Against All Things Ending
Chapter 13: Part Two — 1. Those Who Endure—
by R., Donaldson, StephenThomas Covenant sits in a desolate gully, cradling an unconscious Linden Avery while grappling with grief over his daughter Elena’s tragic fate. The landscape is barren, mirroring his inner turmoil as he reflects on the recent cataclysmic events, including Linden’s restoration of his life and the awakening of the apocalyptic Worm of the World’s End. Despite his numbness, he clings to Linden, placing his symbolic ring around her neck, a gesture of relinquished power and unresolved guilt. The company, exhausted and battered, rests nearby, their immediate survival overshadowed by the looming threat of the Worm’s relentless advance.
The Ardent, an Insequent, has transported the group to the Lower Land, a strategic location free from Kevin’s Dirt, allowing Linden and her allies to retain their perceptual abilities. Covenant recognizes the terrain, noting its proximity to Landsdrop and the distant threat of the Worm’s eventual path to Melenkurion Skyweir. The Ardent’s choice offers temporary respite from immediate dangers like the skurj and Sandgorgons, but Covenant remains acutely aware of the larger, insurmountable threat. His focus, however, stays fixed on Linden, whose suffering echoes his ex-wife Joan’s torment, adding another layer of personal anguish to his burden.
Covenant’s internal conflict deepens as he contemplates the need for Loric’s krill, a weapon essential for confronting Joan yet vital for restraining the croyel that controls Linden’s son, Jeremiah. The dilemma underscores his refusal to sacrifice Linden or her son, even as the world teeters on the brink of destruction. Meanwhile, the company’s remnants—Giants, Ramen, and Stave—stand guard or rest, their resilience tested by exhaustion. Mahrtiir, blind yet perceptive, faces the sunrise as if seeking guidance, while Galt maintains a vigilant hold over the croyel, preventing its escape.
The chapter paints a portrait of weary defiance amid hopeless odds. Covenant’s quiet vigil over Linden symbolizes his unresolved guilt and determination, even as the Earth’s doom approaches. The group’s fragile respite is a fleeting pause before the storm, with each character grappling with their own limits and loyalties. The narrative lingers on Covenant’s introspection, highlighting his torn priorities—between personal redemption, Linden’s salvation, and the impossible task of saving a world already condemned by the Worm’s awakening.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Covenant placing his ring around Linden’s neck, and how does this act reflect his character development?
Answer:
Covenant’s decision to transfer his ring to Linden symbolizes his rejection of power and his prioritization of her well-being. Having died and been resurrected, he states, “I never wanted all that power… I don’t want it back. Not like this.” This act underscores his growth from a reluctant bearer of responsibility to someone who willingly relinquishes control, trusting others (like Linden) to wield power. It also reflects his guilt over past failures (e.g., Elena’s fate) and his determination to support Linden, even as he grapples with his own limitations (e.g., his numb hands).
2. Analyze the strategic implications of the Ardent’s choice to transport the company to the Lower Land. What advantages and risks does this location present?
Answer:
The Lower Land offers several tactical advantages: it lies beyond Kevin’s Dirt, preserving Linden and Liand’s percipience and strengthening the Staff of Law. It also positions Mount Thunder as a buffer against immediate threats like the skurj and Sandgorgons. However, risks remain: the Worm of the World’s End’s approach is inevitable, and Roger’s Cavewight army could still locate them. The Ardent’s decision prioritizes short-term recovery (e.g., rest for the exhausted company) but does not address long-term survival, highlighting the dire balance between respite and impending doom.
3. How does Covenant’s internal conflict about Joan and the krill illustrate the broader themes of sacrifice and responsibility in the chapter?
Answer:
Covenant is torn between using Loric’s krill to confront Joan (who threatens his hands) or to restrain the croyel (protecting Jeremiah and the group). This dilemma embodies the novel’s themes of impossible choices and cascading consequences. His refusal to prioritize Joan—despite her personal toll on him—shows his commitment to Linden and Jeremiah, even at the cost of his own suffering. The krill’s dual necessity underscores how power and tools are finite in the face of overwhelming threats, forcing characters to weigh personal burdens against collective survival.
4. Evaluate the role of secondary characters like Mahrtiir and Galt in this chapter. How do their actions support or contrast with Covenant’s leadership?
Answer:
Mahrtiir and Galt exemplify steadfast duty amid crisis. Mahrtiir, though eyeless, seeks revelation in the sunrise and dispatches scouts, demonstrating proactive resilience. Galt’s vigilance with the krill (preventing the croyel from feeding) provides literal and metaphorical stability. Their actions contrast with Covenant’s passive prayer and contemplation, yet they reinforce his leadership by shouldering practical burdens. While Covenant focuses on Linden’s recovery, these characters maintain the group’s immediate safety, highlighting a collaborative dynamic where leadership is distributed.
5. What symbolic meaning can be inferred from the descriptions of the landscape (e.g., the “stunted trees” and “barren” gully)?
Answer:
The desolate setting mirrors the characters’ emotional and existential states. The “stunted trees” and “bitter grass” reflect resilience amid devastation, paralleling Covenant’s determination despite his numbness and grief. The barrenness also foreshadows the Worm’s impending destruction, emphasizing the Earth’s fragility. Conversely, the shadow of the boulder—where Covenant rests—suggests fleeting refuge, a temporary reprieve before the sun (a symbol of exposure and time) forces movement. The landscape thus becomes a metaphor for endurance in the face of irreversible decay.
Quotes
1. “His mind was still full of shrieks and fire and torrents: his heart was woe. Whenever he looked at Linden’s slack face, he saw Elena’s unassoiled horror, pursued by She Who Must Not Be Named. He did not know how to lament for his daughter.”
This quote captures Covenant’s profound grief and trauma, haunted by past losses while facing new horrors. It reveals his emotional paralysis and the weight of his failures, setting the tone for his internal struggle throughout the chapter.
2. “If it is not forbidden, it will have Earthpower.”
A cryptic yet pivotal statement reflecting the chapter’s central tension about power, morality, and consequences. This philosophical fragment hints at the dangerous relationship between capability and restraint in the Land’s magic system.
3. “I never wanted all that power. When I died, I finally succeeded at giving it away… I don’t want it back. Not like this.”
Covenant’s rejection of his white gold ring represents his core character conflict - his reluctance to wield power despite being destined for it. This moment showcases his growth from previous books while introducing new dilemmas about responsibility.
4. “The Ardent had given Covenant and Linden and their friends the necessary gift of a respite. Still they had no defense against the Worm of the World’s End. Perhaps no defense was possible.”
This juxtaposition of temporary relief against existential threat encapsulates the chapter’s central tension. It highlights the cruel paradox of their situation - momentary safety while facing inevitable doom.
5. “Because of him, Elena had been consumed by She Who Must Not Be Named. Reminders of his ex-wife seemed to demand more from him than did the last crisis of the Earth.”
This reveals Covenant’s tortured psychology - how personal guilt outweighs even apocalyptic threats. It shows his inability to prioritize global salvation over personal atonement, a key character flaw driving his decisions.