University of Chicago. But like Indiana the academic position was secondary to Ravenwood?s true passion, his quest for the Ark of the Covenant. Abner?s daughter, Marion, implies that her father had quite the collection of artifacts, gathered from around the world, related to the Ark. I have always presumed that Ravenwood was of the mercenary type, in part because many of the items he collected remained with him, and weren?t donated to a museum as a ?responsible? archaeologist would do. Secondly, I?m inclined to see Ravenwood as a grave robber because of his influence on Indiana. Mind you, I know that Jones is independent and that his own unique personality is responsible for much of the formation of his life?s path. But, just from what we know of Jones? story, it?s clear that Abner was a highly significant mentor in his life. Given the fact that Henry Jones Sr. was more academically/esoterically minded, it?s clear that Indiana didn?t learn his more hard-edged methods from his father. So it seems logical to assume that Jones learned much of what he knows about the dark world of pseudo-archaeology from Ravenwood. To speculate further, I would even say that it is within the realm of possibility that Ravenwood might have undertaken quests completely unrelated to the Ark, such as the Cross of Coronado, in order to finance adventures related to his primary passion.
As I mentioned above, the circle of mercenaries is small, and only involves a select group of hardy individuals. No doubt at a university like the University of Chicago, Ravenwood had an impact on many students, but I don?t believe that many of them went on to become adventurers like Jones. Only a few (or perhaps just one) entered Ravenwood's "inner circle". Somehow, Jones had to be taken into Ravenwood?s confidence during his studies. Now I?ll agree, Ravenwood might have simply had insight into Jones? character as he came to know him as a student, and ultimately come to the conclusion that he would make a worthy ?apprentice? during the course of their association. But let?s say it
was Ravenwood out there in Utah, who gifted the young man who sought to thwart his quest with his own fedora, out of admiration for the youth?s courage and determination. Years later, what would his reaction have been when he spied one of his gifted students wearing that familiar hat? Might not that recognition have served to open the door for Indiana to enter into Abner?s confidence?
Just a thought. Like you, I?m torn on whether it
should be Ravenwood in the
Last Crusade sequence. But either way, he?s a figure that intrigues me, given his impact on the life of our favorite adventurer.