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Re: Principle protagonists can still experience epic falls. - Edit 1

Before modification by Sidious at 14/05/2012 08:33:20 AM

I'm kind of shocked that anyone thinks that Egwene is in for a fall in the last book. She's going to be one of the principle protagonists.

Just because she doesn't agree with Rand doesn't mean she's in for the plunge. That's a very simplistic way of looking at her character.

Disputing that would be rather "simplistic," too, no? :P

It is not merely that she disagrees with Rand, but that she is so adamant about it, to the point of assembling armies and poisoning their friends since childhood against the plan. If she backs down in the event, everything obviously changes, but backing down in confrontations is not exactly Egwenes hallmark, is it? Her habit is to feign submission and immediately begin devising alternate methods to accomplish her unwavering objective. While the series often calls both stubborn, RAND has backed down far more often than Egwene (the case that comes most readily to mind is his abortive war against the Seanchan.) The biggest difference is that Rand has often witnessed, recognized and regretted the high cost of his arrogance and obstinance. For all the talk of "encapsulating leadership," that is not a leadership trait we have seen much in Egwene.

As I say, if she DOES back down, uncharacteristic as that would be, everything changes. If, however, she does not, if she insists on opposing Rands plan to break the Seals with the army she is assembling for that purpose (which would be VERY characteristic,) then the BEST case scenario is the Dragon Reborn publicly and successfully defying the Amyrlins authority literally in front of the whole world. We know Rand must break the Seals as assuredly as Egwene "knows" he must NOT, and before the audience she is gathering, the only possibilities are that she either relents or badly loses a mammoth confrontation. The former is quite inconsistent with her character, leaving the latter the only plausible option. The only question is just how bad the very bad defeat will be.


Of course she will back down in some form. If she deliberately challenged Rand after their meeting at Merillor it could only spell disaster for her and the Aes Sedai - they have no hope of defeating him in any way.

Clearly she wants to put her arguments across to him. She may actually convince him to do a few things, but even if she doesn't, everyone know that Egwene and the rest of the band from Emonds Field are going to rally behind him for the LB. I can't believe you think RJ would plan her demise prior to the LB just to settle a minor contest they've had since childhood.


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