A question about the ending. . .

[Zarathustra]

Perhaps the dead all recognized the necessity of freedom. (However, I still think Linden would have been free if they spoke. Being informed doesn't limit your choices. Ignorance isn't the same as freedom.)

After all, the Dead in TWL chose not to reveal everything to Covenant. But in both cases, I believe this "rule" was created by none other than . . . Stephen R. Donaldson. Sure, you say, that's obvious. He created everything in these books. But what I mean is that it is something created more for reader effect than for reasons logically deriving from the text. The Dead aren't supposed to talk to us, because to do so would eliminate the narrative tension.

[wayfriend]

I believe the reason the Dead don't speak, except indirectly and cryptically, is because of the fear of unearned knowledge rebounding against anyone using it. And perhaps, as Covenant once said, because if they told mortals the truth they'd be too scared to go on.

Necessary for a narrative, yes. But i think it's believable, too. The dangers of unearned knowledge were a central theme of the Second Cs.

[Zarathustra]

What does she have to do to earn the knowledge? If going back in time, earning the respect of Caerroil Wildwood, getting the runes, defeating Roger and croyal, retrieving the Staff in the ROTE, helping to *make* the Staff in 2nd Chrons, ending the Sunbane, saving the Land, and gaining the means to bring Covenant back (white gold + Staff w/runes + krill), then what the heck does she have to do to earn a little knowledge?!? She has accomplished enough to bring Covenant back from the dead, but she hasn't done enough to justify knowing what that action will cost? That makes no sense.

Daphine certainly thought she was ready for the knowledge that this plan was bad; she actively tried to stop her.

[Relayer]

The Arch and a Worm have a lot in common. A long, bent curve. Which the existence of the Earth depends on. Creation. Ultimate Destruction.

Damn, I just thought of something else:

"You have awakened the Worm" -- if the Arch and Worm are analogous, then so are TC and the Worm. Resurrecting TC is the same as waking the Worm. Not that Linden's use of so much power woke up some other being that was sleeping somewhere else, but right there, TC = Worm.

[emotional leper]

The Arch and a Worm have a lot in common. A long, bent curve. Which the existence of the Earth depends on. Creation. Ultimate Destruction.

Damn, I just thought of something else:

"You have awakened the Worm" -- if the Arch and Worm are analogous, then so are TC and the Worm. Resurrecting TC is the same as waking the Worm. Not that Linden's use of so much power woke up some other being that was sleeping somewhere else, but right there, TC = Worm.

+5 Insightful.

[Stutty]

Hmm... I wonder what TC will have as a side order with his Elohim?

What wine goes with fairy gods?

stutt

[wayfriend]

The Arch and a Worm have a lot in common. A long, bent curve. Which the existence of the Earth depends on. Creation. Ultimate Destruction.

Damn, I just thought of something else:

"You have awakened the Worm" -- if the Arch and Worm are analogous, then so are TC and the Worm. Resurrecting TC is the same as waking the Worm. Not that Linden's use of so much power woke up some other being that was sleeping somewhere else, but right there, TC = Worm.

+5 Insightful.

I think that may go a bit far, saying TC = Worm. TC is merged with the Arch in some sort of metaphysical/spiritual way, but he is not the entirity of the Arch. I think the relationship is more like the relationship between the Staff of Law and Law. TC probably strengthens the Arch, and if something happened to him the Arch would be seriously damaged.

However, it could be possible that TC has enough connection with the Arch/Worm that he could soothe the worm at will, or rouse it at will.

Maybe that's what being a TimeWarden really is.

But I don't see that happening for other reasons. I don't think SRD will ever do anything on paper to admit that the Arch and the Worm are different faces of the same thing.

[ninjaboy]

THe thing about the Dead is that they generally don't say much.. Well not much that's any major immediate help.. I do wonder if the Dead who took the Giants and others away said anything to them...
And when Cail and the other haruchai Dead wanted to take Stave & the Humbled away, do you think that means they knew what Linden would try to do and didn't want them to interfere?
And I think TC had more of a role of preserving the Arch of Time (who knows how long the pesky Insequent have been meddling with it) that Being the arch.. Anyway we are just going to have to wait and see what happens now the worm is roused..
Oh - does anyone think this will make the Masters less inclined to help and trust Linden in the future? Tho would they still follow Covenant to the ends of the Earth? (Given that these Ends seem to be approaching steadily)...

[callback]

I believe the reason the Dead don't speak, except indirectly and cryptically, is because of the fear of unearned knowledge rebounding against anyone using it. And perhaps, as Covenant once said, because if they told mortals the truth they'd be too scared to go on.

This time, I think someone is compelling them not to speak. Might be a truce reached between Infelice and the Harrow, might be something else entirely.

[ninjaboy]

Yeah, from reading it I got the impression that they had definately been compelled NOT to speak..

Though what kind of persuasion dead people would want is a question I can't answer..