Mat expresses negative opinions of everyone at some point in the series. And, in my observation, it takes an act of the Pattern to make him change his mind about someone.
IMO, Mat started with a negative opinion about Elayne based on her station in life (I've seen some POV from other Two Rivers characters that were some what similar), and then he succumbed to confirmation bias. He has a huge bias against anyone coming from a noble or Aes Sedai background...and she comes from both!
She never behaves in a 'spoiled princess" manner, but she does behave like someone who just never had to do the sorts of things he had to. That's not her fault and she shows a lot of willingness to learn skills that are "beneath" her station. Cannoli pointed out a few. Yes. It's clear she is from a higher station. That is not being spoiled. For god's sake, the woman stripped down to unseemly clothing and did somersaults above a crowd in a circus in order to maintain a secret identity. That is not a spoiled noblewoman!
Besides. POV is a wretched way to decide how someone acts when you have plenty of evidence to use that's not POV. Jordan gave us a lot of opportunity to see Elayne's behavior through neutral eyes, or at least multiple eyes, in order to form our OWN opinion.
And, honestly, even if we agree she's spoiled, she's definitely not the most spoiled of the girls. I'd say Egwene takes that cake, knife, tray and table on that. Even Avienda can behave a little spoiled, albeit in a different and nonstereotypical manner. The more I think about it, Elayne's probably the LEAST "spoiled" in her behavior.
IMO, Mat started with a negative opinion about Elayne based on her station in life (I've seen some POV from other Two Rivers characters that were some what similar), and then he succumbed to confirmation bias. He has a huge bias against anyone coming from a noble or Aes Sedai background...and she comes from both!
She never behaves in a 'spoiled princess" manner, but she does behave like someone who just never had to do the sorts of things he had to. That's not her fault and she shows a lot of willingness to learn skills that are "beneath" her station. Cannoli pointed out a few. Yes. It's clear she is from a higher station. That is not being spoiled. For god's sake, the woman stripped down to unseemly clothing and did somersaults above a crowd in a circus in order to maintain a secret identity. That is not a spoiled noblewoman!
Besides. POV is a wretched way to decide how someone acts when you have plenty of evidence to use that's not POV. Jordan gave us a lot of opportunity to see Elayne's behavior through neutral eyes, or at least multiple eyes, in order to form our OWN opinion.
And, honestly, even if we agree she's spoiled, she's definitely not the most spoiled of the girls. I'd say Egwene takes that cake, knife, tray and table on that. Even Avienda can behave a little spoiled, albeit in a different and nonstereotypical manner. The more I think about it, Elayne's probably the LEAST "spoiled" in her behavior.
Still Empress of the Poofy Purple Pillow Pile Palace!!
Continued Love of my Aussie <3
Continued Love of my Aussie <3
This message last edited by LadyLorraine on 22/02/2012 at 03:36:54 PM
The Elayne irritation
20/02/2012 09:48:13 AM
- 1158 Views
Yeah! Why didn't Elayne waste time playing martyr until someone handed her a complete roster!
20/02/2012 01:54:18 PM
- 731 Views
I tend to agree with you on this
20/02/2012 03:14:15 PM
- 468 Views
When WAS this "Spoiled Princess" thing?
21/02/2012 11:49:45 PM
- 829 Views
Go read pretty much any POV from other characters around her
22/02/2012 02:58:59 AM
- 383 Views
Cannoli is a victim of his beloved PoV trap! *NM*
22/02/2012 03:14:28 AM
- 229 Views
I expect it's quite the opposite...
22/02/2012 03:54:57 AM
- 375 Views
I must agree...
22/02/2012 03:32:41 PM
- 535 Views
You are the one's falling victim to the PoV traps by believing Mat, et al. You still don't get it.
23/02/2012 10:30:40 PM
- 616 Views
Damn... this must be punishment!
24/02/2012 12:14:19 AM
- 526 Views
It wouldn't have saved you - a joke based on a fallacy isn't funny, and I hate those even worse *NM*
24/02/2012 02:55:39 PM
- 201 Views
I think Elayne's change in behavior towards Galad says everything. *NM*
24/02/2012 04:12:14 PM
- 215 Views
To summarize Elayne's character.....if she was completely eliminated from WOT.....
20/02/2012 05:54:23 PM
- 456 Views