Against All Things Ending
Chapter 1: Part One — 1. The Burden of Too Much Time
by R., Donaldson, StephenThomas Covenant, once an immortal being who had witnessed and shaped the cosmos across eons, finds himself forcibly returned to mortality by Linden Avery. Overwhelmed by the burden of his lost power and infinite knowledge, he struggles to contain the vastness of his former existence within his now-fragile human form. The weight of time fractures his mind, leaving him vulnerable and disoriented. Around him, the spectral figures of the Dead High Lords and other beings gather, observing his plight and the consequences of Linden’s choices, while Covenant grapples with the fading remnants of his divine understanding.
The chapter highlights Covenant’s profound isolation as he realizes he is no longer aligned with the timeless beings who once shared his purpose. The Dead Lords, including Berek, Damelon, Loric, and Kevin, stand as silent judges, their thoughts now alien to him. Caer-Caveral and Elena, the Law-Breakers, linger nearby, their sacrifices having enabled Covenant’s return to mortality. Meanwhile, the Elohim, represented by Infelice, face impending doom due to Linden’s actions, though Covenant can barely process their fate amidst his own unraveling consciousness.
Covenant’s fragmented awareness briefly touches upon other figures: the Haruchai, the Ranyhyn, and the Ramen, whose presence offers him fleeting solace. He recognizes their roles and struggles but lacks the clarity to fully comprehend their significance. The Stonedownor, marked by his destiny, stands as a symbol of inevitable fate. Yet, amidst the chaos, Covenant’s focus remains fixed on Linden, whose anguish anchors him to his humanity. Her despair, marked by her torn clothing and discarded Staff, mirrors his own inner turmoil and guilt over his failures.
The chapter culminates in a sense of impending catastrophe as the Worm of the World’s End approaches, threatening annihilation. Covenant’s love for Linden and his awe at her power to shape destinies clash with his awareness of the devastation she has unwittingly unleashed. His earlier words to her—urging her to trust herself—now haunt him as he confronts the consequences of his own choices. The chapter underscores themes of sacrifice, mortality, and the unbearable weight of time, setting the stage for the looming crisis.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Thomas Covenant’s transformation from an immortal being back to a mortal state, and how does this affect his perception of the world around him?
Answer:
Thomas Covenant’s return to mortality is a profound shift that strips him of his cosmic awareness and power. As an immortal, he participated in the “essential strictures of creation,” witnessing and preserving the Arch of Time across eons. However, his mortal form cannot contain this vast knowledge, causing it to “ooze from his new skin like sweat.” This transformation leaves him fractured, struggling to reconcile his fading divine comprehension with his limited human mind. The chapter emphasizes his disorientation—he can no longer understand the Dead Lords’ thoughts, and his memories slip away “like blood.” This mortal frailty anchors him to Linden Avery, whose anguish becomes his tether to reality.2. How does the presence of the Dead Lords and other spectral figures (like Caer-Caveral and Elena) contribute to the chapter’s themes of judgment and consequence?
Answer:
The Dead Lords (Berek, Damelon, Loric, and Kevin) and the Law-Breakers (Caer-Caveral and Elena) serve as witnesses to Covenant and Linden’s crisis, embodying the weight of past choices. Their spectral forms represent both judgment and legacy—Berek’s empathy, Kevin’s repudiation, and Elena’s grief reflect the consequences of their own lives. The chapter suggests they were summoned by the same urgency that brought Covenant to this moment, highlighting how history repeats and demands accountability. Their diminished states (e.g., Caer-Caveral’s “austere self-sacrifice”) underscore the cost of their actions, mirroring Covenant’s own fragmentation and foreshadowing the doom looming over the Land.3. Analyze the symbolism of the Worm of the World’s End and its connection to Linden Avery’s actions. Why is this threat described as “holocaust incarnate”?
Answer:
The Worm symbolizes absolute destruction, a force that will “devour” the Elohim first and unravel all creation. Its description as “holocaust incarnate” emphasizes its apocalyptic scale—it breathes “hot breath on the nape of the Earth’s neck,” suggesting inevitability and terror. Linden’s role in awakening the Worm ties her choices to cosmic consequences. Covenant realizes she “has become capable of deciding the outcome of worlds,” blending awe with dread. The Worm’s approach also parallels Covenant’s internal collapse; both represent irreversible fractures—one in the world’s fabric, the other in his mind—linking personal and universal doom.4. How does the chapter portray the tension between free will and predestination, particularly through characters like the Stonedownor and the Haruchai?
Answer:
The Stonedownor and Haruchai embody opposing aspects of fate and choice. The Stonedownor’s doom is sealed by his grasp of the orcrest Sunstone—his path is fixed, and altering it would negate his identity. In contrast, the Haruchai cling to their “ancient pride,” making commitments that Covenant sees as futile. Their maimed hands and lost eye symbolize their rigid adherence to self-imposed roles, rejecting their Dead ancestors’ summons. The chapter critiques both extremes: the Stonedownor’s inevitability and the Haruchai’s stubbornness, suggesting that balance—like Covenant’s fragile tether to Linden—is necessary to avert catastrophe.5. Evaluate the role of Linden Avery in this chapter. How does her emotional state reflect the broader themes of sacrifice and responsibility?
Answer:
Linden stands at the center of the crisis, her anguish mirroring Covenant’s internal fractures. She appears “defenseless,” “broken,” and “beaten,” bearing the weight of her choices—like rousing the Worm—while Covenant’s return to mortality is her doing. Her red shirt, “snagged and torn,” symbolizes her struggle, and her discarded Staff and ring represent lost tools of power. Yet her pain anchors Covenant, making her both a savior and a victim. The chapter positions her as a tragic figure whose love and actions have unintended, world-altering consequences, questioning whether responsibility can coexist with redemption.
Quotes
1. “He had spent uncounted millennia among the essential strictures of creation, participating in every manifestation of the Arch: he had been as inhuman as the stars, and as alone.”
This quote captures the profound isolation and cosmic burden of Thomas Covenant’s existence as a timeless guardian. It introduces the central tension of his transition from an eternal being to a mortal man, setting the stage for his struggle with identity and purpose.
2. “The burden of too much time was as profound as orogeny: it subjected his ordinary mind to pressures akin to those which cause earthquakes; tectonic shifts.”
Here, the author uses a powerful geological metaphor to convey the crushing weight of Covenant’s immortal knowledge on his now-mortal mind. This quote exemplifies the chapter’s exploration of the psychological toll of transcending human limits.
3. “Each throb of blood in his veins bereft him of himself.”
This concise yet devastating sentence perfectly encapsulates Covenant’s existential crisis as he loses his immortal nature moment by moment. It represents the core emotional experience of the chapter - the painful process of becoming human again.
4. “The Worm of the World’s End was coming. It was holocaust incarnate. He seemed to feel its hot breath on the nape of the Earth’s neck.”
This ominous quote introduces the apocalyptic threat looming over the narrative while demonstrating the author’s gift for vivid, visceral imagery. It marks a turning point where Covenant’s personal crisis intersects with the larger cosmic danger.
5. “He had loved her across the entire span of the Arch of Time, and she had become capable of deciding the outcome of worlds.”
This quote beautifully captures the enduring, timeless nature of Covenant’s love for Linden while hinting at her pivotal role in the fate of existence. It represents the emotional core of their relationship amidst the cosmic stakes.