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Re: That's just it: Egwene is not only wrong, she's narratively wrong. AshaShan Send a noteboard - 20/12/2010 04:39:57 PM
I used to think, as liltempest does, that Egwene would contine to behave like an entitled ass throughout the series and never be called to account for it. But the recent books have caused me to veer towards your way of thinkng.

I mean, RJ and I were obviously very different people with very different worldviews. His take on the battle of the sexes has always exasperated me, and the tragic death of the Amayar moved me not a bit.

That said, I also thought that Perrin throwing away his axe and killing people with a hammer was an empty gesture and wondered what the author was thinking with that scene. Turns out RJ was well aware of how futile a gesture it was and intended it more as a symbol of Perrin's continued indecisiveness. As Hopper described it, he was jumping back and forth over the same fence.

Cadsuane's relationship with Rand was another thing that made me doubt RJ and I would see eye to eye on much of anything. Her showing up to smack sense into Rand seemed very deus ex machina, and I felt that having some outside force solve all Rand's problems for him would devalue him as the protagonist. Turns out RJ was well aware of that too, and Rand would ultimately be forced to solve his own mental issues.

Stuff like that has given me renewed faith that Egwene's total lack of comeuppance was very deliberate on the author's part. After all, he was fully aware that the supergirls behaved shittily towards Mat way back in TDR, since he had Nynaeve and Elayne made to apologise for it. Egwene's omission from that scene wasn't an accident IMO.

That she has always gotten her way, that no-one has really criticised her for her moral and tactical shortcomings, these things were intended to be combined with her antagonistic relationship with Rand to inspire her to confront him at the Fields of Merrilor and try to assume command of the war effort from him. As she is "obliquely" aware she is doing. Any other Amyrlin would be wary of confronting the Dragon Reborn at this stage. They'd resort to subtle manipulation like that seen from the Tower and rebel embassies in LOC, all vague promises and vaguer threats. And thats a conflict that they might even win, since such games are very much not Rand's style. But to stage her coup directly and openly like this? That plays to Rand's strengths, and only Egwene would be self-absorbed enough and have enough disdain for Rand to do that.

