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".
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
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
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 10:53:20 PM
- 1167 Views
If the Shadow had removed Elaida so Egwene was Amyrlin whilst Rand was still Dark ...
16/12/2010 11:56:08 PM
- 1128 Views
Same thing if Elaida was in charge when meeting w/ Dark Rand. *NM*
17/12/2010 02:10:20 AM
- 613 Views
Except Rand wouldn't go to the WT with Elaida in charge, without having to fight
17/12/2010 02:50:18 AM
- 1256 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
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
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
20/12/2010 12:57:42 AM
- 978 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
But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
20/12/2010 06:17:17 PM
- 1452 Views
Re: But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
22/12/2010 05:28:01 PM
- 1232 Views
Yes, but for completely different reasons...
18/12/2010 12:35:23 AM
- 1176 Views
You think Egwene has more power than Tuon?
18/12/2010 12:27:01 PM
- 1003 Views
Definitely...
18/12/2010 03:24:12 PM
- 1039 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
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