Search Jump: Comments
    Chapter Index
    Back to Story
    Cover of A Court of Thorns and Roses
    Adventure FictionFantasyFantasyFictionRomance Novel

    A Court of Thorns and Roses

    by Maas, Sarah J.
    “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas follows Feyre, a human huntress who kills a wolf in the woods, unknowingly unleashing a series of events that lead her into the faerie lands of Prythian. As she navigates her captivity and develops complex relationships with faerie beings, she confronts ancient threats and her own trauma. The novel blends fantasy, romance, and adventure, exploring themes of redemption, power, and resilience.
    PreviousNext
    A Court of Thorns and Roses

    Chapter 20

    by Maas, Sarah J.

    In Chap­ter 20 of “A Court of Thorns and Ros­es,” the pro­tag­o­nist, Feyre, expe­ri­ences a tense and iso­lat­ing day fol­low­ing a strained din­ner with Tam­lin, dur­ing which she seeks solace by light­ing can­dles to dis­pel shad­ows. Her emo­tion­al state is reflect­ed in her art­work, which depicts a ter­ri­fy­ing, skele­tal crea­ture with bat-like ears and enor­mous wings, sym­bol­iz­ing her inner fears and the dark atmos­phere she per­ceives. To avoid the dan­gers lurk­ing out­side, par­tic­u­lar­ly the Attor, she attempts to stay with­in the safe­ty of her room, high­light­ing her sense of vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty and the grow­ing ten­sion with­in the house­hold.

    As Fire Night, or Calan­mai, approach­es, Feyre notices the increas­ing inten­si­ty of the prepa­ra­tions and the dis­tant, rhyth­mic drum­beats that sum­mon the faerie com­mu­ni­ty. The sounds evoke a pri­mal call, stir­ring her curios­i­ty and a strange com­pul­sion to inves­ti­gate the fes­tiv­i­ties. She observes the dis­tant bon­fires and the smoke ris­ing into the sky, feel­ing an inex­plic­a­ble pull towards the cel­e­bra­tion, despite her aware­ness that she is not invit­ed. The atmos­phere is thick with mag­ic and antic­i­pa­tion, height­en­ing her sense of fore­bod­ing and her desire to under­stand what is hap­pen­ing beyond the con­fines of the estate.

    Tam­lin’s sud­den appear­ance, dressed as a war­rior, under­scores the seri­ous­ness of the occa­sion. He warns Feyre to stay inside and lock her doors, explain­ing that he must par­tic­i­pate in the Great Rite, a sig­nif­i­cant and poten­tial­ly bru­tal faerie rit­u­al asso­ci­at­ed with Calan­mai. His com­mand­ing tone and the trans­for­ma­tion of his fea­tures reveal the grav­i­ty of the event, empha­siz­ing the dan­ger and the sac­ri­fices involved. His urgent plea for her to remain safe high­lights the per­il she faces and the unpre­dictable nature of faerie cus­toms, which are root­ed in ancient and vio­lent tra­di­tions.

    Dri­ven by an irre­sistible force, Feyre even­tu­al­ly dis­obeys Tamlin’s instruc­tions and fol­lows the sound of the drums on horse­back. Her jour­ney takes her to a hill­top where a large bon­fire and a gath­er­ing of High Fae are vis­i­ble. She is con­cealed by mag­ic glam­ours that dis­tort her per­cep­tion, yet her curios­i­ty pro­pels her deep­er into the fes­tiv­i­ties. The scene is charged with mag­ic, mys­tery, and antic­i­pa­tion, as Feyre nav­i­gates the com­plex, secre­tive world of the faeries and the pow­er­ful rit­u­als tak­ing place, hint­ing at deep­er con­flicts and the dan­ger­ous allure of the faerie realm.

    Down­load Free PDF

    FAQs

    • 1. Question 1

      What are the significance and symbolism behind the Fire Night (Calanmai) celebration as depicted in Chapter 20, and how does the protagonist’s perception of this event evolve throughout the chapter?

      Answer:
      Fire Night, or Calanmai, is depicted as a major faerie celebration involving bonfires, drums, and rituals that seem to hold deep cultural and possibly mystical significance. The drums and bonfires symbolize a communal gathering, possibly connected to ancient traditions or rites, and are associated with powerful magic and high fae activity. Initially, the protagonist perceives the event as mysterious and somewhat dangerous, especially as she notices the uninvited nature of the celebration and the ominous, magic-laden atmosphere. Her perception shifts from curiosity to a sense of foreboding, especially when she senses the dangerous magic and the ritualistic nature of the event, which involves a “Great Rite” that Tamlin must partake in. Her evolving perception underscores the event’s underlying danger and the cultural importance it holds for the faeries, contrasting her outsider perspective with their traditions.

      2. Question 2

      Describe the role of Tamlin during the Fire Night celebration and analyze how his actions and words reflect his responsibilities and internal conflict.

