What does "the Land" signify to you.

[Spotteddoe]

I have often pondered the hidden meaning of the Land in Donaldson's story.

He writes so many stories that deal with the basic subject of inner character development that I almost suspect he intends to write allegory.

But, then, I'm the kind of person who looks for the hidden meaning in everything - and usually I find something meaningful - at least to me.

My own impression of the land - is that it isn't completely real or unreal.

It is the manifestation of Covenant's own beautiful, fearful and tortured soul - that is left afraid to hope - afraid to live - yet unwilling to give into death as well.

The first book tells the story of a decent man with a "beautiful heart" and a wonderful life who has been ravaged by disease and despair.

His loss of health, love, family and community - represent the threats and attacks that lead to dispair - Lord Foul's goal for every living being.

His VSE - the caution that protects him from the threat of further injury and harm - manifests itself in terms of the Oath of Peace, the Bloodguard, and the like. (Don't aske me to list all of the character of the land).

Covenant learns in the very first novel - the soul wrenching price we pay when we do something horribly wrong - like the rape of Lena. Even if it is something we do in a dream - we wake with an enduring shame, wondering - "Am I really capable of that kind of evil?" In harming Lena, we learn later, he injured the whole of the land - as much as he injured his own soul.

I puzzled at times over Covenant's disgust at the killing of cavewights and ur-viles - his bitter resentment over the loss of even those lives that were abhorrent to him and most residents of the land means that he recognizes that even those "evil" entities possess some value to the universe.

His journey through the land brings him back to "active" living - at least as an author - in the real world. His confrontation with his own capacity - not only for evil - but for violence - forces him to chose the person he wants to be - and fight to become that person - rather than just continue to whatever fate intends him to become.

I have thought more about the timeline of The Land and it's connection to Covenant's illness. The time of Bereck Half-hand - maybe all those events happened during unconscious dreams while he was hospitalized when his disease was first discovered. Maybe the time of Keven Landwaster and the desecration coincides with the season of his divorce, and the subsequent emotional and social devastation he suffered in the real world.

We are introduced to the land at the same time as Covenant's conscious mind becomes aware of it. It also coincides with the time following the return of the people to the land after the devastation - their own reclaimtion of their ancient birthright - around the same time that Covenant, in his outrage over his ostracization from his community determines to take action on his right to be a part of all the normal and mundane activities of life, like paying his own bills.

I have read every one of the books now. And still I am uncertain if "The Land" is a real place. Even though it is definitely as "real" as I know my own soul is. It is a place shared by Linden Avery and her son now - their souls have "touched" Covenant's soul - and therefore - they are consiously aware of "The Land".

One other theory - is that maybe everyone in "The Land" is somehow connected to this world. Maybe that's where people go when they are unconscious - to a world where souls share experiences in their mutual struggle to survive and thrive against the ravages of injury or disease that seek to snatch the life out of them.

I could write a book - as long as all the 7 current books of the Chronicles combined, but I will leave some room for others to ponder their own thoughts about the meaning of Donaldson's works.

Regardless of what Donaldson's motives or ideas behind Covenant's story may be, one thing remains obvious to me. He never fails to provide food for thought enough to supply a feast for the multitudes.

[Avatar]

Welcome once again, Spotted Doe. Another great post, but I sorta think it'll do better in the TC Discussion forum, rather than in the dissection forum.

Not to worry, if danlo agree's, I'm sure he'll be so kind as to move it for you.

--Avatar

[balon!]

Hmm, that IS a good post. I think that my personal opinion on the matter, is that im somewhere inbetween. I don't think it is a mass dream, is) a coma world, but i also dont think that it involves ONLY TC, what about Linden? I know this post doesn't make in any clearer, but then, the idea of the Land in itself isn't very clear.