For me, not to see TCTC as a complex and intelligent allegory would be complete blasphemy :wink: Let's see that definition...: Allegory: The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. Surely much in the Land is represen...

The Wedding Ring is the Arch of Time Wow, that's one I never thought of myself. But it makes so much sense, in a way. Nice thinking! So the destruction of the Arch of TIme would symbolize the destruction of Covenant's most important link to humanity, his marriage - his 'covenant'. Makes sense to me.

The book TC was reading is certainly an interesing issue. I'm not sure, but I see this as more development of the question of the reality of the Land: SRD gives us every possible reason to believe it isn't real. So we find that before his 'experience', TC was reading about dreams. Perhaps that affec...

An amazing conclusion to this book. What I find important is that while Lord Foul's predictions seem to come true, as Danlo proposes, so does another one: TC has completed his fulfillment of Berek's "prophecy". Exactly like Berek, TC calls the Fire-Lions and defeats his enemy. During the w...

Driving a creature insane seems inappropriate for the SOL... I would guess that perhaps Drool can't use the Staff's complete powers, and that his own lust for power and the Illearth Stone did the mental (and physical) damage that we see on him. The Illearth Stone seems the perfect thing to cause suc...

Nice comparison to Amber. And good timing for me personally, since i just finished rereading Amber books 1-5 :) Well, there is some similarity. But the specifics are very different. Besides Ryzels accurate points, what I find interesting in Amber is that Shadows are 'shadows' of substance. That is, ...

Nice point caamora, about TC's being new to the Land accounting for his noticing the Word. Also, duchess, about Bannor - complete agreement from me :) But about Prothall, caamora, I don't know if I agree. Sure, psychologically Prothall has every reason to win, and he does know much about lore... but...

Okay... The Quest enters the catacombs under mount thunder. Covenant is mentally in terrible shape - suicidal at times, even; confused - most of the time. Then we have the Word of Warning. Why does Covenant see it, when no-one else does? Perhaps because of his ring? Any ideas, anyone? Anyway, Covena...

Well, I'll post 22&23 soon... which leaves 24&25.

Great! I'll do the next 2 chapters. Umm... which ARE the next two? The last post I see is of 20&21, so I should do 22&23? But that leaves two left, and danlo it seems you refer to one being left. Did I miss something here? Anyway, once I'm corrected here I hope to post sometime even as soon ...

I'm all for continuing

I also volunteer to help do any chapters, if there are any left untaken...

I think Foul is a "wrong" in the Land, something from outside that shouldn't be there. But in the big picture of things, Foul is the opposite of the Creator; he is there to Despise the Creator's Creation. So in that respect Foul is "natural". Likewise leprosy in our world - it's ...

Interesting idea, Tuvor; my perspective is different from yours. I see the battle in the Land is paralleling Covenant himself. That leaves two things that can represent Covenant's leprosy: Foul himself or the Illearth Stone. Foul - because he is a foreign element (a metaphor for an infection perhaps...

Regarding Kevin needing Foul for the ritual of desecration: I agree Kevin didn't really need Foul there; he could have enacted the ritual himself. However, it makes sense to have Foul there: otherwise, Foul could possibly be outside the boundaries of the Land, and be unharmed by the ritual. Why was ...

Hmmm, just a thought here... What Fire-Lions? I always thought they were sort of a metaphoric way of speaking; what the people of the Land call 'lava': Suddenly, the flames erupted. With a roar as if the air itself were burning, fires started charging like great, hungry beasts down every face and si...

Yes, I agree that it is a good idea to have a more focused discussion on the Oath of Peace. :) Hmm, Damelon wrote: Even if the New Lords hadn't sworn the Oath of Peace, it wouldn't have been enough to stop Foul. Foul was, through the Illearth Stone, stronger than he was when he faced Kevin. What goo...

Nice points, all. I wish to revise my opinion. :) There is a third alternative as you say, Fist and Faith - both Mhoram and Kevin were right. I am now leaning towards this now, for the following reasons: 1) The solving of another of Kevin's Wards after TPTP - it shows that a degree of combining took...

Wow, this is turning out to be one of the most interesting discussions ever. 8) Ok, I have 2 things to say: PART I The parallel between Mhoram and Kevin is very interesting, and crucial. It seems there are two types of people here: 1) Those that see Kevin as erring, and Mhoram as correct : Kevin gav...

Wow, an amazing post, Fist and Faith. Well Done! Yes, Mhoram's decision was brave beyond brave. I completely agree. And as Sylvanus adds (playing his own devil's advocate), perhaps no man can see that far - so even if Mhoram's act of bravery led to an ill end, he could not be blamed for that. I agre...

Ahem... I really hate to say this here, because I love Mhoram as much as the rest of you. So let me just mention first that my favorite scene from TCTC is "Lord Mhoram's Victory"... :) Fist and Faith, your final quote: I've always seen that bit as a sort of failure of Mhoram. To (grossly) ...