Lord Foul’s Bane
Chapter 7: Seven: Lena
by Donaldson, Stephen R.Thomas Covenant, overwhelmed by the expectations of the Stonedownors who see him as a hero like Berek Halfhand, retreats into the night, consumed by claustrophobia and despair. As a leper, he feels incapable of fulfilling their hopes, and the weight of Lord Foul’s prophecy—that he is destined to confront the Despiser—fills him with dread. Trapped between the impossibility of playing the hero and the terror of standing still, Covenant grapples with his impotence and the fear of losing himself in this dream-like world. His internal turmoil peaks as he leans against a wall, panting with frustration and helplessness.
Lena, a young woman from the Stonedown, finds Covenant in his distress and offers him a place of solitude. Sensing his need for isolation, she leads him to a secluded spot across the Mithil River, where he can confront his emotions without scrutiny. As they cross an ancient bridge, Covenant hesitates, fearing the symbolic threshold it represents. Lena reassures him, explaining that the western lands, though seldom visited, are safe. Her calm presence contrasts with Covenant’s agitation, yet he remains wary of her intentions and the unfamiliar terrain.
At their destination—a ravine with a sandy basin—Lena creates a small fire using graveling, providing warmth and light. Covenant, still tense, watches as she stands by the river, bathed in moonlight, a vision of serenity that stirs his jealousy and resentment. The peaceful setting amplifies his inner conflict, as he oscillates between anger at Lena’s presence and a desperate need for companionship. The moonlit scene underscores his isolation, highlighting the chasm between his fractured psyche and the Land’s beauty.
When Lena asks if she should leave, Covenant’s response is torn between hostility and fear of being alone. He demands to know her motives, to which she replies simply that she wishes to understand him better. Her sincerity unsettles him, forcing him to confront his own vulnerability. The chapter ends with Covenant’s unresolved tension, poised between rejection and the faint hope of connection, as the night’s shadows deepen around them.
FAQs
1. How does Covenant’s leprosy influence his reaction to the Stonedownors’ expectations of him as a hero?
Answer:
Covenant’s leprosy creates a profound sense of isolation and fear, making him resistant to the Stonedownors’ hero-worship. His condition necessitates strict self-awareness and avoidance of unpredictable situations, which clashes with their desire for him to embody Berek Halfhand’s legendary heroism. The text highlights his “leper’s claustrophobia” and fear of crowds, as well as his internal conflict over the impossibility of fulfilling their expectations. His outburst to Lena—”Nothing’s well, and it hasn’t been since I was divorced”—underscores his despair and inability to reconcile his reality with their fantasy.2. Analyze the symbolic significance of the bridge over the Mithil River in this chapter.
Answer:
The bridge represents a threshold between Covenant’s fractured identity and the unknown challenges ahead. Its “untrustworthy look” mirrors his distrust of the Land’s demands, while its stability contrasts with his inner turmoil. Crossing it symbolizes a step toward potential transformation or self-destruction, as Covenant fears losing himself (“he would not be able to recognize himself when he returned”). The river beneath, with its “grumbling” prayer for absolution, reflects Covenant’s own unresolved guilt and yearning for redemption, emphasizing the bridge as a pivotal point of no return.3. How does Lena’s interaction with Covenant reveal her character and role in the narrative?
Answer:
Lena demonstrates empathy and perceptiveness by offering Covenant solitude without prying into his pain. Her gentle guidance (“I know a place where you may be alone”) contrasts with the Stonedownors’ overwhelming expectations, positioning her as a stabilizing force. Her moonlit reverie on the promontory suggests a connection to the Land’s mysticism, while her curiosity (“I want to know more of you”) hints at her deeper narrative role—possibly as a bridge between Covenant and the Land’s truths. Her actions reveal patience and intuition, qualities that may challenge Covenant’s emotional barriers.4. What internal conflict does Covenant face in this chapter, and how does it manifest physically?
Answer:
Covenant is torn between the impossibility of embracing the Land’s heroism and the terror of rejecting it (“Can’t go on. Can’t stop”). This conflict manifests in physical distress: shortness of breath (“a pressure of darkness cramped his lungs”), violent gestures (pounding fists on the bridge), and near-hysteria (a “shiver like imminent hysteria”). His leprosy exacerbates these reactions, as his need for control clashes with the Land’s surreal demands. The chapter underscores his psychological unraveling through somatic symptoms, blurring the line between physical and existential suffering.5. Evaluate the role of setting in this chapter, focusing on how the ravine and river reflect Covenant’s state of mind.
Answer:
The ravine, described as a “shattered hull” with trees like “spars,” mirrors Covenant’s fractured psyche and sense of being shipwrecked in an alien world. The river’s “complaint” echoes his inner turmoil, while the graveling’s warmth offers fleeting solace against the “cool” night—a metaphor for his precarious grip on stability. The moonlit promontory, where Lena stands poised, symbolizes an unattainable emotional precipice for Covenant, heightening his jealousy and isolation. Together, these elements externalize his despair, framing the landscape as an active participant in his psychological struggle.
Quotes
1. “A leper’s claustrophobia was on him, a leper’s fear of crowds, of unpredictable behaviour.”
This quote captures Covenant’s visceral reaction to the Stonedown’s expectations, revealing his deep-seated trauma and isolation as a leper. It establishes the psychological tension between his condition and the heroic role others project onto him.
2. “He saw himself drawn ineluctably into a confrontation with the Despiser.”
A pivotal moment where Covenant recognizes the nightmare logic of his situation - he’s being forced toward a destiny he never chose. This foreshadows the central conflict while highlighting his powerlessness.
3. “Can’t go on. Can’t stop. What’s happening to me?”
This triptych of despair perfectly encapsulates Covenant’s existential crisis. The staccato phrasing mirrors his fractured mental state as he confronts the impossible duality of his situation in the Land.
4. “He was a leper; there were some lies he could not tell.”
A defining statement of Covenant’s character. The simple declarative sentence reveals his bitter integrity - even in fantasy, his disease imposes brutal honesty about his limitations.
5. “Standing still by the river, she held her head up to the moon, and Covenant watched her with an odd grim jealousy, as if she were poised on a precipice that belonged to him.”
This lyrical passage contrasts Lena’s natural grace with Covenant’s tormented perspective. The “precipice” metaphor suggests both his attraction to and fear of the Land’s transformative potential.