Anyone who wants to criticize or mock Rand's behavior has a bit of an open invitation to do so. Why? Cause Rand's taken his misfortune with a lot of bad grace. Sure, he's got great reason to be surly, angry, touchy, jumpy... But I'd say objective observers would say Rand does mope and engage in some self-pity (or self-hate). With frequency.

Sometimes it genuinely sounds like whining. It doesn't sound kind to write that, since Rand has been through harsh, cruel experiences in every single book (I think). Going nuts all the while, too. It's an unfair comparison, but Homer Simpson's quick turns to positivity make all his mood-swings and nastiness easier to pass over. It's just easier for folks to gravitate to.

Rand's darkness, for me, almost never makes for rewarding reading. I guess, perhaps, he's always been prone to being a wet blanket, but it usually happened (IIRC) when he took real responsibility upon himself while still being such a n00b at everything but farming.

Of course, Rand takes himself so bloody seriously - to such a great degree - that it also makes it both easy and fun to mock him. Even if you don't approve of the results, you have to admit that sort of thing is a joke magnet.

On the other hand: Egwene can often be positive. Maybe what makes her seem to have the upper hand here is that she hasn't spent nearly as much time being actively negative; certainly not enough to compare to Rand. Then again, the book's about him, so he gets more time. And no one should ignore the fact that she hasn't been through nearly as much constant torment as al'Thor.

It's easy to prefer Egwene when writing something like this because she does fight hard for the Light, and it doesn't get so damn dreary. But Egwene can be two-faced, double-standard bearing, over-proud, unsympathetic, judgmental, self-indulgent, self-aggrandizing, megalomaniacal, and astronomically whiny... But I like that she *does* make a point of openly going to people for help,. Even if it'll be fishy, like her study with the WO...

If you're going to look at warts and all, Egwene still conveys a good (if high-maintenance) attitude. The Gawyn thing is just odd, partly he's into her so hard. I can't judge her attitude toward Gawyn because (a) he sort of has a big creepy side to him (and the "kill Rand" thing) and (b) I haven't liked him for years now.

No biggie either way - real people got worse flaws than either of them.

PS - Rand definitely had Forsaken actively helping him - like Asmo's blocking that Gateway on McLovin's Eve. That sort of thing was unnecessary enough to count as a blessing. Asmo also helped keep Rand alive after a fight on Telescope Tower. There was also Lanfear. Does anyone doubt that if Mesaana grabbed Rand in book 2, Lanfear wouldn't spring him? The Wonder Girls wouldn't even have time to form a plan!