From the First Dark

[lurch]

The grim struggles of TCoTC perhaps has as its First Dark , the rape of Lena. Thomas unleashes himself on her because he does not believe what he is feeling, is real..that it is with any real consequence.. From that , the chronicles ends as a reality, the only reality available, that is dream, and beyond dream, the surreal, the reality of metaphor. In The Last Dark, the real world is dead to them, and their feelings are everything and are full of consequences, regrettable and fulfilling and sometime both at the same time. The reality is such where finally Thomas and Linden can say to each other that they Love each other,,and then consummate their marriage,,willingly,sharing with each other, a reality where feelings are Trusted to be real.

While not real obvious I think the arc is still there. And its quite an achievement to have traversed the arc over the years. That the new Reality requires a " study" seems appropo. As a Last Dark, it comes across as a beautiful unknown, rather than a horrendous mistake.