Kevin's Watch

Mighara Sovmadhi wrote:I first learned about TCoTCtU from a book of illustrations of fantasy creatures from different authors' work that I had access to over ten years ago; the pictures were of Drool Rockworm and the Staff of Law; everything sounded pretty cool so at the threshold of my adolescence I turned to Donaldson's premier accomplishments and my life was transformed (if not only by this). This series is so important to my self-conception that I regularly introduce myself to others in part with the question, "Have you ever read The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever?" (Maybe that's just a sign of craziness...?)

Some of the lessons I think I've learned in relation to these texts: the (spiritual) equality of everyone (not just by virtue of our inherent capacity to do the right thing, but also our ability to commit massive sin--"Everyone has Lord Foul inside of them"); abiding respect for the ideal of self-command; the inherent meaningfulness of life ("In punishing yourself, you come to merit punishment--this is Despite") and the reality that makes it possible. I'm relieved to have formed the bulk of my outlook on the world in the shadow of reading Donaldson, for I have relentlessly encouraged myself by referring to it (however many other things, e.g. Hayao Miyazaki's films/graphic novels or the philosophy of, say, John Rawls, have cooperated with or in some measure overtaken it). I have to admit that even when I was suicidal recently, thinking about Covenant helped me to realize more clearly than I had before the value of going on living: if he was willing to endure what he endured and come out with grace, I should be open to doing the same thing, right? So, yeah. These mean a lot to me, and I'm glad to know that they mean a lot to a lot of others, also.

None is my favorite, I like every character (no serious issues with Linden Avery), I guess the only definite thing I think the series lacks is inclusion of a character who wouldn't tend to be identified as straight if the question of his or her orientation were pressed to the author. I wistfully thought Stave and Liand would've, err, something along these lines, but then along came that Ramen girl... *Sighs, shrugs* Anyway, I love these novels, I'm glad to "be here" (so to speak), and thanks for making it so there's a "here" to be in. Don't know how much I'll have to contribute (evidently, my "the 'real world' is in danger" theory isn't quite so innovative as I suspected, as browsing some of the already-posted threads on these forums has shown me), but hopefully I'll come up with something.

Before I forget, my username is the name of a character from my own (completely unpublished, unfinished) writing. Quick to anger, colossally powerful, enthusiastic about justice, his standing is that of quixotic savior and destroyer in the world surrounding him. I wouldn't say that this describes me, or even what I aspire to, but just reflects something inside of me.

Okay, then, here goes. *Clicks Submit*

Malik23 wrote:I don't participate in these newbie forums. This might be my first post here.