White Gold Wielder
Chapter 5: Part One — Five: Landward
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter opens with the Giants hauling sleds across the icy wilderness, driven by urgency to distance themselves from their damaged ship, *Starfare’s Gem*. Covenant, burdened by guilt and responsibility, watches as the vessel disappears behind them, finding solace in the defiant pennon flying atop its mast. Linden observes Covenant silently, aware of his inner turmoil but unable to voice her concerns amid the harsh conditions. The group presses westward, though Covenant worries about the unstable ice and the possibility of being forced northward, where unknown dangers may lurk.
As the journey continues, the physical toll on the companions becomes evident. The First leads the way, while Pitchwife struggles to keep pace, and Honninscrave and Mistweave demonstrate remarkable endurance. Vain and Findail, seemingly unaffected by the cold or fatigue, remain enigmatic figures. The barren ice plain stretches endlessly, the sun glaring mercilessly as Covenant endures the biting cold, jostled by the sled’s movements. The harsh environment amplifies his sense of helplessness, as he reflects on his reliance on others and the sacrifices they’ve made for him.
The tension escalates when the First suddenly falls into a hidden fissure, nearly dragging Pitchwife down with her. Honninscrave and Mistweave react swiftly, rescuing the pair from the treacherous crack, which reveals the sea beneath the thinning ice. Pitchwife’s relief is tinged with humor, but the incident underscores the peril of their path. The First proposes a detour northward, but Honninscrave argues against it, citing longer travel time and greater dangers. Despite reservations, the group decides to continue west, prioritizing speed over safety.
Linden, sensing Covenant’s unease, quietly questions him about the northern peril, but he admits his ignorance, having never ventured that far north. The chapter closes with Covenant’s growing dread of the unknown, both in the landscape and his own journey. The physical challenges of the ice mirror his internal struggles, as the group presses on, bound by determination and the unspoken weight of their mission. The chapter highlights themes of resilience, camaraderie, and the ever-present threat of the unknown.
FAQs
1. How does Covenant’s reaction to leaving Starfare’s Gem reveal his internal conflict and character development?
Answer:
Covenant’s reaction demonstrates his deep internal struggle with guilt and helplessness. Though he recognizes the necessity of leaving the dromond, he is tormented by abandoning friends in need—a recurring theme in his journey. The sight of the pennon offers temporary solace, symbolizing the Giants’ enduring spirit, but he quickly returns to self-reproach, reflecting on how he consistently relies on others’ sacrifices while feeling he offers nothing in return (“Only pain and peril and at least one lie”). This highlights his growth in recognizing his dependence on others, yet his inability to reconcile it with his self-perceived failures.2. Analyze the significance of the fissure incident and its aftermath for the group’s dynamics.
Answer:
The fissure incident underscores the physical and emotional vulnerabilities of the group. The First’s fall and Pitchwife’s near-miss force a pause in their relentless pace, revealing the ice’s treachery. Pitchwife’s humor (“I am a Giant and love an eventful journey”) contrasts with the underlying tension, emphasizing Giants’ resilience. The debate over route choices—west (risky but faster) vs. north (safer but longer)—exposes Honninscrave’s bitterness and the First’s pragmatism. This moment reinforces their collective determination while hinting at unresolved tensions, particularly Honninscrave’s resentment over abandoning the dromond.3. What symbolic role does the landscape play in this chapter, and how does it reflect the characters’ states of mind?
Answer:
The “white wilderland” of ice serves as a metaphor for isolation, peril, and emotional numbness. Its featureless expanse mirrors Covenant’s blurred vision and emotional detachment (“his sore heart”). The glaring sun and penetrating cold amplify his physical discomfort, paralleling his psychological burden. The fissure—a hidden danger—symbolizes unforeseen crises that disrupt progress, much like Covenant’s sudden confrontations with guilt. Meanwhile, the shrinking dromond represents loss and irreversible choices. The landscape thus externalizes the characters’ struggles: relentless effort (Giants’ exertion), fragility (the fissure), and unresolved dread (the “perilous north”).4. How does Linden’s silent observation of Covenant contribute to the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
Linden’s silent study of Covenant underscores themes of isolation and unspoken bonds. Her red, cold-bitten face and “severe” concentration reflect her vigilance and concern, but she refrains from voicing it, likely due to the impracticality of shouting over the noise. This mirrors their broader dynamic: she often perceives his turmoil but struggles to bridge the gap between them. Her later question about the north’s peril—asked “flatly” yet pointedly—reveals her pragmatic focus on survival, contrasting with Covenant’s introspective guilt. Their limited communication highlights the tension between mutual reliance and emotional distance.5. Evaluate the chapter’s portrayal of the Giants’ resilience. How does their culture and physicality shape their response to adversity?
Answer:
The Giants exemplify endurance and camaraderie through their actions. Despite hauling heavy sleds at a “hungry trot,” Honninscrave and Mistweave show no signs of fatigue, while Pitchwife’s humor (“somewhat abashed”) downplays his near-death experience. The First’s immediate return to leadership after the fissure incident (“Let us attempt the west again”) reflects their cultural valorization of perseverance. Their physical prowess (e.g., clamping herself in the fissure) and emotional resilience (the pennon’s “promise of valour”) are intertwined, portraying them as a people who confront adversity with strength and grace, even when—like Honninscrave—they privately grieve.
Quotes
1. “Vivid with color and jaunty in the wind, it captured for a moment the spirit of Starfare’s Gem like a promise of valour and endurance.”
This quote captures Covenant’s emotional moment of letting go of the Giantship as the company departs. The pennon symbolizes both the resilience of the crew left behind and the hope driving the travelers forward.
2. “At every crisis along his way, it was the same: for all his passion and power, he would have come to nothing without help. And what recompense did he make for that help? Only pain and peril and at least one lie; nothing more.”
This introspective passage reveals Covenant’s recurring guilt about relying on others’ sacrifices. It encapsulates one of the chapter’s central tensions - the protagonist’s struggle with his role as both recipient and cause of suffering.
3. “I am a Giant and love an eventful journey. But such happenings are not altogether to my taste… Also I am somewhat abashed. I sought to rescue my wife, yet it was she who caught my own fall.”
Pitchwife’s humorous yet poignant remark after nearly falling through the ice illustrates both the Giants’ characteristic resilience and the deep bonds between characters. The moment provides levity while underscoring the constant physical dangers they face.
4. “Mayhap if you were less impetuous in your rescuing—”
The First’s dry response to Pitchwife demonstrates the understated yet profound relationship between these characters. This brief exchange reveals how their affection manifests through gentle teasing even in dangerous situations.
5. “But that way is longer, and we are in haste. Northward the ice will be not so easily travelled. And this north is perilous, as you know.”
Honninscrave’s argument about their route introduces the chapter’s central dilemma - balancing speed against safety. This exchange foreshadows future dangers while revealing the tension between urgency and caution that drives their journey.