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I don't even know why China was brought up in the first place ~shrugs~ Variant Send a noteboard - 22/01/2011 10:04:59 AM
capable of change. I'm saying that RJ based the Seanchan off of variations of China and Ancient Egypt ... using in many cases the worst elements of each society in a deliberate attempt to create an "evil" Empire.


I've already answered this, whether they're evil or not, is not relevant - at least to the pattern. By the way, I disagree that RJ has been writing up the Seanchan as the evil empire, if that was the case, why on earth would they agree to the Dragon's peace and live up to the agreement, as we see in Avi's own vision. There are honorable people among the Seanchan, while I do believe that Seanchan society needs reform, all things considered they're an effective organization to facilitate the technological advances needed in the next age, if that even happens.

Sure there are positive things about living in Seanchan controlled areas, but realistically (IMO) we as the reader as supposed to have a negative feeling for the Seanchan. Especially for those who grew up in modern Western civilizations ... the alien culture of the Seanchan is hard to accept.


In your opinion, yes. In my opinion, not really. I'm a reader, and I don't have a complete negative feeling toward the Seanchan (and I'm evidently not the only reader who feels that way). There are aspects of their society that I don't agree with (such as the damane) but I understand why that is. After all in the history of their continent they were terrorized and ruled by Aes Sedai abusing their power. I personally may not accept their culture, but I understand why it is the way that it is. And I do admire their military prowess and achievements.

And quite frankly, as a Reader, the Seanchan brought in much needed tension in this series. They're an actual worthy adversary for our protagonists. Because let's face it, the Shadow is a complete utter joke. The Seanchan are a force to be reckon with, they're not intimidated by anyone, not the Shadow, the Aes Sedai, or the Dragon Reborn. And they're more than willing to put their money where their mouth is. I admire their tenacity, and I find them to be more of a wild card in the whole scheme of things which I believe was RJ's intention.

