Lord Foul’s Bane
Chapter 20: Twenty: A Question of Hope
by Donaldson, Stephen R.Thomas Covenant awakens in Manhome after a deep, nightmare-free sleep, sensing a distant, benevolent gaze reminiscent of an old beggar who once made him ponder ethics. The cave is bright with reflected sunlight, and he finds Saltheart Foamfollower waiting beside him. Covenant jokes about his expertise in sleeping, a skill he attributes to his leprosy, but his dark humor confuses the Giant. Foamfollower expresses discomfort with the term “leper,” questioning its cruelty, while Covenant deflects with sarcasm, suggesting leprosy is either a random accident or a meaningless punishment. Their conversation highlights Covenant’s internal conflict and his struggle to reconcile his condition with the Land’s moral framework.
The mood lightens as Foamfollower laughs and offers Covenant food, reminiscing about their past journey. Covenant eats hungrily, only to notice the cave adorned with garlands of white columbines—a tribute from the Ramen honoring his connection to the Ranyhyn. Foamfollower explains the significance of this gesture, describing how the Ramen once practiced “marrowmeld,” a lost art of bone-sculpting that symbolized joy and truth. The flowers represent their gratitude for the unprecedented sight of Ranyhyn offering themselves to Covenant, a moment of wonder that transcends their diminished history. Covenant, however, remains uneasy, unsure how to accept such honor.
Their discussion shifts to the morning’s events, including High Lord Prothall’s refusal to offer himself to the Ranyhyn, a decision Foamfollower interprets as humility. Covenant speculates that Prothall will resign after the Quest, believing himself a failure despite potential success. Foamfollower counters with optimism, praising Lord Mhoram’s selection by Hynaril, a Ranyhyn who once carried Mhoram’s mother—a rare honor. Covenant, though, remains cynical, unable to shake his discomfort with the reverence surrounding him. His tension resurfaces when Gay, a Winhome, hesitates to refill his flask, fearing offense.
Covenant’s interactions reveal his deepening isolation and self-doubt. His attempts at humor fall flat, and he struggles to navigate the Land’s customs and the respect he garners. The chapter underscores the contrast between Foamfollower’s warmth and Covenant’s guardedness, as well as the tension between hope and despair. Covenant’s journey remains fraught with existential questions, leaving him torn between embracing the Land’s beauty and retreating into his defensive cynicism.
FAQs
1. How does Foamfollower react to Covenant’s use of the term “leper,” and what does this reveal about their cultural differences?
Answer:
Foamfollower expresses discomfort with the term “leper,” calling it “too short” and hearing only cruelty in it. This highlights a key cultural difference between Foamfollower’s compassionate worldview and Covenant’s more cynical, resigned perspective. The Giant’s reaction shows his people’s tendency to value dignity and reject labels that reduce individuals to their afflictions. Covenant’s awkward justification—that leprosy is either an accident or “just desert”—further underscores their disconnect, as Foamfollower struggles to reconcile this with his belief in purposeful creation (e.g., suggesting the Despiser might have limited power). This exchange reveals Foamfollower’s innate kindness and Covenant’s unresolved shame about his condition.2. Analyze the significance of the flowers in Manhome and what they symbolize about Covenant’s relationship with the Ramen.
Answer:
The profusion of flowers in Manhome represents the Ramen’s profound gratitude and honor toward Covenant after the Ranyhyn’s unprecedented offering to him. The text notes they gathered “white columbines and greenery” all night, transforming the cave’s austerity into something robe-like and celebratory. This gesture symbolizes a shift in Covenant’s status—from outsider to someone who has “touched the hearts of the Ranyhyn.” However, Covenant’s internal echo of “Honour?” suggests his discomfort with this recognition, foreshadowing his ongoing struggle to accept the Land’s reverence. The flowers also contrast with Covenant’s sarcasm, emphasizing the Ramen’s sincerity and communal values.3. What does Foamfollower’s story about “marrowmeld” reveal about the Ramen’s history and the broader impact of the Desecration?