      Answer:
      Tamlin plays a pivotal role during the Fire Night celebration, as he is compelled to participate in the “Great Rite,” a significant faerie ritual. His appearance is commanding and warrior-like, with his shirtless, armed figure emphasizing his strength and readiness. His words reveal a sense of duty and obligation; he tells Feyre to stay in her chamber and to lock her doors, indicating the ritual’s potential danger and his concern for her safety. Tamlin’s canines lengthening and his tense muscles suggest internal conflict and the weight of responsibility he bears as a High Lord. His insistence that she remain hidden and his quick departure highlight his awareness of the ritual’s violence and the necessity of his participation, despite his apparent reluctance or internal struggle. His actions reflect a balance between duty to his people and personal apprehension about the ritual’s brutality.

      3. Question 3

      How does the protagonist’s experience of the Fire Night celebration illustrate themes of secrecy, magic, and outsider perspective in the story?

      Answer:
      The protagonist’s experience vividly illustrates themes of secrecy and magic through her inability to fully perceive the true nature of the celebration. She notices the glamour that conceals the faces of the faeries, making their features blurry and indistinct, which signifies the hidden, secretive nature of faerie society. Her attempt to focus on the details is thwarted by magic, emphasizing how the faeries protect their traditions from outsiders. Her outsider perspective is heightened by her curiosity and the sense of danger, as she follows the drums and is drawn into a world she does not fully understand. The chapter underscores her vulnerability and the mystique surrounding faerie customs, highlighting her position as an outsider trying to comprehend a secretive and magical culture that operates beyond human understanding.

      4. Question 4

      In what ways does the chapter explore the tension between duty and personal desire, particularly through Tamlin’s character and the protagonist’s actions?

      Answer:
      The chapter explores this tension primarily through Tamlin’s sense of duty to his responsibilities as a High Lord and his personal feelings of conflict. Tamlin’s insistence that Feyre stay in her chamber and his warning to lock the doors reflect his awareness of the danger involved in the ritual and his obligation to protect her, even if it means keeping her away from the truth or from participating. His tense, commanding demeanor suggests internal conflict—he is torn between fulfilling his duties and his concern for Feyre’s safety. Similarly, the protagonist’s desire to follow the drums and her curiosity about the celebration demonstrate her personal longing to understand and connect with the faerie world. Her decision to follow the drums, despite Tamlin’s orders, indicates her urge to seek understanding and agency, illustrating the ongoing struggle between duty (to stay safe) and personal desire (to explore and learn).

      5. Question 5

      Reflect on the significance of the protagonist’s painted creature at the beginning of the chapter. How does it symbolize her emotional state and foreshadow events in the chapter?

      Answer:
      The protagonist’s painting of a tall, skeletal, winged creature with a roar and a carrion smell symbolizes her inner fears and sense of foreboding. Its chilling, deathly appearance reflects her emotional state—fearful, anxious, and repelled by the dark, violent aspects of the faerie world she is beginning to glimpse. The creature’s menacing features foreshadow the danger and violence associated with the Fire Night ritual and Tamlin’s participation in the Great Rite. It also symbolizes her feeling of being hunted or threatened, as the creature’s roar and deathly imagery evoke a sense of looming threat. The act of painting such a creature underscores her subconscious acknowledgment of the peril and darkness surrounding the faerie customs, setting a tone of tension and foreshadowing the perilous events that unfold as she follows the drums into the night.

    Quotes

    • 1. “The drums turned faster—louder. Though I’d grown accustomed to the smell of magic, my nose pricked with the rising tang of metal, stronger than I’d yet sensed it.”

      This quote highlights the intensifying magical atmosphere and foreshadows the forthcoming ritual, emphasizing the chapter’s focus on the gathering’s ominous and powerful nature.

      2. “As a High Lord, I have to partake in the Great Rite.”

      This statement reveals the significance of the ritual for Tamlin, illustrating the weight of faerie traditions and the dangerous, ceremonial aspects of the Fire Night celebration.

      3. “Stay in your chamber.”

      Tamlin’s command underscores the danger and seriousness of the event, as well as his concern for Feyre’s safety, marking a pivotal moment of tension and foreshadowing.

      4. “It was magic—some kind of glamour put on me, meant to prevent my viewing them properly, just as my family had been glamoured.”

      This insight into faerie glamours explains the elusive, shifting perceptions of the fae, illustrating themes of deception and hidden truths central to the chapter.

      5. “By ten o’clock, I could no longer stand it. I followed the drums.”

      This line captures Feyre’s internal conflict and growing curiosity, serving as the turning point that propels her into the heart of the faerie celebration and its mysteries.

    Quotes

    1. “The drums turned faster—louder. Though I’d grown accustomed to the smell of magic, my nose pricked with the rising tang of metal, stronger than I’d yet sensed it.”

    This quote highlights the intensifying magical atmosphere and foreshadows the forthcoming ritual, emphasizing the chapter’s focus on the gathering’s ominous and powerful nature.

    2. “As a High Lord, I have to partake in the Great Rite.”

    This statement reveals the significance of the ritual for Tamlin, illustrating the weight of faerie traditions and the dangerous, ceremonial aspects of the Fire Night celebration.

    3. “Stay in your chamber.”

