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She has the same power base as any Amyrlin - the Aes Sedai, the artisans, Guards & citizens of TV RugbyPlayingAshaman Send a noteboard - 17/12/2010 05:51:20 PM
I think you mistake not having subjects bound to obey her every whim without debate with not having a power base; as the lawfully Raised Amyrlin, all initiates of the White Tower are loyal to her, and it would take a lot of mistakes on her part to lose it. It may not appear this way to us because we have privileged information, but there was a reason that openly opposing an Amyrlin was viewed with shock - this is a deeply democratic institution. The fact that there is discussion, open debate and internal structures that balance the power of the Amyrlin shows its' health as an organization. Many of the changes she has implemented has made the White Tower more healthy than it had been before - especially some of the secondary outcomes of her actions (ie: the law that any new course of action needed the full Hall to review before approving it means political backstabbing and secrecy will be reduced).

Egwene is a scholarly type with a drive to best the best at whatever she sets her mind to. I believe that you confuse this drive with a lack of identity. She didn't feel a need to "be the best damane she could be!" once captured by the Seanchan, because this drive is very much connected to her sense of independence and self-control. In other words, she felt empowered by the Aes Sedai and the Wise Ones, and hastened to learn as much as she could from them. In my opinion, this is a good quality for a leader to have (especially when you are leading a community versus a single nation), as it confers a breadth of knowledge and ability to recognize the best in each community.

Is she perfect? No, but I would say that of all the characters, she is the most like Rand. The qualities you would call "Mary Sue"-like are remarkably similar to being "t'a'veren".
"Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness."
This message last edited by RugbyPlayingAshaman on 17/12/2010 at 05:58:00 PM
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Egwene, a poor leader? - 16/12/2010 05:59:15 PM 2321 Views
Egwene isn't supposed to be a leader. She's a dictator and a politician. - 16/12/2010 08:21:13 PM 1485 Views
Well! No love lost there - 17/12/2010 01:52:59 PM 988 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader? - 16/12/2010 09:35:44 PM 1257 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader? - 16/12/2010 10:53:20 PM 1167 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader? - 17/12/2010 03:07:40 AM 1258 Views
Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are? - 17/12/2010 04:52:34 AM 1045 Views
Re: Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are? - 17/12/2010 05:44:30 AM 1147 Views
That was the case a few books back - 17/12/2010 07:44:32 AM 1146 Views
Re: That was the case a few books back - 17/12/2010 10:14:36 AM 1149 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader? - 17/12/2010 02:30:48 PM 1216 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader? - 17/12/2010 08:25:39 PM 979 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader? - 18/12/2010 05:06:21 AM 1133 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader? - 19/12/2010 08:41:31 PM 1050 Views
Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends. *NM* - 20/12/2010 12:14:55 AM 644 Views
Re: Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends. - 20/12/2010 01:24:12 AM 1100 Views
And the most painful torments were caused by Egwene - 20/12/2010 09:31:44 AM 1214 Views
That's not quite true. - 20/12/2010 06:47:33 PM 1023 Views
That's not quite accurate. - 21/12/2010 01:22:26 AM 1270 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader? - 20/12/2010 12:57:42 AM 978 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader? - 20/12/2010 02:02:05 AM 1132 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader? - 22/12/2010 07:08:37 AM 1041 Views
She has the same power base as any Amyrlin - the Aes Sedai, the artisans, Guards & citizens of TV - 17/12/2010 05:51:20 PM 1131 Views
Ta'veren vs. Mary Sue - 17/12/2010 07:33:28 PM 1519 Views
I see them as being the same thing. - 17/12/2010 08:11:30 PM 1146 Views
I don't think the case can be made for Rand having it easy - 17/12/2010 11:04:58 PM 1060 Views
I would say that in the grand scheme of things, Rand's had good to balance out the bad. - 20/12/2010 06:27:35 PM 1048 Views
Funniest statement I've ever seen on here. - 18/12/2010 05:22:28 AM 1152 Views
Agree with your comments. - 20/12/2010 03:12:32 PM 1496 Views
You need to post more about Egwene - 17/12/2010 08:16:19 PM 1131 Views
Nah. Just a hyopcrite. *NM* - 17/12/2010 09:28:28 PM 608 Views
Yes, but for completely different reasons... - 18/12/2010 12:35:23 AM 1176 Views
Yes, communication is key. - 18/12/2010 05:32:01 AM 1039 Views
You think Egwene has more power than Tuon? - 18/12/2010 12:27:01 PM 1003 Views
Re: You think Egwene has more power than Tuon? - 18/12/2010 02:41:25 PM 925 Views
Definitely... - 18/12/2010 03:24:12 PM 1039 Views
Where does the 200000 number come from? *NM* - 18/12/2010 03:36:22 PM 561 Views
That's not right... - 19/12/2010 12:56:25 AM 1019 Views
Re: That's not right... - 19/12/2010 11:38:54 PM 1133 Views
What's said above. Plus - 19/12/2010 11:00:42 AM 981 Views
More explanations... - 20/12/2010 02:51:25 AM 1006 Views
Re: More explanations... - 20/12/2010 09:40:46 AM 1061 Views
Aiel, Cairhien and Andor are NOT under Egwenes power. - 20/12/2010 02:46:44 PM 1070 Views
Re: More explanations... - 20/12/2010 03:58:58 PM 1187 Views
An Amyrlin doesn't really have a power base. - 18/12/2010 05:43:12 AM 1117 Views
I think comparing Egwene to McCain is asking for trouble on several fronts. - 20/12/2010 12:33:04 AM 1004 Views
She has a pretty powerful weapon... - 20/12/2010 02:41:32 AM 1029 Views
RJ is more powerful. - 20/12/2010 03:25:49 AM 1153 Views
I'd advise a re-read. Of ToM, and maybe the whole series... - 20/12/2010 03:58:03 AM 1071 Views
Re: I'd advise a re-read. Of ToM, and maybe the whole series... - 21/12/2010 09:08:20 PM 1072 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon... - 20/12/2010 09:46:22 AM 1113 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon... - 20/12/2010 09:55:03 AM 978 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon... - 20/12/2010 10:27:59 AM 1067 Views
One example of this... - 20/12/2010 11:15:03 AM 1099 Views
Re: One example of this... - 20/12/2010 11:22:10 AM 966 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon... - 20/12/2010 11:08:35 AM 1046 Views
That's not quite true. - 20/12/2010 10:35:45 PM 1066 Views

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