Answer:
Foamfollower’s tale of marrowmeld—a lost art of bone-sculpting—illustrates the cultural devastation wrought by the Desecration. The Ramen once created “emblems for the living” from animal bones, blending artistry with spiritual meaning (“rare truth and joy”). Its loss reflects generations of suffering: hunger, displacement, and the Ranyhyn’s decline. This history deepens our understanding of why the Ranyhyn’s return is so momentous to the Ramen. The story also serves as a microcosm of the Land’s broader decay, mirroring how the Desecration eroded beauty and mastery across civilizations. Foamfollower’s lament underscores the theme of irreversible loss, contrasting with the chapter’s fleeting hope.4. How does Covenant’s conversation with Foamfollower about sleep and humor reveal his coping mechanisms and emotional state?
Answer:
Covenant jokes about his expertise in sleeping (“I’m becoming an expert”) and lepers being “everywhere,” using sarcasm to deflect deeper emotional engagement. His humor serves as a shield, particularly when Foamfollower probes his self-deprecation. The Giant’s confusion (“I do not understand this mood”) highlights Covenant’s isolation—his jokes are rooted in pain, not camaraderie. Covenant’s abrupt shift to hunger (“Let’s get some food”) further shows his avoidance. This pattern reflects his leper’s mindset: controlling what he can (eating, sleep) while distancing himself from vulnerability. The exchange reveals his unresolved trauma and the tension between his need for connection and his fear of pity.5. Contrast the reactions of Prothall and Mhoram to the Ranyhyn, and what this suggests about their leadership styles.
Answer:
Prothall refuses the Ranyhyn, fearing his “old bones” would offend them—a decision Foamfollower interprets as humility but Covenant sees as self-doubt (“he thinks he’s a failure”). This reflects Prothall’s cautious, self-effacing leadership. In contrast, Mhoram accepts Hynaril, a Ranyhyn who notably bears two riders (a historic first), symbolizing his boldness and connection to tradition. The difference underscores their arcs: Prothall’s impending resignation (per Covenant’s prediction) stems from perceived inadequacy, while Mhoram’s readiness to embrace wonders hints at his future role. Their choices also mirror Covenant’s conflict—Prothall’s withdrawal versus Mhoram’s engagement with the Land’s possibilities.
Quotes
1. “Through the vague rise and fall of his drifting as if even asleep his senses were alert to the Land- he felt that he was being distantly watched. The gaze on him was anxious and beneficent; it reminded him of the old beggar who had made him read an essay on ‘the fundamental question of ethics.’”
This opening passage establishes Covenant’s deep, almost mystical connection to the Land, while hinting at the philosophical underpinnings of the story. The reference to ethics foreshadows the moral dilemmas Covenant will face.
2. “‘Leper’ is not a good name. It is too short for such as you. I do not know the word, but my ears hear nothing in it but cruelty.”
Foamfollower’s observation highlights the central tension of Covenant’s identity - his struggle with how society (and he himself) views his leprosy. The Giant’s outsider perspective reveals the inherent cruelty in labels.
3. “If leprosy were an act of cruelty- by God or whatever- it wouldn’t be so rare. Why be satisfied with a few thousand abject victims when you could have a few million?”
Covenant’s bitter philosophical musing represents his core existential dilemma - whether suffering is random or meaningful. This quote captures his cynical worldview that contrasts sharply with the Land’s inherent meaning.
4. “From vulture and time-cleaned skeletons on the Plains of Ra, the Ramen formed figures of rare truth and joy… the skill of marrowmeld was lost.”
Foamfollower’s description of the lost art of marrowmeld serves as a powerful metaphor for the Land’s decline since the Desecration, contrasting past beauty with present deprivation while hinting at potential renewal.
5. “Behold! She is remembered with honour among the great horses. The Ramen say that no Ranyhyn has ever before borne two riders. Truly, an age of wonders has come to the Plains of Ra.”
This passage marks a turning point where ancient traditions are being broken in positive ways, suggesting the possibility of change and renewal in the Land’s fate. The Ranyhyn’s actions symbolize hope breaking through established patterns.