I am content

[Cambo]

Anyone else notice how prominent a motif the phrase "I am content" is in the LC? From Lord Foul's opening prophecy right at the beginning, this phrase is mouthed by various characters with various contexts and implications. I think this could be a major hint as to the nature of the Chronicles' resolution, much like vertigo in the First Chrons and power/impotence in the Second Chrons. I saw SRD mention in one of the formal interviews on his site that "acceptance" would somehow be key to the Last Chrons.

Any thoughts?

[amanibhavam]

Or perhaps SRD has a stack of stock phrases written on small pieces of paper, e.g. "all right", "hellfire", "wait a minute", "thetic", "I am content" etc., and every 5 pages or so he pulls one from the stack and has to incorporate it to the text

[Vraith]

leitmotif

[Vraith]

Heh...btw...did you post that question to the G.I.? Cuz it just popped up after I mentioned leitmotif...which I mentioned cuz I think he mentioned it before...or at least implied it by talking about Wagner/Ring stuff [but his response goes on besides that.]

[Cambo]

Nope, that wasn't me in the GI. Someone out there was obviously thinking along the same track...

If "I am content" is the leitmotif of the LC, what do you think it signifies or corresponds to?

[Vraith]

Good question. In part, it depends on how you read it...being a dark-minded person, I read it roughly as I read "suffice," in various contexts...as in "just barely enough," [like Linden, early in "Runes:" her life sufficed...meaning 50.0001% 'good' or 'meaningful,' but still lesser, not great]
So...in the end, I don't think LF will be "content" at all. I think he's an all or nothing kinda guy. [though I speculated elsewhere, it is possible he'll be freed/restored and grow up: a balance in the realm of immortals, everyone in their proper place].
Most of the 'good guys' will be content as Anele was: a heavy price, nevertheless a win/fulfillment.
I don't think ANYBODY ends up with "I am content." as in "Perfect, everything exactly as it should be." Not even the Creator, if he even appears again.

Basically, the difference between accepting and understanding what must be, and reveling/rejoicing in it.

[Cambo]

The difference between acceptance and revelling...Do you think Foul can have the latter but not the former?

[Vraith]

The difference between acceptance and revelling...Do you think Foul can have the latter but not the former?

I hadn't thought of it that way...but once you point it out, yes I think he can.
In a way, you've started me on a train.
LF is what we mean by "bad sportsmanship," by the difference [in impression] between what we mean when we say somebody is "arrogant" instead of "confident" [though our impression can easily be wrong], when we go for "it is not enough to win, someone else must lose" [which, on the surface is obviously true, if I'm first, someone else must be second...but that does not mean I must enjoy their pain to fully feel my own success. Between "I am a better pole-vaulter than him," and "I am BETTER than him, period." The difference between fighting for survival, and fighting to destroy.
In fact...LF, unless he changes, can ONLY revel, or fail. He can never accept.

[Cambo]

I agree. Like the laughter of the Lords at the end of TPTP. The initial jeering didn't hurt Lord Foul as much as the genuine, unconcerned, joyful laughing. Perhaps because the latter was more antithetical to his essence?

And where do you suppose Linden and TC fit into this? Covenant possibly learned some important things about acceptance when he acknowledged the necessity of surrendering his ring, and abandoned the use of power. But somehow I doubt even the all that, plus 3 1/2 millenia in the Arch, taught him everything Donaldson wants him to know. Possibly something in relation to Roger?

And Linden...well. There's a whole raft of things she's going to have to accept, isn't there? She's beginning to see the arrogance of refusing to give others responsibility over their actions. She- just barely- heeded both the Ranyhyn and Jeremiah's warning not to attempt freeing him by possession. Now Jeremiah has emerged, apparently fully functioning. He's going to be a powerful player, and the necessity of freedom seems to apply especially strictly to those. Perhaps Linden will have to accept that- after years of absent minded compliance- he may begin to make choices she doesn't like?

[lurch]

Well.. to me..I am Content..is the status quo. Linden had settled for the status quo with Joan.. Jerry..and her " Love" for one Thomas C. Then one day..change showed up at her door.

I am content..Lord Foul
I am content..Elohim
I am content..Haruchai

So, the question becomes,,acceptance?..acceptance of what? Acceptance of Change seems to me is where the author has taken us..as in..Against All Things Ending is Change. I love the paradox. Anyway..stagnation..I am content..eventually leads to Death. Heck, even the most stagnant one, the Lurker, knows enough to change..make a deal ..for survival. We all said..TC made a deal with the LURKER?????!!!!...well..how about from the Lurker's pov..I just made a deal with the RINGTHANE????!!!..yea.. ya gotta do what ya gotta do..Change.

Fascinating tho..Linden doesn't just drop one thing for another in Changing. The author takes her to absolute Zero first,,some mite say a negative 1 or 2 even..then begins to put in change..like you've mentioned..starts trusting others for their talents, etc. The scope and range of Change has only just begun tho. A quote from Televisions best ever is due here.." choices you never realized you had"..of course implies Changes deep and wide which I expect in TLD.