The Runes of the Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant — Book One
Chapter 4: Prologue — 3. In Spite of Her
by Donaldson, Stephen R.Linden Avery, a doctor at Berenford Memorial Psychiatric Hospital, grapples with her anger and fear over Roger Covenant, whom she believes is dangerous despite Sheriff Lytton dismissing him as a “pleasant young man.” She questions Roger’s motives, particularly his desire for his father Thomas Covenant’s white gold ring, which holds significance for its magical properties. Linden’s past experiences in the Land, a mystical world she once visited with Thomas, heighten her suspicions, though she acknowledges she might be overreacting. Her unresolved anger and concern for Joan, Roger’s mother, linger as she struggles to reconcile her instincts with the lack of concrete evidence.
In the staff lavatory, Linden reflects on her appearance and the toll of her past traumas, including her parents’ deaths and her time in the Land. She notes how her face has aged, marked by stress and sorrow, yet she also recognizes the resilience love has given her. The chapter delves into her emotional turmoil as Roger’s arrival triggers memories of loss and mortality. Linden’s connection to her patients stems from her own suffering, but her immediate focus is on Roger’s potential threat. She questions whether her fears are justified, especially since no prophetic figure—like the ochre-clad old man who once foretold her journey—has appeared to warn her.
Linden recalls the old man’s past appearances, both to her and Thomas Covenant, as harbingers of their journeys to the Land. His absence now makes her doubt the severity of Roger’s intentions. She decides to believe the Land is safe unless the old man reappears, though she remains vigilant. After calling Megan and alerting her staff about Roger, Linden resolves to prioritize her son Jeremiah over any potential crisis in the Land. Her love for him outweighs her sense of duty to the mystical world, even if it means abandoning its defense.
Driving home, Linden scans her surroundings for signs of danger but finds none. Arriving at her house, she takes a moment to appreciate the community support that eases her daily life, allowing her to focus on Jeremiah. Her gratitude for these small comforts contrasts with her underlying anxiety, highlighting the tension between her responsibilities as a mother and her lingering connection to the Land. The chapter ends with her preparing to shift her attention to her son, setting aside her fears for the time being.
FAQs
1. What are Linden Avery’s primary concerns about Roger Covenant, and what evidence does she consider when questioning her own judgment?
Answer:
Linden Avery views Roger Covenant as dangerous, believing he poses a threat not only to his mother Joan but potentially others. Her concerns stem from his time with the Community of Retribution and his upbringing, which she suspects left him weak and damaged. However, she questions her own judgment because Sheriff Lytton describes Roger as a “pleasant young man,” and she lacks concrete evidence of his malevolence. Additionally, Linden notes the absence of the ochre-clad prophet—a harbinger who appeared before her and Thomas Covenant’s previous journeys to the Land—as reason to doubt her fears about Roger’s intentions.2. How does Linden’s reflection on her appearance in the mirror reveal her emotional state and past trauma?
Answer:
When Linden examines her reflection, she notices signs of aging and distress, particularly the erosion at her mouth and the permanent frown between her brows. These physical markers reflect her inner turmoil and the psychological toll of her traumatic past, including her father’s suicide and her mother’s euthanasia. The alarm in her eyes also connects to Roger’s intrusion, which has revived memories of death and suffering. Her appearance serves as a mirror to her emotional burdens, linking her personal history with her current anxieties about Roger and the potential threat to the Land.3. Why is the absence of the ochre-clad prophet significant to Linden’s decision-making?
Answer:
The ochre-clad prophet previously appeared to both Linden and Thomas Covenant before their journeys to the Land, offering cryptic guidance (“Be true”) and foreshadowing their roles in its defense. His absence now leads Linden to question whether Roger truly poses a danger. She interprets the prophet’s non-appearance as a sign that the Land may not be at risk, allowing her to tentatively dismiss her fears about Roger. This reasoning reflects her reliance on past patterns to navigate uncertainty, though it also leaves her vulnerable to potential miscalculation.4. How does Linden’s relationship with her community contrast with her internal struggles?
Answer:
Externally, Linden is supported by her community, which values her work at Berenford Memorial Hospital. Neighbors and grateful families assist with her home maintenance, lawn care, and even cooking, simplifying her life and expressing appreciation for her medical contributions. This outward support starkly contrasts with her inner turmoil—her unresolved trauma, fears for Jeremiah, and anxiety about Roger. The dichotomy highlights her dual role as a healer to others while grappling with her own unresolved pain and vulnerabilities.5. What dilemma does Linden face if the ochre-clad prophet eventually appears?
Answer:
Linden’s dilemma revolves around a painful choice between defending the Land and protecting her son, Jeremiah. If the prophet appears, signaling a threat to the Land, she would need to answer the summons, leaving Jeremiah behind. However, her maternal devotion makes this an unacceptable sacrifice; she refuses to abandon him, even at the cost of the Land’s potential destruction. This conflict underscores her prioritization of personal love over broader responsibilities, a theme central to her character in the chapter.
Quotes
1. “Damn the man. For a while, she stormed mutely at the unresisting walls of her office. Lytton was wrong: Roger Covenant was not a ‘pleasant young man.’ He was dangerous.”
This opening line sets the tone for Linden’s internal conflict and establishes Roger as a significant threat. It introduces the chapter’s central tension—Linden’s protective instincts versus others’ misperceptions of Roger’s nature.
2. “She seemed to have aged in the last few hours. […] The knot between her brows never lifted: apparently she frowned even in her sleep, troubled by her dreams.”
This introspective moment reveals how Roger’s arrival has deeply affected Linden, both physically and emotionally. The mirror scene symbolizes her confrontation with past traumas and foreshadows the difficult choices ahead.
3. “If she had been asked to explain why she worked for Berenford Memorial Psychiatric Hospital, instead of practicing some other form of medicine, she would have replied that she was here because she understood her patients. Their damaged spirits were eloquent to her.”
This quote encapsulates Linden’s core motivation as a healer—her profound empathy stemming from shared suffering. It provides key insight into her character and establishes why she feels such responsibility toward Joan and others.
4. “No matter how many people died, or how much beauty was destroyed.”
This stark declaration represents the chapter’s emotional climax, revealing Linden’s absolute priority: protecting her son Jeremiah above all else, even at potentially catastrophic cost. It foreshadows the impossible moral dilemma she faces.
5. “She did not have to care for her house herself. […] Linden valued the help. It simplified her life enormously. And she was grateful that she lived in a community that honored what she did.”
This passage provides important context about Linden’s support system, contrasting with her isolation in facing Roger’s threat. The community’s care for her underscores what’s at stake in her coming choices.