Spoiler Alert! Linden Avery – The new “Unbeliever”?

[M5Dad]

I’ve finished reading FR, and am in many ways quite upset regarding Linden’s actions throughout the two books. Don’t get me wrong, I’m deeply indebted to SR for finishing the series, and so far it’s a good read; however, I’ve never been a huge LA fan, and now I’m becoming even less.
I’m a father, and I know what a parent would do for their child; however, Linden’s acting incredibly selfish. I guess that it’s difficult to judge how one would react in her place. Would one be willing to sacrifice the entire earth for their child? I can much easier think about sacrificing myself. Linden seems to not give a dang about anything, or anyone, except Jeremiah. I’d be happier if I saw some type of conflict within her regarding conflicting decisions, but I don’t really even see that.
How do any of you feel about this, or am I just off base and missing something? As usual, I’ll need to re-read this a couple of times for it to sink in and fully understand it….. Is LA now the one that does not believe in the land, making it easier for her too make the types of sacrifices that she is?

Spoiler

[Orlion]

I think it isn't so much about whether or not she believes in the Land, but whether or not she believes the Land has value (at least greater then Jeremiah's safety). the reason TC was able to begin to defend the Land was that he recognized its value even if he did not recognize that it may exist. In other words, TC's sins in the first series was a result of him not placing value upon the Land, Linden's will be about the same.

[danlo]

TC's really gonna rip her a new one in AATE. "What the hellfire did you just do?" "What do you think you're doing?" "What were you thinking!?" "Just who the heck do you think your are traipsing about time and trashing everything you touch." I can't wait.

[rdhopeca]

TC's really gonna rip her a new one in AATE. "What the hellfire did you just do?" "What do you think you're doing?" "What were you thinking!?" "Just who the heck do you think your are traipsing about time and trashing everything you touch." I can't wait.

Right after he asks for a pizza. Isn't that the first thing you would do after you were revived? I'd be damn hungry myself.

[wayfriend]

There've been lots of threads about the supposed selfishness of Linden Avery. IMO, it doesn't hold up upon close scrutiny - which we did, see the Dissections forum.

My current signature, a quote from the story, is witness to my belief in this.

"Linden, do you not know that you are admirable in my sight? Your intent is not to destroy the Earth, but to redeem it, as you seek also to redeem your son. I will abide the outcome with you."

So far, Linden's worked hard to save the Land - IMO there's no grounds for saying "seems to not give a dang about anything".

She hasn't yet been brought to the point where she has to choose Jeremiah or the Land, where she can't work towards rescuing both at the same time.

If that confrontation ever happens, I trust that "anything worth saving won't be destroyed by choices like that."

[hearthrall antonicus]

Linden ADOPTED Jeremiah. She chose him to be her own,a small hurt almost autistic kid.And what is more, she knew that he would be a disadvantaged child from the get-go. She poured so much of herself out to him, to give him all she knew he would never get anywhere else,that he is the focal point of her universe. No Land, no matter how beautiful and alluring,could stand beside all the devotion and love she gave to him and her sense of duty to him. The people of the Land didnt stay up all night with him when he had the Flu, they weren,t there when he may have attempted to tie his shoelace , or put a spoon to his own mouth.So I can see why she may seem selfish to disregard the Land or its needs in comparison to what she had to go through in raising this little boy

[Demondime-a-dozen-spawn]

She hasn't yet been brought to the point where she has to choose Jeremiah or the Land, where she can't work towards rescuing both at the same time.

If that confrontation ever happens, I trust that "anything worth saving won't be destroyed by choices like that."

I'm in strong agreement with this. All along Linden has been following Thomas Covenant's advice to "Trust yourself."

Are there risks involved? Of course there are. But there always have been enormous risks. Isn't that the essence of the Paradox of White Gold?

Who understands that better than TC? If TC, and especially the Ranyhyn trust Linden with that risk, who then are we, the readers, to gainsay them?