Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: EoTW, Chapter 21 - Chapter 27
Just some read-along notes:
Chapter 16:
Chapter 18:
Chapter 19:
As if to validate Nynaeve's suspicions ("Mat's doing," she promptly says afterwards), Mat talks Rand and Perrin into danger. And when they return, Nynaeve scolds them - not least because Lan is now out looking for them.
Chapter 20:
Hooray! Our young friends are separated & out of Moiraine's reach, for the time being. This is not only a narrative necessity (evading danger after danger in the group might become boring), it is also an opportunity to take responsibility for themselves - and to find that they can do on their own.
Well, there is Thom (for some time) and Elyas (and both have important skills to impart), and Perrin and Egwene get into deep shit and need to be rescued ... but still, it's an empowering experience, makes them grow up further.
Just aside: Perrin loses his cloak in the river; perhaps the tinkers gave him one, because in Ch. 38 he's got one again.
Chapter 21: We learn about the onset of channeling the Power, and looking forward and backwards, we finally understand what happens to Rand.
One of my favorite scenes, when Moiraine hits hard enough to break through Nynaeve's denial.
For some time, the relationship to Lan will be one of competition - "I'll prove something ..."
Chapter 22: A well-reasoned plan, quite in character for Perrin. - Egwene needed the fire badly (and so she could light it with the power); on later occasions, the need is not that urgent, there are other alternatives, and she fails in her attempts.
Chapter 23: Perrin meets his destiny - and reacts with denial.
Chapter 24: Ba'alzamon somehow pulled Rand into a dreamshard; this will happen again.
Florian Gelb seemingly has a history of underperforming his duties, now he turns into culprit for all untoward things that happened. Reasonable thing would be to keep silent and just go off in Whitebridge and seek other employment, but he is not that smart. His attempts to exculpate himself only make matters worse. When we meet him for the next (and last) time, he'll be just as foolish and incompetent.
Rand's stunt can now be identified as reaction to his channeling when they board the Spray. (But then, he himself doesn't know this.)
Mat is shown drifting into paranoia. Will get worse. - And he is obsessed with treasure.
Domon's prophecy:
Chapter 25/27: The issues of prejudice and pacifism have been discussed at length, let's pass them over. Of course, Jordan is with Perrin's argument of tit for tat against turning the other cheek.
Noteworthy the unease the tinkers feel, not just because of Elyas, but also because of Perrin and Egwene. Harmony comes from closing the group.
More character-building: Perrin unable to relax (his nightmares may be regarded as foreshadowing), Egwene trying to adjust to the group and trying to enjoy herself as long as there is time for it.
Aram a troubled one? Well, Ila must know; for what we see, he's firmly rooted in the way of the leaf.
Interesting, that quite ordinary people like Elyas and Raen can have valid premonitions.
Hopper and Dapple: an interesting relationship. May foreshadow Perrin & Faile ...
Chapter 26: "Owyn died a few years later" - does that match later accounts?
Just some read-along notes:
Chapter 16:
Min: "It's almost a wonder the inn doesn't catch fire."
Chapter 18:
A Seed taking root."If you were close enough to see them," Egwene said worriedly, "they could have seen you. ..."
"He was not seen." Nynaeve drew herself up as everyone looked at her. "I have followed his trail, remember."
Always a professional risk for tricksters."... Mat tossed a noose away from him with a shudder ... rubbing at his throat."
Chapter 19:
... and being uncharacteristically reasonable with Lan ..."I may not like her, it is true," Nynaeve was saying ...
No, isn't, to be sure.Thom: "The dead can be reborn, or take a living body, and it's not something to speak of lightly."
As if to validate Nynaeve's suspicions ("Mat's doing," she promptly says afterwards), Mat talks Rand and Perrin into danger. And when they return, Nynaeve scolds them - not least because Lan is now out looking for them.
Lan has definitively become important to her."He's been gone a long time," Nynaeve looked worriedly at the night outside.
Chapter 20:
Hooray! Our young friends are separated & out of Moiraine's reach, for the time being. This is not only a narrative necessity (evading danger after danger in the group might become boring), it is also an opportunity to take responsibility for themselves - and to find that they can do on their own.
Well, there is Thom (for some time) and Elyas (and both have important skills to impart), and Perrin and Egwene get into deep shit and need to be rescued ... but still, it's an empowering experience, makes them grow up further.
Just aside: Perrin loses his cloak in the river; perhaps the tinkers gave him one, because in Ch. 38 he's got one again.
Chapter 21: We learn about the onset of channeling the Power, and looking forward and backwards, we finally understand what happens to Rand.
One of my favorite scenes, when Moiraine hits hard enough to break through Nynaeve's denial.
It's the real world, we're out of the Two Rivers ... even Wisdoms need to grow."Why do I have to choose like this?"
For some time, the relationship to Lan will be one of competition - "I'll prove something ..."
Chapter 22: A well-reasoned plan, quite in character for Perrin. - Egwene needed the fire badly (and so she could light it with the power); on later occasions, the need is not that urgent, there are other alternatives, and she fails in her attempts.
Chapter 23: Perrin meets his destiny - and reacts with denial.
Chapter 24: Ba'alzamon somehow pulled Rand into a dreamshard; this will happen again.
Florian Gelb seemingly has a history of underperforming his duties, now he turns into culprit for all untoward things that happened. Reasonable thing would be to keep silent and just go off in Whitebridge and seek other employment, but he is not that smart. His attempts to exculpate himself only make matters worse. When we meet him for the next (and last) time, he'll be just as foolish and incompetent.
Rand's stunt can now be identified as reaction to his channeling when they board the Spray. (But then, he himself doesn't know this.)
Mat is shown drifting into paranoia. Will get worse. - And he is obsessed with treasure.
Domon's prophecy:
And of course, Rand reacts with denial ..."The world will put a hook in your mouth. You'll set off chasing the sunset, you wait and see ... and if you ever go back, you village'll be no big enough to hold you."
Chapter 25/27: The issues of prejudice and pacifism have been discussed at length, let's pass them over. Of course, Jordan is with Perrin's argument of tit for tat against turning the other cheek.
Noteworthy the unease the tinkers feel, not just because of Elyas, but also because of Perrin and Egwene. Harmony comes from closing the group.
More character-building: Perrin unable to relax (his nightmares may be regarded as foreshadowing), Egwene trying to adjust to the group and trying to enjoy herself as long as there is time for it.
Aram a troubled one? Well, Ila must know; for what we see, he's firmly rooted in the way of the leaf.
Interesting, that quite ordinary people like Elyas and Raen can have valid premonitions.
Hopper and Dapple: an interesting relationship. May foreshadow Perrin & Faile ...
Chapter 26: "Owyn died a few years later" - does that match later accounts?