Robert Jordan's:The Wheel of Time discussion
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The Fires of Heaven
The Fires of Heaven Read Along Part VII
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I actually really like how Jordan writes his battles. You see bits and pieces of action but you don't know how the battle will turn out til the end. I find that it makes it more exciting.
I'm only just now finding this read along, but I'd be more than happy to join and weigh in. I'll even hop in along with where you are in the series! Robert Jordan meant to make these battles confusing. He had seen real battle and knew just as well as anyone else, that there's no telling how a battle is going from one second to the next. No one ever really knows who's winning and who's losing. Hell, if someone ran out in the middle after a big explosion and screamed that their side won, and anyone who threw down their weapons would be spared, it'd probably work.Now, as to your statement that Rand has an awfully sexist attitude toward women, I agree that he's very overprotective, but that's how he was raised to be. His mother died very young, and so Tam probably instilled a very intense belief that women are to be protected, because he couldn't even save his wife.
But, at this point in the story, Rand has seen too many women around him die, and coupled with his belief that women are to be protected, he feels like he's failing. I'll have to pick up the book because I would like to discuss a little more, but I'm worried I'll give out spoilers because I'm not sure what has or has not happened in the story yet.
Sorry, I'm kind of playing off memories of what I've read, it's been a few years since I picked up the books.
I hope y'all don't mind me piping in!
Spoilers lay in wait for the unwary and those who fail to read signage.
1. As usual, things have changed quite rapidly and Nynaeve now knows the location of the rebel Aes Sedai and has gained a personal ‘army’ of Shienarans. Do we really believe that Galad intends to let the girls leave without telling his superiors in the Whitecloaks? What reception do you expect them to receive when they reach Salidar?
2. It seems that both Rand and the Cairhien are using innovative technology to break the siege. However, my biggest worry is that only the Aiel can distinguish between the Shaido and the other clans. Any suggestions for how to avoid the loyal Aiel falling to ‘friendly fire’ from the non-Aiel taking part in the battle?
3. We are seeing open animosity between the Cairhien and Tairens. Do you think that this is typical of the hostility between neighbors, or is it more to do with the social status of the two groups? Do you think that Rand will ever be able to unite the various societies and social groupings to create a single force for the Last Battle?
4. Poor Mat! It would seem that the Pattern still wants him to stay near to Rand. Do you think that he should simply give up trying and come to terms with his role as Rand’s military advisor? Also, how cross do you think Melindhra will be that he tried to sneak away?
5. Holy exploding hilltops, Batman! With just three channelers joining the battle we see a lot of mayhem and carnage. How effective do you think they are at defeating the Shaido? Is anyone else getting more than a little tired of Rand’s sexist attitude towards protecting women?
6. Sammael seems to have decided to act, and yet his attacks have been rather ineffective. Do you think that he was simply testing Rand’s strength, or did he really intend to kill or capture him?
7. Finally, this battle seemed rather confusing to me and it was difficult to follow what exactly was happening. How did you feel about this aspect of the narrative? Would you have preferred a clearer account or not?