Covenant Post Leprosy ...

[Kaos Arcanna]

A couple weeks ago, I read an article about a teenager that was diagnosed with leprosy somewhere in the United States. She was fortunate in that they caught it early, and they indicated that she was actually cured ... though I actually tend to think that "remission" is probably the more appropriate term as the article stated that she would have to be checked in 5 years to see if it returns ...

That being said ... if Covenant had been cured-- if he lived in a time when leprosy COULD be cured ... what do you think would have happened to him afterwards?

(And I really miss my old username ...)

[dlbpharmd]

If Covenant could have been treated and cured, there would have been no need for Joan to take Roger away. He wouldn't have become a pariah.

[Savor Dam]

If Covenant could have been treated and cured, there would have been no need for Joan to take Roger away. He wouldn't have become a pariah.

This may be a bit optimistic. While Joan may not have left with Roger, the townsfolk may have still turned on Covenant and isolated him. Much depends on how recent the medical advances were that made leprosy curable and to what extent belief in their efficacy had overcome ignorance and prejudice.

[soft one]

If Covenant could have been treated and cured, there would have been no need for Joan to take Roger away. He wouldn't have become a pariah.

I believe she still would have left Covenant, and taken Roger too.

If Covenant had been cured prior to going to the Land, the story would have been DRASTICALLY different. The rape would not have occurred,because he would have not experienced the rejuvenated nerves, and that would completely alter the direction the story takes. It would make more sense to have Covenant cured at the end of the First Chronicles.

[Vraith]

If he were cured BEFORE he ever went to the Land, it is doubtful if he'd have gone at all: BOTH LF and the Creator chose him because of his condition and the things his condition made possible.
If he's cured between the 1st and 2nd...the story might have been possible, but it would have been very different.

[High Lord Tolkien]

In LFB SRD hints that there was some type of cure treatment on the horizon for leprosy.
Something about research done in Hawaii?

Was that in fact today's cure?
Anyone know?

[Ur Dead]

I believe the MDT regimes were just at the trial stages when LFB was written. Depending on what version of Leprosy you had it would be from one to two years before you were cured.

[Rocksister]

Maybe Joan would have still left him and taken Roger, but he still would have done the rape. Think about it; you are cured and your wife is gone, so you haven't had sex in a long time. Don't you think that his wife being gone had as much to do with the rape as his rejuvenated nerves? I do. But any other disease would not have set him up to be the totally isolated, almost hermit-like person he became. He kind of had to be almost completely detached from humankind to do what he did. THAT is the reason for his being chosen. You have to be incredibly strong inside to have no human contact and still remain sane. The Creator knew TC would have to defeat Foul alone. He had to be the type of person who didn't need anyone else, wouldn't wait for anyone else, wouldn't need help or support from anyone else, a person who had no one and nothing to lose. I know both diabetics and asthmatics. They are accepted and helped and "oh, you poor thing." Lepers for some reason as shunned as if they committed horrid crimes and are thus being punished by having leprosy. It's not a "clean" disease. It's uncomfortable to think and talk about. Maybe that's why the first potential publishers didn't feel it was safe for them. They clearly are publishers and not authors or readers.

[hearthrall antonicus]

Good post, Rocksister,good post