    Tamlin’s command underscores the danger and seriousness of the event, as well as his concern for Feyre’s safety, marking a pivotal moment of tension and foreshadowing.

    4. “It was magic—some kind of glamour put on me, meant to prevent my viewing them properly, just as my family had been glamoured.”

    This insight into faerie glamours explains the elusive, shifting perceptions of the fae, illustrating themes of deception and hidden truths central to the chapter.

    5. “By ten o’clock, I could no longer stand it. I followed the drums.”

    This line captures Feyre’s internal conflict and growing curiosity, serving as the turning point that propels her into the heart of the faerie celebration and its mysteries.

    FAQs

    1. Question 1

    What are the significance and symbolism behind the Fire Night (Calanmai) celebration as depicted in Chapter 20, and how does the protagonist’s perception of this event evolve throughout the chapter?

    Answer:
    Fire Night, or Calanmai, is depicted as a major faerie celebration involving bonfires, drums, and rituals that seem to hold deep cultural and possibly mystical significance. The drums and bonfires symbolize a communal gathering, possibly connected to ancient traditions or rites, and are associated with powerful magic and high fae activity. Initially, the protagonist perceives the event as mysterious and somewhat dangerous, especially as she notices the uninvited nature of the celebration and the ominous, magic-laden atmosphere. Her perception shifts from curiosity to a sense of foreboding, especially when she senses the dangerous magic and the ritualistic nature of the event, which involves a “Great Rite” that Tamlin must partake in. Her evolving perception underscores the event’s underlying danger and the cultural importance it holds for the faeries, contrasting her outsider perspective with their traditions.

    2. Question 2

    Describe the role of Tamlin during the Fire Night celebration and analyze how his actions and words reflect his responsibilities and internal conflict.

    Answer:
    Tamlin plays a pivotal role during the Fire Night celebration, as he is compelled to participate in the “Great Rite,” a significant faerie ritual. His appearance is commanding and warrior-like, with his shirtless, armed figure emphasizing his strength and readiness. His words reveal a sense of duty and obligation; he tells Feyre to stay in her chamber and to lock her doors, indicating the ritual’s potential danger and his concern for her safety. Tamlin’s canines lengthening and his tense muscles suggest internal conflict and the weight of responsibility he bears as a High Lord. His insistence that she remain hidden and his quick departure highlight his awareness of the ritual’s violence and the necessity of his participation, despite his apparent reluctance or internal struggle. His actions reflect a balance between duty to his people and personal apprehension about the ritual’s brutality.

    3. Question 3

    How does the protagonist’s experience of the Fire Night celebration illustrate themes of secrecy, magic, and outsider perspective in the story?

    Answer:
    The protagonist’s experience vividly illustrates themes of secrecy and magic through her inability to fully perceive the true nature of the celebration. She notices the glamour that conceals the faces of the faeries, making their features blurry and indistinct, which signifies the hidden, secretive nature of faerie society. Her attempt to focus on the details is thwarted by magic, emphasizing how the faeries protect their traditions from outsiders. Her outsider perspective is heightened by her curiosity and the sense of danger, as she follows the drums and is drawn into a world she does not fully understand. The chapter underscores her vulnerability and the mystique surrounding faerie customs, highlighting her position as an outsider trying to comprehend a secretive and magical culture that operates beyond human understanding.

    4. Question 4

    In what ways does the chapter explore the tension between duty and personal desire, particularly through Tamlin’s character and the protagonist’s actions?

    Answer:
    The chapter explores this tension primarily through Tamlin’s sense of duty to his responsibilities as a High Lord and his personal feelings of conflict. Tamlin’s insistence that Feyre stay in her chamber and his warning to lock the doors reflect his awareness of the danger involved in the ritual and his obligation to protect her, even if it means keeping her away from the truth or from participating. His tense, commanding demeanor suggests internal conflict—he is torn between fulfilling his duties and his concern for Feyre’s safety. Similarly, the protagonist’s desire to follow the drums and her curiosity about the celebration demonstrate her personal longing to understand and connect with the faerie world. Her decision to follow the drums, despite Tamlin’s orders, indicates her urge to seek understanding and agency, illustrating the ongoing struggle between duty (to stay safe) and personal desire (to explore and learn).

    5. Question 5

    Reflect on the significance of the protagonist’s painted creature at the beginning of the chapter. How does it symbolize her emotional state and foreshadow events in the chapter?

    Answer:
    The protagonist’s painting of a tall, skeletal, winged creature with a roar and a carrion smell symbolizes her inner fears and sense of foreboding. Its chilling, deathly appearance reflects her emotional state—fearful, anxious, and repelled by the dark, violent aspects of the faerie world she is beginning to glimpse. The creature’s menacing features foreshadow the danger and violence associated with the Fire Night ritual and Tamlin’s participation in the Great Rite. It also symbolizes her feeling of being hunted or threatened, as the creature’s roar and deathly imagery evoke a sense of looming threat. The act of painting such a creature underscores her subconscious acknowledgment of the peril and darkness surrounding the faerie customs, setting a tone of tension and foreshadowing the perilous events that unfold as she follows the drums into the night.

    Note