Its going to backfire on her. Her dream of the pretty and cracked sphere shattering is about the White Tower, not the Seals. By Merrilor's end I suspect the Amyrlin will have been forced to bow to the Dragon's authority. Recent developements in the series have renewed my faith in that. RJ knew what he was doing, with Perrin and Cadsuade, and yes, with Egwene too.
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The significance of 23 stars (TOM Spoilers) - 14/12/2010 11:48:55 PM 4027 Views
It would be a first... - 15/12/2010 02:46:33 AM 1795 Views
Re: It would be a first... - 15/12/2010 04:39:17 AM 1425 Views
I think people aren't giving Egwene enough credit. - 15/12/2010 04:59:09 AM 1459 Views
She's not bringing everyone for a discussion, but for leverage to force him to change his mind. - 19/12/2010 09:54:49 PM 1374 Views
- 20/12/2010 01:50:39 AM 1421 Views
Re: - 20/12/2010 04:37:24 AM 1221 Views
Huh? - 20/12/2010 05:09:39 AM 1280 Views
I find the theory - 20/12/2010 09:18:34 AM 1275 Views
That's a new one to me - 20/12/2010 09:45:09 AM 1347 Views
Your theory is very unlikely - 20/12/2010 09:50:26 AM 1353 Views
If it was a plant, why would it be so oblique? - 29/12/2010 07:22:58 AM 1172 Views
Re: - 20/12/2010 08:09:53 PM 1405 Views
That's not true. - 21/12/2010 02:22:50 AM 1491 Views
Sadly, the thing you reference four times isn't actually anywhere in the book. - 29/12/2010 03:17:15 AM 1605 Views
+1 - 29/12/2010 07:10:41 AM 1342 Views
Don't take this the wrong way, but I think I love you. (edited) - 29/12/2010 06:43:32 PM 1607 Views
Ah, if only I could sell the concept of sister-wives.... - 29/12/2010 07:09:56 PM 1249 Views
Re: It would be a first... - 15/12/2010 12:43:49 PM 1840 Views
Dear lord, you wrote the Egwene haters' ultimate fantasy right there - 19/12/2010 01:41:55 AM 1359 Views
Don't think of use as Egwene haters... - 19/12/2010 04:32:11 AM 1303 Views
One problematic issue...This assumes the Dark One cannot hold himself back once the Seals are broken - 15/12/2010 07:57:53 AM 1508 Views
Err, it's the other way around - 15/12/2010 09:00:38 AM 1412 Views
I see. It's the same thing, really, just looking at it from the opposite perspective... - 15/12/2010 09:14:22 AM 1482 Views
Don't you know it's all about the posturing - 15/12/2010 09:40:15 AM 1475 Views
It's more that you take it out of context - 15/12/2010 11:32:36 AM 1462 Views
So then... - 15/12/2010 06:35:02 PM 1415 Views
Re: So then... - 16/12/2010 03:39:19 AM 1369 Views
Re: So then... - 16/12/2010 08:11:37 AM 1334 Views
Mierin - 16/12/2010 08:13:55 AM 1540 Views
It would be a good strategy for a conventional war, but - 16/12/2010 07:32:30 AM 1389 Views
Nature of the DO - 15/12/2010 10:38:24 PM 1270 Views
While I agree overall, I think this is a case where Rand/TDR mistakes his role - 15/12/2010 05:37:25 PM 1235 Views
I don't see why Egwene would oppose his plan - 15/12/2010 06:17:47 PM 1258 Views
I don't think that's the issue. - 15/12/2010 07:31:03 PM 1335 Views
I think Egwene is successful and Rand has to go to the Seanchan for female channeler assistance - 18/12/2010 12:47:54 AM 1389 Views
Egwene's dream seems a little more personal than that - 18/12/2010 04:55:37 AM 1206 Views
Yes - 18/12/2010 07:57:35 AM 1219 Views
Actually, I think Tuon will capture her, and then release her. *NM* - 18/12/2010 02:47:42 PM 661 Views
Re: It would be a first... - 18/12/2010 02:48:40 PM 1351 Views
Re: It would be a first... - 18/12/2010 03:28:57 PM 1310 Views
Those are vewings and prophesies... - 18/12/2010 03:43:55 PM 1116 Views
I wish - 16/12/2010 08:29:23 PM 1325 Views
That's just it: Egwene is not only wrong, she's narratively wrong. - 19/12/2010 11:30:35 PM 1707 Views
Man, that's the best take on Egwene I have ever read. - 20/12/2010 12:38:07 AM 1307 Views
+1 - 20/12/2010 01:07:24 AM 1353 Views
You may be onto something there. - 20/12/2010 01:35:46 AM 1311 Views
Thanks. - 20/12/2010 01:24:42 AM 1272 Views
Re: That's just it: Egwene is not only wrong, she's narratively wrong. - 20/12/2010 04:39:57 PM 1396 Views
Wish I'd read this sooner, 'cos I agree on several points. - 29/12/2010 03:38:59 AM 1340 Views
Re: Wish I'd read this sooner, 'cos I agree on several points. - 29/12/2010 07:32:49 AM 1287 Views
It seems an odd oversight, yes; I can't even recall her being Delved when the truth was revealed. - 29/12/2010 12:40:00 PM 1326 Views
Ensure this value has at most 100 characters (it has 101). - 29/12/2010 03:00:22 PM 3026 Views
Ah, good point; Rand might have to do the job himself. - 29/12/2010 06:43:44 PM 1273 Views
More likely to be Flinn. - 29/12/2010 08:18:19 PM 1327 Views
Maybe, once he knows the signs and techniques. - 30/12/2010 03:10:27 PM 1302 Views
Not sure if Rand had seized the source yet - he wouldn't have wanted to do it in front of Ramshalan - 30/12/2010 03:15:43 PM 1232 Views
Good point, too. - 30/12/2010 03:17:06 PM 1223 Views
He was holding the gateway open. *NM* - 30/12/2010 04:27:25 PM 631 Views
Thanks, had forgotten that. - 31/12/2010 04:43:25 AM 1214 Views

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