Against All Things Ending
Chapter 12: Part One — 12. She Who Must Not
by R., Donaldson, StephenThomas Covenant exists in a fractured state, simultaneously aware of the present yet trapped in fragmented memories, unable to act as he witnesses Linden and their companions face imminent doom. He observes Linden’s collapse before She Who Must Not Be Named, a being of immense malice and grief, while his consciousness drifts through disjointed recollections. Esmer’s influence has left him paralyzed, forcing him to relive the past without the power to intervene, even as he feels the full weight of his companions’ suffering and the looming threat of the bane’s emergence.
The chapter delves into the history of the ur-viles, who once served Lord Foul but later questioned their purpose after witnessing the Waynhim’s defiance. Through centuries of introspection, they uncovered their origins in the Viles, a race untainted by self-loathing, and forged a new path by creating Vain and the manacles. This backstory highlights their transformation from servants of destruction to beings seeking redemption, though their efforts remain overshadowed by the present crisis. Covenant’s memories of their struggle contrast sharply with the dire situation unfolding around him.
She Who Must Not Be Named embodies a tragic archetype—a figure of love betrayed and imprisoned, her malice born from endless grief. Covenant perceives her as the culmination of countless wronged women, from Mininderain to Lena and Joan, her rage a reflection of absolute treachery. Her emergence from the lake of fire signals impending doom for the company, as her hunger leaves little hope for survival. Covenant, though detached, recognizes the stakes: every companion, from Linden to the Giants, has a vital role to play in the Land’s fate, yet their time is running out.
Despite his helplessness, Covenant grasps the necessity of his own survival, not for his sake but to bear the burdens of Joan and Roger, whose choices continue to threaten existence. The chapter closes with a sense of inevitability, as She Who Must Not Be Named prepares to consume her victims, leaving only fleeting chances for escape. Covenant’s introspection underscores the themes of memory, responsibility, and the relentless march toward an uncertain future, where even the smallest hope hinges on fractured legacies and desperate acts.
FAQs
1. What is the nature of Thomas Covenant’s existence in this chapter, and how does it affect his ability to interact with events?
Answer:
Thomas Covenant exists in a fragmented state of simultaneous realities—one where he perceives current events but cannot act, and another where he wanders through disjointed memories. This duality renders him a powerless spectator, “like a ghost,” as he witnesses Linden’s struggles and the emergence of She Who Must Not Be Named. His volition is inaccessible, leaving him to “care and grieve and groan” without influence. This paralysis stems from Esmer’s intervention, which trapped Covenant in a realm of “contradictory knowledge and bewilderment,” forcing him to relive the past while being acutely aware of the present crisis.2. How did the ur-viles’ understanding of their Weird evolve, and what pivotal realization led them to create Vain?
Answer:
Initially, the ur-viles embraced self-loathing, believing their flawed existence justified serving Lord Foul’s destructive aims. However, after millennia of war and witnessing the Waynhim’s noble example, they questioned their path. Retreating to the Lost Deep, they studied ancient Viles lore, uncovering a pre-Raver heritage of wisdom and self-acceptance. This revealed the futility of their servitude and inspired them to envision a redemptive purpose. Their “assiduous studies and exhaustive labors” culminated in Vain’s creation—a construct designed to counter Lord Foul’s corruption, symbolizing their rejection of despair and hope for renewal.3. Analyze the symbolic significance of She Who Must Not Be Named. How does her backstory reflect broader themes in the narrative?
Answer:
She Who Must Not Be Named embodies the archetype of betrayed love, representing countless women (like Diassomer Mininderain and Lena) whose trust was exploited. Her “quintessential wail of lamentation” reflects the transformation of grief into destructive fury, mirroring the chapter’s themes of trauma and helplessness. Covenant recognizes her as both victim and threat—a duality paralleling his own fractured state. Her emergence from a “lake of fire” underscores the Land’s cyclical suffering, where pain begets violence. This symbolism critiques how unresolved anguish perpetuates harm, a motif echoed in Linden’s despair and Covenant’s impotence.4. Why does Covenant believe Linden and the other companions are essential to the Land’s survival, despite his own inability to act?
Answer:
Covenant acknowledges that each companion—Liand, Anele, the Giants, even the Demondim-spawn—holds a critical role in the Land’s fate. Linden and Jeremiah are pivotal to unresolved cosmic struggles, while the Manethrall and Masters represent resilience against despair. Even the Ardent’s knowledge and Esmer’s potential redemption offer slim hope. Covenant’s insight reflects his deeper understanding of interconnected destinies: though he cannot intervene, their collective purpose sustains the narrative’s tension between doom and possibility. His emphasis on their value contrasts with his self-effacing view, highlighting the theme of shared responsibility.5. How does the chapter’s structure—alternating between Covenant’s passive observation and fragmented memories—enhance its emotional impact?
Answer:
The juxtaposition of Covenant’s helpless witnessing and chaotic memories intensifies the reader’s sense of claustrophobia and despair. His vivid awareness of Linden’s suffering (“the futility of his desire to leap after her”) contrasts with his disjointed recollections, mirroring the characters’ fractured reality. This structure immerses the audience in Covenant’s psychological torment, making his passivity palpable. By weaving past (ur-viles’ history) and present (She Who Must Not Be Named’s rise), the narrative underscores how unresolved history haunts the present, amplifying the stakes of the current crisis.
Quotes
1. “Like a ghost, Thomas Covenant occupied discrete realities simultaneously, and had no effect on any of them.”
This opening line powerfully establishes Covenant’s fractured state of being, caught between passive observation and helpless memory. It introduces the chapter’s central tension between awareness and powerlessness.
2. “Perishing by the thousands in the Despiser’s wars, however, the ur-viles had recognized that the logic of their servitude could reach only one conclusion. And in battle at the gates of Lord’s Keep, the Waynhim had demonstrated by valor and commitment that other choices were possible.”
This insight into the ur-viles’ philosophical evolution reveals the deep lore of the Land and shows how even seemingly irredeemable creatures can question their nature and purpose.
3. “At its core, Hers was the tale of every love which had ever been used or abused and then discarded. The tale of She Who Must Not Be Named.”
This profound characterization of the chapter’s titular antagonist transforms her from mere monster to tragic archetype, connecting her mythos to universal human experiences of betrayal and grief.
4. “He regarded the effect of finding her son, and of being unable to free the boy from the croyel. He saw the hopelessness of her decision to flee the Lost Deep. When she had found the strength to treat his hands, his pride in her had been as poignant as yearning.”
These observations about Linden showcase Covenant’s deep connection to her struggles while maintaining his helpless observer perspective, highlighting the tragedy of their situation.
5. “Everyone who had come so far in Linden’s name, or in the Land’s, had a part to play… Therefore he, too, needed to live.”
This realization marks a turning point where Covenant moves beyond passive observation to recognize his essential role, setting up his eventual return to agency in the narrative.