Quote:
Originally Posted by Dilettante
Back when I first read it, a friend and I were discussing which one of them was at fault. I decided they were both at fault.
|
This time I'll try to stay calm and collected and not stick my head too far into this argument that will eventually go into the consequences of pride and vanity, but as in the previous chapters I don't fault either of the proud people, or the humble, or anyone at all. No, really. Like you, I have this more neutral stance, but we're still on opposite ends. Both make their mistakes, certainly, I wouldn't deny that. But both are forgiven by me from my reader's position...in a way.
It's hard to explain. I guess that I love tragic heroes of any literary work too much to blame them for anything.
Quote:
|
Also, Erendis' almost pathological fear of the sea is a bit silly. What did the sea ever do to her?
|
She had some foreshadowing/foresight that the sea will be her match and will eventually defeat her. It needed to be done to create contrast between her and Aldarion from a literary perspective. She is a "land" person. It just has to be so.
EDIT: That made me think of something. The Numenorians had a custom that before a ship leaves a woman has to place a bough of a certain tree (which one was it? Can't remember) on the prow. But one of Aldarion's branches froze during his voyages - and I believe it was the one given to him by Erendis? If so, it's your perfect symbolism of their relationship - frozen before it could reach it's potential. Also, when Aldarion becomes king he puts an eagle on his ship and gets rid of this tradition. Does he prefer dead wood that would remain as it is to living, that can grow or die? Could that also reflect how he was afraid of what changes could happen with his relationship with Erendis, and preffered none to a compromise?
This tale is full to the brim of these traditions that have such deep meaning when put into this context!