This message last edited by Variant on 22/01/2011 at 10:31:04 AM
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Avienda's viewing and the Fields of Merrilor (spoilers) - 28/12/2010 06:21:05 PM 3519 Views
Timing - 28/12/2010 06:43:32 PM 2099 Views
Indeed...the bleak future makes the Last Battle almost an anti-climax... - 28/12/2010 08:20:31 PM 2221 Views
And yet, the only places of relative peace and shelter right now are Seanchan controlled lands. - 29/12/2010 03:21:37 AM 1806 Views
+1. - 29/12/2010 04:04:02 AM 1560 Views
Re: +1. - 07/01/2011 05:25:23 PM 1424 Views
Those who would give up permanent liberty in exchange for temporary security, deserve neither.. - 29/12/2010 10:27:35 AM 1563 Views
Says the person defending monarchies and oligarchies, some of them quite brutal. - 29/12/2010 02:12:56 PM 1515 Views
LoL. What is this "POV trap" that people refer to so often to make a point? - 29/12/2010 10:00:11 PM 1745 Views
"romantic characteristics" - 07/01/2011 06:06:31 AM 1373 Views
Re: "romantic characteristics" - 07/01/2011 05:30:33 PM 1436 Views
Don't blame the Seanchan, The Aiel made an excuse to start a war. - 08/01/2011 09:20:36 AM 1875 Views
Re: Those who would give up permanent liberty in exchange for temporary security, deserve neither.. - 29/12/2010 03:06:16 PM 1636 Views
Exactly. *NM* - 30/12/2010 02:50:07 AM 1035 Views
They are pretty close to evil. Slavery being the big thing, but the crushing social scale is far - 31/12/2010 06:45:59 PM 1362 Views
The Aiel sold slaves to Shara, does that make them evil? No society in Randland is without flaws. - 07/01/2011 05:10:32 AM 1698 Views
you are missing my point - 07/01/2011 11:31:11 PM 1516 Views
We haven't had a POV from a NON-high-ranking Seanchan - 08/01/2011 03:13:26 AM 25018 Views
As to Bethamin ... - 20/01/2011 04:46:36 PM 1488 Views
No, you're missing the point. Benevolence is irrelevant. - 08/01/2011 09:48:51 AM 1401 Views
Re: No, you're missing the point. Benevolence is irrelevant. - 08/01/2011 10:04:18 AM 1453 Views
Well the Westlands aren't exactly modern Europe or USA either - 08/01/2011 11:00:31 AM 1433 Views
Re: Well the Westlands aren't exactly modern Europe or USA either - 09/01/2011 02:08:17 AM 1402 Views
That's funny, I'd choose modern day China in a second. - 09/01/2011 06:37:24 AM 1401 Views
Hong Kong is not an accurate representation of the rest of Modern China - 20/01/2011 04:50:20 PM 1374 Views
~sigh~ Cosmopolitan China is different than Rural China - 21/01/2011 01:00:17 AM 1340 Views
well there is also the fact that Hong Kong has different "rules" than even other major - 21/01/2011 05:38:46 PM 1447 Views
I'm not just talking about Hong Kong though... - 22/01/2011 09:36:20 AM 1445 Views
I've traveled extensively - 22/01/2011 06:02:47 PM 1383 Views
You've traveled to China extensively? - 22/01/2011 07:41:30 PM 1504 Views
Actually, China is changing. - 09/01/2011 06:32:58 AM 1441 Views
true to a point, yet China has been under one form or another of totalitarian rule for - 20/01/2011 04:57:37 PM 1438 Views
So? - 21/01/2011 01:20:18 AM 1501 Views
Double post *NM* - 21/01/2011 01:21:10 AM 786 Views
It's the comparative to the Seanchan empire I'm really getting at here, not saying China isn't - 21/01/2011 05:43:56 PM 1505 Views
I don't even know why China was brought up in the first place ~shrugs~ - 22/01/2011 10:04:59 AM 1341 Views
I totally agree with your last point, which is why I think RJ set them up to be the "Evil Empire" - 22/01/2011 06:12:46 PM 1418 Views
They're not entirely evil though, and RJ has written them that way - 22/01/2011 08:02:22 PM 1384 Views
not so much - 22/01/2011 09:54:38 PM 1378 Views
Your example is absurd. - 22/01/2011 10:53:06 PM 1300 Views
Ah yes, the "Jews can kill you with their minds" argument. *NM* - 23/01/2011 05:32:23 PM 776 Views
Please. Like anyone else in Randland is really free? - 30/12/2010 02:47:27 AM 1455 Views
It goes beyond the channelers. The Seanchan control the population - 31/12/2010 06:00:57 PM 1351 Views
Re: It goes beyond the channelers. The Seanchan control the population - 01/01/2011 10:58:22 PM 1455 Views
Maybe they're a remnant of humanity - 29/12/2010 04:41:40 AM 1558 Views
Re: Maybe they're a remnant of humanity - 29/12/2010 02:17:33 PM 1507 Views
Couple of flaws here - 31/12/2010 06:54:13 PM 1372 Views
You are right, here is a better analogy - 03/01/2011 06:23:16 PM 1383 Views
Even Hitler didn't think Jews could kill people with their minds - 03/01/2011 07:22:09 PM 1475 Views
It depends on Rand's sperm I guess - 28/12/2010 08:27:59 PM 1461 Views
No, the Seanchan started it, by wanting to conquer the rest of the world... - 28/12/2010 08:31:27 PM 1582 Views
Re: No, the Seanchan started it, by wanting to conquer the rest of the world... - 28/12/2010 08:50:28 PM 1446 Views
Re: No, the Seanchan started it, by wanting to conquer the rest of the world... - 30/12/2010 03:56:55 PM 1501 Views
Because the Aiel are savages who have no place in a modern world - 28/12/2010 11:15:23 PM 1556 Views
Re: No, the Seanchan started it, by wanting to conquer the rest of the world... - 30/12/2010 04:01:00 PM 1511 Views
Re: It depends on Rand's sperm I guess - 28/12/2010 11:02:34 PM 1414 Views
Re: It depends on Rand's sperm I guess - 29/12/2010 04:37:04 AM 1420 Views
Re: It depends on Rand's sperm I guess - 29/12/2010 02:37:12 PM 1442 Views
Re: It depends on Rand's sperm I guess - 30/12/2010 04:02:31 PM 1805 Views
timeline in the books - 29/12/2010 03:34:45 PM 1490 Views
Re: timeline in the books - 29/12/2010 05:29:11 PM 1513 Views
Re: timeline in the books - 31/12/2010 01:18:32 PM 1404 Views
Aviendha + Mat (and Seta and Bethamin) are the best hopes. - 09/01/2011 01:45:00 AM 1467 Views

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