From The First Dark

[lurch]

The grim struggle of TCoTC has as its first Dark, the rape of Lena. Thomas is able to unleash himself on Lena because he believes what he feels is not real. Its all a dream with out consequences. From that to The Last Dark, where its beyond everything being real, to a reality, that launches into the surreal, the extra reality of the metaphor. The real world is dead to them. The dream world, the surreal, has become the only reality,,where feelings are real , with consequences. Where Thomas and Linden can finally tell each other that they Love the other,,and get married. and have sex willingly,mutually sharing.

The arc not quite so visible but still there is the one from..not believing what he feels to be real.,with its ..could care less regard for consequences..to the only reality available is where his feelings are everything,,and the consequences have to be studied and mastered anew.