Robert Jordan's:The Wheel of Time discussion
This topic is about
The Shadow Rising
The Shadow Rising Read Along Part III
date
newest »
newest »
I think it's very interesting how Jordan set up the roles of male and female characters. Concerning women though, Jordan portrays them many different ways. For example, the majority of common women seem to be the typical housewives cooking cleaning, raising children, etc. Hooooweeevvver, many of them are the ones that control the husbands, make the decisions, and are portrayed as the smarter ones (in fact, I think all of the women are portrayed as the smarter ones by Jordan). Also, while in the Green land the women are supposed to be the ones protected, not wear boy clothes, not be warriors, etc., Aiel women are portrayed the complete opposite. They are warriors, protect themselves and tribe, ask for a mans hand in marriage, etc. I think it's SO interesting. Women are sometimes seen as the second sex but most times are really seen as the ones in power. For example: The Amyrlin seat, the QUEEN of Andor (even if she marries, the man doesn't become the King ruler per se but instead a royal consort). It's awesome how powerful Jordan makes women and what big roles they have in the story. It makes me happy (:
I'm not quite sure about which one is more dangerous. Faile is extremely cunning and more than able to protect herself. However, although Berelain doesn't do her work right in your face, she knows how to use her influence, her beauty, and to play the game of houses. I would go with Berelain.
Natasha wrote: "I think it's very interesting how Jordan set up the roles of male and female characters. Concerning women though, Jordan portrays them many different ways. For example, the majority of common women..."While I like all the points you made about strong female characters, I still find it a bit divisive how Jordan portrays the sexes. Like there seems to be this constant misunderstanding between the sexes, even when one from each are trying to get along. I have been told this 'bickering' is part and parcel of The Wheel of Time world and is seen throughout the series.
Natasha wrote: "I'm not quite sure about which one is more dangerous. Faile is extremely cunning and more than able to protect herself. However, although Berelain doesn't do her work right in your face, she knows ..."I would also go with Berelain because both men and women automatically underestimate her based on her clothing and her flirtatious behavior. So silly, as neither prohibit a person, male or female, from being excellent at hand to hand combat :).
I'm going to have to go with Berelain as well. To quote The Bard, "Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't." This is also where I started to really dislike Faile, because of the way she treats Loial.
1) Egwene dives back into Tel'aran'rhiod to investigate Tanchico and comes out with an Aiel Wise Woman's contact info. Egwene kicks herself for not having the knowledge and skill to interpret her dreams. Have you ever given dream interpretation a shot? Do you think Egwene's plans to train and pass that on to Nynaeve and Elayne will work out as she plans?
2) Robert Jordan loves setting up the battle of the sexes, doesn't he? In this section we see that Perrin and Faile are having a contest of wills. Rand versus the Aes Sedai (Moiraine in particular). Thom versus Moiraine. Even Min! What do you think of Jordan's use of this?
3) Mat, Perrin, and Rand finally hear about Whitecloaks in the Two Rivers. Perrin feels an obligation to return, tries to break some ties, and then finds out he won't be going alone. Were you surprised at Perrin's self-sacrificial take on this situation? Will the White Cloaks get more than they are looking for?
4) Ladies and their weapons: We saw some hand-to-hand altercations and some subtler weapons in use in this section. Who do you deem the more dangerous - Berelain or Faile?
5) Of course Mat goes through the doorway! But once he is done with his question and answer session and tossed out, he realizes he wasn't the only one seeking answers. What kind of beings do you think the folk in the doorway were? What do you think Rand and Moiraine asked and had answered?
6) Finally, Loial is back in the story. While he seems to be content as a chronicler, I do you think The Wheel will let him sit in a corner with pen and ink the entire book? What do you think of Faile's twisting his arm to visit The Ways?