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I'm probably something of an Egwene hater... gban007 Send a noteboard - 28/01/2013 03:23:27 AM
Egwene SACRIFICED her life for her beliefs! Just because you found her character irritating doesn't mean she wasn't a hero in the series.

This doesn't count for anything to those who rabidly hate Egwene. Its only more irritating to them that she died heroically. And of course, some even find ways to twist that into something negative. I've seen posts calling her arrogant for assuming she could defeat Taim, that she killed herself only because she knew she'd be burned out if she let go of the Power (completely ignoring that she overdrew by choice, not accident), and other things in that vein. Just be satisfied the character wasn't shortchanged, and those who can read the books without ridiculous biases can enjoy the progression of her arc very much.


Which unfortunately got to the stage that I struggled to read passages from her POV (meaning I missed out reasonable chunks of the story when rereading as I skipped those parts entirely).

However, I do think she did a lot of good, and was a hero, and had an especially heroic end. I'm somewhat surprised that people think she was arrogant to think she could defeat Taim, though I guess I shouldn't be surprised given the wide variety of views on the internet. From my point of view, she was one of the few who probably could try and take him on, as proven when defending the White Tower Egwene is one of the better Aes Sedai for combat situations (reflective I think that despite the Green Ajah being battle Ajah, most of the Aes Sedai had spent too much time in the Tower in the last few generations), and Taim seemed to used to being in battles that were heavily favouring his side. With everything that Taim was managing, I think she had to try at least to take him on, regardless of her chances, but like I said I think her chances were always reasonable.

Like I said in a previous thread, I do find myself being able to view her overall progress through the series better now, as it seemed she fit her eventual role well (saviour and reuniter of the White Tower, and leader of the White Tower at the Last Battle).

I suspect I will always find her sections difficult to reread though, as possibly due to bias, I still see her as arrogant in many parts. In saying that, I don't find her arrogant in her opinion of herself / her abilities, or her views on whether she is fit to deal with others or not, I think she never overestimated herself. And, while I think she wouldn't have been a good future leader due to her interactions with the Seanchean and the like, I can't really fault her for these interactions, given her history with them and what they are like, her attitudes and behaviour were perfectly understandable. The traits that I see, that make me feel her arrogant, and difficult to read about, is where she seems to like to make assumptions quickly, and then treat the assumptions as fact (e.g. Rand must have made up about meeting the Daughter-Heir of Andor, Rand must have taken on a bard in the Waste out of pride / arrogance), and where she seems somewhat hypocritical (being very harsh in view on Rand on hearing he may have gotten Aes Sedai to swear to him, but has no problem making Aes Sedai swear to her).

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Re: I disagree about Cadsuane. Her entitlement issues are pretty significant. - 23/01/2013 11:59:08 PM 931 Views
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Bwahahahaha .... That's the funniest statement on the boards in years - 24/01/2013 02:09:35 AM 760 Views
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She'd be an even bigger douche? - 24/01/2013 05:48:45 AM 741 Views
Egwene almost had all of the Westlands united under the authority of the WT? - 23/01/2013 11:02:17 PM 752 Views
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Re: Why does Egwene expect people to kneel and kiss her ring - 24/01/2013 02:25:18 AM 819 Views
She accepted Elayne as the wartime leader of the Lights forces - 24/01/2013 02:12:11 AM 821 Views
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This coming from you? - 24/01/2013 05:47:08 AM 774 Views
Its a sad truth... - 24/01/2013 07:12:27 AM 813 Views
Re: Its a sad truth... - 24/01/2013 07:33:19 AM 831 Views
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Egwene hate is one of those blinding diseases - 25/01/2013 02:10:40 PM 729 Views
I'm probably something of an Egwene hater... - 28/01/2013 03:23:27 AM 776 Views
Egwene was a complex character - 24/01/2013 04:00:04 PM 747 Views
I don't idolize the character either - 25/01/2013 07:21:11 AM 1237 Views
Re: I don't idolize the character either - 27/01/2013 07:46:17 PM 975 Views
No, but neither would Cadsuane - 24/01/2013 02:34:02 PM 855 Views
They are both equally arrogant in different ways. Nothing in it *NM* - 26/01/2013 03:47:00 PM 525 Views

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